Ronita Torcato

The Government of Maharashtra has introduced a new scheme offering scholarships to minority community students to pursue post- graduation and PhD studies abroad. The government is also offering scholarships to minority students pursuing specified medical and health science courses. Selected students will receive a scholarship amount of either the total annual course fee or ₹50,000, whichever is less.

Under the first scheme, 27 students from the minority communities will be able to go abroad for studies in higher and professional education every year. The scheme is being implemented by the Minority Development Dept of the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Students belonging to Muslim, Buddhist, Jain, Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian communities can apply for the scholarships towards which Rs 120 crore has been allocated by the Government.

30% of the seats are reserved for girls. Students pursuing their education outside of Maharashtra are eligible for the scholarship, provided they are domiciled in Maharashtra or have resided in Maharashtra for at least 15 years.

Students can pursue higher education in any of the 200 listed universities in the world. Scholarships will be allotted according to the proportion of the minority community in the population as per the 2011 census. According to this census, the Maharashtra minority population is pegged at 2,22,65,487. Hence, out of every 27 students, 15 scholarships will be awarded to Muslims, seven to Buddhists and one scholarship to each of the remaining minority community students.

To be eligible for both schemes the applicant must be domiciled in Maharashtra, have an annual family income of Rs 8 lakhs or less and have secured admission to a course through CET/competitive exam or on the basis of marks obtained in Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) in one of the following courses:

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)
Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS)
Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS)
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPTH)
Bachelor in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP)
Bachelor in Prosthetics and Orthotics (BPO)
B.Sc. Nursing or M.Sc. Nursing

Dual-Degree programmes
Ophthalmic Assistant, Optometry and Post Basic B.Sc

It may be noted that if the targeted amount of scholarship for a particular minority community is not achieved, scholarships for students from other minority communities can be included.

Applicants studying outside Maharashtra must submit a copy of the Fees Regulatory Authority (FRA) for the current academic year, plus
a letter from the concerned council/authority stating the institute is recognised. Documents required to be furnished include Aadhaar card,
domicile and school leaving certificates, HSC and SSC marksheets. Father’s PAN card ( student’s PAN card and Mother’s PAN card are optional)  Income certificate of parents/Form no.16 (Note:- The certificate/affidavit should explicitly mention that the candidate belongs to a minority community)

The Aadhaar authentication process must be completed either through OTP or biometrics. The application deadline is 31st March 2024.

To know more, contact:
The Minority Development Department, Government of Maharashtra
5th & 7th Floor,Mantralaya Extension Building, Hutatma Rajguru Chowk,
Madam Cama Marg,
Mumbai – 40032
Email ID: [email protected]
Helpline Number: 022 22830626

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