Punjab launches overseas scholarship scheme for SC students; 30% seats reserved for females

The Punjab government has launched an overseas scholarship scheme to support students from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and landless agricultural labourers who want to pursue higher education abroad. The announcement was made by Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur on Thursday.

To be eligible for this overseas scholarship scheme, students should have secured at least 60 per cent marks in their graduation and be under the age of 35. "We will select children whose parents have an annual income of less than Rs 8 lakh," Kaur stated while elaborating on the eligibility criteria for the scheme.

The minister added that there will be a 30 per cent reservation for female aspirants. Students can apply to a list of 500 top-ranked universities abroad. Expenses covered under the scheme include visa fees, airfare, tuition fees, an annual maintenance allowance of Rs 13.17 lakh per year, and a contingency allowance of Rs 1.35 lakh.

Overseas Scholarship Scheme: Application, correction deadline

Eligible students can submit their applications for the overseas scholarship scheme for the academic year 2025-26 online at the official portal, nosmsje.gov.in, till October 24. The portal will reopen from October 26 to October 29, 2025, exclusively for candidates to make corrections to their submitted applications. No new registrations will be accepted during this period.

Kaur noted that the scheme allows students to pursue education abroad without requiring parents to mortgage property. Referring to the post-matric scholarship scheme, she said, "Today, the number has risen to 2,37,456, a 35 per cent increase in just three years," while the 2022 figure was 1,76,842.

Scholarship targets for 2025-26

The minister further states that the target for 2025-26 is 2.70 lakh students. Awareness campaigns are being conducted in schools and colleges to ensure all eligible students can apply.

The minister also announced a two-month crash course at the Ambedkar Institute in Mohali for SC, BC, and minority students preparing for civil services. "Applications will be accepted offline and via email from September 17 to 26. Forty eligible candidates will be selected through an entrance exam on September 30," she said.

(With inputs from PTI)