Panjabrao Deshmukh Scholarship – Government Scholarships for Maharashtra Students

 In the pursuit of higher education, many students face financial barriers that hinder their dreams and aspirations. Recognizing the need to support marginalized students in Maharashtra, the government has introduced a comprehensive scholarship program aimed at empowering those who truly need it. In this article, we delve into the details of this scholarship program, its eligibility criteria, benefits, and renewal policies. Join us on this journey as we explore how this initiative is making education accessible to all.

Overview

This government scholarship program is specifically designed to assist students hailing from government-funded and non-affiliated colleges/polytechnics in Maharashtra. It targets those pursuing vocational courses endorsed by the government. To be eligible, students must be certified by the competent authority as either marginal farmers or children of registered laborers. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits offered under this scheme.

Benefits

For Children of Registered Laborers or Marginal Land Holders

• Institutes in MMRDA / PMRDA / Aurangabad City / Nagpur City: Eligible students can receive financial aid of Rs. 30,000 per year for a period of 10 months.
• Institutes in other areas: Students in these regions can avail themselves of Rs. 20,000 annually for 10 months.

For Students with an Annual Family Income up to 8 Lakhs

• Institutes in MMRDA / PMRDA/ Aurangabad City / Nagpur City: These students are entitled to financial support of Rs. 10,000 for a duration of 10 months.
• Institutes in other areas: Eligible students in these regions can receive Rs. 8,000 annually for 10 months.

Eligibility

To ensure that the scholarship reaches the intended beneficiaries, certain eligibility criteria have been established. As of the Government Resolution (GR) dated variously between October 2017 and July 2019, the following conditions apply:

• Nationality of India: Applicants must be Indian citizens.
• Domicile of Maharashtra State: Candidates should be residents of Maharashtra.
• Bonafide Student of Institute: Students must be admitted to a professional and technical course (Diploma/Graduation/Post Graduation Degree) as specified in the GR.
• Deemed University and Private University Exclusion: This scholarship is not applicable to students in deemed universities or private universities.
• Centralized Admission Process (CAP): Candidates should be admitted through the Centralized Admission Process.
• No Other Scholarships: Applicants should not be recipients of any other scholarship or stipend.
• Family Limit: Only two children from a family are eligible for this scheme in the current academic year.
• Income Limit: The total annual income of the family/guardian should not exceed 8 Lakhs.
• Attendance: A minimum of 50% attendance in the previous semester is required, with exceptions for fresh admissions.
• No Gap in Education: During the course duration, candidates should not have a gap of 2 years or more.
• General and SEBC Category: Candidates who have taken admission under the General category and SEBC Category are eligible.

Renewal Policy

For continued support, students must adhere to the renewal policy of the scholarship program. Detailed documentation will be necessary to ensure that the benefits continue uninterrupted:

• Mark Sheet: Candidates must provide their mark sheets from 10th grade onwards.
• Domicile Certificate: A domicile certificate of Maharashtra State is essential.
• Registered Labor Certificate/Marginal Land Holder Certificate: If the student is not a child of a registered laborer or marginal land holder, they will need to submit a family annual income certificate.
• Undertaking: An undertaking stating that no more than two beneficiaries from the family will receive the scholarship in the current year.
• CAP Documents: Relevant documents related to the Centralized Admission Process.
• Hosteller Documents: In the case of private hostels or paying guest accommodations, an agreement with the owner will be required.

As you can see, this scholarship program follows a well-structured process, ensuring that deserving students receive the support they need to pursue their educational goals.