India 2018

Welfare 557
earlier. In no case the time will be extended beyond 2 years. Any cost escallation
due to delay in project will be borne by the state/institute.
National Fellowship for OBC Students
Assistance for Skill Development of Other Backward Classes (OBCs)/De-notified,
Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs)/Economically Backward Classes (EBCs)
The aim of the scheme is to involve the voluntary sector to improve educational
and socio-economic conditions of the target group i.e., OBCs/DNTs/EBCs, with
a view to upgrade skill to enable them to start income generating activities on
their own or get gainfully employed in some sector or the other.
The scheme aims at providing financial assistance to the OBC students in
obtaining quality higher education leading to degrees such as M.Phil and Ph.D
in universities, research institutions and scientific institutions. The scheme is
designed to provide a total number of 300 junior research fellowships per year
from the year 2014-15 onwards and 300 senior research fellowships from 2016-
17 to Other Backward Class (OBC) students. The UGC is the nodal agency for
implementing the scheme and notifies the scheme through advertisements in
the media at a suitable date. The scheme covers all universities/institutions
recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Fellowships are
awarded to research students pursuing M. Phil. and Ph.D. The rate of fellowship
for JRF level is ` 25000 per month and for SRF level, it is ` 28000 per month.
Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies
for the Students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically
Backward Classes (EBCs).
The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious students
belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and EconomicallyBackward
Classes (EBCs) so as to provide them better opportunities for higher education
abroad and enhance their employability. For the eligibility of OBC candidates,
total income from all sources of the employed candidates, or his/her parents/
guardians in case of unemployed candidate, shall not exceed present creamy
layer criteria. For the eligibility of EBC candidates, total income from all sources
of the employed candidate or his/her parents/guardians in case of unemployed
candidate, shall not exceed ` 2.50 lakh per annum. Out of the total outlay for a
year, a minimum of 50 per cent amount is earmarked for interest subsidy to the
girl students.
Post-Matric Scholarship to the EBC Students
This is a centrally sponsored scheme being implemented through the state
government and UT administrations. The objective of the scheme is to provide
financial assistance to the EBC students studying at post-matriculation or postsecondary
stage. The income ceiling of parents/guardians for eligibility is
` 1.00 lakh per annum (including self income, if employed).