Deadline extended for overseas scholarship scheme application

Nagpur: The social justice and special assistance department of the govt of Maharashtra annually provides scholarships under the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship Scheme to 75 students from the Scheduled Castes and Neo-Buddhist categories for doing higher studies abroad. The deadline for applying for this scheme for the year 2025-26 has been extended, and students can now submit their applications until May 20.The main objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to boys and girls from the Scheduled Castes category for pursuing postgraduate degrees and research programs (PhD) abroad. Applications are being invited from students who gained admission for the academic year 2025-26.Under this scheme, 75 students from the SC category in Maharashtra who secure admission to foreign educational institutions ranked within the top 200 of the latest (Qx World University Ranking) for postgraduate and PhD studies will be granted scholarship.Eligible students under this scheme will have their entire tuition fees, as mentioned in the Offer Letter from the foreign educational institution for the stipulated academic period, paid directly to the concerned educational institution by the relevant authority. Additionally, each year, students will receive contingency expenses of USD 1,500 for the USA and other countries, and GBP 1,100 for the UK, to cover expenses for buying essential textbooks, notebooks and stationery, thesis report preparation, typing and binding, local visits and other study tour travel expenses, and other incidental expenses.More information, advertisements, application forms, and rules regarding this scheme are available on the govt website: www.maharashtra.gov.in. Interested candidates can download the prescribed application form from the website, complete it, and submit it along with the necessary documents by 6:15pm on May 20, to the commissioner, social welfare, Maharashtra, Church Path, Pune. This scheme is applicable for full-time degree/postgraduate degree/postgraduate diploma courses. Only students who are residents of Maharashtra are eligible for this benefit. Students who previously applied for the year 2025-26 need not apply again.Dr Siddharth Gaikwad, regional deputy commissioner, social welfare department, Nagpur, appealed to students to submit applications for availing this scheme.