Bharat, an agro-based economy in the ancient era, hardly had formal education, and youth generally followed into the family’s hereditary profession. But, with the advent of British rule, the social and economic fabric witnessed a huge mode of change. More and more people opted for White-collar jobs as traditional industries were getting exhausted. The education infrastructure was concentrated in urban regions and the scarcity of educational institutes made its reach restricted to affluent and influential.
After independence, the then Congress Governments did not really rectify the picture. We all have heard of anecdotes of poor but brilliant youth getting financial help from few philanthropists in the society for acquiring higher degrees or the help from their caste fund has enabled few students from deprived backgrounds for further education. Such cases were few and the majority of youth had no choice but to forgo their ambition. Such compromises would not just remain a personal loss but eventually, it would amount to national loss.
The Congress Government perpetually followed the Appeasement policy, hence the mode of scholarships offered by the Government agencies was largely based on religious consideration and not based on economical strength. The Congress Governments post-independence propagated Scholarships for Minorities.
The Minority affair Ministry of Bharat recognizes Six Minority communities- Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Buddhists, and Jains as minorities. The Muslims, who constituted the largest minority group, constituted an extremely low percentage in seeking higher education.
With Narendra Modi Government at Center in 2014, 2.37 Crore Minority students received Government scholarship exceeding the 2.33 Crores extended by the UPA-2. Looking at the data, the Central Government spent Rs.8,715.4 Crores on educational scholarships between 2014 and 2019, against Rs.5,360.4 Crores from 2009-2014.
Narendra Modi Ji’s idea of governance is based on Inclusive growth. Along with providing Educational Scholarships on Religious Minorities, his Government emphasized on educating one n all, irrespective of his religion, class, and creed. Hence, Modi ji led Government’s weightage was on providing educational aid to economically weaker section of society.
NDA Government’s vision emphasized on paying accolade to the armed and police forces for their dedication to securing the nation., especially the wards of state police officials who were martyred during terror/Naxal attacks, Ex-Servicemen/Ex Coast Guard personnel and their widows, who had to shatter their dream of acquiring higher education due to lack of fund. PradhanMantri Chattavrutti Yojna or PradhanMantri Scholarship Scheme is implemented through the Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex. Serviceman Welfare. It is a Central Government Scheme to encourage children of Ex. Serviceman and Martyrs for higher Studies.
The eligibility criteria for availing benefits of this scheme is purely based on Economic conditions. Ward of Ex. Serviceman, /Ex. Coastguard or the martyrs belonging to any religion, caste, or creed can get a scholarship under this scheme to pursue higher education following the below-mentioned requirements.
A) The Ward must secure 75 percentage in std 12th.
Such wards can avail 10,000 Rs for 10 months.(meaning 1,000/- per month)
B) Those wards having secured 85 percent in standard 12th can avail 25,000/- as scholarship.
C) Those wards opting for professional courses in higher studies are eligible to avail 2500/- (for boys) and 3500/- (for girls) for 4-5 years. It is mandatory for these students to acquire 50% marks in each subjects. If he/she obtains lesser percentage than 50, than the scholarship would be stopped.
D) The scholarship would be given through DBT in the recipient’s Jan-Dhan Account.
E) No Civilian or para military person’s Ward can avail this benefit.
For applying for PMSS 2021, the applicant must be Bharatiya citizen, in the age group of 18 to 25 and his family income should not exceed 6 Lakhs per annum. He/She must have Aadhar Card, Birth Certificate, Aadhar linked bank account and Bank account passbook or cancelled cheques of SBI/PNB only, Photographss, PPO number.and the Marksheet of standard 12th.
Total of 6100 beneficiaries would be included under the PMSS. Out of which 5500 beneficiaries would be short listed from Ex.Servicemen/Ex.CoastGuards wards and their widows. Rest of the 500 beneficiaries would be listed out from State Police officials who have been martyred during terror/naxal attacks. Hon. Prime Minister has grown up facing hardships of life. He has been in constant touch with difficulties of common men and their aspirations.
Modi ji led Government strongly stands by the yearning of these wards whose parents have dedicated their life for country. Lack of money should never be the hinderance in their progress.
Through PMSS, Bharat pays tribute to their dedication.