The Maharashtra government has doubled the scholarship for seven notified minority communities including Muslims, Christians, Jains, Zoroastrians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jews. Students belonging to these communities who are pursuing higher education are now entitled to an annual scholarship of Rs. 50,000/- as compared to the earlier Rs. 25,000/-. The revised scholarship amount is implemented for minority groups of students who are pursuing Arts and full-time diploma programs.
Issued on 4th October, 2022, the resolution stated the revised scholarship amount. However, the annual income cap to avail the scholarship remains the same – at Rs. 8 lakhs per annum. Minority community students pursuing education in the fields of Arts, Science, and Commerce can avail a scholarship of Rs 5,000/-.
The scholarship amount is revised after over a decade and as per reports, the Maharashtra government revised the amount after assessing the social, financial and educational status of Muslims in 56 cities across six revenue divisions of the state. The decision to revise the scholarship amount for minorities was taken by the state cabinet meeting.
In 2011 the annual income cap was revised from 2 lakh to 8 lakh for parents who were seeking to avail the benefits of scholarship (while the scholarship amount remained the same at Rs. 25,000/-).