The state government launched Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship Scheme in December 2020 named after its legendary leader and an icon.  It is a new scheme aimed to support students from tribal communities of Jharkhand to pursue higher education.

Under the scheme, ten students every year will be selected from the scheduled tribe category belonging to and residing in the state. The scheduled tribes are socio-economically and educationally backward communities notified in the Indian constitution. The first cohort selected by the state government comprises six students whose admissions were already confirmed and fulfilled the other criteria established for the selection.  The remaining four will be selected shortly.

All six students are heading to UK universities like Sussex, London school of Economics, SOAS, UCL, Loughborough, Warwick to pursue varied courses.  Full scholarships are is being provided by the state government which covers tuition fees, living, journey and other expenses required for the courses.

In its first year of launch, the scheme was open for one-year masters or a two-year MPhil programme for 22 courses in select 15 universities of the United Kingdom. The list of UK universities participating in this scheme is available in the notification available on the state government’s website (https://jharkhand.gov.in/welfare).

As per details available, the scheme will be expanded to other destination countries from next year.

British Council comments:

Jharkhand government’s selection of UK as its partner of choice for roll out of the new scheme underscores the lasting impact connections can have through education, and in this case through Jaipal Singh Munda on whom this scheme is named.  He was the first tribal person from India to study at University of Oxford.  He is remembered for his immense contribution to welfare of tribal communities, education and sports.

In most states of India, there are dedicated departments with responsibility for welfare of marginalised communities which also run overseas scholarships scheme for higher education.  This is to promote inclusion and bridge inequity of access to quality higher education.  In addition, at national level, there are two schemes to enable 120 students from marginalised communities to study overseas and are funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

These schemes are good opportunities for the UK HEIs to expand their footprint and engagement plans including in the smaller cities of the country.  The aspirational young Indians have various financial options available now to pursue their higher studies overseas and make a better life.  A close watch will however be needed, as it is observed that fewer number of students are able to benefit under these schemes because of poor administration and slow process. 

If you have any questions, please write to Sandeepa Sahay (Regional Coordinator, South Asia Education Insight Hub)

More information can be accessed at

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/politics/jharkhand-offers-scholarships-for-tribal-students-to-study-in-uk-and-ireland-universities-all-you-need-to-know-7498021.html

https://www.jharkhand.gov.in/PDepartment/SearchUploadedDocuments?department=9b4444362f0552972f13bf5536751e75&doctype=98f13708210194c475687be6106a3b84&subdoctype=0

https://www.telegraphindia.com/jharkhand/uk-envoy-lauds-jharkhand-overseas-scholarship-scheme-for-tribals/cid/1831935