State scholarship programme falters: Administrative delays cost students their dreams of studying abroad

Pune: When 23-year-old city-based engineering graduate Rohan Adhav secured admission to a leading university in the United Kingdom two years ago, he pinned his hopes on Maharashtra govt's overseas scholarship. But as weeks passed without clarity on the selection list, deadlines approached. Unwilling to lose a confirmed seat, Adhav struggled to secure private funding and was luckily able to move ahead with his admission. Days later, the state released its scholarship list — too late for him to benefit from. This was the case in 2024 but not much has changed today. In fact, this year, only 24 students were selected under the state's overseas scholarship scheme for 2025–26, despite 40 sanctioned seats and just 83 applications received statewide. Student representatives blamed poor publicity, delayed advertisements, late declaration of results, and lack of guidance at college and university levels for the low response. According to a govt notification issued by the state higher and technical education department recently, the overseas scholarship scheme, launched in 2018–19, was expanded in 2023 to accommodate 40 students annually. However, this year, less than 100 applications were received from across the state. Of the 10 seats earmarked for PhD candidates, only one application was submitted, and the sole eligible applicant was selected. For 30 postgraduate and diploma seats, 82 applications were received, of which 23 candidates qualified after scrutiny and verification. Student representatives criticised the implementation of the scheme, calling the low response rate a sign of administrative failure rather than a lack of merit among students. Kuldeep Ambekar, president of Student Helping Hands, said that when 40 seats are available but only 24 students are selected, it reflects poor outreach. "If only 83 applications are coming from a large state like Maharashtra, it is not just the students' fault. The administration failed to publicise the scheme effectively," he said. Ambekar also pointed out that the list of selected candidates was released towards the end of the academic year, leaving little time for students to complete admission formalities abroad. "Every year, there is a delay in issuing ads and completing the selection process. As a result, students lose an academic year," he added. Selected students are usually expected to pursue higher studies in universities in Singapore, the UK, the US, Australia, Germany and The Netherlands. Sayali Jadhav, a postgraduate aspirant who secured admission to an Australian university, said she could not wait indefinitely for the state's decision. "My university gave me a strict deadline to confirm admission and pay the initial fees. Since the scholarship list was not declared on time, I had to either drop the opportunity or arrange funds on my own. I eventually deferred my admission because I could not afford the full cost without the scholarship," she said. A govt official stated, "The scholarship awards are subject to verification by the state home department. If any candidate is found to have submitted incorrect information or forged documents, the scholarship will be cancelled. In such cases, the student will be barred from further education benefits, and the expenditure incurred will be recovered with 15% compound interest. Criminal proceedings may also be initiated." Additionally, scholarship recipients are required to return to Maharashtra after completing their studies and serve the state, as per the terms of a mandatory bond executed at the time of selection. A representative of another student union, Smita Bodhe, said, "Although govt has announced a uniform and inclusive policy for overseas scholarship schemes, the implementing machinery appears indifferent. There is no fixed timeline, no defined accountability, and no penal provisions. Without accountability, administrative delays continue unchecked, while students bear the academic, financial and mental burden."