Dr. S. Radhakrishnan UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship 2026

The Padho Pardesh scheme offers interest subsidies on education loans to minority students who wish to study Read More... for Master's, M.Phil, or PhD degrees in foreign countries. It aims to improve their future job prospects. Read less

Details

Are you a student from a minority community dreaming of studying abroad? The Padho Pardesh scheme can make that dream more affordable by providing an interest subsidy on your education loan.

What Is This Scheme?

Padho Pardesh is a central government initiative launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. It's designed to help meritorious students from economically weaker sections of notified minority communities by reducing the financial burden of studying overseas. The scheme provides an interest subsidy on educational loans taken for pursuing master's, M.Phil, or Ph.D. degrees abroad.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is for students belonging to minority communities who have secured admission to postgraduate diploma, postgraduate degree courses, Master's, M.Phil, or Ph.D. programs in approved foreign universities or institutions. The key is to have an education loan from a scheduled bank and meet specific income and academic criteria.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Studying abroad opens up a world of opportunities. The Padho Pardesh scheme empowers minority students by making international education more accessible. By covering a part of the interest on their loans, it helps them focus on their studies and gain valuable global experience, which can significantly boost their employability and career growth.

Objective

The Padho Pardesh scheme offers interest subsidies on education loans to minority students who wish to study for Master's, M.Phil, or PhD degrees in foreign countries. It aims to improve their future job prospects.

Benefits

No. of Slots:900The slots will be allocated as per Govt. of India reservation policy. However, 30% of slots will be reserved for women candidates.Nature of Assistance:Fellowship@ ₹ 50,000/- p.m.Contingency@ ₹ 50,000/- p.a.Escorts/Reader Assistance@ ₹ 3000/-p.m.(fixed) in cases of PWD (Person with disability)Norms for Utilizing Contingency Grant:The Contingency grant may be utilized for minor equipment useful for research such as laboratory equipment or laptop costing less than ₹ 50,000/-, chemicals, and other research-specific items within the ceiling of ₹ 1,00,000 p.a. with the approval of the host university/institution. The items purchased from the contingency grant are assets of the university/institution and at the end of the fellowship are to be handed over to the host university/institution. The contingency grant cannot be used for international travel or the purchase of furniture.HRAHostel accommodation may be provided to the scholars by their institutions. In such cases, the scholar is eligible to draw only hostel fees excluding mess, electricity, water charges, etc. If the scholar makes his/her own arrangements for accommodation, he/she shall be entitled to draw HRA as per the ceiling and categorization of cities by the Govt. of India. In case, the scholar wishes to draw HRA, he/she is required to submit a certificate, in the prescribed format, to his institution.Medical AssistanceNo separate/fixed medical assistance is provided. However, the scholars may avail the medical facilities available in their Institutions concerned.Leave(i) Earned Leave for a maximum period of 30 days in a year in addition to public holidays may be taken by a scholar. However, they are not entitled to any other vacation, such as summer, winter, and pooja vacations, etc.(ii) Maternity/paternity leave as per the Govt. of India norms issued from time to time shall be available for scholars at full rates of the fellowship once during the tenure of the fellowship.(iii) An ‘Intermittent Break’ for a maximum total period of 1 year shall be permissible to the women scholars. The break can be availed a maximum of 3 times during the entire period of the fellowship. However, the total duration of the break shall not exceed one year. No fellowship shall be available for the period of such break(s). This period of intermittent breaks shall not be counted towards the tenure of the fellowship, and thus effectively the total period of fellowship shall remain the same.(iv) ‘Academic leave’ shall be permissible only for one year throughout the tenure for any kind of academic/teaching assignment/foreign visit in connection with research work. However, during the period of academic leave no fellowship, contingency, etc will be paid by the UGC. The period of academic leave will be counted towards the tenure. Expenditure on foreign visits in connection to research work cannot be claimed from UGC.(v) All kinds of leave shall be availed by the scholar only with due approval of the institution concerned.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

You must have secured admission to an approved Master's, M.Phil, or Ph.D. program at a recognized university or institution abroad.
Your family's total income from all sources should not exceed ₹ 6,00,000 per annum.
You must have obtained an education loan from a scheduled bank under the Indian Banks Association (IBA) Education Loan Scheme.
You need to apply for the scheme's benefits during your first year of study. Applications submitted in the second year or later won't be accepted.
Preference might be given to applications from states and union territories with lower bank interest rates.
Your Aadhaar number may be linked for the payment of financial benefits.

How To Apply

Obtain an education loan from a scheduled bank under the IBA Education Loan Scheme.
Ensure you meet all the eligibility criteria for the Padho Pardesh scheme.
Submit your application for the interest subsidy during your first year of study.
Applications are typically processed through designated channels. For the most current application procedure and to download the application form, please refer to the official website or contact the relevant authorities.
The official website for details and application submission is: Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Documents Required

Completed application form.
Admission letter from the foreign university/institution.
Valid Passport.
Income certificate issued by the Competent Authority.
Details of your education loan application.
Aadhaar card.

FAQ’s

Can I apply for Padho Pardesh if I've already received subsidies for other courses?

Yes, you can still be eligible. This scheme provides interest subsidy for postgraduate diploma, postgraduate degree, Master's, M.Phil, and Ph.D. courses abroad. If you received a subsidy for a course like M.Tech in India and are now pursuing an MBA abroad, you are eligible.

What is the income limit to be eligible for this scheme?

To be eligible, your total family income from all sources should not exceed ₹ 6,00,000 per annum. You'll need to submit an income certificate issued by the competent authority in your State/Union Territory as proof.

How many students can get the interest subsidy each year?

The scheme aims to provide interest subsidy to all eligible applicants as much as possible. However, there's a limit of 400 students to be selected in a year.

Does the scheme cover education loans above Rs. 20 Lakhs?

Currently, the interest subsidy is limited to the maximum loan amount specified under the IBA model scheme, which is Rs. 20.00 lakh only.

If my course involves study partly in India and partly abroad, am I eligible?

You will be eligible for the interest subsidy even if your course is partly in India, as long as the final degree is awarded by a foreign university.

When is the last date to apply for the Padho Pardesh scheme?

You must submit your application for the scheme's benefits during your first year of study. Applications received in the second year or later will not be considered.

What does 'meritorious' mean for this scheme?

Under this scheme, students who have secured admission to foreign universities and meet the scheme's general guidelines are considered meritorious.

Do I need the latest income certificate or can I use one from when I took the loan?

An income certificate issued by the competent authority at the time you availed the education loan will be sufficient.

What documents do I need to apply for the Padho Pardesh scheme?

You will need the following documents: your application form, admission letter from the foreign university, your passport, an income certificate, your education loan application details, and your Aadhaar card.