Mass Communication Internship Programme 2026

This scheme, run by the National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation, helps Scheduled Caste students fund Read More... their full-time professional and technical education. Read less

Details

Are you a student from a Scheduled Caste background looking to pursue higher studies? The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, offers an Education Loan Scheme to support your academic dreams.

What Is This Scheme?

The NSFDC Education Loan Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to Scheduled Caste students for pursuing full-time professional and technical courses. It's a one-time support to cover various educational expenses, whether you're studying in India or abroad.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is specifically for students who belong to the Scheduled Caste community. You must be pursuing a regular, full-time professional or technical course recognized by the government in a reputed institution. Your family's annual income should also be below a certain limit.

Why This Scheme Is Important

The NSFDC Education Loan aims to remove financial barriers for Scheduled Caste students, enabling them to access quality education and enhance their career prospects. It covers a wide range of expenses, making higher education more accessible and achievable.

Objective

This scheme, run by the National Scheduled Castes Finance & Development Corporation, helps Scheduled Caste students fund their full-time professional and technical education.

Benefits

Honorarium:

An honorarium of ₹10,000/- per month will be paid to each intern.

Certificate:

A certificate will be received upon successful completion of the internship.

Facilities:

The department provides working space, internet facility, and other necessities as deemed fit by the Heads.

Placement:

Each selected intern will be posted with a Deputy Secretary, Director, Joint Secretary, or the office of the Secretary (WR, RD & GR) and will work closely with the IEC Section.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

You must be pursuing a regular, full-time professional or technical course at a recognized institution in India or abroad.
You must belong to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community.
Your family's annual income should not exceed ₹3,00,000/-, whether you are from a rural or urban area.
This educational loan is provided as a one-time financial assistance.

How To Apply

To apply for the Education Loan Scheme, you need to:

Contact the District Office of your State Channelizing Agency (SCA).
Submit your application in the prescribed format provided by NSFDC.

For more details, you can visit the official NSFDC website or contact their offices.

Official Website:

www.nsfdc.nic.in

Documents Required

Passport-sized photograph
Aadhaar Card
Income Certificate
Caste Certificate
Proof of Residence
Valid Passport (if studying abroad)
Valid Visa/Permit (if applicable for study abroad)
Educational Qualification Certificates
Admission confirmation from the educational institute, including the fee and payment schedule
Identity card issued by the institute (if already admitted)
Any other documents as specified by NSFDC

FAQ’s

What kind of courses does the NSFDC Education Loan cover?

The loan is available for full-time professional and technical courses from recognized institutions. This includes fields like Engineering, Medicine, Management, IT, Law, Journalism, and higher studies like M.Phil/PhD. Courses like CA, ICWA, and CS are also covered.

What is NSFDC and what does it do?

NSFDC stands for National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation. It's a government body established to financially support and empower individuals from Scheduled Caste communities who have an annual family income of up to ₹3,00,000/-.

Can I get this loan for part-time studies?

No, this loan is strictly for regular, full-time professional or technical courses. Part-time studies are not covered under this scheme.

What is the repayment timeline for this loan?

If your loan amount is up to ₹10,00,000/-, you'll have 10 years to repay. For loans exceeding ₹10,00,000/-, the repayment period extends to 12 years.

What expenses are covered by the NSFDC Education Loan?

The loan can be used for admission fees, tuition fees, books, stationery, equipment, examination fees, hostel and mess charges, insurance premiums, and travel expenses (especially for studying abroad). It also covers caution money, development funds, and clothing allowance if needed.

What is the maximum loan amount for studying in India?

For studies within India, the maximum loan you can get is ₹30,00,000/-. However, it's capped at 90% of your total course fee, whichever amount is lower.

What is the interest rate for loans taken for studies abroad?

When studying abroad, NSFDC charges 3% per annum to the SCAs, and they charge 7% per annum to the beneficiaries. Women beneficiaries are eligible for an interest rebate of 0.5%.

How do I apply for the NSFDC Education Loan?

You need to contact your nearest District Office of the State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) and submit your application using the official NSFDC application form.

What is the family income limit to be eligible for this loan?

To be eligible for this loan, your family's annual income must be less than ₹3,00,000/-, regardless of whether your family resides in a rural or urban area.

What documents do I need to submit for the loan application?

You'll need your Aadhaar card, caste certificate, income certificate, proof of residence, passport-sized photos, educational certificates, admission confirmation from the institute, and a valid passport and visa if studying abroad.

Is there any specific benefit for women applicants regarding interest rates?

Yes, women beneficiaries receive an interest rebate of 0.5% on the applicable interest rate, making the loan slightly more affordable for them.

What is the maximum loan amount for studying abroad?

If you plan to study abroad, the maximum loan amount you can receive is ₹40,00,000/-. This is subject to being no more than 90% of your total course fee.

What is the interest rate for loans taken for studies in India?

For studies in India, NSFDC charges 2% annually to the SCAs, who then charge beneficiaries 6% per annum. Women beneficiaries get a 0.5% discount on this interest.