The Uttar Pradesh government said on Tuesday that it will now grant scholarships to all students registered in more than 500 Sanskrit schools throughout the state, abolishing the prior stipulation that their family income be less than Rs 50,000 per year.
During a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it was resolved to enhance the scholarship amount for students in classes 9 through 12 in these schools.
The revised scholarship amount now ranges between Rs 50 and Rs 200 per month. According to an official statement, this is the first update in over two decades, with the last revision occurring in 2001.
Following the meeting, Secondary Education Minister Gulab Devi announced that, recognizing that most students receiving Sanskrit education come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, scholarships will now be provided to students in Prathama (classes 6, 7, and 8) under Sanskrit education.
The minister stated that students in classes 6 and 7 will now receive Rs 50 per month, while those in class 8 will receive Rs 75 per month. Previously, students in Purva Madhyama (classes 9 and 10) received a monthly scholarship of Rs 50, and those in Uttar Madhyama (classes 11 and 12) received Rs 80 per month. With the new changes, students in classes 9 and 10 will receive Rs 100 per month, and those in classes 11 and 12 will be given Rs 200 per month.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna announced that the income limit for scholarships, previously restricted to families with an annual income of up to Rs 50,000, has now been removed. He also highlighted that the proposal’s implementation will benefit the 1,21,573 students currently enrolled in the state’s 517 Sanskrit schools.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna mentioned that the revision will cost the exchequer over Rs 19.65 crore. He added that for the current financial year, scholarship scheme applications can be submitted offline, with an online system set to be implemented in the next financial year. Khanna also noted that 13 proposals were passed in the recent cabinet meeting.
Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh stated that tourist houses under the department, currently running at a loss or nearing closure, will be handed over to private management for an initial period of 15 years, with the option to extend for another 15 years. This move aims to enhance facilities for tourists, he said.
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