Vice President of Nepal Permananda Jha and Indian Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae presented Certificates of Merit to Nepali students of the 13th Batch of Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme awarded by the Government of India.

According to a press release of Indian Embassy, the Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme was launched by Government of India in 2002 to commemorate 50 years of Economic Cooperation between India and Nepal. At the inception of this scheme, 50 Nepalese students undertaking different undergraduate courses in Nepal were awarded the scholarship.

In the year 2007, the number of scholarships has been increased to 100. Since the year 2012, the number of scholarships has been doubled to 200 and monthly stipend has also been increased from Rs 3000/- to Rs 4000/- for MBBS and BE courses and from Rs 2000/- to Rs 3000/- for other courses, including B.Sc, BBA, BBS and B.Com. The students are selected on the basis of merit. Seats are reserved for students from educationally disadvantaged districts. Due weight age for underprivileged and physically challenged students have been accorded.

There is an extensive and close relationship between India and Nepal in the field of Human Resources Development. Over a period of time, the quantum of Indian assistance in the field of education has increased manifold, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Nepal abounds in highly qualified experts and specialists in important positions in Nepal’s polity and economy, who have studied in India.

“Over the years, India- Nepal cooperation has made major contributions towards human resource development in Nepal. Government of India is extending approx. 3000 scholarships to Nepalese citizens through the Indian Embassy in Nepal. The scholarships are provided for a wide spectrum of courses including of medicine, agriculture, sciences, law, arts, veterinary sciences, pharmacology, computer sciences etc. at various levels Under Graduate, Post Graduate, Fellowships etc. Under ITEC scheme training has also been provided to Nepalese nationals in the area of Mass Communications, S&T, HRD, Planning and Urban Development, Information Technology etc. A number of mid- career short term training courses are available to Nepal government and private employees at all ranks. Some seats in Nursing, which has a great demand in Nepal have been provided with effect from this year,”said a press release.

Apart from these scholarships, Nepalese citizens are able to join the Indian Educational Institutes directly. Similarly, scholarships are extended to Nepalese Gorkha soldiers who have worked in Indian Army.

With effect from 2014, last year Nepalese students have been visiting different universities in India for 4-6 weeks under Bharat Nepal Shiksha Maitri program which provides opportunities to the students to better understand different facets of life in India and India-Nepal relations.