Questions :

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

• Whether it is a fact that there has been an increase in the number of students studying outside India during the last five years;
• if so, the State-wise details thereof ;
• the steps taken by Government during last five years to facilitate the process of obtaining study visas by students;
• whether Government has proposed any scholarship scheme for the students going abroad; and
• if so, the details of the procedure to avail the benefits of the said scholarship schemes?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b) As per the information received from Bureau of Immigration, the number of Indians who proceeded abroad for studies during the last five years is given below:

(c) The Government of India has taken up with the concerned Governments the easing issuance of visas for all categories of Indian travellers, including students. However, grant of visa is the sovereign decision and prerogative of a foreign government, acting through their Missions, based on their procedures, which have specific criteria for issue of student visas.

(d & e) National Overseas Scholarship is being implemented by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment under which scholarship is awarded to the low income students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans category etc., to obtain higher education viz., Master degree or Ph.D courses by studying abroad thereby improving their economic and social status. The detailed guidelines and the procedure to avail the National Overseas Scholarship scheme is available on the online portal specially designed for the purpose (http://nosmsje.gov.in/).