Candidates applying for foreign higher education scholarships under Maharashtra government’s Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARATHI) scheme have been waiting for the shortlist for more than four months. The delay has forced many to change their plans or postpone their higher education studies.
Advertisement inviting applications for ‘Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad Sarathi Meritorious Boys and Girls Scholarship for Higher Education Abroad’ under Sarathi was released in June 2024 and candidates were allowed to apply till July. About 200 candidates applied for the scheme and 75 of them were to be selected by September, like other similar scholarships offered for meritorious students from other marginalized communities. But the selection list is yet to come.
A student from Pune who has taken admission in the University of Michigan in the United States said, “In view of the delay, I have now tried to postpone the admission. It is allowed only once if I fail to join by the next academic year; I will have to drop my enrollment. “
While most of these students requested deferrals from universities where they were able to secure admissions, some did not have the option and got admissions in their universities and are now struggling to survive abroad. A student from Sambhaji Nagar said, “I was confident that I would get selected as I fulfilled all the requirements. Hence, I decided to go ahead with my plan as the scholarship would be reimbursement in nature. This decision was taken knowing that there has been a delay in the selection list and distribution of funds for the past two years. But it has been delayed for the longest time, and now, it is becoming difficult to survive in the UK,” said a student currently studying a STEM course at the University of Leeds.
Confirming the delay in the scholarship this year, a senior Sarathi official said, “The process includes scrutiny of applications completed in October and a list of shortlisted candidates was submitted to the government from where the final shortlist is announced. Government resolution. But due to the code of conduct surrounding the Maharashtra assembly elections, this last choice remained. Now the list is expected to be out soon. “
While the students complained that no proper reason was ever found for the delay, Kuldeep Ambekar, a student activist of Student Helping Hand, said, “If the election has delayed the process, it is important to note that other similar schemes have not been delayed. Offered to students from other marginalized communities. Sarathi should plan well so that students are not affected.”