PPMA

Padho Pardesh

Padho Pardesh provides an interest subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies to students from minority communities, enhancing their access to higher education abroad. Launched in 2006 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the scheme supports eligible students whose family income does not exceed ₹6,00,000 per annum, aiming to improve their employability and personal development.

Central Cash

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry Of Minority Affairs

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): Yes

Scheme open date: 2014-02-26

Categories: Education & Learning

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Subsidy, Education Loan, Higher Education, Minority Students

Details

The Padho Pardesh scheme is a central government program that provides interest subsidies to minority students who are pursuing master's, M.Phil, or Ph.D. degrees abroad. The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious students belonging to economically weaker sections of notified minority communities so as to provide them better opportunities for higher education abroad and enhance their employability.

The subjects/ disciplines in which courses (for Masters, M.Phil and Ph.D only) may be undertaken for the grant of interest subsidy are listed below:-

  1. Arts/ Humanities/ Social Sciences
  2. Commerce
  3. Pure Sciences
  4. Engineering
  5. Bio- technology/ Genetic Engineering
  6. Industrial Environmental Engineering
  7. Nano- technology
  8. Marine Engineering
  9. Petro-chemical Engineering
  10. Plastic Technology
  11. Cryogenic Engineering
  12. Mechatronics
  13. Automation Robotics including artificial intelligence
  14. Laser Technology
  15. Low Temperature Thermal Dynamics
  16. Optometry
  17. Art Restoration Technology
  18. Dock and Harbour Engineering
  19. Imaging System Technology
  20. Composite Materials Engineering including Decentralized power Distribution (for Solar Heat) system, Energy Storage Engineering, Energy conservation, Energy Efficient Habitat
  21. Packaging Engineering/ Technology
  22. Nuclear Engineering
  23. Information Technology including Computer Engineering, Software, Software Quality assurance, Networking/ Connectivity Engineering, Communication system under Hazardous or Post-disaster conditions, Multi- media Communication
  24. Industrial Safety Engineering
  25. Agriculture & Agro Technology
  26. Agronomy
  27. Medical
  28. Floriculture & Landscaping
  29. Food Sciences & Technology
  30. Forestry & Natural Resources
  31. Horticulture
  32. Plant Pathology
  33. Energy Studies
  34. Farm Power & Machinery
  35. Veterinary Sciences
  36. Soils & Water Management
  37. Plant Breeding & Genetics
  38. Small- scale Rural Technology
  39. Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences
  40. M.B.A
  41. M.C.A

Benefits

  • 1. Financial assistance: The scheme provides an interest subsidy on education loans which can help to reduce the cost of overseas education for minority students.1. Increased access to education: The scheme makes overseas education more accessible to minority students from all backgrounds regardless of their financial situation.1. Improved employability: Studying abroad can give students a competitive edge in the job market and the Padho Pardesh scheme can help minority students to achieve their career goals.1. Personal and professional development: Studying abroad can be a transformative experience and the Padho Pardesh scheme can help minority students to develop their skills and knowledge in a global context
  1. Financial assistance: The scheme provides an interest subsidy on education loans, which can help to reduce the cost of overseas education for minority students.1. Increased access to education: The scheme makes overseas education more accessible to minority students from all backgrounds, regardless of their financial situation.1. Improved employability: Studying abroad can give students a competitive edge in the job market, and the Padho Pardesh scheme can help minority students to achieve their career goals.1. Personal and professional development: Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, and the Padho Pardesh scheme can help minority students to develop their skills and knowledge in a global context.

Eligibility

  • Students must have been admitted to an approved master's, M.Phil, or Ph.D. program abroad.
  • Students must have been admitted to a recognized university or institution abroad.
  • Student's family income must not exceed ₹ 6,00,000 per annum.
  • Students must have obtained an education loan from a scheduled bank under the Indian Banks Association (IBA) Education Loan Scheme.
  • Students must apply for the scheme's benefits during their first year of study. Applications received in the second year or later will not be accepted.
  • Priority will be given to applications from states and union territories with lower bank interest rates.
  • Payment of financial benefits may be linked to the student's Aadhaar number.

Exclusions


Application Process

Online

  1. Open the official website. 1. Click on the "Apply Now" option.1. Fill the required details

    1. ISD Code,
    2. Mobile number
    3. Email ID.

  2. Submit the details.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

If student has availed subsidy under any other scheme including the CSIS scheme for undergraduate courses, whether he/she will be eligible under this scheme?
Student will be eligible, (as the interest subsidy) under the Scheme for pursuing Post Graduate Diploma, Post Graduate degree course/Masters, M.Phil & Ph.D. Further, those students, who have completed M.Tech in India but is now pursuing MBA abroad and these students have got subsidy under CSIS/ state subsidy scheme for the M.Tech course, are also be eligible in this Scheme.
Is Interest Subsidy guaranteed for all eligible applicants?
No, interest subsidy is not guaranteed for all eligible applicants. However, it would be Ministry's endeavor to provide interest subsidy to all eligible applicants to the extent possible. As per provision of scheme, total number of students to be selected in a year is 400.
As per Model Scheme of IBA, the maximum loan for study abroad is Rs.20 lakhs. Whether interest subsidy is admissible for loan amount disbursed above Rs.20.00 lakh?
Presently, subsidy is restricted to the limits specified under IBA model scheme i.e. Rs 20.00 lakh only
Whether latest income certificate only should be obtained or the income certificate obtained during earlier years/ at the time of availing loan can be taken?
Income Certificate issued by Competent Authority obtained at the time of availing loan, will be sufficient
What documents are required ?
1. Application form. 2. Admission letter. 3. Passport. 4. Income certificate. 5. Education loan application. 6. Aadhaar card.
What is the ‘Meritorious’ element in the Scheme for eligibility for interest subsidy?
Those who have secured admission abroad and are eligible as per Scheme Guidelines will be considered as meritorious under the Scheme.
If the course pursued by the minority student is partly in India and partly abroad, shall be eligible for the interest subsidy?
Such students will be eligible for interest subsidy, if the Degree is awarded by Foreign University.
What is the income limit under the scheme?
Total income from all sources of the employed candidate or his/ her parents/guardians in case of unemployed candidate shall not exceed Rs. 6.00 lakh per annum. Income certificate issued by the competent authority in the State/ Union Territory should be submitted in support of income shown by a candidate.
When can a student apply for the scheme benefits?
Students must apply for the scheme's benefits during their first year of study. Applications received in the second year or later will not be accepted.

References

Apply

Apply now

Opens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.

Documents Required for Government Schemes

Most government schemes require basic documents for verification. While the exact requirements vary, common documents include:

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Caste Certificate (if applicable)
  • Residence Proof
  • Bank Account Details
  • Educational Certificates (for student schemes)

How to Apply for Government Schemes?

The application process for government schemes may be online or offline depending on the scheme. In most cases, you can follow these steps:

  1. Check eligibility criteria
  2. Collect required documents
  3. Fill the application form
  4. Submit the application online or at the relevant office
  5. Track application status