The department of education introduced the National Merit Scholarship for the UP board Allahabad Scheme.. This scheme was meant for the poor students who were brilliant from class eleventh until post graduation level. There was another scheme that was launched for the scholarship that was provided to students who were pursuing secondary stage of the students at the rural areas, also introduced by the Department of Education in 1971-72. UP board Allahabad Scheme was available for students who were pursuing their senior secondary education, which falls under class sixth until class 12th. The two schemes were merged into one which was named as ‘National Merit Scholarship Scheme’ established by the Department of Education which was implemented from 2005-06.This scheme enabled the students from class ninth until post-graduation to avail this scheme. Since the funds were not available to further this scheme, the scheme had to be discontinued from 2007 onwards. Later, this scheme was reopened by Department of school education and literacy from 2007 onwards under another name ‘National means cum merit scholarship scheme’. UP board Allahabad Schemewould again cover for students from class ninth until 12th. UP board Allahabad Schemehas been designed keeping in mind the lower income groups from various districts that have merit in their studies. This scheme came under the eleventh five year plan which got an approval to utilize Rs. 100 crore for this project.
Objectives:
The idea behind releasing UP board Allahabad Schemewas to provide monetary assistance to all the meritorious candidates that belong to the low income groups that also acts as a financial assistance that can be met during higher studies.
Scope Of The Scheme:
The deciding factor in releasing the scholarships depends basically on the examination results of the senior secondary examinations. More than 82000 scholarships are awarded to students per year out which is divided equally among boy and girl students for the graduation level and post graduation level studies in various colleges and universities. This also includes scholarships in various vocational courses such as medicines, Engineering and so forth.
Scholarship Allocation:
The scholarships are allocated in a very systematic manner and divided among the State Boards depending on their population that comprises of the students in the age group of 18-25 years, which also includes the share of the students currently under the CBSE and ICSE boards. Out of the total, 50% would be kept for girl students. For students who passed through Science, Commerce and Humanities, the scholarships would be allocated at the ratio of 3:2:1.
Eligibility Criteria:
Those students who secure a minimum of 80% marks in class twelfth and who do not belong to the so called creamy layer pursuing regular courses from a recognized institution, who are not enrolled under any other scholarship scheme are eligible to apply for UP board Allahabad Scheme. This scholarship applies to all students irrespective of any categories(general or reserved).
Motivation:
Getting enrolled in the National Merit Scholarship for the UP board Allahabad Scheme enables students who are from a not so strong financial background and who are meritorious students gives them a chance to showcase their talents. These students belong to far flung places and do not have adequate means of education. This scheme proves as a motivational Upliftment for these students and also helps in building their necessity for education.
