Appeal by the Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department to Apply by May 17 for ‘Overseas Education Scholarship’

Mumbai The Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department has appealed to students belonging to the Denotified Tribes and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Special Backward Classes (SBC) in the state to apply for the Overseas Education Scholarship Scheme by May 17, 2025.

Every year, scholarships are granted to 75 students from these categories who secure admission or are already admitted to postgraduate degrees, postgraduate diplomas, or Ph.D. programs in foreign educational institutions ranked within the top 200 in the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings for the academic year 2025–26. Course-wise/subject-wise seats are available for this scholarship.

For detailed information such as application form, government resolution, other important terms and conditions of eligibility for the scholarship, visit the department’s website:
👉 https://obcbahujankalyan.maharashtra.gov.in

Terms and Conditions of the Scheme

According to the terms of the scheme:

• The student must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra and belong to the VJNT, OBC, or SBC categories.
• The family’s annual income should not exceed ₹8 lakh.
• The maximum age limit is 35 years for postgraduate courses and 40 years for Ph.D. courses.
• The combined family income for FY 2024–25 must also be below ₹8 lakh.
• For married female candidates, income of the husband’s family must be shown.
• If the applicant or their parent is widowed, separated, divorced, or living apart, legal documents must be submitted.
• If a widowed, separated, or divorced female candidate is living with her father, the father’s family income must be provided.
• 30% of total scholarships are reserved for girls.
• Students in the first, second, or third year of their foreign course can apply, but scholarships for the second and third year will not be granted retroactively.
• A maximum of two children per family are eligible for this scholarship.
• Parents and students must provide an affidavit stating the above.
• If two children from one family are in the same admission year, and there is a vacant seat in the final round, the second child may be considered.
• The scholarship will be awarded only once per student.
• Candidates must have at least 55% marks in the graduation exam for postgraduate courses or in the postgraduate exam for Ph.D. courses from a recognized Indian university.
• The foreign university must be ranked within the top 200 in the QS World University Rankings for the year 2025.

Where to Apply

Interested students must download the application form from
👉 www.maharashtra.gov.in or
👉 https://obcbahujankalyan.maharashtra.gov.in

The completed application with all necessary documents must be submitted in two copies, either in person or by post, by 6:15 PM on May 17, 2025, to:
Directorate of Other Backward Bahujan Welfare,
Aakar Premises, 2nd Floor, MHB Colony,
MHADA Commercial Complex,
Samata Nagar, Yerwada, Pune – 411006.

Nature of Scholarship Benefits

• The entire tuition fee for the duration mentioned in the Unconditional Offer Letter issued by the foreign institution will be paid directly to the institution by the relevant department.
• To reduce the burden of expenses on students, a maintenance allowance will be granted annually:
  • USD 1500 for USA and other countries (excluding UK)
  • GBP 1100 for the UK
• Health insurance expenses will be reimbursed as per the university’s norms.
• As per the Government of India’s National Overseas Scholarship guidelines, an annual amount of:
  • USD 15,400 (for USA and others except UK)
  • GBP 9,900 (for UK)
    — or the actual student expenses (whichever is less) will be allowed.
• Students will be eligible for airfare (economy class) from India to the foreign country at the time of departure and for the return journey upon successful completion of the course.