Maharashtra Contemplates Substantial Reduction in Fellowships for Marginalised Scholars
The Maharashtra government is considering significant cuts to the number of fellowships awarded to research scholars hailing from marginalised communities within the state. These potential changes have raised concerns about the impact on educational opportunities for these students.
During a meeting held at Mantralaya about two months ago, the state’s chief secretary, Manoj Saunik, directed officials from various government departments to limit the number of fellowships to 400. This breakdown comprises 200 for Scheduled Caste (SC), 100 for Scheduled Tribe (ST), and 50 each for Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Maratha students. This proposed reduction is stark when compared to the approximately 3,000 fellowships granted to these students in the previous cycle.
The fellowship schemes provide monthly stipends to marginalised students pursuing their PhD studies. For the first two years, they receive Rs 31,000 per month, followed by Rs 35,000 per month for the subsequent three years. Autonomous organisations under the government, including Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI), Tribal Research and Training Institute (TRTI), Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Research & Training Institute (MAHAJYOTI), and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development Institute (SARTHI), administer these fellowships for SCs, STs, OBCs, and Marathas, respectively.
The growth in the number of beneficiaries over the years has far outpaced the original number of fellowships sanctioned, owing to persistent demand from students. For instance, BARTI granted 861 fellowships to SC scholars last year, despite advertising only 200 positions. A decade ago, in 2013, the scheme had a mere 15 beneficiaries. Similarly, MAHAJYOTI approved 1,236 OBC candidates for its fellowship program last year—nearly double the 648 approvals in 2021 and six times the initially sanctioned 200 fellowships. The numbers for ST and Maratha beneficiaries stood at 851 and 146, respectively.
Kuldeep Ambekar, President of Student Helping Hands, a student organisation in Pune, voiced concerns over the proposed changes. Ambekar argued that although a limit on the number of beneficiaries might be necessary, the quantities proposed by the state seem inadequate, particularly given the high enrollment of marginalised students in research programs. Many of these students are first-generation learners, and the fellowships play a pivotal role in supporting their education.
While the state government’s final decision is pending, MAHAJYOTI, one of the administering organisations, has advocated for an increase in the number of fellowship beneficiaries. Rajesh Khawale, Director of MAHAJYOTI, mentioned that the organisation had proposed an increase to 400 fellowships following the Mantralaya meeting. The proposal has been submitted to the government in the last fortnight.
