The government on Thursday changed the eligibility criteria to avail benefits of the Central scholarship scheme, a step that is likely to benefit meritorious students from low income background.
An official spokesperson said that the Cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) approved changes in the eligibility norms for the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students.
The CCEA, chaired by the PM, modified the norms of the existing scheme. Under the current criteria, students who secure above 80 per cent marks in Class 12 can avail the assistance. According to the modified norms, students figuring above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant scheme of a particular board examination can take advantage of the scheme. This will likely to help students from the Hindi heartland.
Many meritorious and poor students from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh failed to avail the scholarship since they could not get the requisite percentage.
However, under the percentile system, the highest marks secured by a student in a particular subject will be considered as the 100th percentile.