Central Govt Education & Learning Closes: 2022-12-15

Padho Pardesh

Padho Pardesh provides an interest subsidy on education loans taken by minority community students pursuing master's, M.Phil, or PhD degrees abroad, making overseas education more affordable. The subsidy covers the entire interest on the education loan for the duration of the course. Apply online via the Ministry of Minority Affairs portal (Canara Bank CSIS portal).

Ministry Of Minority Affairs For: Individual Official Source

About This Scheme

Full official description

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:-

Arts/ Humanities/ Social Sciences
Commerce
Pure Sciences
Engineering
Bio- technology/ Genetic Engineering
Industrial Environmental Engineering
Nano- technology
Marine Engineering
Petro-chemical Engineering
Plastic Technology
Cryogenic Engineering
Mechatronics
Automation Robotics including artificial intelligence
Laser Technology
Low Temperature Thermal Dynamics
Optometry
Art Restoration Technology
Dock and Harbour Engineering
Imaging System Technology
Composite Materials Engineering including Decentralized power Distribution (for Solar Heat) system, Energy Storage Engineering, Energy conservation, Energy Efficient Habitat
Packaging Engineering/ Technology
Nuclear Engineering
Information Technology including Computer Engineering, Software, Software Quality assurance, Networking/ Connectivity Engineering, Communication system under Hazardous or Post-disaster conditions, Multi- media Communication
Industrial Safety Engineering
Agriculture & Agro Technology
Agronomy
Medical
Floriculture & Landscaping
Food Sciences & Technology
Forestry & Natural Resources
Horticulture
Plant Pathology
Energy Studies
Farm Power & Machinery
Veterinary Sciences
Soils & Water Management
Plant Breeding & Genetics
Small- scale Rural Technology
Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences
M.B.A
M.C.A

Benefits

Full interest subsidy on the education loan during the course duration
Covers master's, M.Phil, and PhD programs in a wide range of fields including engineering, medicine, MBA, IT, agriculture, and more
Reduces EMI burden significantly by paying the interest component directly

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

Must belong to a notified minority community (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, or Jain)
Must be admitted to a recognized master's, M.Phil, or PhD program at a university abroad
Family income must not exceed ₹6 lakh per year from all sources
Must have taken an education loan from a scheduled bank under the IBA Education Loan Scheme
Must apply in the first year of study; second-year or later applications are not accepted

How to Apply

Online

Open the official website.
Click on the "Apply Now" option.
Fill the required details
ISD Code,
Mobile number
Email ID.
Submit the details.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 ?

Application form.
Admission letter.
Passport.
Income certificate.
Education loan application.
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.

Ready to apply?

Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.

Apply on myScheme.gov.in

Documents Required

Application form.
Admission letter.
Passport.
Income certificate.
Education loan application.
Aadhaar card.