Scholarships /schemes for Education in Himachal :

With more schools than required as per norms already in place, the state government is now laying emphasis on improving the quality of education in the state. The state has almost achieved universal enrolment up to the elementary level, which is the first and foremost goal of the program, and it has been able to bring down the dropout rateto below 1.5 percent. A special thrust is being given to the education of physically challenged children under the inclusive Education for Disabled program. There are 29,122 children with special needs (CWSN) in the state out of which 26,906 mild and moderate disabled children have been enrolled in schools. These children are being covered under home based education. Besides, 200 children are being imparted education through non-gazetted organizations.

The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Yojna (KGBV)  :

KGBV are being set up at elementary level for girls belonging to the Scheduled Caste, other backward classes and minorities. In all,, nine such schools two each in Salooni, Tissa and Mehla and one each in Bharmour and Pangi in Chamba and Chhauhara in Shimala district have been approved in 2005-06.

Surv Siksha Abhiyan :

All girls of general category are being given free text books up to upper primary level from SSA. Computer  literacy program has been started in 282 schools of the state. Not only the children are being given computer training, teaching of mainstream subjects through computers is also being undertaken. Teachers are being provided training for the purpose, Science labs in selected upper primary schools and libraries in primary schools are being set up at selected clusters. The implementation of the SSA project would not only bridge the gender gap and social disparities but also help in bringing about qualitative improvement in the education system.

 Merit Scholarship Scheme In Himachal Pradesh  :

The various Merit Scholarship Schemes to different categories of Himachal Bonafide students are being implemented by the Department of encourage them to improve their merit/performance in studies. The eligible beneficiaries should be a regular student in Government/ Government aided/affiliated (H.P.) institution in Himachal Pradesh are :

Dr. Ambedkar Medhavi Chattarvriti Yojna: The scholarship at +1 stage is given to 1000 meritorious students from SC and 1000 students from OBC categories respectively who secure 72% and above marks in their 10th class examination conducted by the H.P. Board of School Education, Dharamshala. The scholarship is given in +2 class also to 1000 meritorious students from SC and 1000 from OBC category who secure 72% and above marks in their +1 classexamination conducted by the H.P. Board of School Education Dharamshala. The scholarship is given @ Rs. 10,000/- per year.

Swami Vivekanand Utkrisht Chattarvriti Yojna: The scholarship at +1 stage under this scheme is given to 2000 meritorious students of General category who secure 77% and above marks in their 10th class examination conducted by the H.P. Board of School Education, Dharamshala. The scholarship is given in +2 class also to 2000 students of General Category who secure 77% and above marks in their +1 class examination conducted by the H.P. Board of School Education Dharamshala. The scholarship is given @ Rs. 10,000/- per year.

Thakur Sen Negi Utkrisht Chattarvriti Yojna : The scholarship at +1 stage under this scheme is given to 100 boys and 100 girl students belonging to ST category on merit basis, and meritorious who secure 72% and above marks in their 10th class examination conducted by the H.P. Board of School Education, Dharamshala. The scholarship is given in +2 class also to the 100 boys and 100 girls student belonging to ST category on merit basis who secure 72% and above marks in +1 class. The scholarship is given @ Rs.11,000/- per year.

National Merit Scholarship Scheme (Centrally Sponsored Scheme): This scholarship is awarded to those students whose parents annual income from all sources does not exceed to Rs.100,000/- (Rupees One Lac only).

Middle School Merit Scholarship: First 4 students from each Primary Education Block" are selected on the basis of Merit list of 5th class examination. These students are eligible for this scholarship up to 8th class if they pass their previous class fully. This scholarship is awarded @ Rs 800/- per year to girls and Rs. 400/- per year to the boys. The concerned selected students are advised to give their particulars viz. home address, date of birth and the name of present school where studying in 6th class, to the concerned Primary Education Block from where they have passed 5th class.

High School Merit Scholarship : First 300 students are eligible on the basis of 8th class examination selected by the H.P. Board of School Education, Dharamshala. The selected students are also given this scholarship in 10th class provided they pass 9th class completely. The scholarship is awarded @ Rs. 1,000/- per year to the Day Scholars and @ Rs. 1500/- to the Hostlers.

Apart from these Merit Scholarship Schemes, the other scholarship schemes being implemented by the Directorate of Education are listed below-

1. Maharishi Balmiki Chattarvriti Yojna: The scholarship under this scheme is @ Rs. 9000/- per year is given to the Bonafide Himachali girl students belonging to Balmiki Families, engaged in unclean occupation, beyond Matric up to college level for studies and professional courses at the level of college situated in Himachal Pradesh irrespective of their status i.e. Government or Private. The concerned students must apply on prescribed proforma through their Head of the School/College/institution.

2. Pre-Matric Scholarship to the children of those engaged in unclean occupation (Centrally Sponsored Scheme): Under this scheme the scholarship will be admissible to the children of Indian National who irrespective of their religion are actively engaged in scavenging of dry latrines, and other unclean occupation i.e. tanning and flaying only which are traditionally considered 'unclean'. The scholarship will be tenable only to such Institutions and for such courses up to Matric stage, which have been duly recognized by the concerned.

3. IRDP Scholarship Scheme: Students belonging to IRDP families and studying in 6th to University level are eligible for this scholarship provided they are pursuing theirstudy in Government/ Government aided Institutions in H.P.

4. Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme to SC/ST/OBC students (Centrally Sponsored Scheme) : The SC/ST students whose parents annual income from all sources is up to Rupees One Lakh (Rs. 1,00,000/-) are eligible for full scholarship (i.e. maintenance allowance + full fee) for all courses provided they are pursuing their studies in Government/Government aided Institutions as a regular students. All OBC students whose parents annual income from all sources is up to Rs. 44,500/- are eligible for full scholarship provided they are studying in Government/ Government aided Institutions as a regular students.

5. Financial Assistance to the children of the Armed Forces Personnel killed/disabled during the different War/ Operations: Children of Armed Forces Personnel killed/disabled in the different wars/operations are eligiblefor this assistance. In case of disability is below 50% the children will get half scholarship. Application performasare available with District Sainik Welfare Board. The Heads, of Institutions are directed to get the performas verified from the Dy. Director Sainik Welfare Board of the respective district duly filled up in all respect before submitting to the Director of Education.

6. Sanskrit Scholarship Scheme (Centrally Sponsored): This scholarship is awarded from 9th to +2 class students who are at first position in their respective Classes with more than 50% marks in Sanskrit and Minimum 50% marks in aggregate. Sanskrit must be a subject of his/her studies in +1 and +2 classes.