The Rajasthan government has introduced the “Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence” program to support financially disadvantaged students who have exceptional learning abilities and creative minds. This initiative aims to help these students access quality education at higher levels. If you are a resident of Rajasthan and wish to receive financial assistance from the state government to fund your higher education, this article provides important information about the program. I am certain that by the end of the article, you won’t have any doubt left regarding the scholarship. You can comment on your query in the comment section below in case you have any questions to ask regarding the same.
What is the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme 2023?
The Rajasthan government introduced the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence in 2021, as a way to honor former Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi. This scholarship aims to help outstanding students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and are under 35 years old, with a family income of less than INR 8 lakh per year. It provides financial assistance of up to INR 10 lakh to support their studies abroad. This scholarship is available for undergraduate, master’s, Ph.D., and postdoctoral students who are studying in foreign universities, helping them achieve their educational goals.
This scholarship takes care of various costs like tuition fees, accommodation fees, money for books and supplies, and a monthly allowance for the entire duration of the course. Students who meet the eligibility criteria receive this scholarship each year starting from 2021, depending on their academic performance in the qualifying exam and their financial needs.
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2023 Key Highlights | |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence launch date | August 20, 2021 |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Official Website | Click Here |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Objective | Provide financial assistance to students Eligible for undergraduate, postgraduate, Ph.D., and postdoctoral programs Encourage Rajasthan students to study abroad Support career development and state development Preference for lower income students |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Age Limit | Under 35 Years |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Income Limit | Under 08 Lakh Per Annum |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Beneficiaries | Undergraduate, Master’s, Ph.D., and Postdoctoral students who are studying in foreign universities |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Benefit Amount | Upto 10 Lakh Rupees |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence No of Scholarships | 500 ( Previously it was 200) |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Mode of Application | Online |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Helpline Number | 0141-2941493 Email ID – Click Here |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Objective
The goal of this program is to offer financial support to students who have been accepted into undergraduate, postgraduate, Ph.D., and postdoctoral programs at the top 150 universities and institutes worldwide according to the latest QS world rankings.
Additionally, this initiative aims to inspire and assist genuine students from Rajasthan in pursuing international higher education to enhance their career prospects and contribute to the state’s development. Priority will be given to students with limited financial resources when awarding scholarships.
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence No of Scholarships
The scholarship quota has increased from 200 to 500 new students annually.
Section Name | Benefits |
E1 – Less than INR 8 lakh | (i). Tuition Fees and Bench fee: Max 50 lakh (ii). Living Expenses: 12 Lakh Rupees. (iii). One-Time advance of Rs 3 Lakh to candidates who will start their course after application on the portal (adjusted against living expenses). |
E2 – INR 8 lakh – INR 25 lakh | (i). Tuition Fees and Bench fee: Max 50 lakh (ii). Living Expenses: 6 Lakh Rupees |
E3 – Above INR 25 lakh | (i). Tuition Fees and Bench fee: Max 50 lakh (ii). No Living Expenses |
The scholarship provides the following allowances:
1. Annual Maintenance Allowance: You can receive up to INR 10 lakh annually to cover your living expenses.
2. Annual Contingency Allowance: You can get up to INR 10 lakh annually for unforeseen expenses.
3. Visa Fees: The full cost of your visa fees will be reimbursed in Indian currency.
4. Tuition Fees: Your entire tuition fees will be reimbursed.
5. Medical Insurance Premium: The complete cost of your medical insurance premium will be covered.
6. Travel Cost: All your travel expenses will be fully reimbursed.
Scholarship distribution will follow these guidelines:
A. Initially, applications from the El category will undergo evaluation in the first phase. In the second and third phases, eligible students from E1 and E2 categories will be considered. In the final phase, E1, E2, and E3 category applications will be assessed. Priority will be given to El category applicants, followed by E2, and only if no eligible applicants are available, E3 category applications will be considered.
B. Thirty percent of the awards/seats are reserved for girl students from E1 and E2 categories. Category girl students will be the first preference for these thirty percent of seats. If there are no El category girl applicants and seats remain vacant, girl candidates from the E2 category will be selected. If the allocated girl candidate seats are still vacant, the selection will be based on general merit.
C. Girls from the E3 category will be selected solely based on general merit. If the thirty percent awards for E1 and E2 category girl students remain vacant during the initial phases of evaluation, these seats will remain vacant until the last phase. Candidates from other income categories will only be considered for these vacant seats in the last phase, and the awards will be granted solely on the basis of general merit.
Scholarships for undergraduate programs in B.E, B.Tech, B.Arch, MBBS, and BDS (Engineering, Architecture, Medical, Dentistry) are limited to a maximum of 7.5% of students, which rounds off to 37 seats.
(i) Only universities/institutions ranked within the top 150 in the QS World Rankings will be eligible. Additionally, these universities/institutions should also be ranked within the top 25 in the QS World Rankings for their respective subjects. Selection of students for these courses will be based on the QS world ranking of the university/institution, and there are no reserved seats for these programs.
(ii) For hybrid courses that blend Engineering and Science at the undergraduate level, they will be categorized under “other subjects.”
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2023-24 Important Dates
Application Submission:
-  The application process for the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship is conducted online through the Government of Rajasthan’s RGS portal/website accessible via the Janaadhar card.
- Â The portal is open for applications from 1st April until the final phase of evaluation for the respective financial year or until 500 selections are completed, whichever comes first.
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 202324 Important Dates | |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2023-24 Form Open Date | April 01, 2023 |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2023-24 Form Last Date | November 15, 2023, ( For 3rd and last phase of 2023-24 FY) |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2023-24 No of Phases | Phase 1: 1st May Phase 2: 15th June  Phase 3: 15th November |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2023-24 Number of Scholarships | 500 |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2024-25 Phases |  Phase 1: 1st May   Phase 2: 15th June   Phase 3: 15th November   Phase 4: 15th January |
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2023-24 Result Dates | January 15, 2024, for November 15, 2023 evaluation |
During these phases, applications are assessed based on income categories.
The portal will remain closed for applications from 16th January to 31st March each year.
Publication of Dates:
- The department will publish the specified evaluation dates on its website and in newspapers for the respective financial year.
- Applications received until the evaluation dates, as determined by the administrative department, will be assessed in that phase.
- Selection in the next phase will only occur if there are vacant scholarship award seats for that financial year.
These important dates and details ensure a transparent and structured process for applying and evaluating scholarship applications under the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship program.
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence 2023 Course Details
The Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence in 2023 offers different slots for students based on their chosen courses of study:
1. Humanities, Social Science, Agriculture and Forest Science, Nature and Environmental Science, and Law: There are a total of 150 slots available for students pursuing these fields. This means that 150 students from these academic disciplines can receive the scholarship.
2. Management and Business Administration, Economics, and Finance: There are 25 slots allocated for students in these fields. This means that 25 students studying Management, Business Administration, Economics, or Finance can be awarded the scholarship.
3. Pure Science and Public Health: There are also 25 slots designated for students in the fields of Pure Science and Public Health. This means that 25 students pursuing studies in these areas can receive the scholarship.
Course Name | Duration |
Post Doctorate | 1.5 Years |
Ph.D. | 3 Years |
Postgraduate | 2 Years |
Undergraduate | 4 Years |
- It’s important to note that if any of the slots mentioned above remain unfilled or vacant because of a lack of eligible applicants, students may have the option to pursue other courses.Â
- Specifically, there are 15 available slots for students studying Engineering, related sciences, medicine, and applied sciences.Â
- So, in the event that some slots for the specified courses are not claimed, these 15 slots can be utilized by students pursuing these alternative fields of study.
In essence, this scholarship program provides different numbers of slots for students based on their chosen academic disciplines. If there are empty slots in certain categories, students from other related fields may have the opportunity to apply and receive the scholarship.
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Eligibility Criteria
1. Residency: To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a bona fide resident of Rajasthan, and you need to provide proof of your residency through a bona fide or domicile certificate.
2. Age: You should be younger than 35 years old as of July 1st, 2023 ( or in the financial year when the scholarship is granted).Â
3. Academic Excellence: Only those who have received an offer, confirmation, or admission letter from a university or institution that is ranked in the latest QS World university rankings (as listed below) can apply for this scholarship. If you’re provisionally selected, you must submit an unconditional offer letter within two months. Any financial conditions in the offer letter, like fees or proof of funds, won’t affect your eligibility.
4. Current Students: Students in their second, third, or final year or semester at the specified universities/institutes can also apply for the scholarship.
5. One-Time Benefit: You can only receive this scholarship once in your lifetime. Multiple applications will not be considered.
6. Employment Status: If you are permanently employed by the State or Government of India, their organizations, or financially supported institutions, you cannot apply. Others can apply but must provide a certificate confirming their nonemployment one month before the course begins. If you become employed during your course, your scholarship will be canceled, and any funds received will need to be repaid.
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Documents Required
To apply for the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence, you will need the following important documents:
1. Scanned passport-size photograph: A digital copy of your passport-sized photograph.
2. Aadhar Card: A scanned copy of your Aadhar card, which serves as identification.
3. Mobile Number: Your active mobile phone number for communication purposes.
4. Age Proof: A document that verifies your age.
5. 10th Mark List: A copy of your 10th-grade mark sheet as proof of your academic record.
6. 12th/Graduation/Post Graduation/Ph.D. Mark List: Depending on your current level of education, you will need the relevant mark sheet.
7. University Admission Proof: Proof of your admission to the university or educational institution.
8. Income Certificate: A certificate that shows your family’s income level.
9. Bank Passbook: A copy of your bank passbook for the scholarship fund transfer.
10. Other Documents: Any additional documents that may be required as specified by the scholarship application guidelines.
These documents are necessary to verify your eligibility and process your scholarship application. Make sure to have them ready when applying for the scholarship.
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Name of the Universities
- California Institute of Technology
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Duke University
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- ETH Zurich
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Harvard University
- Heidelberg University
- Imperial College London
- Johns Hopkins University
- Karolinska Institute
- King’s College London
- KU Leuven Belgium Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL . Research University Paris
- LMU Munich
- London School of Economics & Political Science
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- McGill University
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- National University of Singapore
- New York University
- Northwest University
- Peking University
- Princeton University
- Stanford University
- Technical University of Munich
- The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
- The University of Texas
- The University of Tokyo
- Tsinghua University
- University College London
- University of British Columbia
- University of California, San Diego
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Cambridge
- University of Chicago
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Hong Kong
- University of Melbourne
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor
- University of Oxford
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Washington
- University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Yale University
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Online Registration
Certainly, here’s a rephrased and simplified explanation:
1. You need to log in to the RajSSO Portal using your unique SSOID. If you don’t have an SSOID, you should first register on the RajSSO Portal  to create one. During this registration process, you will also need to update your SSO Profile.
2. Once you successfully login and update your SSOID Profile, you should select the specific scholarship scheme you want to apply for.
3. You need to choose your name, your bank account, and provide your personal information as required.
4. The applicant should also upload certain documents, including
- Domicile Certificate
- Admission Letter or Offer Letter
- Fee Details letters, or documents issued by the foreign university they plan to attend.
5. After completing all these steps, you should click the “SUBMIT” button. The system will then process their application, and you will receive a unique APPLICATION ID as confirmation.
In simpler terms, this process involves logging into a portal, registering if you don’t have an account, updating your information, choosing a scholarship, providing personal details, and uploading required documents. Once you hit “SUBMIT,” you’ll get a unique ID to track your application.
Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence FAQs
What documents are required to fill out the application on the portal?
1. Jan Aadhar Number.
2. Offer letter from the applicable foreign university.
3. Bonafide/Domicile certificate.
4. Gross family Income certificate.
5. Income Tax Return Proof.
6. Affidavit for not filing ITR.
7. 10th mark sheet.
8. Qualifying Degree, Mark sheet/Certificate of the last passed exam.
9. Self Declaration for Scholarships/financial help from other sources.
10. Passport, if available.
11. Visa, if available.
12. Aadhar Number.
Which subjects are eligible for the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Scheme?
1. For Post Doctorate, Ph.D., Postgraduate, and Undergraduate programs, all subjects as prescribed by the top 1-150 QS World ranking universities are allowed.
2. However, for Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, and Architecture at the undergraduate level, the university should be ranked in the top 1-150 QS World University Rankings overall and also in the top 1-25 QS World University Rankings in the respective subject.
Which courses are supported by the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme?
1. Post Doctorate (Max Course Duration: 1.5 Years).
2. Ph.D. (Max Course Duration: 3 Years).
3. Postgraduate (Max Course Duration: 2 Years).
4. Undergraduate (Max Course Duration: 4 Years).
Who is eligible to apply for the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence Scheme?
1. Students must be domiciled in Rajasthan State.
2. Applicants should be under 35 years of age as of July 1st of the financial year.
3. They must possess an offer letter from one of the top 1-150 Universities according to the QS World Rankings.
4. For Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, and Architecture courses at the undergraduate level, applicants should have an offer letter from one of the top 1-150 QS World ranking universities, which should also be among the top 1-25 QS World university rankings in their respective subjects.
Which Universities are eligible under this scheme?
Top 150 QS world-ranked universities available as of April 1st of that financial year are allowed. The list of some important universities is provided above.
Does this scholarship help in getting admission to foreign universities?
No, this scholarship scheme provides financial assistance after securing admission in a foreign university. Applicants must independently seek admission. It is recommended to visit the respective university websites for admission details.
What is the last date to apply for this scholarship?
The last to apply for the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence scholarship 2023 is November 15, 2023.Â
How can I apply for this Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence scholarship?
You can apply online through the portal at the following website link: [https://hte.rajasthan.gov.in/online-scholarship]
(https://hte.rajasthan.gov.in/online-scholarship)