Indian Embassy Celebrates 22nd Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day in Kathmandu

The Embassy of India, Kathmandu, celebrated the 22nd Golden Jubilee Scholarship Day on March 15, 2024 (Friday). Approximately 200 students enthusiastically participated in the celebrations.

Prof. Dr. Gyanendra Giri, Vice Chancellor of BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan; Prof. Dr. Subarna Lal Bajracharya, Vice Chancellor of Lumbini Buddhist University, Lumbini; Prof. Dr. Bhola Thapa, Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel; Prof. Dr. Punya Prasad Regmi, Vice Chancellor of Agricultural & Forestry University, Chitwan; Prof. Dr. Sailesh Mani Pokhrel, Vice Chancellor of Purbanchal University, Biratnagar; and Prof. Dr. Amar Prasad Yadav, Vice Chancellor of Rajarshi Janak University, Janakpur, graced the occasion with their presence. Deans, registrars, principals of eminent schools, and senior officials from the Government of Nepal also attended the program.

The first batch of 9 meritorious Golden Jubilee scholars were awarded the Ambassador’s Golden Jubilee Scholarship Roll of Honour by the Ambassador of India to Nepal, Shri Naveen Srivastava.

In his speech, the Ambassador congratulated the awardees of the 22nd Batch of the Golden Jubilee Scholarship scheme and the meritorious students of the first edition of the Ambassador’s Roll of Honour, motivating the students to excel in their respective fields. He also highlighted the opportunities that would be created for youth by engaging and collaborating in the start-up ecosystem, incubation centers, etc., in India, encouraging students to seek sectors to collaborate.

The prestigious Golden Jubilee Scholarship was established in 2002 to mark 50 years of India-Nepal economic cooperation. Over the years, the number of scholarship awardees has increased to 200. Under this scholarship scheme, an MBBS/BDS student receives NRs. 4000/- per month for five years, a BE student receives NRs. 4000/- per month for four years, and a student studying in other undergraduate courses like BA, BEd, B.Pharmacy, BSc Agriculture, BBA, BBM, and BBS receives NRs. 3000/- per month for three years.

More than 3300 Nepali students from all 77 districts of Nepal have benefited from this scholarship scheme. The current batch of scholarship awardees is from 76 districts of Nepal, with 32% of the scholars being girls. Five differently-abled students have also been selected this year.

The Government of India provides around 1600 scholarships in medicine, engineering, dental science, management, commerce, nursing, Ayurveda, dance, theater, performing arts, and many other disciplines both in undergraduate and graduate streams to study in universities in Nepal and in India. Since 2001, 38,000 Nepali students have been direct beneficiaries of Government of India Scholarships.

India and Nepal are close and friendly neighbors, and have a longstanding partnership in the field of education and capacity building. The scholarships and capacity-building programs form an integral part of India’s efforts to partner in the human resource development of Nepal for the overall socio-economic benefit of the region.