In 2021, the Rajasthan government had introduced the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence scheme, with an objective to grant students from the economically disadvantaged community in the state an opportunity to pursue higher education abroad.This scheme was launched on the birth anniversary of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, with the goal of realising his vision for an educated and developed India. At the time of its launch, the scheme aimed to help 200 students from the state to pursue higher education at prestigious institutions worldwide, including Oxford University, Harvard University and Stanford University.The comprehensive plan covered financial assistance for students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, and postdoctoral studies, with the state government fully funding the expenses, including travel fares and tuition fees. The scholarships were strategically allocated across various disciplines: 150 scholarships were designated for students pursuing humanities, social science, agriculture and forest science, nature and environmental science, and law.Additionally, 25 scholarships were granted to students pursuing management and business administration, as well as economics and finance. Lastly, 25 scholarships were set aside for students studying pure science and public health subjects. In the case of any vacancies within these disciplines, a maximum of 15 candidates could be awarded scholarships in engineering, related science, medicine, and applied science.However, shortly after the scheme’s launch, significant revisions were made to the guidelines, which allowed students with family incomes above Rs 8 lakh to apply as well. These revised guidelines applied to all streams.Also read: Foreign Universities Regulations Reflect Modi Government’s Indifference to Higher EducationNew income categoriesUnder the new guidelines, students were categorised under three categories, based on their family’s annual income: up to Rs 8 lakh, between Rs 8 lakh and 25 lakh, and Rs 25 lakh and above.But the modifications unfortunately led to misuse of the scheme. As reported by the state’s education department until December 2021, a total of 245 students had been selected for the scholarship scheme, with 73 of them being children of government employees, including 14 IAS and IPS officers.Notably, most of the beneficiaries belonged to the two new income categories that were recently introduced. The primary objective of the scheme, as emphasised by chief minister Ashok Gehlot, during its launch, was to provide students from the economically weaker sections access to 150 leading global institutions.However, the scheme’s purpose appears to have lost its essence with the inclusion of the new income categories.Students falling within the income bracket of Rs 8 lakh to 25 lakh or those above Rs 25 lakh per annum could feasibly afford admission and other related costs on their own, making them less in need of support from the state government.The lack of concrete action taken by the government to investigate the selection process that resulted in the inclusion of 73 students with government servant parents in the scheme is concerning. This lack of scrutiny gives rise to questions about the transparency and fairness of the selection procedure. The government’s reasoning to broaden the income criteria for the scheme appears to be flawed.It’s the government responsibility to ensure proper advertising and widespread dissemination of information about the scheme to all eligible students. This is because those falling within the lower income brackets might not have equal access to information compared to those belonging to the higher income categories.Ashok Gehlot. Photo: PTIOther issuesIn the 2023-24 budget, the government increased the scholarship seats in this scheme from 200 to 500 per year, but regrettably, they have not revised their stance on the income criteria.Another concerning provision in the scheme is that if a selected candidate gets a job during the course’s duration, their scholarship will be revoked, and the money will be reclaimed. This provision is fundamentally flawed, as many foreign countries have traditions of allowing part-time jobs for students.By preventing students from engaging in part-time work, India-bound students might face difficulties in sustaining themselves in a foreign country with a higher cost of living, while managing their studies.Part-time work offers valuable experiences, exposing students to the culture and traditions of the host country, which can be an invaluable asset to their personal growth and development. However, this aspect has seemingly been disregarded by the government.The true fulfillment of the late prime minister’s vision and the scheme’s objectives will only be achieved when it prioritises economically weaker individuals instead of assisting students from families with a gross income exceeding Rs 25 lakh per year. To increase awareness and participation, the local education department can conduct sessions in both government and private schools to inform students about the scheme’s benefits and application process.Moreover, to encourage students belonging to economically disadvantaged families, the scheme can directly select toppers of the Senior Secondary School Board examinations from the poor sections without relying on a lottery system. This approach would serve as an incentive and inspire more students to take advantage of the opportunity.Without timely corrections to the scheme’s shortcomings, there is a risk that only affluent students will benefit from it. To avoid such disparity, it is crucial to address the loopholes promptly.Bhuvnesh Kumar and Sharad Panwar are fourth year law students at the National Law University, Jodhpur.