India’s Assistance Scheme for Eastern University students

High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha launched an enhanced financial assistance scheme under the Indian grant for meritorious students of Eastern University hailing from economically weaker sections of society.

Earlier, a financial assistance scheme under an Indian grant was implemented at the university in the previous academic year, offering a monthly scholarship of SLR 5000 to 100 students selected based on economic background and academic performance.

Feedback on the utility of the scheme was highly positive, and several requests from university authorities, students, and their families were received for extending and enhancing the scheme.

During the State visit of President Anura Kumara Disanayake to India in December 2024, Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi announced that India will implement an enhanced scheme for students of Eastern University and the University of Jaffna.

Under the enhanced scheme, starting from the current academic year, each year, financial assistance of LKR 7500 per student per month shall be provided to 100 UG-level students in the first year.

It will be continued until the end of their respective academic courses. Thus, in the fourth year of the scheme implementation, scholarships will be disbursed to 400 students at the university.

Speaking at the event on 30 October to launch the enhanced scheme, High Commissioner Santosh Jha underscored that the scheme was part of India’s broader development assistance initiatives to support the socio-economic development of the Eastern Province.

In their remarks, Prof. P. Peratheepan, Vice Chancellor of Eastern University, and student representatives expressed deep gratitude towards the Government of India for the financial assistance, highlighting that the scheme was proving to be of significant help in alleviating financial stress on the students, improving their attendance in classes, and raising their academic performance.