Government Scholarships for Law Studies In India

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Government Scholarships for Law Studies In India

27 ,May 2024

Starting a legal career requires not only enthusiasm and dedication but also financial support in today's cutthroat industry. Scholarships are essential in helping worthy students continue their legal study without having to worry about paying high tuition costs. Many scholarships are available in India for students who want to study law and can help them with the costs to achieve their goals.

In this article, we will explore some of the top government law scholarships available for students in India, along with their eligibility criteria, and other details.

Centrally-Sponsored Scholarships

Scholarships are available from the Government of India (GoI) to students who meet specific merit requirements or who come from marginalized castes. The National Scholarship Portal is a shared portal run by the federal government that makes the procedure easier. Students are able to select the scholarships according to their annual income and caste or category. Below is a list of some of the prominent scholarships that are offered by the center.

1. Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the organization that runs the scholarship program. All Scheduled Caste (SC) students enrolled in any five-year LLB program at NLU are eligible for it.

Important Details

The fund is disbursed to the chosen candidates as soon as the classes begin and they are admitted. The government transfers the full scholarship amount, which includes the tuition, other non-refundable fees, and academic allowance, to the students immediately via the direct benefit transfer (DBT) method.

Eligibility

  • The applicant has to meet these prerequisites:
  • The student's total annual income from all sources should not exceed Rs 8 lakh.
  • A certain number of spots (scholarships) are available for each NLU. If more applicants apply than there are spots available, they will be shortlisted according to their CLAT score.

Funding pattern

  • The entire tuition amount plus non-refundable fees
  • Academic allowance to cover living expenses, books and stationery, a computer or laptop of a reputable brand with peripherals such a UPS and printer, and an amount of Rs. 86,000 in the first year of study and Rs. 41,000 in each successive year of study.

Number of Slots

A total of 78 scholarships are available under this program for law students, of which 69 seats are available to those who are enrolled in any national law university. Students from OP Jindal Law School in Sonipat, Symbiosis Law School in Pune, and ILS Law College in Mumbai are eligible for the remaining nine spots.

2. Top Class Education for ST Students Scholarships

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) provides it to students who belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST). As long as the student maintains their good grades, the program helps them finish the course. It provides funding for books, tuition, living and transportation costs, books, and a one-time award for the purchase of a computer (including accessories).

Eligibility

  • Candidates should be Scheduled Tribe
  • Candidate’s family income must be below Rs. 2 lakh per annum.
  • The scholarship might be terminated in case the candidate fails to clear the final examination of each year or other prescribed.

Funding Pattern

The entire scholarship amount is provided by MoTA. The scholarship information is provided below.

  • Total tuition plus additional non-refundable fees.
  • A monthly living expense of Rs. 2200
  • An annual stipend of Rs. 3,000 for books and stationery
  • One-time award of Rs. 45,000 for a computer

Total Number of Scholarships Offered

Under the initiative, 67 scholarships are available for law programs, including LL.B, LL.M, and LL.D. Out of these, 60 are offered by National Law Universities. The remaining scholarships are available at ILS Law College and Symbiosis Law School in Pune.

3. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students

The Ministry of Education's Department of Higher Education (MoE) is in charge of carrying out the program. It offers financial aid to deserving students to help with some of their living expenses so they can continue their education.

Eligibility

  • In Class 12, students must have received more than 80% in the relevant stream
  • Earning less than Rs 6 lakh annually as a household
  • Not being awarded any additional scholarships

Students who meet the requirements can register at the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) in order to apply for the scholarship.

Funding Pattern

  • For the first three years after graduation, Rs 10,000 annually.
  • At the postgraduate level, Rs 20,000 annually (LLM courses).
  • In their fourth and fifth years of professional studies, students receive an annual stipend of Rs 20,000.

Up to a maximum of five years, the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS) is renewed annually. The student must fulfill specific requirements, including performance in the two semesters prior or the yearly exam, a minimum attendance level of 75%, and upholding discipline, in order for the scholarship to be renewed.

4. NEC Merit Scholarship

For deserving students from northeastern states, the North Eastern Council, Ministry of Development of the Northeastern Region (MoDNER), grants the NEC Merit Scholarship. Each year, integrated LLB degree programs are offered to 1,000 students chosen from eight northeastern states. The scholarship is awarded at the beginning of the course, and it can be renewed for the following years.

Eligibility

  • The student must be a permanent resident of the northeast;
  • The student must have earned at least 60% of the possible points in Class 12;
  • The student must not have received any further financial aid or scholarships.
  • The family's yearly income shouldn't be more than Rs 8 lakh.

Funding Pattern

The scholarship amounts are subject to periodic revision; currently, the undergraduate degree level offers a stipend of Rs 20,000 annually.

Scholarships offered by State Governments

In the above section, we have studied the center-based scholarships available for students willing to pursue a law course. In this section, we will cover the state-based scholarships available for students planning to enroll a undergraduate, graduate, or masters of law such as B.A.LL.B, LL.B, LL.M, etc.    

1. Post-Matric (Other than Intermediate) Scholarship for ST, SC, General Category, Uttar Pradesh

Post-matric scholarships are typically provided by state governments to students who plan to continue their education beyond Class 12. To find out about the deadlines for applications and eligibility, students can visit the scholarship portals of their individual state governments. The following list includes some well-known scholarships that state governments offer.

The scholarship program was initiated by the state government of Uttar Pradesh, and as of right now, it covers all student categories enrolled in state universities.

  • The candidate must be enrolled in graduate, postgraduate, doctoral, or equivalent coursework.
  • To be eligible for the scholarship, the candidate must be an Uttar Pradesh resident who falls under the SC, ST, or General categories.
  • A family's annual income cannot exceed Rs. 2 lakh.

UP Post Matric Scholarships 2024 – Application Process

  • To begin with, prospective candidates must register as new users on the "UP Government's Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Online System" and fill out all required fields. The registration slip printout must be kept by the applicants for future use.
  • After registering, candidates must use their registration number, password, and date of birth to log on to the portal and submit a new application under the "Student" area.
  • The applicant needs to complete the scholarship application form with all necessary information.
  • Upon completing the application, candidates must attach a passport-size photo along with any additional required paperwork, including evidence of residency, a caste certificate (if applicable), an income certificate, mark sheets, and certificates.
  • Lastly, before submitting the application, candidates must review all of the information they have entered and ensure that it is accurate.
  • Following the final submission, the candidates need to print the completed application form, attach any additional supporting documentation, and turn it in at their respective educational institutions.

2. Merit-cum-Means scholarship

The National Capital Territory of Delhi government has made it a policy for all students, regardless of gender, caste, or economic status, to have access to top-notch higher education offered by Delhi State Universities.

The Delhi Higher Education Trust, in collaboration with the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) and GNCTD, will either totally or partially repay the students' tuition fees under this scheme. The following will be the amount reimbursed:

  • Full tuition for deserving students from the economically disadvantaged group, such as wards of a beneficiary parent or parents who have a valid National Food Security Scheme card.
  • Meritorious students who do not qualify for the National Food Security Scheme and whose family income does not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh per year will get 50% of their tuition fees.
  • Meritorious students with yearly incomes exceeding Rs. 2.50 lakh but less than Rs. 6 lakh will have 25% of their tuition fees reimbursed.

Eligibility Criteria: Eligibility criteria for applying under this scheme shall be as follows:

The student ought to have been enrolled in an undergraduate program at one of the Delhi State Public Universities or any of the colleges or institutions that are associated with them.

The student must meet the requirements for academic achievement, economic status, and income for each of the following categories:

Eligibility Qualifying Aggregate Percentage (Marks in All Subjects) Percentage of Financial Assistance
Category 1: Beneficiary under National Food Security Scheme & possess the Card issued under the Scheme 60% 100%
Category 2: Not covered under category 1 but whose family income is up to Rs. 2.50 Lakh p.a. 60% 50%
Category 3: Family income above Rs.2.50 Lakh p.a. but not exceeding Rs. 6 Lakh p.a. 60% 25%

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3. Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme

The CMSS Scholarship was introduced by the Gujarati government on February 4, 2022. Financial aid will be made available to students who wish to continue their education through this program. Students with family income up to Rs. 4.50 lakh per year are eligible to qualify for this plan.

Benefits and Features of CMSS Scholarship

  • The CMSS scholarship was introduced by the Gujarati government on February 4, 2022.
  • Students who wish to continue higher education will receive financial aid through this program.
  • Students whose family income is up to Rs 4.50 lakh per year would be eligible for this initiative, which also makes the recipients eligible for the current Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana.
  • The benefit of this scholarship program will be extended to all students who achieved at least 60% in the 10th or 12th board exam.
  • The participants will get 50% of the fixed annual tuition expenses under this program.
  • Students won't have to worry about money after this program is put into place to pursue higher education.

Eligibility Criteria of CMSS Scholarship

The following requirements must be met:

  • The applicant must be a Gujarati citizen;
  • The applicant must fall under the OBC, SC, or ST categories;
  • The applicant's family income must be Rs 4.50 lakh or less;
  • The applicant's students must have received at least 60% in their 10th and 12th board examinations;
  • The applicant must be enrolled in any postsecondary or undergraduate program offered by the Gujarat state

Required Documents

  • Marksheet
  • Aadhar card
  • Income certificate
  • Certificate of residence
  • Caste certificate
  • Bank account details of the student
  • Admission certificate
  • Passport size photograph
  • Mobile number

4. Mukhya Mantri Sarvajan Uchha Shiksha Chhatravriti Yojana

The government of the state offers scholarships to low-income students to pursue higher education under the Mukhyamantri Ucch Shiksha Scholarship Yojana. Under this scholarship scheme, students who have ranked among the top one lakh spots in the senior secondary examination priority list of the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, Ajmer, will receive a yearly scholarship of Rs 5000 (or Rs 500 per month) from the government.

Mukhya Mantri Sarvajan Uchha Shiksha Chhatravriti Yojana

Scheme Name Mukhyamantri Ucch Shiksha Scholarship Yojana
Department Rajasthan Education Department
Benefits Scholarship
Beneficiary Citizen of Rajasthan
Mode of Application Online
Status Active
Type of Scheme State Govt Scheme
Official Website http://hte.rajasthan.gov.in

Eligibility of Mukhya Mantri Sarvajan Uchha Shiksha Chhatravriti Yojana 2024

  • In addition to receiving at least 60% on the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, Ajmer exam, pupils must rank among the top 100,000 students on the Board of Secondary Education, Ajmer priority list in order to be eligible for this scheme's benefits.
  • An account in a national bank is a requirement for the Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme 2024 applicant to be eligible for benefits.
    In order to receive the advantages of this scheme, the applicant's parents' yearly income must be Rs 2.5 lakh or less.
  • Candidates for the Higher Education Scholarship Program should not be enrolled in or receiving funding from any other Indian government scholarship program.
  • The applicant must be a permanent resident of Rajasthan in order to receive the advantages of this scheme.

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Conclusion

In India nowadays, pursuing a legal education degree is one of the most costly and demanding professional paths. Most Indian law schools charge annual fees in excess of one lakh rupees. For many students, this is a major obstacle to studying law. As a result, in order for students to obtain a legal degree, scholarships and loans are required.

However, if you are the one who is looking for a law scholarship then the above lists of government scholarships in India will surely help you out in resolving your queries. If you need to know more about the law admission, click here.