Following the near loss of a seat by Dalit student Atul Kumar at IIT Dhanbad, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced plans to register all premier institutions, including IITs and IIMs, with its Department of Social Welfare.
This initiative aims to streamline the scholarship process for students from the state. Kumar, the son of a daily wage worker from Muzaffarnagar, almost missed his opportunity in the Electrical Engineering program after failing to pay the admission fee of Rs 17,500 by just a few minutes.
The Supreme Court intervened, directing IIT Dhanbad to admit Kumar, prompting the state government to announce its intention to cover his entire fee through scholarship support. Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun confirmed that IIT Dhanbad would be the first institution registered under this new initiative. “We will write to all institutes of national importance outside the state to facilitate seamless scholarship disbursement for eligible candidates,” Arun stated.
Arun communicated with IIT Dhanbad’s registrar, ensuring that the registration process would be completed swiftly, ideally before Kumar arrives at the institute. Currently, scholarships in Uttar Pradesh are managed by three departments: Social Welfare, Backward Welfare, and Minorities Welfare, with the Social Welfare department acting as the nodal agency.
Additionally, Arun announced the introduction of a "free-ship card" for Kumar, allowing him to enroll in the institute without immediate payment. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The minister reassured Kumar’s family of the government's commitment to providing the necessary financial assistance for his education, marking a proactive step toward inclusivity in higher education.
