More than 6,000 agriculture students across India have received ₹21.35 crore in scholarships and fellowships directly into their accounts through DBT.
Under the new system, eligible agriculture students will receive scholarship payments every month through the National Scholarship Portal.
Highlights
- More than 6,000 agriculture students received scholarships and fellowships.
- A total of ₹21.35 crore was transferred through the DBT mechanism.
- Students will now receive scholarship payments every month directly through DBT.
- The system aims to make scholarship distribution faster, transparent and hassle-free.
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan called for greater practical training in agricultural education.
- Students were encouraged to explore innovation, research and agricultural startups.
More than 6,000 agriculture students across India have received ₹21.35 crore in scholarships and fellowships as the government moves to make financial assistance for agricultural education faster and more transparent.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the scholarship and fellowship funds through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at ICAR-IARI, Pusa. The money was transferred directly to students through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.
A major change under the initiative is the frequency of scholarship payments. Agriculture students will now receive their scholarships every month directly through DBT, which is aimed at providing timely and hassle-free financial assistance.
Chouhan said scholarships are not merely financial assistance but also an important tool for strengthening agricultural education and connecting students with practical learning and greater opportunities.
He stressed that examinations, admissions and payments should take place on time and said timely delivery is an important measure of an effective system.
The Agriculture Minister also emphasised the importance of hands-on experience for agriculture students. He said classroom education alone cannot produce good farmers, scientists or agricultural entrepreneurs and that practical training is necessary to build real competence in the sector.
Students were also encouraged to think beyond conventional employment opportunities. Chouhan urged young people studying agriculture to participate in innovation, research and startups and contribute to solving future challenges in the agriculture sector.
According to the ministry, the NSP-DBT mechanism will make scholarship distribution faster, more transparent and seamless. Timely financial assistance is also expected to allow students to focus more effectively on their studies.
The minister further called for agricultural education to be integrated with technology, practical training and industry orientation.
Chouhan said food security, nutrition and farmers’ income security remain key priorities for the government. He also highlighted the contribution of ICAR scientists and farmers in strengthening India’s food grain reserves.
On the occasion of Hariyali Amavasya, the Agriculture Minister appealed to students at ICAR institutions across the country to participate in plantation drives, linking agricultural education with environmental responsibility.
Thousands of agriculture students joined the programme virtually, while senior officials, scientists and students from ICAR and IARI attended the event in person.
