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Education & Learning

Padho Pardesh

Padho Pardesh is a scheme of interest subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies for the students belonging to the minority communities. The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2006 under the Prime Minister's New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

- Financial assistance: The scheme provides an interest subsidy on education loans, which can help to reduce the cost of overseas education for minority students.1. Increased access to education: The scheme makes overseas education more accessible to minority students from all backgrounds, regardless of their financial situation.1. Improved employability: Studying abroad can give students a competitive edge in the job market, and the Padho Pardesh scheme can help minority students to achieve their career goals.1. Personal and professional development: Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, and the Padho Pardesh scheme can help minority students to develop their skills and knowledge in a global context.

Who can apply

Students must have been admitted to an approved master's, M.Phil, or Ph.D. program abroad.; Students must have been admitted to a recognized university or institution abroad.; Student's family income must not exceed ₹ 6,00,000 per annum.; Students must have obtained an education loan from a scheduled bank under the Indian Banks Association (IBA) Education Loan Scheme.; Students must apply for the scheme's benefits during their first year of study. Applications received in the second year or later will not be accepted.; Priority will be given to applications from states and union territories with lower bank interest rates.; Payment of financial benefits may be linked to the student's Aadhaar number.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

If student has availed subsidy under any other scheme including the CSIS scheme for undergraduate courses, whether he/she will be eligible under this scheme?

Student will be eligible, (as the interest subsidy) under the Scheme for pursuing Post Graduate Diploma, Post Graduate degree course/Masters, M.Phil & Ph.D. Further, those students, who have completed M.Tech in India but is now pursuing MBA abroad and these students have got subsidy under CSIS/ state subsidy scheme for the M.Tech course, are also be eligible in this Scheme.

Is Interest Subsidy guaranteed for all eligible applicants?

No, interest subsidy is not guaranteed for all eligible applicants. However, it would be Ministry's endeavor to provide interest subsidy to all eligible applicants to the extent possible. As per provision of scheme, total number of students to be selected in a year is 400.

As per Model Scheme of IBA, the maximum loan for study abroad is Rs.20 lakhs. Whether interest subsidy is admissible for loan amount disbursed above Rs.20.00 lakh?

Presently, subsidy is restricted to the limits specified under IBA model scheme i.e. Rs 20.00 lakh only

Whether latest income certificate only should be obtained or the income certificate obtained during earlier years/ at the time of availing loan can be taken?

Income Certificate issued by Competent Authority obtained at the time of availing loan, will be sufficient

What documents are required ?

- Application form. | - Admission letter. | - Passport. | - Income certificate. | - Education loan application. | - Aadhaar card.

What is the ‘Meritorious’ element in the Scheme for eligibility for interest subsidy?

Those who have secured admission abroad and are eligible as per Scheme Guidelines will be considered as meritorious under the Scheme.

If the course pursued by the minority student is partly in India and partly abroad, shall be eligible for the interest subsidy?

Such students will be eligible for interest subsidy, if the Degree is awarded by Foreign University.

What is the income limit under the scheme?

Total income from all sources of the employed candidate or his/ her parents/guardians in case of unemployed candidate shall not exceed Rs. 6.00 lakh per annum. Income certificate issued by the competent authority in the State/ Union Territory should be submitted in support of income shown by a candidate.

When can a student apply for the scheme benefits?

Students must apply for the scheme's benefits during their first year of study. Applications received in the second year or later will not be accepted.