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  • NITI Aayog proposed Vishwabandhu Scholarships and Fellowships.

Vishwabandhu Scholarships and Fellowships

  • Proposed By: NITI Aayog in its report “Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations.”
  • Rationale:
    • Indian students’ overseas education spending projected at ₹6.2 lakh crore, amounting to ~2% of GDP and ~75% of India’s trade deficit in 2024-25
    • Heavy concentration of Indian students in USA, UK, Australia risks long-term talent loss.
    • International students act as knowledge bridges and future diplomatic assets.
    • Soft Power Diplomacy: Similar to how Erasmus+ strengthened European identity and influence
  • Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship:
    • Objectives:
      • Increase inbound international student mobility to India.
      • Position India as an affordable, quality global education destination.
    • Target Group: Foreign undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students.
    • Priority countries/regions: Global South, ASEAN, Africa, BIMSTEC, BRICS.
    • Emphasis on disciplines aligned with India’s strengths: STEM, medicine, public policy, sustainability, Indic studies, AI & emerging tech.
  • Vishwa Bandhu Fellowship:
    • Objectives:
      • Attract global research talent into Indian universities and research institutions.
      • Strengthen India’s research output, innovation capacity, and academic reputation.
    • Target Group: Foreign researchers, post-doctoral scholars, and faculty.
    • Key Features Proposed:
      • Competitive stipends benchmarked internationally.
      • Fast-track academic appointments and tenure-track pathways.
      • Integration with national research ecosystems and R&D missions.
  • Expected Outcomes:
    • Academic Gains: Diversified classrooms and global exposure for Indian students, enabling improved research collaboration and citation impact.
    • Economic Gains: Foreign exchange inflow through tuition, housing, and living expenses as well as reduced pressure on outward remittances.
    • Diplomatic Gains: Creation of a global alumni network aligned with Indian interests and Enhanced people-to-people ties, especially with developing countries.
    • Support for India’s ambition of becoming a knowledge superpower by 2047.

Source: The Hindu