Padho Pardesh Scheme (Minority Overseas Studies)
पढ़ो परदेश योजना (अल्पसंख्यक विदेश अध्ययन)
Overseas study interest subsidy scheme for minority students. Discontinued for new loans w.e.f. 2022-23; existing accounts continue receiving subsidy.
Max Loan Amount
Up to ₹20 Lakh (Interest Subsidy for Notified Minorities Abroad)
Interest Rate
100% Interest Subsidy during Moratorium (Status: Legacy Accounts Serviced; Fresh Intakes Discontinued)
Moratorium Period
Course duration + 1 year (or 6 months after getting employment)
Repayment Tenure
Up to 15 years
✦ What the Loan Covers (Eligible Expenses)
Tuition, travel, maintenance, living allowance, and insurance for overseas Masters, M.Phil, and Ph.D. degrees.
What is Missing: Honest MITC Policy Gaps, Hidden Clauses & Costs
Eligo disclosure: Bank loan brochures and DSA agents rarely highlight these conditions. Verify before signing your loan agreement.
CRITICAL STATUS UPDATE: Discontinued for fresh applicants w.e.f. 2022-23 by Ministry of Minority Affairs. Existing beneficiaries whose loans were sanctioned prior to discontinuation continue to receive interest subsidy until completion of moratorium; undergraduate degrees were never covered.
✦ Collateral & Margin Money Terms
Collateral & Guarantee Requirement:
As per lending bank's overseas education loan terms.
Margin Money (Borrower Contribution):
15% standard for overseas studies.
✦ Eligibility Requirements
Notified minority community students with family income < ₹6.00 Lakh admitted to approved overseas Masters/Ph.D. programs.
✦ Government Subsidies & Rate Concessions
100% interest subvention during moratorium for notified minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi).
✦ Required Documents Checklist
Minority community certificate / self-declaration, income certificate (<₹6L), I-20/CAS letter, overseas loan sanction letter, passport copy.
✦ How to Apply Step-by-Step
1. Note: Discontinued for new applicants.
2. Existing sanctioned loan holders submit annual academic continuity certificates to their bank branch.
3. IBA and nodal bank process pending subsidy tranches directly to the loan account.Official Portal
Official Portal / Lender Domain
Apply or verify directly on the official banking portal
✦ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for Padho Pardesh for fresh studies abroad today?▼
No. The Ministry of Minority Affairs discontinued Padho Pardesh for fresh applicants effective financial year 2022-23. However, existing active loan accounts sanctioned prior to discontinuation continue to receive interest subvention.
What alternative scheme exists for minority overseas students?▼
Students can apply for the Dr. Ambedkar Scheme (for OBC/EBC), state overseas scholarships (such as Chevening, Commonwealth, or state overseas scholarship funds), or the new PM-Vidyalaxmi credit guarantee framework.
Are undergraduate foreign degrees eligible under Padho Pardesh?▼
No, Padho Pardesh strictly covered Masters, M.Phil, and Ph.D. level programs abroad.