2.9 lakh (290,014) applications and counting: India's merit scholarship for poorer students extends its deadline

India's Ministry of Education has extended the deadline for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme to 15 November, giving eligible students more time to apply through the National Scholarship Portal. As of 30 October, 2,90,014 applications had arrived — 90,483 fresh and 1,99,531 renewals. The scheme exists for one reason: to stop able students from economically weaker families dropping out after Class 8. It offers 1 lakh (100,000) fresh scholarships a year to Class 9 students in government and aided schools whose parents earn no more than Rs 3.5 lakh (350,000 rupees, about $3,700) a year, paying Rs 12,000 (about $125) a year directly into the student's bank account, renewable through Class 12.

SDG 4 · Quality education — Mechanism: institutional program