In an effort to support economically disadvantaged minority students in their pursuit of higher education, the Karnataka government is planning to increase the loan amount available to these students. The announcement was made by Karnataka Housing and Minorities Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, who outlined the government’s intention to uplift minority students through financial assistance.
Currently, the Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation (KMDC) provides a loan of ₹3 lakh to meritorious minority students who have been admitted to MBBS courses under the government quota. This amount may be raised to ₹5 lakh, according to Khan. The intention behind this hike is to provide more opportunities for economically weaker students to pursue higher education.
Khan also mentioned the possibility of increasing the education loan for minority students who are studying abroad in recognized universities. Presently, these students can avail themselves of a ₹20 lakh loan for degree and post-graduation studies. This amount may be raised to ₹30 lakh with the support of KMDC. The minister further emphasized that in the last three years, the state had not received the National Minority Development Board schemes but had now secured an annual grant of ₹50 crore after a meeting.
In addition to these educational initiatives, the Minorities Welfare Minister also launched a ₹3 lakh subsidy for the unemployed to purchase four-wheelers, the Shrama Shakti program to impart skill development training, and a ₹50,000 loan scheme for widows, unmarried, and divorced women. The announcement was made during the launch of schemes for the year 2023-24, formulated by KMDC.
These initiatives highlight the government’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities and economic empowerment for minority communities within the state. By enhancing financial support, the Karnataka government is working to reduce the barriers that often hinder higher education access for economically disadvantaged students.
The presence of Minorities Welfare Department Secretary Manoj Jain, Director Jilani Mokashi, and KMDC Managing Director Mohammed Nasir at the announcement further underscored the government’s collaborative approach to enhancing minority welfare in Karnataka.