Scholarships Archives - DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

DU has launched three new B. Tech courses under the Faculty of Technology from the upcoming academic session, 2023-24, added with several benefits and incentives from supernumerary seats for single girl child to reimbursements upon purchasing laptops.

The University of Delhi besides introducing three B. Tech courses- namely, B. Tech Computer Science and Engineering, B. Tech Electronics and Communication Engineering, and B. Tech Electrical Engineering- is also offering several incentives along with the programmes. Supernumerary seats for single girl child, scholarships for underprivileged students, and laptops for all are some of those incentives, as underlined by Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, the Vice-Chancellor also mentioned that the new academic session shall begin on August 16. Expanding more upon the B. Tech programmes, he went on to add that 360 students would be admitted to the engineering curriculum, with 120 seats in each course while a seat in each of these three programmes will be given to a single girl child in the form of a supernumerary seat. Moreover, every student enrolled in B. Tech will be reimbursed up to Rs. 50,000 on the purchase of a laptop.

He said that the University will also introduce a Financial Support Scheme (FSS) to extend the benefits of equity and access to quality education to economically weaker students seeking admission to BTech programmes. Under this, candidates whose parents’ income is Rs. 4 lakh or less will be given a 90 percent fee waiver at the time of admission while candidates whose parents’ income is more than Rs. 4 lahks and less than Rs. 8 lahks will get a 50 percent fee waiver at the time of admission. The University has also included a supernumerary quota for orphan students this year.

The B. Tech programmes would be designed in such a manner that there would be a minimum of 50 percent weightage given to the major subject area of study with a maximum of 65 percent weightage. The remaining weightage would be to the minor subject areas of study, the Vice-Chancellor added.

Not only that, students will have several exit options with the National Education Policy. Students who will have completed one year of study with requisite credits will be awarded a certificate, those with two years and requisite credits would be provided with a diploma, those with three years and requisite credits will be granted an advanced diploma while those completing all four years of study along with a proper number of credits will get a B. Tech degree.

Lastly, the Vice-Chancellor mentioned that the Faculty of Technology will be situated on the North Campus of DU for logistic support and proximity to other departments. Besides the B. Tech courses, the university will also be launching a five-year LLB programme along with ITEP courses from the upcoming academic year.

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Priyanka Mukherjee

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Scholarships Offered by DU: All That You Need To Know About

By DU Beat July 11, 2021

The University of Delhi (DU) witnesses a diversified plethora of students from different parts of the country seeking admission each year; for the thirst for educational opportunities and exposure to the dimmed lights of the capital city. Apart from their cultural divergence, they also belong to different sections of the society with finance having an upper hand over all the attributes. Therefore, in order to ensure equal participation, ease out the stress of financial burden, and recognise student welfare, the administration provides scholarships to all students with adherence to certain conditions.

Here are some scholarships granted by the University for its undergraduate students:

Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao Endowment Book-Grant:

This scholarship is provided to a student who has secured a place in any college under DU and belongs to the family of a Class IV or Class III employee of the University. They must be in the first year of their three-year undergraduate course. A sum of Rs. 100 is provided for each month for a duration of one year and is renewable if the performance of the student is satisfactory.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_UG_1.pdf

Sh. Prem Prakash Award:

The financial aid is a one-time grant called the “Sh. Prem Prakash Award” worth Rs. 3,500/ – payable at the start of the year. The awardee is chosen on the basis of merit from amidst the offsprings of Class-IV workers of the University. The awardee must be admitted into the 1st year of any college under the varsity. If no suitable candidate is found from the Class-IV families, then the students from the Class-III families will be taken into consideration. Students who are already availing the benefits of other grants from the University, from other University, private body, state or central government will not be eligible for the aforementioned award.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/Sh.%20Prem%20Prakash%20Award.pdf

The Delhi University & College Karmachari Union Book- Grant:

There will be two grants by the name of ‘Delhi University & College Karmachari Union’ (DUCKU) worth Rs. 250 per month for a period of one year. Applicants should hail from the families of the non-teaching staff of the University of Delhi (DU) and must be enrolled in the first year of the three-year undergraduate course.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_UG_8.pdf

The Delhi State Co-operative Union Grant:

The allowance is known as ‘The Delhi State Co-operative Union Stipend’ and consists of an aid of Rs. 50 per month for a period of one year. However, it can be renewed as well on the basis of the performance of the awardee. This stipend is handed over to those students who are the off-springs or dependent brothers of non-commissioned defence force personnel resident of the Union Territory of Delhi. Choices will be favoured towards the son of a Jawan who was either killed or incapacitated during action in or after 1965.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_UG_9.pdf

Pt. Man Mohan Nath Dhar Book- Grant:

The Pandit Man Mohan Dhar endowment scholarship offers a monthly stipend of Rs. 100 for a period of one year. It is awarded to deserving and needy students who are pursuing their undergraduate/postgraduate classes from the University of Delhi and whose family income doesn’t exceed the amount from which it starts attracting income tax.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_UG_11.pdf

Sardar Kartar Singh Grover Memorial Book- Grant:

The scholarship is worth Rs.350/ – per month which will be normally viable for an academic year from 1st August of a year to 30th April of the following year (Nine Months); extendable to the following scholarly year.The Scholarship will be granted to an understudy of Computer Science courses, BCA or B.Sc. (H) who gets best grades in the First Year Annual Examination of the BCA – B.Sc. (H) course. If two students are found to have the same marks, then the awardee is decided on the basis of the rank secured in the entrance if given/ Class 12 result if the admission was merit-based.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/Sardar-Kartar-Singh-Grover-Memorial-Merit-Scholarship_new.pdf

Ganga Sant Book- Grant:

The awardee of this scholarship will be granted an amount of Rs. 175/month for a period of three years which is renewable yearly on the basis of performance of the awardee. To avail this scholarship, a student must be enrolled in BA. Hons( Sanskrit) and must be in dire need of financial assistance. If no such students are found in the above mentioned course, the scholarship will be passed to B.A. Hons( Mathematics). In case, no student is found, the scholarship will be passed to any other course, taking in regards the financial condition of the student. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/Ganga-Sant.pdf

Puran Chand Khatri Book- Grant:

This scholarship facilitates the educational journey of first year students hailing from Khatri families with an amount of Rs. 40/month for a period of one year. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit, of the class 12 examination conducted by Central Board of Secondary Examination or any other examination recognised as equivalent to the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/Puran-Chand.pdf

Delhi University Women Association Book- Grant:

Two awardees will be chosen every year for a financial aid of Rs. 100 per month for a period of three years. The continuation of the same depends on the performance of the student. Daughters of Jawans who are meritorious and in need of financial assistance are given preference. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/09092015_DUWA_Scholarship.pdf

Smt. Kesra Bai Luthra Book- Grant:

Under this scholarship, the awardee will receive an amount of ?100 a month for a period of 3 years which is renewable every year on the basis of performance of the awardee. The students pursuing B.Sc. (Hons) course in Botany or Zoology and must possess the characteristics of merit along with the need of financial assistance. If a student is availing any other scholarship, then they will.not be able to receive this scholarship. If the scholar has failed to make satisfactory progress or is found to be guilty of gross misconduct, the individual after due warning will be reported to the principal of the college, who may withdraw their scholarship.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/06092017_Keshra.pdf

Prof. J.C. Luthra & Smt. Kesra Bai Luthra Book- Grant:

The scholarship provides the opportunity with a financial aid of ?100/month for a period of 3 years which is renewable at the end of each year on the basis of the acceptable performance of the awardee. The student must pass class 12 examination or an examination equivalent to the same and preferably must not be below high to class. The student must be enrolled in BSc.(Hons) course in Botany,.Zoology, Physics or Chemistry. They must be meritorious enough and must be in need of financial assistance in order to pursue their higher studies. Once scholarship shall be awarded to the student offering the above-mentioned disciplines as the main subject in such a manner that 50% of the recipients shall be women candidates. The same criterias for ineligibility including the holding of any other scholarship from any source is applicable here as well.

Satish Batra Memorial Book- Grant:

With a financial aid of Rs.300 per month for a period of three years, the Satish Batra Scholarship is awarded to a needy student who have passed their class 12 examination and are in their first year of B.A.(Hons)/ B.A. (Pass) in Urdu from the University. The continuation of the same depends on the academic performance of the awardee.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/satish-batra.pdf

Dr. S.L. Haro & Smt. V. Hora Endowment Book- Grant:

The awardee of this scholarship will be granted an amount of Rs. 100 month for a period of three years which is renewable yearly on the basis of performance of the awardee. To avail this scholarship, a student must be enrolled in B.Sc (Hons) in Zoology course and must be in dire need of financial assistance. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/S-L-Hora.pdf

Shri Khushi Ram Book- Grant:

Three awardees with merit and in need of financial assistance will be chosen every year for a financial aid of Rs. 100 per month for a period of three years. The continuation of the same depends on the performance of the student. The awardees must be enrolled in the first year of Bachelor’s degree under the Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Mathematics, Music & Art. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/08012021_UG14.pdf

Shubo Chander Aimya Banerjee Book- Grant:

This scholarship is provided to two deserving and needy students who are pursuing their undergraduate classes from the University of Delhi and whose family income doesn’t exceed the amount from which it starts attracting income tax. They must be in the first year of their three-year undergraduate course. A sum of Rs. 50 is provided for each month for a duration of one year and is renewable if the performance of the student is satisfactory. The awardees must be enrolled in the first year of Bachelor’s degree under the Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Science, Mathematics, Music & Art.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/08012021_SubodhChand18.pdf

Shri Ram Lubhaya Book- Grant:

Under this scholarship for blind individuals, the awardee will receive an amount of ?100 a month for a period of one year which is renewable every year on the basis of performance of the awardee. The student must be in the 1st year of their undergraduate course after acquiring admission to the University on merit basis. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/01092018_sh-ram-lubhaya.pdf

Shri Moti Lal Kaul Aima Memorial Book- Grant:

This financial aid for blind students is worth Rs. 150 per month for a period of three years. The awardee must be admitted into the 1st year of any college under the varsity under the courses of B.A. (Hons.)/ B. Sc. (Hons.)/ B.Com (Hons.) Students who are already availing the benefits of other grants from the University, from other University, private body, state or central government will not be eligible for the aforementioned award.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/01092018_sh-motilal_kaul.pdf

Vijender Sharmila Chopra Book- Grant:

The Vijender Sharmila Chopra scholarship offers a monthly stipend of Rs. 100 for a period of three years. It is offered to the blind student who was successful in securing the highest marks in Class 12 examinations and enrolls themselves in B. Sc./ B.Com/ B.A. Vocational Studies (Hons.) or Pass Course under DU.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/01092018_vijendra-sharmila-chopra.pdf

Postgraduate Scholarships:

Here are two of the scholarships offered by DU for its postgraduate students:

Delhi University & All India Postgraduate Scholarship:

A total number of 20 students will be awarded with the above scholarship which consists of an aid of Rs. 400 per month. The candidates must have passed their undergraduate education from a recognized Indian university with a first class. Students availing other scholarships or financial assistance from any other source shall not be eligible for the same.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_PG_1.pdf

His Holiness The Pope Scholarship:

This scholarship was given by His Holiness The Pope during his visit to India in 1964 and is available for post-graduate students. It consists of an amount of Rs. 150 per month for the students in need of financial aid and whose parents’ income including his/her own income does not exceed the amount from which it starts attracting income tax. The scholarship is tenable for one year and can be renewed for the second year if the performance of the student is satisfactory.

Link to the PDF: http://www.du.ac.in/uploads/scholarships/21082014_PG_2.pdf

For more information, kindly visit the official DU website.

It has been ages since these scholarships were announced. With the changing times, there should have been an increase in the amount of scholarships as well.

Victory for the Student Community and Scholarship at DSE

DU Students Receive EY Scholarship

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DUB Speak

Scholarships That Every Third-Year Should Apply for

By DU Beat January 22, 2018

There’s a reason why the word “money” is used more frequently than any other word in a rap song – money is important. Whether you agree with the likes of Eminem, Jay Z, and Tupac, or not, we can all agree that money can be a major deciding factor when you are choosing where to study abroad. With the falling rupee and the rising cost of tuition and living, scholarships are all the more crucial in your student life now.

Below is a diverse selection of international scholarships on offer that students in their final year of graduation can apply to:

1. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships:
These are scholarships for Indian students to study abroad in North America or Europe. Applicants must be under 30 and should reside in India at the time of application. For postgraduate study, this scholarship covers tuition fees, adequate living expenses, and one-way travel. These scholarships are of two types: university courses and specific programmes.

It is essential to have prior admission to any institution and course chosen in order to be eligible for the scholarship by the Foundation. The deadline for submitting the application is April 15, 2018

Link to the application form: http://inlaksfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Inlaks-Scholarship-Application-Form-2018.docx

2. His Majesty the King’s Scholarships and Her Majesty the Queen’s Scholarships:

These are scholarships by the Thai government for Indian citizens to study in Thailand at master’s level within the fields of engineering and technology, management, or environment and development. These scholarships are granted to candidates who have applied or have qualified to study at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. Each scholarship award covers tuition fees, accommodation, and a bursary for living expenses in AIT’s residential campus, for the entire period of the 22-month master’s degree program. Application Deadline is March 31, 2018.
Link to the application form: https://d2oc0ihd6a5bt.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2404/2017/08/KQ-Scholarships-Nomination-form.docx

3. University of Queensland BEL India Scholarship:

These are fully funded international scholarships for Indian students who have applied or have already qualified to study a master’s degree within the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Queensland in Australia. Applications for the scholarships close on April 30, 2018.
Link to application form for postgraduate courses at UQ: https://future-students.uq.edu.au/apply

Link to application form for the scholarship: https://uq-gmytz.formstack.com/forms/uq_bel_scholarship_application_2018

4. Orange Tulip Scholarship:

This scholarship makes grants available for Indian students to study in the Netherlands at master’s level at 22 participating universities of the Netherlands. To qualify for the same, students needs to be admitted to a Dutch university or should be in the process of enrollment. Although there are Dutch universities that offer a 100% (full) study fee, other colleges may only offer 50% reduction in study fees. The deadline for submission of applications varies for different universities.

Link to participating universities: https://www.nesoindia.org/scholarships/orange-tulip-scholarship-programme/scheme-2018-2019/scheme-2018-2019

Link to application form: https://www.nesoindia.org/scholarships/orange-tulip-scholarship-programme/ots-form

5. University of Bournemouth Business School Dean’s Scholarships:

This scholarship offers a 50% reduction in tuition fees for students applying for a master’s degree within the Faculty of Management at Bournemouth University in the UK. Application deadline for the scholarship is May 31, 2018

Link to application form: https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/bu-scholarship-application-form-2017-18

6. University of Warwick Graduate School GREAT India Scholarships:

These are a group of scholarships for Indian students who have applied to study an applicable Master’s degree starting from Autumn 2018 at the University of Warwick Graduate School.

The Scholarships are worth £9,000 (that contribute towards the tuition fee) each and are jointly funded by the GREAT Campaign and the University of Warwick. The deadline for submission of application forms is March 15, 2018
Link to the University website: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/academicoffice/gsp/scholarship/typesoffunding/greatindia/

7. The Next Gen Scholarship Fund

Worth US$1,000, students must be enrolled on a program at an accredited university within Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia to qualify for this scholarship. Applicants must further have at least a 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution to be eligible for the same.

Their online application for the scholarship for the academic year 2018-2019 will be available beginning from February 19, 2018.

Link to the application form: https://perkconsulting2.wufoo.com/forms/z10yv6qx0j57sis/

8. Rotary Peace Fellowships

Each year, Rotary selects up to 100 students from around the world to receive fellowships to study at one of their peace centers (such as at Duke University or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). These fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and field-study expenses. The Master’s degree programs last 15 to 24 months and require a practical internship of two to three months.

Applications for the academic session 2018-19 will begin in February.

Link to their website: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships

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Vaibhavi Sharma Pathak

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Campus Central

Scholarships Offered by the University of Delhi

By DU Beat October 25, 2017

The roadmap to the University of Delhi (DU) is full of hurdles with escalating competition on both the academic and non-academic fronts. Being one of the most coveted institutes in the country, DU witnesses a myriad of students from different sections of the society and financial strata join it each year. To ensure that everyone gets a fair chance and in an attempt to bring out the best in the students, DU offers a wide spectrum of scholarship programmes.

In the hope to help students recuperate from their financial burdens, to acknowledge student welfare, and to ensure equal opportunity for all, the University has taken the onus of offering scholarships to all the students it admits. Here is a glimpse of a few scholarship programmes offered by DU:

Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao Endowment Book-Grant: A student from any college, belonging to the family of a Class IV or Class III employee of the University, presently in the first year of a three-year degree course is eligible to apply. INR 100 per month is given for a year, and is renewable if the performance of the scholar is satisfactory.

Shri Motilal Kaul Atma Memorial Book-Grant: The scholarship is awarded to blind students from any college who join any of the streams offered by Delhi University. INR 150 is awarded per month. The scholarship is tenable for three years, renewable on a yearly basis if the performance of the recipient is satisfactory. This encourages visually challenged students to pursue higher education with greater vigour.

His Holiness the Pope Scholarship: This scholarship was gifted by His Holiness the Pope during his visit to India in December 1964. Only postgraduate students are eligible to apply for this scholarship. An amount of INR 150 is given to students who are needy and whose parents’ income including his/her own income does not exceed the amount from where it starts attracting income tax. The scholarship is tenable for one year and can be renewed for the second year if the performance of the student is satisfactory.

Vijay Kumar Memorial Chadha Book-Grant: Any student of Campus Law Centre (CLC) in the first year of L.L.B., whose parents’ income including his/her own income is less than the minimum taxable income, is eligible for this scholarship. INR 100 per month is awarded for two years, renewable on a yearly basis.

Post-Graduate Scholarship: This scholarship, not exceeding twenty in number, and each of the value of INR 400, will be awarded each year, tenable for two or three years, as the case may be. The person must be a graduate from any Indian university with a first class degree. The scholarship is awarded by the Academic Council on the recommendations of the selection committee appointed by it.

There is no doubt that these scholarships are instrumental in reducing the financial burden of a few students to some degree, but their critical treatment and analysis exposes the urgent need of revision. As these scholarships have remained consistent for decades now, they have become obsolete and irrelevant in the current circumstances. The meagre amount cannot possibly be of any significance to any student in the contemporary era. This calls for raising the amounts of these scholarships to a level where they will actually aid and benefit those in need.

For more information, visit the DU website.

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Sandeep Samal
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Admissions 2017

Everything you want to know about Delhi School of Journalism

By Srivedant Kar August 26, 2017

After months of wait and with the admissions season nearing its end, it’s spring time for aspirants of the Delhi School of Journalism. After going through much stress through the bureaucratic conveyer belt, Delhi School of Journalism has finally begun the journey towards its inception. In a press conference held on 23rd August, the chairman of the standing committee on admissions declared the opening of registrations for the coveted course. Let’s take a look at the details of the program on offer.

Course Structure

The course is a five-year integrated course with an exit option at the end of three years. The program will be offered in two different mediums: Hindi and English. It would include four foreign languages as well two Indian languages. The student has to select one foreign language and one Indian language for the course.

The course is designed as per the CBCS scheme. The five-year course will span across 28 Core courses, 2 Compulsory and 2 elective AECC courses, 4 GE courses, four DSEs and a dissertation. The student will be graded on an equal weightage scale with 50% of the credits from Classroom lectures and 50% of credits from assignments, projects and internships.

Career Training

Students will be encouraged to undertake internships at reputed media organisations. The centre plans to have a career and placement cell which will facilitate the internships and campus placements. A special provision has been made wherein the Industry experts conduct workshops or interact with the students.

Admissions Requirements

All the students who have passed class 12th with at least 50% are eligible to apply for the entrance test. The national level entrance test will examine the candidate’s proficiency in General Knowledge and Current affairs, Analytical and Comprehension Skills. Only Sixty students each will be admitted into the course for Hindi and English respectively with regular reservation rules followed by the University.

The entrance test would be held on 17th September 2017 with 9 AM to 11 AM being the test timing for English while 2 PM to 4 PM will be the test time for Hindi. The reiteration fees for the entrance is Rs.500 for General and OBC category while its Rs.250 for SC, ST and PWD category.

Fees and Scholarships available

The fee breaks up for the course as Rs. 39,500 for the first semester and Rs.28,000 for the second semester. Along with the refundable caution money of Rs. 10,000, every student has to pay Rs.77,500 per year.

The toppers of the entrance exams (One each from English and Hindi), toppers of every semester exams and students coming from the remotest part of the country will be provided with scholarships. The School also aims to provide financial aid to 25% of the students on the basis of merit cum means.

Location and Infrastructure

The campus of the School of Journalism is located in the ground floor of the University Stadium building which also houses the Cluster Innovation Centre. The building is fully air conditioned and a state of art media lab cum studio is also in planning for the school.

University Facilities

The students of the School are entitled to use the University Library. The school also provides hostel facilities to outstation students, however, the hostel seats are quite limited.

Although after months of deliberations the Delhi School of Journalism has taken off into the realisation phase, only time will be the perfect judge of its success.

For more information regarding the admissions, fees, FAQs and other details you can visit the website of the School of Journalism here.

Image Credits: Srivedant Kar for DU Beat

Srivedant Kar

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Interviews

In conversation with Nikhil Pandhi, Rhodes Scholar 2014

By Sahiba Chawdhary February 25, 2014

Nikhil Pandhi from St. Stephens College recently received the Rhodes scholarship, one of the most prestigious international graduate scholarships in the world.

Along with coverage of the university and college fees at Oxford, the recipient of the scholarship also receives a monthly maintenance stipend to cover accommodation and living expenses that is funded by the Rhodes Trust. Although all scholars become affiliated with the residential college while at Oxford, they also enjoy access to Rhodes House, an early 20^th century mansion with numerous public rooms, gardens, library, study areas and other facilities.

You recently received the Rhodes scholarship. I’m sure that must be really exciting! Tell us about what motivated you to apply?

Quite honestly, I had always heard about the Rhodes but when I figured that my college seniors had applied for it when I was a fresher, it seemed a lot more possible and doable. I saw that I had coincidently accumulated several extra curricular activities with a fairly good academic score that further motivated me to apply. I also thought that Rhodes is an excellent scholarship for somebody who is interested in academic and research particularly. Being somebody who is, I thought it would be good to give it a shot.

What was the procedure?

The procedure is an online application that opens on 1^st July. The online application contains of your personal details, a statement of purpose and letter of recommendation.

How did you prepare for it? Any tips for aspirants?

The Statement of Purpose is the most important point of your application in which you need to be really sure of which course you are applying for and why you are applying for it. In order to draft the Statement of Purpose you need to be really sure about what you are writing and deconstruct yourself in way to portray your strengths.

How was your final interview?

I’m always the one who prepares for the interview and not leave it to luck and chance. You need to be thorough with your SOP because at the end of the day the SOP is the fulsome of the interview as whatever they ask is you is more or less based on the SOP.

Having said that, one needs to be aware of not only what you want to do at Oxford but also how it will be relevant to modern day South Asia, as you will be representing your country at Oxford. You need to be aware of theoretical dimensions; debates and controversies around your field and you need to brush up on your own abilities and strength. In the final interview they assess your understanding of the course, your ambitions and aims.

How much importance is given to academic achievements in the application?

Academics are important, but at the same time importance is given to your extra curricular activities, sports and leadership initiatives. I believe that they are not looking for a particular thing but for an overall profile.

What gave you an edge over the other contestants?

I think it was my interest in fields that haven’t been explored widely. Like, I taught myself an East African language “Kiswahili”; I founded the poetry society of my college; I’m trained in Indian Classical Music and I play tennis and badminton regularly. They are looking for somebody who has demonstrable leadership abilities in different realms supported by a good academic record with an equally balanced extra curricular. Also my first book of poetry, “Derelictions” is out too!

Which course are you planning to study at Oxford?

I’ll be studying Archeology at Oxford. I want to be a historian/archeologist with a particular focus on South Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean while continuing in academia and research so that I can particularly contribute towards the study of regions of history that have not been studied traditionally.

Now that you have this brilliant opportunity, how do you plan ahead?

The MSc is a one-year course and then I plan to apply for the MPhil and follow research with DPhil so that I can teach and continue my research independently. The Rhodes covers a minimum of two years of your education and based on your academic records it is extendable to your third year as well.

Nikhil is currently studying History and has won the Westcott Memorial History Prize, the Ranjit Singh Goel Memorial Award as well as the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Undergraduate Scholarship. We wish this multifaceted student the best for his future endeavors!

For more information about the Rhodes Scholarship, click here.

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