An alarming backlog of scholarship applications is plaguing higher education students across Maharashtra, with over 1.4 lakh requests stuck at various administrative levels. This significant delay, revealed through a Right to Information (RTI) query, highlights systemic failures in processing crucial financial aid for thousands of dependent scholars.
A Massive Backlog at College and Department Levels
Data obtained by the Care of Public Safety Association (COPS) shows a breakdown of the staggering 1.4 lakh pending applications. A substantial 75,000 applications are languishing at the college level itself, while another 67,000 await clearance from the state's higher education department. The information was procured from the education department via the RTI Act, pointing directly to implementation gaps in state scholarship schemes.
The delays have created a crisis for a vast number of students who rely on this government assistance to fund their studies. With applications stuck in limbo, many face the grim prospect of dropping out or taking on debt to continue their education.
Root Causes and Official Response
The Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), which administers a total of 14 scholarship schemes, cited poor processing and verification at colleges as a primary cause. In many instances, applications are held up due to missing documents or administrative inertia.
A senior DHE official, speaking on Friday, placed the onus largely on college administrations. "The delay is by the college administration in most cases. We have been sending several reminders," the official stated. The department recently conducted a fortnight-long camp urging colleges to verify pending cases so beneficiaries could finally receive funds. The official also clarified that the pending cases include scholarships offered by the social welfare department and other state bodies.
Limited Coverage and Major Schemes Affected
Despite high enrolment numbers, scholarship coverage remains limited. RTI data from the period 2021–22 to 2025–26 reveals a stark gap: while 9.7 lakh students applied for scholarships under various state schemes, only 7.3 lakh actually received financial assistance.
The state government manages these schemes through the MahaDBT portal, developed by Mantralaya's information technology department. Of the fourteen schemes administered, five account for the bulk of applications:
- Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Tuition Fee Scholarship
- Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Hostel Maintenance Allowance Scheme
- Eklavya Scholarship
- State Government Sponsored Minority Scholarship
- State Open Merit Scholarship
Amar Ekad, president of COPS, strongly criticized the government's failure. "The govt has failed to ensure timely processing and disbursal of scholarships, resulting in financial uncertainty for deserving students," he said. Ekad demanded immediate action against colleges sitting on applications and called for stricter departmental monitoring. He warned that these delays are forcing economically weaker students to borrow money or abandon their education altogether.
