Minority Affairs Minister On MANF Scholarship: "Due To The Cognizant Reasons Of Overlapping..."
In a written response in the Rajya Sabha on July 21, 2025, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju detailed the status of the Nai Udaan and Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) schemes, revealing that both have been discontinued since 2022-23 due to overlaps with similar schemes run by other ministries. The statement addressed queries raised by Rajya Sabha member Geeta alias Chandraprabha regarding national disbursement, outreach in Uttar Pradesh, and efforts to simplify application processes for minority students.
Under the Nai Udaan scheme, according to the minister, which supported minority candidates qualifying in preliminary examinations conducted by bodies like the Union Public Service Commission, 10,165 beneficiaries nationwide received financial assistance since its inception. In Uttar Pradesh, 564 candidates benefited.
The MANF scheme, designed for M.Phil and Ph.D. aspirants akin to the University Grants Commission’s research fellowships, disbursed Rs. 767.64 crore nationally, with 1,173 scholars from Uttar Pradesh supported. However, both schemes were terminated in 2022-23 to avoid duplication with other government initiatives, as the minister cited “cognizant reasons of overlapping.”
When active, the schemes were promoted through workshops, conferences, and events showcasing successful beneficiaries to raise awareness, particularly among minority students. In response to queries about rural outreach in areas like Auraiya, the minister noted that these efforts were part of the broader strategy to popularise the schemes before their discontinuation. No specific details were provided on current measures to simplify application processes, given the schemes’ closure.
