New Delhi : Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, released scholarship and fellowship funds worth ₹21.35 crore directly to over 6,000 agriculture students from across the country. The funds were disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) during a ceremony held at ICAR-IARI, Pusa.
With the introduction of this new initiative, agriculture students will now receive their scholarship funds directly in their bank accounts every month without experiencing unnecessary delays or administrative hurdles.
“Examination, Admission, and Payment Must Happen on Time” Addressing the gathering, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasized that a scholarship is not merely financial assistance, but a vital tool to make agricultural education stronger, more practical, and better connected with opportunities. He noted that the new DBT mechanism will eliminate traditional delays and ensure that students receive support on time.
“Examination, admission, and payment — all must happen on time; that is the real test of any system,” Chouhan stated, stressing the government’s commitment to creating a transparent, fast, and seamless educational framework.
Focus on Practical Training and Startups The Union Minister underscored that classroom-based learning alone cannot produce capable farmers, scientists, or agricultural entrepreneurs. He urged educational institutions to provide students with hands-on opportunities to understand ground realities beyond textbooks.
Encouraging young scholars to look beyond traditional employment, Chouhan called on agriculture students to lead innovation, establish start-ups, and undertake cutting-edge research. He reiterated that food security, nutrition, and farmers’ income security remain top priorities for the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Appeal for Environmental Plantation Drive In addition to academic and career guidance, Shri Chouhan appealed to agriculture students at ICAR institutions nationwide to actively undertake plantation activities on the occasion of ‘Hariyali Amavasya’. He highlighted environmental protection as a collective responsibility tied closely to sustainable agriculture.
The event was attended in person and virtually by thousands of students and scientists. Key dignitaries present at the ceremony included Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, ICAR Director General Dr. M.L. Jat, ICAR Secretary Shri Gyanendra Tripathi, Deputy Director General Dr. Yashpal Singh Malik, and IARI Director Dr. C. Srinivasa Rao.
