Union Finance and Corporate Affairs minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Budget 2024 proposed revision of Model Skill Loan Scheme to help 25,000 students every year. She announced to give e-vouchers for loans up to Rs 10 lakh for higher education in domestic institutions to be given directly to one lakh students each year for annual interest subvention of 3 per cent of loan amount.
The minister also mentioned that there will be special focus on women and students where the government will give a lot of emphasis on setting up of working women’s hostels and creches in collaboration with industry.
The minister announced that the model skill loan scheme will be revised to facilitate loans up to Rs 7.5 lakh with a guarantee from a government-promoted fund. This scheme is likely to help 25,000 students every year.
Upgrading 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in hub and spoke model, aligning course content with skill needs of industry and revision of model skill loan scheme, are among the measures announced by the Finance Minister for Skill Development sector.
"For helping our youth who have not been eligible for any benefit under govt schemes and policies government will provide financial support for loans up to Rs 10 lakh for higher education in domestic institutions. E-vouchers for this purpose will be given directly to one lakh students every year with interest subvention of 3 per cent of the loan amount," Sitharaman said.
The Union Budget for 2024-25 will provide Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education, employment and skilling in the country.
She said, "1,000 ITIs will be upgraded in hub and spoke model, course content and design will be aligned to the skill needs of industry and new courses will be introduced for emerging needs. I am happy to announce a new centrally sponsored scheme for skill development in which 20 lakh youth will be skilled over period of 5 years".
"The model skill loan scheme will be revised to facilitate loans up to RS 7.5 lakh with a guarantee from government promoted fund..this measure is expected to help 25,000 students every year," she added.