Uttar Pradesh
Chevening-Atal Bihari Vajpayee Scholarship Scheme
- 20 Aug 2025
- 3 min read
Why in News?
The Uttar Pradesh government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for the Chevening-Atal Bihari Vajpayee Uttar Pradesh State Government Scholarship Scheme.
Key Points
- About: The MoU was signed in Lucknow by Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
- The UP Cabinet recently approved the scheme, with the state government allocating Rs 2 crore for the program in the current financial year (2025-26).
- The scheme will provide five meritorious students from Uttar Pradesh with the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at leading UK universities every year.
- Objective: The scholarship aims to empower meritorious students from Uttar Pradesh by enabling them to achieve excellence in education, research, and leadership at the international level.
- It is designed to transform the state’s education system and prepare students for global leadership roles.
- Program Timeline: The program will begin in the 2025-26 academic session and run for three years, with the potential for renewal from the 2028-29 session.
- Financials: The scholarship will cover tuition, examination and research fees, living allowances, and airfare to and from the UK.
- Cost: The estimated total cost per student is between £38,048 to £42,076 (Rs 45–48 lakh).
- State Contribution: Approximately £19,800 (Rs 23 lakh).
- FCDO Contribution: The remainder of the funding.
- Student Selection: Five students will receive full scholarships each year to study at prestigious UK universities, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
- Strategic Importance: The scheme reflects the growing collaboration between India and the UK, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the UK, where he signed the Trade Agreement and Vision 35, opening new avenues for business and education.
