UP Govt Launches Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Scholarship
Yogi Adityanath UP CM
Five meritorious students to receive ₹23 lakh each annually from UP govt
By AMIT KUMAR
LUCKNOW, August 7, 2025 — In a step toward globalizing higher education opportunities for its youth, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has approved the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Uttar Pradesh State Government Scholarship Scheme.
It aims at enabling meritorious students from the state to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the United Kingdom. The scheme will fund five students annually with ₹23 lakh each from the state exchequer, while the balance costs—estimated between ₹38,000 to ₹42,000 (GBP) per student—will be covered by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It will run from the academic session 2025–26 through 2027–28, with scope for renewal.
Announcing the Cabinet’s decision, Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay said the initiative honors the visionary legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and will operate through a structured MoU with the UK government. The selection process promises transparency, fairness, and merit-based filtering.
“This is another strong step in empowering our youth and integrating them into global knowledge economies,” said Upadhyay.
The scholarship includes full tuition, research costs, monthly living allowances, and round-trip airfare, covering all core needs for an international education experience.
🔹 Quick Overview
- Scheme Name: Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening UP Scholarship
- Start Year: 2025–26
- Duration: 3 years (2025–28)
- Beneficiaries: 5 students/year
- UP Govt Support: ₹23 lakh/student (~£19,800)
- UK’s FCDO: Covers remaining costs
Industrial Reforms to Spur Growth and Jobs
Two new industrial policies have been cleared in the Cabinet meeting presided over by the Chief Minister.
- MSME Industrial Estate Management Policy
- Industrial plots/sheds to be leased via e-auctions.
- Rates fixed: ₹3,000/sq m (Paschimanchal), ₹2,500 (Madhyanchal), ₹2,000 (Purvanchal/Bundelkhand).
- Annual escalation: 5%.
- Footwear, Leather & Non-Leather Sector Development Policy-2025
- Aims at export growth, technology upgrades, skilling.
- Will attract both domestic and foreign investment.
Uttar Pradesh Rural Population Records Bill-2025
To streamline rural land records (Gharauni), the Cabinet has passed a new bill:
- Simplifies mutation and corrections for inheritance, gifts, sales, etc.
- Empowers Revenue Inspectors and Tehsildars for clean cases.
- Citizens can request updates to phone numbers and addresses.
- Over 1.01 crore Gharauni documents already distributed.
Two New Private Universities Approved
- K.D. University, Mathura (Rajiv Memorial Academic Welfare Society)
- Bodhisattva University, Barabanki (Bodhisatva Charitable Trust)
Both institutions received Letters of Intent and will boost higher education infrastructure.
Municipal Advertising Reforms to Boost Revenue
A significant reform allows 15-year advertising rights in urban areas (up from 2 years), under an amendment to the Uttar Pradesh Municipal Corporation Act, 1959. The move is expected to: Encourage long-term investment in urban advertising; Eliminate repetitive tendering; stabilize revenue for civic bodies; and enable digital and modern ad formats
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