Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches National Scholarship Portal

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday launched a National Scholarship Portal-based system for agriculture students, under which more than 6,000 students received a total of Rs21.35 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The initiative, launched at Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), Pusa, is aimed at ensuring that scholarships and fellowships reach agriculture students directly and on time. Under the new system, students will receive scholarship assistance every month through DBT, reducing delays and making the process more transparent and hassle-free.
Addressing the gathering, Chouhan said scholarships should not be viewed merely as financial assistance but as an important instrument for strengthening agricultural education and creating greater opportunities for students.
“Examinations, admissions and payments must all happen on time; that is the real test of an effective system,” he said, stressing the importance of timely delivery of government support. The minister also emphasised the need to make practical training an integral part of agricultural education. He said classroom learning alone was not sufficient to produce competent farmers, scientists or agricultural entrepreneurs.
Chouhan called upon agriculture students to set ambitious goals and contribute to the country’s development beyond conventional career paths. He urged young people to explore innovation, startups and research in agriculture rather than limiting themselves to seeking employment. He said the NSP-DBT system would make scholarship distribution faster, more transparent and seamless, enabling students to concentrate more effectively on their studies. The minister also stressed the need to integrate agricultural education with technology, practical training and industry orientation to prepare students for emerging challenges in the agriculture sector. Food security and farmers’ income remain priorities.