India-Afghanistan Fellowship Programme: Nurturing Agricultural Talent

Introduction:

Since its inception in 2010-11, the India-Afghanistan Fellowship Programme has been instrumental in fostering agricultural human resource development in Afghanistan. With the aim of providing formal education opportunities to Afghan scientists, faculty, and students, this initiative offers a pathway for pursuing Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. degrees in Indian Agricultural Universities (AUs). Let's delve deeper into the details of this transformative programme.

Programme Overview:

The fellowship programme is designed to support Afghan individuals in pursuing degrees in Agriculture and allied sciences at identified Indian Agricultural Universities. Over the years, the programme has witnessed significant growth, offering a total of 276 fellowships annually for various degree programmes, including Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D.

Benefits:

Under this programme, fellows receive financial assistance from the India-Afghanistan Fund of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. The fellowship amounts to INR 12,000 per month for Bachelor's and Master's programmes and INR 15,000 per month for Ph.D. programmes. Additionally, the fellowship covers tuition fees, hostel fees, mess charges, medical expenses, and travel expenses within the country. A research contingency grant and group insurance are also under consideration.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for the fellowship, candidates must have a good command of English. For Bachelor's programmes, candidates must have passed the 10+2 examination with specific subject combinations. Similarly, Master's and Ph.D. candidates must meet educational requirements corresponding to their respective programmes, including specific degree qualifications and minimum grade point averages.

Application Process:

The application process involves nominations by the Government of Afghanistan, followed by recommendations from the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs. Candidates interested in admission to Indian AUs should apply through their government for sponsorship. The final selection and admission are facilitated by the respective universities in consultation with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Documents Required:

Candidates awarded the fellowship must present original documents related to their qualifications for verification at the time of admission. These documents may be required to be deposited with the universities during the course duration, to be returned upon completion of the programme.

Conclusion:

The India-Afghanistan Fellowship Programme stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between India and Afghanistan in the field of agriculture. By nurturing talent and fostering academic excellence, this initiative plays a pivotal role in empowering Afghan individuals and contributing to the agricultural development of the region