At present, there is no proposal under the consideration of the Government to waive off the education loans sanctioned to the students who could not get a job after completing their studies. The Government had in the Budget 2012-13 announced setting up of a Credit Guarantee Fund for Education Loans to ensure better flow of credit deserving students.

Education loans are extended as per Model Educational Loan Scheme of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) as adopted by the Banks. Under the Scheme, education loans can be given upto a ceiling of Rs. 10 lakh in India and Rs. 20 lakh abroad. Banks may consider higher quantum of loans on course to course basis. The Scheme is modified from time to time keeping in view the needs of the students. In the last such revision in September 2012, degree/diploma courses like aeronautical, pilot training, shipping etc, were added in the Model Scheme for studies abroad provided these are recognized by competent regulatory bodies in India/abroad for the purpose of employment in India/abroad.

This was stated by Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena, in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

DSM/RS/ka

(Release ID :95165)

Education loan waiver: no proposal to waive student loans; focus remains on credit guarantee and model loan scheme. No executive proposal exists to waive education loans for unemployed graduates; instead, the Government announced a Credit Guarantee Fund for Education Loans to improve student access to credit. Education lending follows the Model Educational Loan Scheme adopted by banks, which sets ceilings, permits course-specific higher financings at bank discretion, and is periodically revised to add recognized courses abroad for employment eligibility.