Governor Dr. D. Subbarao, today announced the Reserve Bank of India scholarship scheme for higher studies in Economics for officials of central banks/ministries of finance of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries. He announced the scholarship scheme in the 26th SAARCFINANCE Group Meeting being held today in Islamabad. Members of SAARC are: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The objective of the scholarship scheme is to strengthen regional co-operation through skill enhancement in economic research of officials of central banks/ministries of finance in the SAARC region. Under the scheme, the Reserve Bank will offer one full-time scholarship to a candidate working in SAARC central banks/ministries of finance, for pursuing Ph.D; or M.A/M.S/M.Phil leading to Ph.D in economics in one of the identified universities/institutions in India. The tenure of the scholarship will be four years, extendable by six months. Alternatively, the Reserve Bank will also consider awarding scholarship for candidates desirous of pursuing 2-year M.A/M.S/M.Phil in economics in selected universities/institutions in India. The research field for the dissertation of Ph.D/M.Phil should be of relevance to any or all of the SAARC countries.

Alpana Killawala

Chief General Manager

Press Release : 2012-2013/2117

Scholarship for SAARC central bank and finance officials to pursue advanced economics degrees in India under RBI scheme. The Reserve Bank of India announces a scholarship scheme to fund higher studies in economics for officials of SAARC central banks and finance ministries, offering one full-time doctoral-leading scholarship at identified Indian institutions with a four-year tenure (extendable) and alternative two-year postgraduate awards, with research required to be relevant to SAARC countries.