What is Padho Pardesh Overseas Study?
Padho Pardesh is a central government scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs that provides interest subsidy on education loans for students from minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain) who take bank loans to pursue higher studies abroad — at Masters, M.Phil, or PhD level. The scheme pays the full interest on the education loan during the moratorium period (course duration + 1 year grace period). Post-moratorium, the student repays EMI normally. Family income limit: ₹6 lakh per annum. Loan through member banks of IBA (Indian Banks Association). No loan amount ceiling — but typically covers actual overseas tuition/living costs. Priority to students from economically weaker minority families. Applications through Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) via bank. Note: Scheme was under review/discontinued and later revised — verify current 2026 status at minorityaffairs.gov.in.
Padho Pardesh Overseas Study — Quick Overview
| Scheme Name | Padho Pardesh Scheme 2026 — Interest Subsidy on Overseas Education Loans for Minority Students |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 2013 |
| Benefit | Full interest subsidy on overseas education loan during moratorium period (course duration + 1 year) for minority students |
| Category | Education |
| Last Verified | 23 May 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://www.minorityaffairs.gov.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=2&ls_id=394&lid=212 |
पढ़ो परदेश योजना — अल्पसंख्यक समुदाय के छात्रों (मुस्लिम, ईसाई, सिख, बौद्ध, पारसी, जैन) को विदेश में Master's/PhD के लिए बैंक लोन पर moratorium period का पूरा interest सरकार देती है। पारिवारिक आय ₹6 लाख से कम। IBA बैंकों के माध्यम से।
Moratorium अवधि में पूरा ब्याज सरकार देती है — विदेश में पढ़ाई के लिए बैंक लोन पर
Benefits of Padho Pardesh Overseas Study
Full interest subsidy on overseas education loan during moratorium period (course duration + 1 year) for minority students
Who is Eligible for Padho Pardesh Overseas Study?
- ✓Student from notified minority community (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi, Jain)
- ✓Seeking education loan for Masters, M.Phil, or PhD abroad
- ✓Family annual income ≤ ₹6 lakh per annum
- ✓Education loan from IBA (Indian Banks Association) member bank
- ✓Admission to recognised foreign university for PG/research programme
Documents Required for Padho Pardesh Overseas Study
How to Apply for Padho Pardesh Overseas Study Online?
- 1Secure admission first to a recognised foreign university for Masters, M.Phil, or PhD study.
- 2Take an education loan for the overseas course from an IBA member bank.
- 3Submit minority community certificate, income certificate (family income ≤ ₹6 lakh), and Aadhaar card to the bank.
- 4Provide the bank's loan sanction letter along with the university admission letter and passport/visa if issued.
- 5Bank forwards the interest subsidy claim to the Maulana Azad Education Foundation under the scheme.
- 6MAEF pays the loan interest directly to the bank throughout the moratorium period (course duration plus 1 year).
- 7Check current scheme status at minorityaffairs.gov.in, as it has undergone periodic review and revision.
Official Government Portal
Use www.minorityaffairs.gov.in directly — there is no application fee, and no third party can speed up your approval.
🔗Apply on www.minorityaffairs.gov.in/show_content.php?lang=1&level=2&ls_id=394&lid=212