Nashik: Tribal Department Extends SWAYAM Deadline To April 30 After Student Protests

Nashik: The Tribal Development Department of the Government of Maharashtra has taken a significant decision to extend the deadline for approving student applications under the ‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay SWAYAM Scheme’ until April 30, 2026. As a result, 61,841 students belonging to Scheduled Tribes across the state will receive direct financial assistance for food, accommodation, and other educational amenities to pursue higher education.

Tribal Development Commissioner Leena Bansod has issued directives to all Additional Commissioners and Project Officers to approve all eligible applications received for the academic year 2025-26 at the project level by the end of April. Currently, 490 hostels operated by the Tribal Development Department are functional across the state, with a combined capacity of approximately 65,000 students. The target under the SWAYAM scheme has been increased this year from 40,535 to 61,841 beneficiaries.

Student protests played a pivotal role in driving this decision. Students had staged demonstrations in front of the Tribal Development Department’s headquarters in Nashik to protest against pending grants and the injustice caused by limited intake capacities. Following these protests, the Department took the students' demands seriously and decided to extend the deadline.

Commissioner Leena Bansod has instructed all officials to transfer the applications of all eligible students who could not secure admission to hostels to the SWAYAM scheme. Directives have been issued to take every necessary precaution to ensure that no eligible student faces any difficulty in availing the benefits of the scheme.

This decision has brought immense relief to tribal students across the entire state, including those in Nashik. In particular, students from rural areas who migrate to cities for their education will no longer have to grapple with financial hardships. Under the SWAYAM scheme, approved students receive a monthly stipend of ₹4,000.

Students and tribal organisations have expressed their satisfaction over the Tribal Development Department’s decision to accept and fulfil the students' demands. However, the expectation is that the scheme should be implemented in a timely and transparent manner.