Thiruvananthapuram: A record number of 310 students from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) communities will be extended scholarships this year to facilitate their overseas studies.

K Radhakrishnan, Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes, made the official announcement of the ‘Unnathi’ scholarship project and launched the website here on Wednesday.

The Department of SC/ST Development has entrusted the government agency Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Council (ODEPC) to choose eligible students and get them admissions to leading foreign universities.

A priority will be accorded to female students, physically handicapped candidates, and children of single parents. Under the scheme, a scholarship of up to Rs 25 lakh will be extended on the basis of annual income. Besides, a total of 10 ST and 25 SC students will be extended interest-free loans.

The ODEPC will provide guidelines to prevent the students from getting fleeced in foreign lands. The agency will also oversee arrangements like visas, flight tickets, and college fees. It has to submit a report to the SC/ST department after assessing the academic performance of the students in the first year.

Candidates can register via the website www.odepc.net/unnathi to apply for the scholarship. The details regarding eligibility can be collected from the offices of the SC and ST departments.