Gujarat Raises Overseas Education Loan Income Limit to Rs.10 Lakh on I-Day

AMRELI: At a time when youth-led movements over education, jobs and opportunities have been drawing attention across the country, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel used the state’s 80th Independence Day celebrations to announce a major education-focused relief for young people.

Patel announced that the annual family income ceiling for students from the unreserved category seeking overseas higher education loans has been increased from ₹6 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

The decision, announced during the state-level Independence Day celebration in Amreli on Saturday, is aimed at widening access to overseas education for students who may otherwise struggle to meet the financial requirements.

“The increase in the income limit will enable more youth from unreserved categories to pursue higher education abroad without financial constraints becoming a barrier,” the government said.

The announcement comes amid growing national attention on young people’s aspirations for quality education, employment and greater opportunities. While recent youth-led agitations in New Delhi and other states have highlighted concerns surrounding education and career prospects, Gujarat’s announcement seeks to address one of the major challenges faced by students — access to financing for higher studies.

Under the Overseas Education Loan Scheme of the Gujarat Unreserved Educational and Economic Development Corporation, eligible students will now be able to benefit from the revised ₹10-lakh annual family income ceiling.

Patel also unveiled several other measures during his Independence Day address.

For rural housing, he said the government would purchase private land where Gram Panchayats lack adequate village settlement, government wasteland or barren land, and provide plots free of cost to eligible families.

The state has also allocated ₹3,428 crore for the repair and improvement of 210 km of roads across 214 locations.

A major child welfare measure will benefit more than 16.75 lakh Anganwadi children aged three to six years. The daily allocation for locally procured hot supplementary nutritious snacks has been raised by 67%, from ₹5.10 to ₹8.50 per child for 300 days. The government has earmarked an additional ₹173 crore for the initiative.

Patel also highlighted Gujarat’s selection to host the Commonwealth Games 2030, describing it as recognition of the state’s organisational capabilities and global standing.

Calling upon citizens to put “Nation First”, Patel said Gujarat must continue its development journey towards “Viksit Gujarat 2047 for Viksit Bharat.”

The Amreli celebrations featured patriotic performances, a police band and an aerial flower shower, with students presenting a cultural programme titled “Maru Amreli.”