To help poor and meritorious students pursue higher studies, the government will launch a new scholarship scheme this year.

The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students will cover 82,000 students, including 41,000 boys and 41,000 girls, from the non-creamy layer category.

The scheme, developed by the HRD Ministry, is aimed at helping the students to meet their day-to-day expenses while pursuing studies in colleges and universities, according to officials.

The scholarship will be divided among various education boards in the country on the basis of population of states in the age group of 18 to 25 years. About 50 per cent of the scholarships will be meant for pass-outs from science streams followed by about 35 per cent for commerce students and the rest for humanities.

The results of the senior secondary examination will be the criteria to determine the eligible candidates. Students need to secure a minimum of 80 per cent marks at senior secondary stage to become eligible for the scholarship.

The eligible students will get Rs 1,000 per month at graduation level for the first three years of college and university courses. Students at post-graduation level will get scholarship of Rs 2,000 per month. The scholarship will be paid for 10 months in a year.