The Union cabinet approved the PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme that aims to cover over 22 lakh students a year.
The scheme will provide the financial support to meritorious students so that financial constraints do not prevent anyone from pursuing higher studies.
For students looking at loans of up to Rs 7.5 lakh, the government will provide credit guarantees to the tune of 75 per cent of the outstanding defaults.
Students belonging to economically-weaker families with an annual income of up to Rs 8 lakh — will be entitled to a three per cent interest subvention on loans of up to Rs 10 lakh.
The ministry’s department of higher education will set up a unified portal, PM-Vidyalaxmi.
This will allow the students to apply for the education loan as well as interest subvention to all the banks.