Awards and Scholarships for NIOS Learners

(i) “Ms. Santosh Rastogi Award for Excellence in Geography”

An award titled “Ms. Santosh Rastogi award for Excellence in Geography” was introduced for
the NIOS pass outs at Sr. Secondary Level from the academic year 2005. Five awards of Rs. 500/
- each are given every year.
The award is given to those students who obtain the highest marks in the subject of Geography at Sr.
Secondary level in the April-May as well as Oct.-Nov. examinations of the year. The best of both the
examinations are taken into consideration. In case of a tie, the student scoring higher aggregate of total
marks is given the award. In case the highest scorer is a case of transfer of credit in that subject, the
second highest scorer is considered for giving the award.

(ii) Dr. Ambedkar National Scholarship Scheme for meritorious students, belonging to Scheduled

Castes/Scheduled Tribes

The Scholarship Scheme was started by Dr. Ambedkar Foundation set up under the aegis of the
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment in 1992 with a view to recognise, promote and assist
meritorious students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for enabling them to pursue
higher studies. This is a one time cash award and is given to 3 students scoring highest marks in class
X level examination conducted by the Education Board/Council. This is separate for SC and ST. In
case none of the first three eligible students are girls, the girl student scoring the highest mark gets a
special award.

The eligibility criteria for Dr. Ambedkar scholarship:

(i) Student should belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST).
(ii) Family income of the student from all sources should be less than Rs. 1 lakh in the preceding financial
year.
(iii) The student should have appeared in any of the recognised State/All India Boards of Education
including NIOS and scored not less than 50% marks in the aggregate in the Secondary Certificate
Examination.