The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded for postgraduate studies at University of Oxford. It is one of the oldest and most
prestigious international fellowships. Approximately 90 scholarships are awarded each year.
Rhodes Scholars can pursue any full-time postgraduate
course offered by the Oxford University except MBA. They can also pursue a second undergraduate degree (senior
status) over two years. The scholarship is offered for two years only. However, it can be extended to one more year
depending on the discretion of the Trustees. The Scholarship covers the University and College Fees and the scholars
receive a monthly stipend to cover their accommodation and
living expenses.
Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to applicants from the
selecting countries which include Australia, Bermuda,
Canada, Commonwealth Caribbean, Germany, India, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, South
Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland, USA, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The selection of the Rhodes Scholars is overseen by a
National Secretary of the Rhodes Trust in each selecting country.
The Scholarship owes its origin to the Will of Cecil. J. Rhodes. Cecil Rhodes was a British colonial pioneer and statesman.
Rhodes was himself an alumnus of Oxford University. His vision was to prepare world leaders through education. He
believed that Oxford would give able and exceptionally gifted students the right environment for personal and intellectual
development. It would help in the promotion of international understanding and peace and prepare
highly motivated
individuals who would be leaders in their respective spheres and lead their contemporaries to a better tomorrow. There
were originally 52 scholarships. During the ensuing 100 years, the Trustees added another 40 scholarships. Some of
the scholarships were discontinued while some new ones got added later.
According to Rhodes, the selection criteria for scholars was to be based on academic brilliance, involvement in sports like
cricket or football or any other sports, qualities of personal rectitude, strength and compassion, sense of public good etc.
These criteria are maintained today as well.
Rhodes Scholarship was introduced in India when the scholarships were extended to the Commonwealth countries.
Prof. Asim Kumar Datta (passed out from Christ Church, 1947) and Late Mr. Lovraj Kumar (Magdalen, 1947) comprised the first
batch of Indian Rhodes Scholars. India had one or two scholarships during the initial years of introduction of
the scholarships in India. The number of Scholarships was increased to 3 per year in 1985 and 4 in 1991.
Initially Rhodes Scholarships were offered to male
candidates only. Until 1977, no women were elected to Rhodes Scholarships. However, with the continuous lobbying
by Rhodes Trustees, the Secretary of State for Education in UK made an order in 1976 declaring Rhodes Scholarships to
be tenable by women and in 1979, Amrita Cheema became the first woman from India to be
awarded a Rhodes
Scholarship, and in 1995, Ms Roopa Unnikrishnan became the 100th Rhodes Scholar from India. From 1998, six
scholars are elected form India every year. Indian Rhodes
Scholarships are awarded on an All-India basis. The
selection procedure in India involves zonal interviews (in the North, East, West and South zones) to shortlist candidates
for the final interview and screening process.
The list of Rhodes Scholars from India include Olympic athletes Eric
Prabhakar (India & Christchurch, 1948)and
Ranjit Bhatia (India & Jesus, 1957), metallurgist Tanjore R.Anantharaman (India & Trinity, 1951), medical scientist
Ranjit Roy Chaudhary (India & Magdalen, 1955), United Nations Under Secretary-General Virendra Dayal (India &
University, 1956), Assistant Secretary General of the
Commonwealth (India & Balliol, 1958), playwright and actor Girish Karnad (India & Lincoln, 1960), economist and
Planning Commission Dy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia (India & Balliol, 1964), Indian Ambassador to Japan Aftab
Seth (India & Christ Church, 1965), Vice Chancellor of Delhi
University Deepak Nayyar (India & Balliol, 1967)
Eligibility : The Rhodes Scholarship is open to citizens of India. The
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