College officials say MBBS scholarship funds not yet allotted as RTI reveals no student received grant

Funds for the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) and Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital’s new MBBS scholarship scheme have not yet been allotted, senior officials at RML said on Monday.

“No financial head had been decided for this scholarship,” the officials told The Tribune. “We are seeking permission from the ministry for that. Once we receive approval, we will start the scholarship.”

The clarification follows a Right to Information (RTI) response revealing that not a single MBBS student from the 2021, 2022, 2023, or 2024 batches has received any scholarship under the initiative.

The RTI query sought details on the number of students awarded financial need-based or academic performance-based scholarships as of September 27, 2025. In its reply dated October 23, the hospital stated, “No MBBS student has been disbursed any scholarship so far.”

The scholarship initiative, introduced in January, has seen no disbursement despite completed applications and set deadlines. Students from the 2023 and 2024 batches submitted their forms by January 28, while those from the 2021 and 2022 batches applied by May 7.

First-year students submitted their applications soon after receiving their results in March and were asked to share their bank details. Final-year students received forms only in May. Despite repeated follow-ups, students say there has been no progress since.

Under this initiative, two scholarships per batch are offered annually in each of two categories, financial need-based and academic performance-based. Each provides Rs 36,000 per year, paid at Rs 3,000 per month, along with reimbursement of academic and hostel fees, provided the recipient is not already receiving similar aid.

RTI activist Dr Aman Kaushik said the institute should expedite fund disbursement. “This scheme of scholarship is really good but it’s really unfortunate that this government institute has failed to issue funds to the students after all this time,” he said.