Context: 

The Ministry of Minority Affairs has stopped Maulana Azad Fellowship — dedicated to pursuing higher education — to minority students, from 2022-23. 

• The budget for several other schemes for minorities has been cut by 38% in the financial year 2023­-24. 

Arguments of the Government:

• Since the MANF scheme overlaps with various other fellowship schemes for higher education being implemented by the government and minority students are already covered under such schemes, the government has decided to discontinue the MANF scheme from 2022-23. 

About Maulana Azad Fellowship Scheme:

• Under the scheme, five-year fellowship provided by the Centre in the form of financial assistance to six notified minority communities – Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Parsi and Sikh — to pursue M Phils and PhDs.
• The scope of the fellowship is to provide assistance to minority students pursuing regular and full-time research within India, and includes research projects by assistant professors.
• Coverage: All universities and institutions recognised by the University Grants Commission.
• Implemented by: The Minority Affairs ministry through the UGC.

Source: The Hindu,  Indian Express