Students from economically weaker families in Gujarat’s unreserved category will now have a wider opportunity to seek financial assistance for higher education abroad. The state government has increased the annual family income limit under its foreign study loan scheme from ₹6 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
The decision is aimed at helping more students who want to pursue higher studies overseas but were previously unable to qualify for the scheme because their family income was above the old limit.
Income limit increased by ₹4 lakh
The Social Justice and Empowerment Department issued a resolution approving the revised income ceiling for students from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of the unreserved category.
The scheme is implemented through the Gujarat Unreserved Educational and Economic Development Corporation (GUEEDC).
Under the earlier rules, students were required to have an annual family income of ₹6 lakh or less to qualify for the financial assistance. With the latest change, families with an annual income of up to ₹10 lakh will now come within the eligibility range.
The revised limit is applicable from August 18, 2026.
Other rules remain unchanged
While the income ceiling has been increased, the government has clarified that all other provisions of the existing foreign study loan scheme will remain unchanged.
This means students will still have to meet the other eligibility requirements and conditions prescribed under the scheme.
The change specifically expands the income-based eligibility criteria, allowing students from families that previously crossed the ₹6 lakh threshold to apply if their income is within the new ₹10 lakh limit.
More students could benefit
The government said the decision was taken in view of the growing demand among Gujarat students for higher education in foreign countries.
Studying abroad can involve significant expenses, including tuition fees, accommodation, travel and other living costs. For many middle-income families, arranging the required funds can be a major challenge.
The earlier ₹6 lakh income ceiling also meant that some families were outside the scheme despite facing difficulties in financing overseas education.
With the limit now increased to ₹10 lakh, these students could become eligible for assistance under the state’s foreign study loan programme.
Why the move matters
The revision effectively widens the financial support network for students from the unreserved category who want to pursue higher education abroad.
Students whose families earned more than ₹6 lakh but up to ₹10 lakh annually were previously excluded on income grounds. They will now have the opportunity to seek assistance, subject to the other conditions of the scheme.
The government expects the revised ceiling to benefit a larger number of aspiring students and make overseas higher education more accessible to economically weaker families.
What the New Rule Means for Students
Old annual family income limit: ₹6 lakh
New income limit: ₹10 lakh
Increase: ₹4 lakh
Applicable from: August 18, 2026
Beneficiaries: Eligible students from the EWS section of Gujarat’s unreserved category
Implementing body: Gujarat Unreserved Educational and Economic Development Corporation (GUEEDC)
Other scheme provisions: Unchanged
The move marks an expansion of Gujarat’s financial assistance framework for overseas education, particularly for students who may have been just above the previous income ceiling but still face difficulty meeting the high cost of studying abroad.
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