Reshma Ravishanker

Higher education institutions and universities have been asked to set aside additional seats to accommodate students who lost both parents due to Covid-19.

Students who have lost both parents due to Covid-19 have already been eligible to seek support under the PM CARES scheme, according to a recent announcement by the union government. Such children will also be given PM CARES for children certificate 2021 and can avail loans for higher education, the interest of which will be paid by the government. 

The University Grants Commission has on March 30 communicated to all higher educational institutions to create supernumerary seats to accommodate these students, whenever they become eligible.

On March 29, following a high-level meeting chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, decisions were made to have measures to support children who have lost both parents during the pandemic. Even those children who have lost their legal guardian or adoptive parent would be supported under PM CARES for children.

Modi had said that during the trying times of the pandemic, it was the duty of all to ensure children are taken care of and a promise of a bright future is delivered to them while instilling confidence.

Among the other decisions taken in the meeting, it was said that these children will avail a monthly stipend when they turn 18 and a fund of Rs 10 lakh at the age of 23. They are also eligible to avail a free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh under Ayushman Bharat till 18 years and premium will be paid by PM CARES.

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