Parliament panel renews push for EWS fee relief, scholarships in Sainik Schools

The parliamentary standing committee on defence has once again advocated for making Sainik Schools more affordable and inclusive for economically weaker students. The committee, which tabled its report in Parliament on Friday, reiterated its earlier recommendations to extend tuition fee reimbursement, scholarships for girl cadets, and greater financial support for economically weaker students in Sainik Schools.

They also urged the Centre to increase its contribution to scholarship and incentive schemes and review the Sainik Schools Society Rules & Regulations to exempt, minimize or subsidise fees for students from the economically weaker section (EWS) category. The committee expressed concern over the ministry's lack of response to several of its key proposals and called for a dedicated mechanism to hasten the establishment of new Sainik Schools under the public-private partnership model.