One of the major objectives of the Government is to ensure that no student is denied the opportunity to pursue higher education because she or he is poor. To achieve this objective, Ministry of Education (Erstwhile Ministry of Human Resource Development) launched a Scheme titled "Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme" (CSIS) in 2009. The scheme provides full interest subsidy during the moratorium period on loan availed under Model Education Loan Scheme of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for pursuing technical/professional courses in India. Students whose annual gross parental/ family income is up to Rs.4.5 lakh are eligible under the scheme. The existing Scheme has been modified with the approval of the Union Cabinet on 19.01.2022.

The scheme provides full interest subsidy during the moratorium period on loan availed under Model Education Loan Scheme of Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for pursuing technical/professional courses in India. Students whose annual gross parental/ family income is up to Rs.4.5 lakh are eligible under the scheme. The existing Scheme has been modified with the approval of the Union Cabinet on 19.01.2022. The Scheme is adopted by all Scheduled Banks/Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)/Co-operative Banks and is linked with the existing Model Educational Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks’ Association. Interest Subsidy under CSIS is admissible only once, either for undergraduate or post graduate or integrated course. Under the scheme, interest subsidy on education loan is provided for a maximum amount of Rs.10.00 lakh (Even sanctioned loan amount in excess of Rs.10.00 lakh would qualify for interest subsidy up to Rs.10.00 lakh only). (Earlier the interest subsidy on education loan was provided for a maximum amount of Rs.7.50 lakh for loan sanctioned on or after 01.04.2018 to 31.03.2022 & for a maximum amount of Rs.10.00 lakh for loan sanctioned on or before 31.03.2018) In CSIS scheme, no collateral security or third party guarantee is required for Education Loan sanctioned upto Rs.7.50 lakh. The bank is to ensure that this part of the loan is covered for guarantee under Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Education Loan (CGFSEL). Under the Scheme, the interest payable on the Educational Loan for the moratorium period, i.e. Course Period plus one year will be borne by the Government of India. After the period of moratorium, the interest on the outstanding loan amount shall be paid by the student, in accordance with the provisions of the existing Model Educational Loan Scheme of Banks and as may be amended from time to time.

Education Loans taken under IBA Model Education Loan Scheme. • Students having gross parental/ family income upto Rs.4.5 lakh per annum. • Students enrolled in professional/ technical courses only from NAAC accredited Institutions or professional/ technical programmes accredited by NBA or Institutions of National Importance or Central Funded Technical Institutions (CFTIs). Those Professional Institutions/programmes, which do not come under the ambit of NAAC or NBA, would require approval of the respective regulatory body. • Admissible only once either for Undergraduate or for Post Graduate degree course. This is also admissible for Integrated Courses (Graduate + Post Graduate). • Student availing any other Central /State Government Scholarship or Fee reimbursement shall not be eligible for availing benefits under CSIS Scheme. • Interest Subsidy under this Scheme shall not be available to those students who discontinue their course midstream, or who are expelled from the Institution on disciplinary or academic grounds. However, the interest subsidy would be available only if discontinuation is due to medical grounds for which necessary documentation to the satisfaction of the Head of educational institution needs to be provided.

The interest rates charged on the educational loan shall be as per the External Benchmark Lending Rate (EBLR) of individual banks and as per the provisions for interest rates under the IBA Model Educational Loan Scheme.

Under the Scheme, moratorium period is defined as Course Period plus one year. Interest for only the moratorium period, at simple rate of interest will be borne by the Government of India, subject to the condition that the student completes the course of study successfully. After the period of moratorium, the interest on the outstanding loan amount shall be paid by the student, in accordance with the provisions of the existing Model Educational Loan Scheme of Banks and as may be amended from time to time.

The benefit of the Scheme is applicable to students belonging to economically weaker sections having gross parental/ family income upto Rs.4.5 lakh per annum from all sources. Income proof is required from authorised Public Authority of the State Government. The scheme is independent of any other schemes which may cater to economically weaker sections. Income certificate is required to be submitted by eligible student only once. Students to submit the required documents to their branches in time to enable branch to claim subsidy within the time schedule as per guidelines. Any subsequent changes in family income during moratorium period will not affect student’s subsidy eligibility criteria. The genuineness of Income Certificate submitted by student borrower be thoroughly checked and verified before accepting the same and submission of claims to avoid instances of submission of fake certificates by the student borrowers. In order to ensure genuineness of the Income Certificate submitted by the student/borrower, branch Incumbents/authorized officials may visit the office of Income Certificate Issuing Authority to get the same checked /verified. The designated authorities to give Income proof under this scheme have been authorized by the respective State Governments.

The Ministry of Education, Government of India has issued an Advisory to all the State Governments requesting them to designate appropriate authority or authorities who are competent to issue income certificates, based on economic index and not social background, for the purpose of this scheme. The Banks shall implement the scheme based on the notification of the certification authority by State Governments communicated through District Level Consultative Committees (DLCCs).