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Four Indian Rhodes Scholarship Winners To Study At Oxford In 2023

Indian students, praised for their intelligence and discipline, have yet again made their mark at a global level. Four Indian students are Rhodes scholarship winners this year and will commence their further studies at Oxford University in October 2023 in the company of more than 100 scholars representing different parts of the world.

This year’s scholars— namely, Hansa Mukherjee, Daksh, Walia, Khalid Khalid, and Kirtana Sivasubramanian, come from diverse backgrounds and bring versatility to their aspirations for the future.

Hansa Mukherjee, a final-year student of economics at Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi, is keen on improving women’s healthcare conditions by researching social and behavioral intercessions at Oxford. While, Khalid, a final-year student of Language and Literature aims to better understand the diversity within the Indian Muslim community and document their narratives and movements.

Studied Economics at Ashoka University, Daksh Walia is looking forward to studying labor economics and understanding climate change through the lens of economics. Although, his key interest lies in researching the determinants of female labor force participation in India. Kirtana Sivasubramanian will explore the core concepts of T-cell biology with the aim to enhance immunotherapy for cancer and autoimmune conditions.

Rhodes scholarships in India

The Rhodes scholarship is the most prestigious and oldest international scholarship that allows scholar-elects to pursue full-time postgraduate studies at Oxford University. The program is administered by the Rhodes Trust and offers 100 fully funded scholarships to students spread across the world. They seek young leaders with character, conviction, and integrity along with intelligence who can bring about a change at a global level. Each year, five scholarships are offered to Indian students.

Eligibility for Indian students

The candidate must be an Indian citizen with an Indian passport or equivalent proof of citizenship.
The candidate must complete their formal education from an Institution/University in India for a minimum of 4 years.
Only candidates aged 26 or below can apply.
Candidates must have completed/ will complete their undergraduate with first class.

Selection criteria for Rhodes scholarship

Academic excellence and intellectual curiosity.
Zeal and energy to realize one’s full potential
Qualities like honesty, kindness, devotion, and courage to make a positive change.
Leadership qualities and moral force of character.

Selection procedure

The candidates are initially longlisted and the primary selection is made through the interview round. The personal interview and preliminary rounds are conducted in New Delhi or through a video conference if the candidate isn’t currently in India. Qualification to the next round will depend on these two rounds.
The shortlisted candidates are then hosted by the Chairman and selection committee for tea/dinner for social engagement and the final interview round.
Once the decision is made by the selection committee, shortlisted candidates receive a confirmation email.
The confirmation of the Rhodes scholarship is made only upon successful admission to the University of Oxford.

What does the Rhodes scholarship cover?

The worth of a Rhodes Scholarship varies according to the academic discipline and degree (B.A., M.A., Ph.D.) that a student chooses. The prize covers the entire cost of tuition and fees at Oxford as well as a stipend for living expenses, travel costs to and from England, and other essential expenses.

The overall value of the Scholarship is typically around $75,000 each year, but in some departments, it can be as high as $250,000 for Scholars who stay for four years.

Rhodes scholarship application

The application for the session commencing in October 2023 is closed. However, the applications will roll out in June or July 2023 for the session starting in October 2024. Interested candidates can keep a check on the official website for more information.