UP Government Rolls Out Atal Scholarship to Fund Higher Studies in the UK
By Staff Reporter | Lucknow | August 19, 2025
Lucknow has seen its share of big announcements, but yesterday’s felt a little different. The hall was modest, no glittering stage, no over-polished speeches. Yet, when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath signed the papers at his residence, you could sense a shift.
The Uttar Pradesh Government, in partnership with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), unveiled the Chevening UP Atal Scholarship — a scheme named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It isn’t just another nod to history. It’s a ticket for students from this state to pack their bags for London, Manchester, Oxford, Cambridge, and beyond — with the government footing the bill.
What’s Inside the Atal Scholarship?
The state has promised almost everything a student might worry about. Tuition, exam charges, hostel fees, even the plane ride to and from the UK once a year. Officials calculated the cost at around ₹45–48 lakh per student. That’s not pocket change; that’s the kind of money most families here would never dream of putting aside for education abroad.
And yet, for the five students chosen in the first phase, it’s all covered. They’ll pursue their master’s degrees in England, carrying not just personal ambition but also a slice of Uttar Pradesh with them.
Why It Matters
For decades, the idea of studying abroad was something you’d hear in posh drawing rooms of Delhi or Mumbai. In small towns of UP — Bareilly, Azamgarh, Sitapur — it sounded more like a fantasy.
That gap is what this scheme is trying to bridge.
Yogi Adityanath didn’t dress it up in too many words. “This scholarship will prepare UP’s youth for global leadership,” he said. But behind the line is something much simpler: a young man or woman who doesn’t have to give up their dream because their family couldn’t afford it.
A Partnership That Matters
The money is being split — half from UP’s exchequer, half from the UK’s FCDO. British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron called it a “step forward in educational ties.” Diplomatic language, yes, but in practical terms, it means Lucknow’s government and London’s diplomats are both betting on the same students.
Who Can Actually Apply?
This isn’t open to just anyone. The rules are strict:
- You need to hold a recognized undergraduate degree.
- You must apply to at least three UK master’s programmes.
- You must secure at least one unconditional offer from a UK university.
If you’re in, the benefits roll out beyond just tuition. Monthly stipend, visa fees, travel allowance, even access to official Chevening events. Basically, the government has thought through every obstacle an average UP student might hit.
Human Side of the Story
Ritika Sharma, a law student from Lucknow, put it bluntly: “We always thought UK studies were for kids from rich families. Now, maybe not.”
Another voice, engineering graduate Mohd Faizan from Gorakhpur, added: “This is not about money. It’s about being taken seriously. If I get this scholarship, my work won’t just stay in Gorakhpur. It’ll stand on an international stage.”
It’s moments like these that tell you — beyond the official announcement — what this scholarship actually means on the ground.
The #Chevening programme in India, the largest in the world, just got bigger!
— UK in India🇬🇧🇮🇳 (@UKinIndia) August 19, 2025
Thanks to a new partnership between the UK and the Govt of Uttar Pradesh, over the next 3 years, 15 more bright scholars will be eligible for a fully funded scholarship at world class UK universities. pic.twitter.com/XBdka9laUD
FAQs Students Are Already Asking
Q. What is the UP Atal Scholarship 2025?
A fully funded scheme by the Uttar Pradesh government and UK FCDO for UP students to pursue master’s in the UK.
Q. How long will the scheme last?
The initial plan is for three years (2025–2028).
Q. How many get in?
Five students in the first phase. Numbers may expand later.
Q. What does it cover?
Tuition, accommodation, food, flights, visa, exam charges, stipend — essentially all major costs.
Q. Who qualifies?
Undergraduate degree holders with admission offers from UK universities.
Beyond Policy – Why It Feels Bigger
On paper, it’s a scholarship. In practice, it’s a statement of intent: that Uttar Pradesh, often dismissed as backward, wants its students sitting in the same classrooms as those from Boston, London, Paris.
For a generation that has seen parents sell land just to pay local tuition, this feels almost revolutionary.
The Chevening UP Atal Scholarship won’t erase every problem in the education system, but for a handful of students each year, it will redraw the map of possibility.
And sometimes, that’s all it takes — a few success stories, a few names in foreign universities — to change how an entire state sees its future.
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Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational purposes only. While details are based on official announcements, applicants must verify eligibility, deadlines, and updates through the official UP Government and Chevening portals.
