Shillong (Meghalaya): The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) scheme, launched by the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry for Schedule Tribe (ST) students has benefited 79 students, Union Tribal Affairs Minister P.R. Kyndiah said.

The new scholarship scheme was launched by the Ministry in the academic session 2007-08 with grants to 23 institutes.

The Ministry identified 127 institutions of higher education, both government-aided and private, offering courses in the field of medicine, engineering, law and commerce for the scheme.

The objective of the scheme is to encourage meritorious students pursue higher education in any of the identified institutes.