Gujarat Overseas Study Loan: ₹15 lakh helps SEBC student build career in Canada
Synopsis
A ₹15 lakh government loan at 4% interest did what private banks wouldn't — it gave a fatherless SEBC student from rural Narmada the chance to earn a master's in Canada and start a corporate engineering career. Ratranshu Panchal's story is a pointed reminder that merit alone rarely crosses financial barriers without a policy bridge.
Key Takeaways
Ratranshu Panchal from Rajpipla, Narmada district received a ₹15 lakh loan under Gujarat's Overseas Study Loan Scheme at 4% interest .
He completed a master's in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Windsor, Canada , and is now employed as a Mechanical Engineer in the corporate sector there.
His father Rakeshkumar Panchal died in a road accident in 2019 , leaving his mother Prital Panchal to support two sons alone.
Private banks declined the loan application due to the family's financial standing and lack of a guarantor.
The scheme is run by Gujarat's Social Justice and Empowerment Department for eligible SEBC students pursuing overseas higher education.
Families can apply through the District Seva Sadan , Collector's Office , or the District Social Welfare Officer, Developing Castes .
A ₹15 lakh education loan under the Gujarat government's Overseas Study Loan Scheme has enabled Ratranshu Panchal, a student from a Socially and Educationally Backwards Classes (SEBC) family in Narmada district, to complete a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Windsor, Canada, and secure employment there. The case has drawn attention to how state-backed financial support can bridge the gap between academic merit and economic constraint for first-generation overseas students.
From Rajpipla to Windsor: The Journey
Ratranshu Panchal grew up in Rajpipla, Narmada district, where he topped the district in the Class 12 Science stream board examinations in 2018. He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, securing distinction across all four years. His ambition to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, however, ran into a significant financial barrier.
The family's circumstances worsened in 2019 when his father, Rakeshkumar Panchal, died in a road accident, leaving his mother, Prital Panchal, solely responsible for supporting two sons. According to the family, Rakeshkumar had specifically wished for his elder son to study abroad and build a career in engineering — an aspiration that Prital was determined to fulfil.
Why Private Banks Fell Short
Prital Panchal approached several private banks for an education loan but was unable to secure adequate funding, reportedly due to the family's financial position and the absence of a guarantor. The rejection forced her to explore government welfare channels.
She subsequently learnt about the state government's Overseas Study Loan Scheme for SEBC students and contacted the District Social Welfare Officer, Developing Castes, Narmada. After completing the documentation process, the government sanctioned a loan of ₹15 lakh at an interest rate of 4 per cent — significantly below typical commercial rates for overseas education loans.
What the Scheme Enabled
Ratranshu enrolled at the University of Windsor in Canada for a master's programme in Mechanical Engineering. He completed the course with results the family described as excellent and is now employed as a Mechanical Engineer in the corporate sector in Canada.
'It was my dream to pursue higher studies abroad, but the financial situation was the biggest challenge. Through the Gujarat Government's Overseas Study Loan Scheme, I received assistance of ₹15 lakh, which made it possible for me to complete my master's studies. I sincerely thank the Gujarat Government and the Social Justice and Empowerment Department,' Ratranshu said.
His mother echoed the sentiment: 'There were many challenges in life after my husband's death. But this government scheme proved to be a blessing for us. If this loan had not been available, it would not have been possible to fulfil my husband's dream,' Prital said.
Scheme Details and How to Apply
The Overseas Study Loan Scheme is administered by Gujarat's Social Justice and Empowerment Department and is available to eligible SEBC students pursuing higher education abroad. Students and families can approach the District Seva Sadan, the Collector's Office, or the office of the District Social Welfare Officer, Developing Castes, for guidance on eligibility and documentation.
Prital Panchal has urged other parents facing financial hardship not to abandon their children's educational goals, and to actively seek information on government welfare schemes available to them. The family's younger son, Om Panchal, is currently pursuing higher studies at GSFC University in Vadodara.
As overseas education costs continue to rise, cases like Ratranshu's underscore the potential of targeted state loan schemes to convert academic merit into real-world opportunity — provided awareness of such programmes reaches those who need them most.
Point of View
Or are turned away at the documentation stage? A single success story, however genuine, should not substitute for data on scheme uptake, disbursement rates, and post-graduation repayment outcomes.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gujarat Overseas Study Loan Scheme for SEBC students?
It is a state government loan programme administered by Gujarat's Social Justice and Empowerment Department that provides financial assistance to eligible students from Socially and Educationally Backwards Classes (SEBC) for pursuing higher education abroad. In Ratranshu Panchal's case, the scheme sanctioned ₹15 lakh at 4% interest.
Who is eligible for the Gujarat Overseas Study Loan Scheme?
The scheme is open to students belonging to the SEBC category in Gujarat who are pursuing higher education at recognised institutions abroad. Applicants must submit required documents through the District Social Welfare Officer, Developing Castes, in their respective district.
How can a student apply for the Gujarat Overseas Study Loan Scheme?
Students or their families can approach the District Seva Sadan, the Collector's Office, or the office of the District Social Welfare Officer, Developing Castes, for guidance on eligibility criteria and the documentation process.
Why could Ratranshu Panchal not get a loan from private banks?
According to the family, private banks declined the application due to the family's financial position and the absence of a guarantor — a common barrier for students from low-income households seeking overseas education funding.
What did Ratranshu Panchal study and where is he now?
Ratranshu Panchal completed a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Windsor in Canada and is currently employed as a Mechanical Engineer in the corporate sector in Canada.
