Karnataka’s Muzrai Dept. disburses ₹38 lakh to 254 students of priest families; five get ₹1 lakh each for overseas study

Under the Muzrai Department’s scholarship scheme for families of temple priests, introduced in the year 2023, ₹38.38 lakh has been disbursed to 254 students, including 230 children of priests serving in various Muzrai temples, so far.

In addition, five children of priests have been sanctioned ₹1 lakh each to support their higher studies abroad.

Data reveals that a substantial majority of beneficiaries are children of priests, who account for 230 out of the 254 students. The remaining 24 beneficiaries are children of temple staff.

“This distribution reflects the high number of applications received from families of priests, many of whom face financial hardships due to modest incomes tied to traditional temple service,” Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy told The Hindu.

“The scholarship scheme, implemented through a Government Order dated October 27, 2023, offers financial assistance for a wide range of courses — from PU to medical, engineering, postgraduate studies, and even foreign education. The initiative aims to support educational advancement among families working in Muzrai temples, who previously had no access to any dedicated student incentive programme,” Mr. Reddy added.

Overseas education

Meanwhile, according to the Muzrai Department, the highlight of the scheme is the sanction of ₹1 lakh each for five students pursuing higher education abroad.

“All five students belong to families of priests,” Mr. Reddy said.

In addition to scholarships, the department has introduced a posthumous financial assistance scheme for families of deceased priests and staff.

“Under this scheme, ₹2 lakh is to be given to the dependent families in such cases. Accordingly, ₹56 lakh has been paid to 28 bereaved families which is ₹2 lakh each,” an official from the department said.

Officials further said that as part of the ongoing process of providing educational incentive grants to the children of priests and staff under the department, applications would be accepted till December 31, 2025, and beneficiaries could make use of the scheme.