Maharashtra government will help 50 meritorious girl students, whose family income is less than Rs 1 lakh, to get into IITs for engineering courses.

"An entrance examination on science and maths syllabus between standard eight and tenth will be held soon. About 50 girls will be selected based on their marks," officials said.

The government has signed an MoU with PACE, an institute which provides training for enrolment into IITs.

According to the MoU, women and child welfare department of the state government will fund the accommodation, food, while training would be free of cost to the selected girls.

The proposal, prepared by the women and child welfare department, is expected to come up in the Cabinet for clearance.

Officials said the government will incur an expenditure of Rs 7,500 per month on each girl student for the training period of two years.