Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on 13th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This report outlines the Ministry of Tribal Affairs' scholarship schemes designed to support Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in India, with a specific focus on the UT of Ladakh. It distinguishes between Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector schemes, providing data on beneficiaries and funds released from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25. The document also notes an ongoing appraisal for the continuation and expansion of these schemes for the period of FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31.
Key Points / Main Content
Available Scholarship Schemes
Pre-Matric Scholarship: For ST students in Classes IX and X.
Post-Matric Scholarship: For ST students in Class XI and above, including post-graduation.
National Scholarship for Higher Education (Top Class): For higher education pursuits.
National Fellowship for Higher Education (NFST): For advanced research and studies.
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS): For ST students pursuing education abroad.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes (Pre-Matric and Post-Matric)
Eligibility: Open to all ST students with a parental income not exceeding Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum.
Capacity: These are open-ended schemes with no ceiling on the number of beneficiaries.
Administration: States and UTs are responsible for inviting applications, verification, selection, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to students' bank accounts.
Funding: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs releases the central share of funds based on proposals and compliance documents submitted by the States/UTs.
Central Sector Schemes (Higher Education, NFST, and NOS)
Direct Management: Implemented directly by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs without state-wise fund allocations.
Disbursement: Funds are released directly to students or institutions via DBT mode.
Overseas Education: The National Overseas Scholarship is implemented through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which pays students via Embassies and is subsequently reimbursed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Future Planning and Coverage
Scheme Continuation: The Expenditure Finance Commission (EFC) is currently appraising the continuation and potential scope enhancement of these schemes for FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31.
Awareness: The Ministry issues regular advisories to States and UTs to ensure pan-India coverage and awareness of available scholarship benefits.
Impact Analysis
Scheduled Tribe (ST) StudentsImpact
Eligible students receive financial support for secondary and higher education. Those qualifying for Pre- and Post-Matric scholarships benefit from a system with no selection caps, provided they meet income requirements.
Action Required
Eligible students must apply through the designated State/UT or Ministry channels and ensure their bank accounts are linked for DBT.
State and Union Territory AdministrationsImpact
They act as the primary implementers for Centrally Sponsored schemes and are responsible for the frontline administration of scholarship funds.
Action Required
Administrations must conduct application verification, select beneficiaries, submit funding proposals to the Ministry, and issue advisories to spread awareness within their jurisdictions.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs / Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)Impact
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs oversees the entire scholarship division and direct funding for higher education. The MEA facilitates the financial logistics for students studying abroad.
Action Required
The Ministry must finalize the EFC appraisal for scheme continuation and ensure the timely release of funds to States/UTs and the MEA.
Key Entities Referenced
Pre & Post Matric Scholarship Schemes for ST students: Centrally Sponsored Schemes providing open-ended financial support to eligible ST students from Class IX to post-graduation based on parental income criteria.
National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students: Central Sector Schemes implemented directly by the Ministry via DBT, encompassing 'Top Class' education and fellowships for higher studies.
Expenditure Finance Commission (EFC): The body currently appraising the continuation and scope enhancement of these educational support schemes for the period FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The primary implementing agency for various scholarship schemes aimed at promoting secondary and higher education among the Scheduled Tribe population.
UT of Ladakh: The specific administrative region where the impact, beneficiary numbers, and fund disbursements of the tribal scholarship schemes are analyzed.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
“EDUCATION SUPPORT AND SCHOLARSHIP
SCHEMES IN LADAKH”
प्रव तथ: 13 AUG 2026 2:21PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed today in Lok Sabha that the
Scholarship Division of Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the following ongoing Scholarship
Schemes to promote and encourage secondary and higher education amongst ST population in the
country, including the UT of Ladakh:
I. Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X)
II. Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class XI and above)
III. National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class)
IV. National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students (NFST)
V. National Overseas Scholarship for ST students (NOS)
The Scholarship schemes mentioned above at Sl. No. (i) to (ii) are Centrally Sponsored Schemes and
implemented through respective States/UTs of the Country. Both Pre & Post Matric Scholarship Schemes
are open ended Schemes wherein scholarships are given to all eligible students, without any ceiling limit
on the number of selections, for pursuing studies from class 9th to post-Graduation courses whose parental
income is not more than Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum. The inviting of applications, verification, selection of
beneficiaries and disbursement of scholarship amount is the primary responsibility of the respective
States/UTs. Based on the proposals submitted by States/UTs and after examining requisite documents &
necessary compliance, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs releases central share of funds to States/UTs. Further,
the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations disburse the scholarship amount to all
the eligible ST Student's into their bank account through DBT mode.
The Scholarship schemes mentioned above at Sl. No. (iii) to (v) are Central Sector Schemes implemented
directly by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. There is no state-wise allocation of funds under these Central
Sector Schemes. Under National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students, funds
are directly released to the Students/Institutions through DBT mode. The scheme “National Overseas
Scholarship for ST students” is implemented through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the
funds are released to ST students studying abroad through Embassies. Based on the vouchers/bills
submitted by the MEA regarding payment made by the Embassies to the selected ST students/Institutions,
the Ministry of Tribal Affairs reimburse the funds to MEA.
The scheme-wise number of beneficiaries and funds released under all five scholarship schemes for the
Union Territory of Ladakh during the last five years is given at Annexure-I.
No such specific assessment has been conducted as on date.The appraisal and approval process of the Expenditure Finance Commission (EFC) for the continuation of
the education related schemes of this Ministry during FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31 is currently ongoing,
wherein, inter alia, the proposal to enhance the scope of educational support is included for seeking the
approval of the Department of Expenditure on the draft EFC note. The decision on the proposal in the said
EFC is subject to the approval of the Competent Authority.
It has been the constant endeavour of the Ministry to ensure pan-India coverage (including in the UT of
Ladakh) of all tribal students eligible under various scholarship schemes of this Ministry, by issuing
timely advisories and instructions to States and UT Administrations to spread awareness about the
schemes in their area.
Annexure I
Centrally Sponsored Schemes
Pre- Matric Scholarship Scheme ST Students
Amounts In lakhs
FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24
Number of Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund
Beneficiaries released Beneficiaries released Beneficiaries released Beneficiaries released
421 10.81 1439 44.63 760 23.15 2283 69.21
Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.
Post- Matric Scholarship Scheme ST Students
Amounts In Lakhs
FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24
Number of Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund
Beneficiaries released Beneficiaries released Beneficiaries released Beneficiaries released
3055 857.79 8631 185.77 9619 2153.56 9413 2500.44
Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.
Central Sector Schemes
National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST Students (Top Class)
Amounts In Lakhs
F.Y. 2021-22 F.Y. 2022-23 F.Y. 2023-24 F.Y. 2024-25
Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund Number o
Released Beneficiaries Released Beneficiaries Released Beneficiaries Released Beneficiarie71.49 58 86.39 42 127.41 97 133.44 83
Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.
National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST Students (NFST)
Amounts In Lakhs
F.Y 2021-22 F.Y 2022-23 F.Y 2023-24 F.Y 2024-25
Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund Number o
Released Beneficiaries Released Beneficiaries Released Beneficiaries Released Beneficiarie
140.41 35 181.76 49 367.41 55 290.31 53
Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.
National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students (NoS)
Amounts In Lakhs
F.Y 2021-22 F.Y 2022-23 F.Y 2023-24 F.Y 2024-25
Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund Number of Fund Number o
Released Beneficiaries Released Beneficiaries Released Beneficiaries Released Beneficiarie
1.50 1 2.43 1 0.00 0 0.00 0
Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.
RN/
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