**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Minority Affairs' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1672, answered on July 30, 2025, regarding the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker sections of notified minority communities pursuing professional and technical courses.
The Ministry asserts that the selection process is transparent, utilizing a Centralized National Scholarship Portal equipped with Aadhaar Based Authentication and Direct Benefit Transfer. Merit lists are generated through this portal. The scheme guidelines are uniformly applied across all States and Union Territories.
In 2023, a third-party physical verification study of scholarship beneficiaries and institutes, including those in Maharashtra, revealed irregularities. Out of 1572 sampled institutes nationwide, 830 were identified as fake, partially fake, or non-operational. The matter has been reported to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Currently, there is no proposal under consideration to increase the scholarship amount provided under the scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies related to minority communities.
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme: A scholarship program implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to provide financial assistance to poor and meritorious students pursuing professional and technical courses.
Maharashtra: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of scholarship eligibility criteria and impact on students from poor and backward classes.
SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question regarding the Merit-cum-Means Scheme.
SHRI KIREN RIJIJU: The Minister of Minority Affairs who provided the answer to the unstarred question.
Centralized National Scholarship Portal: An online portal used for implementing the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme, equipped with features such as Aadhaar Based Authentication and Direct Benefit Transfer.
Direct Benefit Transfer system: A system of transferring subsidies directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Central Bureau of Investigation: The premier investigating agency in India, to which the matter of fake/non-operational scholarship institutes was reported.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †1672
ANSWERED ON 30/07/2025
MERIT-CUM-MEANS SCHEME
†1672. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the process of merit-cum-means based selection in scholarship schemes is
completely transparent and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has reviewed the scholarship eligibility criteria in Maharashtra
especially for those students from economically weaker sections, if so, the details thereof;
(c) the impact of scholarship schemes on students of poor and backward classes in Maharashtra;
(d) whether the amount of scholarship provided under the scheme commensurate with the
growing financial needs of the students and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, whether the Government is considering or proposes to increase the amount of
scholarship?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a): The Ministry of Minority Affairs has implemented various schemes for the
educational and socio-economic empowerment of 6 notified minority communities, especially
from the economically weaker and under privileged sections. The Merit-cum-Means based
Scholarship Scheme has been implemented to provide financial assistance to the poor and
meritorious students for pursuing professional and technical courses. In order to maintain
transparency, the scheme has been implemented through a Centralized National Scholarship
Portal which is equipped with various features of transparency which also includes Aadhaar
Based Authentication System, Direct Benefit Transfer system. The merit list is also generated
through the National Scholarship Portal.
(b) to (e): The guidelines of the Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme are uniform for
all States/UTs. In 2023, Ministry conducted a third party physical verification study of institutes/
beneficiaries of the Scholarship Schemes in States/UTs including the State of Maharashtra. Out
of 1572 sampled institutes across the country, 830 institutes were found to be either fake/ partial
fake/ non-operational. The matter has been reported to Central Bureau of Investigation.
There is no proposal under consideration in the Ministry to increase the amount of
scholarship.
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