The Ministry of Minority Affairs addressed Unstarred Question No. 856, regarding the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme, on April 2, 2026. The questions raised by Shri Asaduddin Owaisi concerned the revision of scholarship rates, reasons for non-revision, reduction in beneficiaries, underutilization of funds, steps to utilize unutilized funds, plans for reviewing the scholarship, and timelines for revision and implementation. The Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, responded that the scheme previously provided full fee reimbursement for listed institutes. Students not covered under this category received Rs. 20,000 as scholarship and Rs. 10,000 as maintenance allowance for hostellers. The scheme has not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22, and there is currently no proposal for review or revision under consideration by the Ministry.
Key Entities Referenced
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme: A scholarship scheme for minority communities, providing financial assistance for education.
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The central ministry responsible for the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme and related policies.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 856
ANSWERED ON 04/02/2026
MERIT-CUM-MEANS SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
856. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the unit rate of Merit-cum-means scholarship for
minority communities has not been revised since 2008;
(b) if so, the reasons for non-revision of the rates despite rising tuition fees and living expenses;
(c) the details of the reduction of beneficiaries due to inadequate scholarship amount;
(d) whether the Government is aware that a significant amount of funds allocated for
scholarships is unutilised and if so, the reasons therefor;
(e) the steps taken by the Government to utilise the unutilised funds for the welfare of the
minority community;
(f) whether the Government plans to conduct a review of Merit-cum-Means scholarship for
minority communities to enhance the amount of scholarship to support poor and meritorious
students from these communities; and
(g) if so, the timeline proposed for such revision and its implementation under the scheme?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) and (b): Under the Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship scheme, there was a provision of
full fee reimbursement for listed institutes. Besides, an amount of Rs. 20,000/- as scholarship
and Rs. 10,000 as maintenance allowance for hostellers, were given to those students who were
not covered under the category of listed institutes.
(c) to (e): The scheme has not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22.
(f) and (g): There is no such proposal under consideration of this Ministry.
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