Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment addresses questions regarding the Post Matric Scholarship scheme for SC/ST and EWS students. The scheme, aimed at increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio of SC/ST students in higher education, will continue after 2025-26. The response clarifies the income criteria, fund-sharing formula, and budgetary allocation for the scheme, valid from FY2021-22 to FY2025-26.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Continuation of Post Matric Scholarship Scheme:**
* The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students will continue after the financial year 2025-26.
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) will also continue the Post Matric Scholarship scheme for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students.
* **Funding and Income Criteria:**
* The current income criteria and funding pattern for the Post Matric Scholarship scheme for SC/ST students are valid from FY2021-22 to FY2025-26.
* For the SC scheme, the funding ratio between the Centre and State/UT is 60:40 (90:10 for North Eastern States).
* The Central Government releases its 60% share through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of SC students after the State's verified 40% share is disbursed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
* For the ST scheme, the fund-sharing ratio is 75:25, with MoTA releasing 75% to State Governments/UT Administrations.
* State Governments/UT Administrations add their 25% share and release the scholarship amount directly to the students' bank accounts through DBT in a single installment.
* The Post Matric scholarship schemes for SC/ST students are demand-driven and open-ended.
Impact Analysis:
**SC/ST Students:**
* *Impact:* Continued financial assistance for post-matriculation education, aiming to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio and reduce dropout rates.
* *Action Required:* Ensure Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts are active for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
**State Governments/UT Administrations:**
* *Impact:* Required to disburse their share (40% for SC, 25% for ST) of the scholarship funds before the Central Government releases its share.
* *Action Required:* Verify and disburse the state share through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to facilitate the release of the central share.
**Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment/Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA):**
* *Impact:* Continued responsibility for administering and funding the Post Matric Scholarship schemes for SC/ST students.
* *Action Required:* Maintain the funding and operational guidelines of the scheme as approved by the Expenditure Finance Committee and Cabinet for FY2021-22 to FY2025-26.
Key Entities Referenced
Post Matric Scholarship scheme: A scholarship scheme providing financial assistance to post-matriculation or post-secondary students.
Scheduled Caste (SC): A group of historically disadvantaged communities in India, eligible for specific government programs and initiatives.
Scheduled Tribe (ST): A group of historically disadvantaged indigenous communities in India, eligible for specific government programs and initiatives.
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): A category of citizens in India who belong to the general category and have an annual family income below a certain threshold.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalized sections of society.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA): The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP): A digital platform for students to apply for various government scholarships.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): A mechanism to transfer subsidies directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.356
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2025
POST-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR SC/ST AND EWS STUDENTS
356. DR. D RAVI KUMAR:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government continue the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme after 2025-26 and
details of its role in supporting SC/ST students’ education, if so, the details thereof:
(b) the current income ceiling for SC/ST students under the scheme is 2.5 lakh per annum, which
was set many years ago in contrast, the income limit for the Economically Weaker Sections
(EWS) is eight lakh per annum and the steps taken by the Government to revise the income limit
for SC/ST students, if so, the details thereof:
(c) whether under the revised fund-sharing formula, the State Governments are required to
release their 40% share first, causing delays in the disbursement of the Central Government’s.
60% share. Will the government consider revising this process, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to increase the budgetary allocation to ensure that all
eligible SC/ST students can benefit from the scheme without financial constraints, if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
(a): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is implementing Post Matric Scholarship
Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students which provide financial assistance to post-
matriculation or post- secondary eligible SC students to complete their education. The objective
of Scheme is to appreciably increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of SC students in higher
education. There is no proposal to discontinue the Scheme after financial year 2025-26.
Similarly, there is no proposal for discontinuing the Post Matric Scholarship scheme for ST
students by Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) which provide financial assistance enabling the
Scheduled Tribes (STs) students to achieve higher education and reduce the dropout rate among
the tribal students in higher education.(b) to (d): Post Matric scholarship scheme for SC & ST students, the current income criteria and
funding pattern in the scheme guidelines, as per the approval of Expenditure Finance Committee
and Cabinet, is valid from FY2021-22 to FY2025-26,
The funding pattern (sharing ratio between Centre and State/UT) under the Post Matric
Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students is 60:40 (90:10 in case of for North Eastern
States). Only after the verified 40% State share has been disbursed and received through the
National Scholarship Portal (NSP), Government of India, after necessary approvals as per
prescribed procedure releases its 60% central share through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the
Aadhaar seeded bank account of SC students as per the prescribed timeline in the scheme
guidelines.
Under the Post Matric scholarship scheme for ST students, present fund sharing ratio is 75:25.
MoTA releases 75% of amount to the State Governments/UT Administrations. The respective
State Governments /UT Administrations adds its State share of 25% and releases the scholarship
amount directly into the bank accounts of the students, through DBT , in a single instalment.
Post Matric scholarship scheme for SC & ST students are open ended schemes and demand
driven.
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