Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment addresses Lok Sabha question 1482 regarding the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students. It details the scheme's implementation, beneficiaries, and financial assistance in the last financial year (2024-25), including data for Tamil Nadu and other states/UTs. The response also outlines measures to enhance awareness and access to the scholarship. The scheme guidelines were framed in 2021 for a five-year period until FY 2025-26.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Scheme Overview:**
* The Ministry implements the centrally sponsored Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students in SC populated States/UTs.
* **Beneficiaries and Financial Assistance (FY 2024-25):**
* A total of 48,04,208 beneficiaries received scholarships.
* The total Central Share released was Rs. 5,562.24 Cr.
* Tamil Nadu had 9,34,793 beneficiaries and received Rs. 1032.09 Cr.
* State-wise data on the number of beneficiaries and Central Share released is provided.
* **Awareness Measures:**
* Advertisements are used to promote outreach and increase awareness.
* Scheme snippets are uploaded on social media platforms.
* Advertisements are published in national and regional newspapers in multiple languages.
* State Governments/UTs arrange regular awareness drives.
* **Assessment of Academic Progress:**
* No assessment of the academic progress of SC students under the scheme has been conducted.
* **Scheme Enhancement:**
* The scheme guidelines were framed after discussions with stakeholders and with the approval of the Cabinet in 2021 for a five-year period until FY 2025-26.
Impact Analysis:
* **SC Students:**
* Impact: Benefit from financial assistance for post-matric education.
* Action Required: Be aware of the scheme, apply on time, and utilize the scholarship for academic advancement.
* **State Governments/UTs:**
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the scheme and disbursing funds.
* Action Required: Conduct awareness drives, ensure timely disbursement of scholarships, and adhere to scheme guidelines.
* **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:**
* Impact: Oversees the implementation and funding of the scheme.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring the scheme's progress, releasing funds, and exploring potential enhancements for the future.
Key Entities Referenced
PostMatric Scholarship Scheme: A centrally sponsored scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The Indian government ministry responsible for implementing the PostMatric Scholarship Scheme and addressing issues related to social justice and empowerment.
Scheduled Castes: A group of historically disadvantaged communities in India, also referred to as SC.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India where the PostMatric Scholarship Scheme is implemented and for which specific data is provided.
SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE: The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.
ANDHRA PRADESH: A state in India where the PostMatric Scholarship Scheme is implemented.
UTs: Union territories of India
Cabinet: The Cabinet of India, which approved the Scheme guidelines in 2021 for a five year period till FY 202526.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1482
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025
POST-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME IN TAMIL NADU
1482. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the status of the implementation of the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes
(SC) students during the last academic year in the country including Tamil Nadu during the last
academic year;
(b) the total number of SC students who benefited from the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme in
Tamil Nadu in the last financialyear, along with the financial assistance provided to each student
under the scheme, State-wise including Tamil Nadu;
(c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that eligible SC students are aware of the
scheme and are able to apply for and receive the scholarship on time;
(d) whether the Government has conducted any assessment of the impact of the Post-Matric
Scholarship Scheme on the academic progress of SC students State-wise including Tamil Nadu
and if so, the details of the findings; and
(e) whether the Government has any proposals to enhance or modify Post-Matric Scholarship
Scheme to increase its reach & benefit more SC students especially those pursuing higher
education, State-wise including Tamil Nadu?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
(a) & (b) : The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is implementing Centrally
sponsored 'Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students' in the SC
populated States/Union Territories (UTs), The details of numbers of beneficiaries and Central
Share released under the Scheme State wise including Tamil Nadu during the last FY 2024-25
are as follows:Released Central Share
SI. No. States/UTs No. of Beneficiaries
(Rs. in Cr.)
I ANDHRA PRADESH 3,03,298 505.71
2 ASSAM 12,073 8.74
J BIHAR 73,615 23.97
4 CHANDIGARH 1,253 2.70
5 CHHATTISGARH 87,675 39.96
6 DELHI 4,692 22.r9
7 GOA s8 0.08
8 GUJARAT 1,57,584 399.93
9 HARYANA 55,444 94.89
10 HIMACHAL PRADESH 33.149 35.64
1l JAMMU & KASHMIR 6,567 4.09
t2 JHARKHAND 57,784 45.04
l3 KARNATAKA 4,04,009 422.90
t4 KERALA 1,47 ,531 160.70
l5 MADHYA PRADESH 6.36.303 486.74
t6 MAHARASHTRA 3,62,808 929.92
l7 MANIPUR 7,938 6.76
l8 MEGHALAYA 25 0.10
t9 ODISHA 1,91,873 l8l .51
20 PUDUCHERRY 2.694 3.20
2t PTINJAB 2.94.284 410.42
22 RAJASTHAN 2,29,002 180.59
23 SIKKIM 172 0.44
24 TAMIL NADU 9,34,793 t032.09
25 TRIPURA 19,849 51.61
26 UTTAR PRADESH 6,44,827 366.02
27 UTTARKHAND 26,216 19.69
28 WEST BENGAL 1,08,693 26.63
Total 48r04,,208 5,562.24
c.
Steps being taken by the Government to ensure that eligible SC students are aware of the
Scheme and all eligible SC students are able to apply for and receive the scholarship in time
are:
i. Advertisements to promote outreach and increase awareness;
ii. Scheme snippets are uploaded on social media platforms;
iii. Advertisements are published in National and regional newspapers in Hindi, English and
regional languages.
In addition, State Governments / UTs as per scheme guidelines also arrange regular awareness
drive through the Gram Panchayat Notice Boards, school committees, discussions in the parent-
teacher association meetings and other awareness measures.
d.
There has been no assessment on the academic progress of SC students under the Post-Matric
Scholarship Scheme for SC Students.
e. The Scheme guidelines were framed after discussions and deliberations with stakeholders
and with the approval of Cabin et in 2021 for a five year period till FY 2025-26.
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