**Summary:**
In response to a parliamentary question regarding reduced budget allocations for minority schemes in the Union Budget 2025-26, the Minister of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, stated that while some schemes like Free Coaching and Allied and scholarship schemes were discontinued, the overall budget allocation for the Ministry of Minority Affairs has increased from Rs. 3183.24 crore in FY 2024-25 to Rs. 3350.00 crore in FY 2025-26. The Ministry is implementing the PM VIKAS scheme as an alternative, which converges five earlier schemes: 'Seekho Aur Kamao', 'Nai Manzil', 'Nai Roshni', 'USTTAD', and 'Hamari Dharohar'. PM VIKAS focuses on skilling and training, women's leadership and entrepreneurship, education through the National Institute of Open Schooling, and infrastructure development via the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram. The Ministry has sanctioned three proposals worth Rs 187.00 crore under PM VIKAS, covering approximately 40,000 beneficiaries. Additionally, the Ministry is organizing 'Lok Samvardhan Parv' to support minority artisans.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare of minority communities.
Shri Kiren Rijiju: The Minister of Minority Affairs at the time of the answer.
Union Budget 2025-26: The annual financial statement of the Government of India for the fiscal year 2025-2026.
PM VIKAS: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to provide opportunities for education, employment, and social security to minority communities.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram: A component of the PM VIKAS scheme focusing on infrastructure development.
Hunar Haat: A scheme focused on skill development and market access for traditional artisans.
National Institute of Open Schooling: An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, which provides education through open and distance learning.
Lok Samvardhan Parv: An event organized under the PMVIKAS scheme to bring together minority artisans and assist them in scaling their businesses.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1780
ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
REDUCED BUDGET ALLOCATION TO VARIOUS SCHEMES FOR MINORITIES
1780. SHRI BAPI HALDAR:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether in the Union Budget 2025-26, allocation have been substantially reduced or
completely eliminated in several major schemes for minority communities, such as pre-matric
and post-matric scholarships, free coaching scheme, madrasa modernisation and Hunar Haat
and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has made these cuts after assessing the socio-economic status of
the students and families benefiting under these schemes and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has announced any new inclusive or target-based scheme as an
alternative to these schemes to provide opportunities for education, employment and social
security to minority communities; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (d): Ministry of Minority Affairs implements various schemes across the country for
socio- economic and educational empowerment of the six (6) centrally notified minority
communities. These schemes give representation to all weaker segments of society including
minorities.
The budget allocation the Ministry of Minority Affairs including its various schemes
in the FY 2024-25 was Rs. 3183.24 crore, whereas in the FY 2025-26, it is Rs. 3350.00 crore.
The Free Coaching and Allied was discontinued w.e.f 2022-23. The scholarship schemes
have not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22. However, the Ministry of
Minority Affairs is implementing PM-VIKAS scheme to provide opportunities for education,
employment, and social security etc. to minority communities through various agencies.
PM-VIKAS scheme converges five erstwhile schemes viz. 'Seekho Aur Kamao’, 'Nai
Manzil', 'Nai Roshni', 'USTTAD' and 'Hamari Dharohar' schemes and focuses on upliftment
of six notified minority communities through the following:
i. Skilling and Training (Non-traditional and traditional)
ii. Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship
iii. Education (through National Institute of Open Schooling)
iv. Infrastructure Development (through Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram)
Under the PM VIKAS scheme, the Ministry has sanctioned three proposals worth Rs 187.00
crore covering about 40,000 beneficiaries.
Under the PM-VIKAS scheme, the Ministry has also organising four 'Lok Samvardhan
Parv’, bringing together minority artisans from across India and assisting them in scaling
their operations and businesses. The platform offers artisans a unique opportunity to
showcase their indigenous arts, crafts, and rich cultural heritage.
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