**Summary:**
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reports that the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) and Top Class Education schemes have significantly enhanced the educational standards of Scheduled Caste (SC) students pursuing higher education in India. These schemes provide financial assistance and scholarships, reducing financial burdens and enabling access to quality education. Over the past five years, 22,231,139 SC students have benefited from the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, and 20,340 have benefited from the Top Class Education Scheme. These schemes support SC students in pursuing higher education at various institutions, including IITs, IIMs, IIITs, AIIMSs, NITs, NIFTs, NIDs, IHMs, and NLUs, contributing to improved socioeconomic mobility, enhanced career prospects, and the reduction of economic and social backwardness within SC communities. This information was provided by the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on July 23, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Rajya Sabha: The upper house of the Parliament of India.
Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment: The Indian government ministry responsible for social justice and empowerment programs.
Scheduled Caste: Refers to a group of historically disadvantaged communities in India, also known as SC.
Post Matric Scholarship: A scholarship scheme (PMS) for Scheduled Caste students pursuing higher education.
TopClass Education Scheme: A scholarship scheme aimed at providing quality education to Scheduled Caste students.
IIT: Indian Institute of Technology, a group of premier engineering institutes in India.
IIM: Indian Institute of Management, a group of premier business schools in India.
SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, who provided the information in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SCHOLARSHIP FOR
SC STUDENTS
Posted On: 23 JUL 2025 2:25PM by PIB Delhi
Financial assistance and scholarship provided through the Schemes of Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) and
Top-Class Education for Scheduled Caste Students have contributed in enhancing the educational standard of
Scheduled Caste students for pursuing higher education in educational Institutes/Colleges of the country.
This has not only helped in reducing financial burden but also has enabled Scheduled Caste students to access
quality education. By improving educational opportunities, the schemes have fostered greater socio-economic
mobility, enhanced career prospects, and addressed both economic and social backwardness among SC
communities.
In the past five years, 2,22,31,139 and 20,340 SC students have benefitted under Post Matric
Scholarship Scheme and Top-Class Education Scheme respectively.
Under these Schemes Scheduled Caste students pursue their higher education in Colleges, Universities and
Institutions including IIT, IIMs, IIITs, AIIMSs, NITs, NIFTs, NIDs, IHMs, NLUs etc. and have achieved
notable success in their respective fields.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND
EMPOWERMENT, SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
*****
VM
(Rajya Sabha US Q451)
(Release ID: 2147212)