Parliament Question: Scholarship Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 368 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.07.2026 SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME 368. DR. K SUDHAKAR: Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state: (a) the details of the number of Scheduled Caste (SC) students from Chikkaballapur currently receiving the scholarship, and whether any special outreach has been undertaken to ensure full coverage of eligible students, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has sought any mechanism to tackle the pending scholarship reimbursement claims under the earlier scheme have been cleared in Karnataka and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to prevent recurrence of pendency of scholarship reimbursement under the DBT-based new pattern, if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government has assessed the dropout rate of SC students at the higher secondary and graduation levels in Karnataka that were registered under the scheme, if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether the Government has any proposal to revise the maintenance allowance under the ~ gcheme to reflect current cost of living, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE) (a) to (c): Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) implements Centrally Sponsored Schemes namely ‘Post-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Pre- Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Caste (SCs) & Others’ and Central Sector Scheme ‘Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS SCs) for SC students’. During AY 2025-26, in Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka, total 8460 students under Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs students and 5090 under. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and others have received scholarships. No students have availed scholarship under SHREYAS-SC Scheme in Chikkaballapura district of Karnataka.Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes and Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes & Others was started in the year 2021-22 & 2022-23 respectively. It has led to simpler and faster flow of funds and has ensured accurate targeting of the beneficiaries, de-duplication and proper use of funds which has resulted in increased efficiency, effectiveness and transparency. Aadhaar seeded bank payments streamlined processes and reduced delays in scholarship disbursement, including for beneficiaries in rural and semi-urban areas. The disbursal of Central share of the scholarship amount is contingent upon States/UTs disbursing their share and pushing the State/UT share paid data to the National Scholarship Portal. To ensure wider awareness of the Schemes across the Country including Karnataka and effective utilization of funds, the Department has taken various steps such as advertisements in National and Regional Newspapers, running Social Media campaigns, follow up with States/UTs. Also, the Schemes are regularly monitored by the Department through National level Chintan Shivirs, Regional Meetings and National Conferences with the stakeholders and State/UT officials. (d): Assessment regarding changes in dropout rates at higher secondary and graduation levels among Scheduled Caste (SCs) students has not been done by this Department. Though, as per the evaluation report of the Centrally Sponsored schemes by NITI Aayog, undertaken for Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes and Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes & Others, the studies have recommended that the schemes are built on the strong foundation of promoting educational equity for Scheduled Castes by alleviating financial burdens and focusing on disadvantaged regions. Further, since the introduction of DBT, disbursal of scholarship under the aforementioned Centrally Sponsored Schemes has shown an upward trend. (e): The review & revision of schemes is done in consultations with all concerned stakeholders following the laid down procedure. a6 2K 3 OK