Parliament Question: Scholarship Schemes for ST Students in Lakshadweep

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3246 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.03.2026 Scholarship Schemes for ST Students in Lakshadweep 3246. Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed: Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the details of educational scholarship schemes presently being implemented for Scheduled Tribe students in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep at pre-matric, post-matric and higher education levels; (b) whether the Government has reviewed the adequacy of the existing scholarship amounts for Scheduled Tribe students of Lakshadweep in view of the high cost of living, travel expenses and off-island education requirements, if so, the details thereof; and (c) the steps being taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to enhance the scholarship amounts, expand coverage and ensure timely disbursement to eligible Scheduled Tribe students of Lakshadweep? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY) (a) to (c): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) implements the following scholarship schemes to promote and encourage secondary and higher education among Scheduled Tribe (ST) students across the country: 1. Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X) 2. Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class XI and above) 3. National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST) 4. National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST Students (Top Class) 5. National Overseas Scholarship for ST students (NOS) Among these, the National Fellowship (NFST), National Scholarship (Top Class), and National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) are Central Sector Schemes. Under these schemes, any eligible ST student in the country may apply and receive benefits based on the scheme eligibility. There is no specific State/UT-wise slot allocation. Students from Lakshadweep are currently availing these benefits. The details of funds disbursed and the number of beneficiaries under the National Fellowship and Top-Class schemes are provided in Annexure-I.Further, the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes for ST students are Centrally Sponsored Schemes implemented through respective States/UTs and having fund contribution from both Central and State/UT. The funding pattern under this scheme is given below:- S.N. Scheme Central Share State Share 1. Pre-Matric Scholarship  100% for Union Territories  Nil Scheme for STs and without legislature. Post-Matric Scholarship  90% for N.E. States and Hilly  10% Scheme for STs States of Himachal Pradesh &Uttarakhand and UT of Jammu and Kashmir  75% for all other States/UTs  25% The Central Share funds are released to States/UTs based on the proposal received from State/UT along with other requisite documents. UT admin of Lakshadweep is not submitting proposal under Pre-Matric and Post- Matric Scholarship Schemes for ST students and hence funds are not released to the UT of administration under pre & post matric scholarship schemes. However, it is learnt that the UT Administration of Lakshadweep implements Pre and Post-Matric Scholarship schemes using the grants received from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).Annexure-I Annexure to be referred in the reply of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3246 for answer on 12.03.2026 asked by Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed regarding “Scholarship Schemes for ST students in Lakshadweep”  National Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students (Top Class) (Rs. In lakh) S. State/UT F.Y. 2020-21 F.Y. 2021-22 F.Y. 2022-23 F.Y. 2023-24 F.Y. 2024-25 F.Y. No. 2025-26 (as on 10.03.2026) Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund es releas es releas es releas es releas es releas es releas ed ed ed ed ed ed 1 Lakshadwe 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 3.31 2 3.06 2 4.04 2 0.82 ep  National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST) (Rs. In lakh) Sl. State/UT F.Y. F.Y. F.Y. F.Y. F.Y. F.Y. No 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 . (as on 10.03.2026) Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund Beneficiari Fund es releas es releas es releas es releas es releas es releas ed ed ed ed ed ed 1 Lakshadwe 1 1.68 2 8.39 1 2.63 1 9.45 1 2.16 2 15.41 ep  National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for ST students No beneficiaries from UT admin of Lakshadweep is selected under the National Overseas Scholarship scheme during last 5 years. *****