As of 03/12/2025, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has implemented Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Schemes for the 6 notified religious minority communities.
Due to alleged embezzlement of funds, the Ministry requested investigating agencies and States/UTs to verify suspicious institutions and take punitive action against defaulters. The schemes have not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22. The Ministry is in the process of seeking EFC approval on the scholarship schemes for the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
This information responds to Unstarred Question No. †606 in Lok Sabha, asked by SHRI AMRA RAM.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The primary government body responsible for implementing and overseeing scholarship schemes for minority communities, and answering questions about their status and potential restoration.
Scholarship Schemes: The specific Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-cum-Means based scholarship programs for students belonging to minority communities that are the subject of the query and answer.
National Scholarships Portal: The portal used to identify potential embezzlement of funds, leading to the discontinuation of schemes beyond 2021-22 and verification of suspicious institutions.
16th Finance Commission: The Ministry is seeking approval on the scholarship schemes for the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †606
ANSWERED ON 03/12/2025
SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES FOR STUDENTS BELONGING TO MINORITY
COMMUNITIES
†606. SHRI AMRA RAM:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the year from which the scholarship for the students belonging to minority community has been
discontinued along with the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government proposes to restore it from this year; and
(c) if so, the time by which it is likely to be restored and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) : Ministry of Minority Affairs has implemented Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-cum-Means based
Scholarship Schemes for the 6 notified religious minority communities.
Considering the alleged embezzlement of funds under the Scholarship Schemes, the Ministry,
on the basis of red flags generated by National Scholarships Portal, requested investigating agency
and States/UTs for verification of suspicious institutions and to take punitive action against the
defaulters. The schemes as such have not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22.
(b) & (c) : The Ministry is in the process of seeking EFC approval on the scholarship schemes for
16th Finance Commission cycle.
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