Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing several scholarship schemes to encourage education among Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, including girls, in all regions including remote areas. These schemes range from pre-matric to overseas studies and are implemented through various channels, including state governments and direct funding from the Ministry. The schemes aim to provide financial assistance to eligible ST students at different educational levels.
Key Points / Main Content:
Scholarship Schemes:
* Pre-Matric Scholarship: For ST students in Class IX and X; implemented through respective States/UTs.
* Post Matric Scholarship: For ST students in Class XI and above; implemented through respective States/UTs.
* National Fellowship for Higher Education: For ST students pursuing Ph.D. in India.
* National Scholarship for Higher Education Top Class: For ST students pursuing Graduate/Post Graduate courses in selected top-class institutions.
* National Overseas Scholarship: For ST students pursuing higher education in top-ranked global institutions.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes (Pre & Post Matric):
* Open-ended schemes for students from Class 9th to Post-Graduation.
* Parental income should not exceed Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum.
* States/UTs are responsible for application, verification, selection, and disbursement through DBT mode.
* Ministry releases central share funds based on State/UT proposals and progress.
Central Sector Schemes:
* National Fellowship: 750 fresh Ph.D. fellowships annually; 225 reserved for women.
* Requires 55% marks in Master's degree; age limit of 36 years.
* Fellowship value is at par with UGC rates.
* National Scholarship for Higher Education Top Class: Open-ended scheme for ST girls in 265 notified institutes.
* Parental income should not exceed Rs. 6 lakhs per annum.
* National Overseas Scholarship: 20 awards annually; 6 reserved for women.
* For studies in top 1000 QS-ranked global institutions.
* Family income not exceeding Rs. 6 lakhs.
* Implemented through Indian Embassies/Missions.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/Union Territory Administrations:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing Pre and Post Matric Scholarship schemes, including application processing, verification, beneficiary selection, and disbursement.
* Action Required: Submit proposals to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, ensure timely and accurate disbursement of funds to eligible students via DBT, and monitor the physical and financial progress of the schemes.
ST Students:
* Impact: Access to financial assistance for pursuing education from Class IX to Ph.D. level, both in India and abroad.
* Action Required: Apply for relevant scholarship schemes based on eligibility criteria (academic qualifications, parental income, age), and provide necessary documents for verification.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
* Impact: Responsible for formulating, funding, and monitoring the scholarship schemes aimed at ST students.
* Action Required: Release central share funds to States/UTs based on submitted proposals, oversee the implementation of Central Sector Schemes, and coordinate with Indian Embassies/Missions for the National Overseas Scholarship.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes, implementing and funding scholarship schemes.
SHRI GANESH SINGH: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the question about tribal-specific scholarship schemes.
SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY: Minister of State for Tribal Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India, specifically its Vindhya region, mentioned as a target area for tribal education initiatives.
Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students Class IX and X: A centrally sponsored scholarship scheme for Scheduled Tribe students in classes IX and X.
Post Matric Scholarship for ST students Class XI and above: A centrally sponsored scholarship scheme for Scheduled Tribe students in classes XI and above.
National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students: A central sector scheme providing fellowships to meritorious Scheduled Tribe students for pursuing Ph.D. in India.
National Overseas Scholarship for ST students: A central sector scheme providing scholarships to meritorious Scheduled Tribe students for higher education abroad.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- †4604
TO BE ANSWERED ON- 21/0/.2025
"TRIBE-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR GIRL STUDENTS"
†4604. SHRI GANESH SINGH:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state: -
(a) whether the Government proposes to implement a localised tribe-specific scholarship scheme
to ensure continuity and inclusion of tribal girls in secondary education in the tribal and remote
regions such as the Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh; and
(b) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) & (b): Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing the following Scholarship Schemes to
promote and encourage basic and higher education amongst ST population in the country including
the tribal girls and also the remote regions like Madhya Pradesh's Vindhya region:-
i) Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X)
ii) Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class XI and above)
iii) National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students.
iv) National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class)
v) National Overseas Scholarship for ST students.
Out of the schemes mentioned above, the scholarship schemes at Sr. No. (i) to (ii) are
Centrally Sponsored Schemes and implemented through respective State/UT. Both Pre& Post
Matric Scholarship Schemes are open ended Schemes wherein scholarships are given to all eligible
students including girls for pursuing studies from class 9th to Post-Graduation courses whose
parental income is not more than Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum.
The inviting of applications, verification, selection of beneficiaries and disbursement of
scholarship amount is the responsibility of the respective State/UT. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs,
releases central share funds to States/UTs based on proposals submitted by them and after
examining financial and physical progress. State Governments/Union Territory Administrations
disburse the scholarship amount to all the eligible ST Student's bank account through DBT mode.The scheme of National Fellowship at Sr. No. (iii) is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded
by Ministry of Tribal Affairs to grant fellowship to meritorious ST students for pursuing Ph.D in
India after completion of Master degree. The total number of fresh fellowships for Ph.D every year
is 750. ST students with a minimum of 55% marks in Master Degree up to the age of 36 years are
eligible to apply for fellowship under the Scheme. The value of fellowship is at par with UGC
rates. Under this Scheme 30% slots (i.e. 225 out of total 750) is reserved for Women.
The scheme of National Scholarship at Sr. No. (iv) is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded
by Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Under this Scheme, Scholarship is provided for pursuing
Graduate/Post Graduate courses in the selected top-class Government and Non-Government
Institutes in professional fields such as Management, Medicine, Engineering, Information
Technology, Law etc. All the ST students, with annual parental income is not exceeding Rs. 6
lakhs and studying in the 265 notified institutes by the Ministry, are eligible to receive scholarship.
This is an open ended scheme where all eligible Girl ST students are covered.
The scheme of National Overseas Scholarship at Sr. No. (v) is a Central Sector Scheme fully
funded by Ministry of Tribal Affairs under which scholarships are given to the meritorious
Schedule Tribe (ST) students for pursuing higher education in top 1000 ranked (as per latest QS
world ranking) Institutes/Universities abroad. The Scheme is implemented through the Indian
Embassies/Missions abroad, Ministry of External Affairs. Twenty awards are given every year.
ST students with annual family income not exceeding Rs. 6 lakhs are eligible to apply for the
Scholarship under the Scheme. Under this scheme 30% slots (i.e. 6 out of total 20) is reserved for
Women.
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