Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs addresses a question regarding tribe-specific scholarship schemes for girl students to ensure their continuity and inclusion in secondary education, particularly in remote regions. The Ministry implements several scholarship schemes to promote education among Scheduled Tribe (ST) populations, including girls, in regions like Madhya Pradesh's Vindhya region. These schemes cover pre-matric to overseas higher education and are funded through both centrally sponsored and central sector schemes.
Key Points / Main Content:
Scholarship Schemes Implemented:
* 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 in top Government and Non-Government Institutes.
* National Overseas Scholarship: For ST students pursuing higher education in top-ranked Institutes/Universities abroad.
Pre and Post Matric Scholarship Details:
* Centrally Sponsored Schemes implemented via States/UTs.
* Open-ended schemes providing scholarships to all eligible students (including girls) from Class 9th to Post-Graduation.
* Parental income should not exceed Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum.
* States/UTs are responsible for inviting applications, verification, selection, and disbursement of scholarships via DBT.
* The Ministry releases central share funds based on proposals and progress reports from States/UTs.
National Fellowship for Higher Education Details:
* Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
* Fellowships for meritorious ST students pursuing Ph.D. in India.
* 750 fresh fellowships are available annually.
* Eligibility: Minimum 55% marks in Master's Degree, up to 36 years of age.
* Fellowship value is at par with UGC rates.
* 30% (225 slots) are reserved for women.
National Scholarship for Higher Education Top Class Details:
* Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
* Scholarships for Graduate/Post Graduate courses in selected top-class institutes in professional fields.
* Eligibility: Parental income not exceeding Rs. 6 lakhs.
* Open-ended scheme covering all eligible ST girl students in 265 notified institutes.
National Overseas Scholarship Details:
* Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
* Scholarships for higher education in top 1000 ranked Institutes/Universities abroad.
* Implemented through Indian Embassies/Missions abroad.
* 20 awards are given annually.
* Eligibility: Family income not exceeding Rs. 6 lakhs.
* 30% (6 slots) are reserved for women.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/Union Territory Administrations:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing Pre and Post Matric Scholarship schemes, including application processing, verification, and disbursement.
* Action Required: Submit proposals to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, ensure timely disbursement of scholarships via DBT, and monitor the progress of the schemes.
ST Students (including girls):
* Impact: Access to financial assistance for education from Class IX to Ph.D. and higher education abroad, promoting educational attainment.
* Action Required: Apply for relevant scholarships, meet eligibility criteria, and utilize the financial assistance for educational purposes.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
* Impact: Oversees and funds the scholarship schemes to promote education among ST populations.
* Action Required: Release funds to States/UTs, monitor the implementation of schemes, and ensure effective utilization of funds.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes (ST).
SHRI GANESH SINGH: Member of Parliament who raised the question regarding the scholarship scheme.
SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY: Minister of State for Tribal Affairs who provided the answer to the question.
Vindhya region of Madhya Pradesh: A remote region in Madhya Pradesh, India, specifically mentioned in the context of ensuring educational access for tribal girls.
Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students Class IX and X: A centrally sponsored scholarship scheme for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students studying in classes IX and X.
Post Matric Scholarship for ST students Class XI and above: A centrally sponsored scholarship scheme for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students studying in Class XI and above.
National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students: A central sector scheme that provides fellowships to meritorious ST students for pursuing Ph.D. in India.
National Overseas Scholarship for ST students: A central sector scheme that provides scholarships to meritorious ST students for pursuing 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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