Record Scholarship Disbursements Reflect Government's Commitment to Educational Empowerment of - 22nd July 2026 - Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment - Gazette Notification PDF
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 22nd July 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment reported record scholarship disbursements for Scheduled Caste (SC) students through the Post-Matric and Pre-Matric scholarship schemes. In a Lok Sabha reply dated July 22, 2026, the Ministry highlighted significant increases in financial assistance and the adoption of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. These initiatives aim to promote educational inclusion and ensure transparent, timely support for over 74 lakh combined beneficiaries.
Key Points / Main Content
Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme
Revision and Scope: The scheme was revised in 2020-21 to provide higher financial support and wider coverage for SC students in post-matriculation studies.
Funding Growth: Central assistance has risen from ₹1,930.38 crores in 2021-22 to a projected ₹6,186.96 crores for 2025-26.
Beneficiary Impact: In 2024-25, the scheme supported 48,04,208 beneficiaries with assistance totaling ₹5,562.23 crore.
Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and Others
Recent Updates: The scheme was revised in 2021-22 to enhance support for students at the pre-matriculation level.
Current Reach: For the 2025-26 period, the scheme benefited 26,79,049 students with central assistance of ₹562.36 crore.
Delivery Mechanism and Reforms
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): To ensure transparency and accountability, scholarship amounts are credited directly to Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts.
Pre-Matric DBT Implementation: The DBT system was implemented for the Pre-Matric scheme starting in 2022-23 to eliminate delays and inefficiencies.
Technology Integration: The government utilizes technology-enabled delivery to expand coverage and ensure equitable access to quality education.
Impact Analysis
Scheduled Caste (SC) StudentsImpact
Students receive critical financial support that reduces barriers to education and promotes inclusion. The shift to DBT ensures that funds are received promptly and without intermediaries.
Action Required
Eligible students must apply through the designated portal and ensure they possess an Aadhaar-seeded bank account to receive scholarship credits.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment / State AuthoritiesImpact
The Ministry is responsible for managing increased financial outlays and ensuring the integrity of the disbursement process through rigorous verification.
Action Required
State and Union Territory authorities must verify applications and maintain the technology-enabled infrastructure required for the DBT mechanism to function efficiently.
Key Entities Referenced
Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme: A centrally sponsored scheme providing significant financial assistance to Scheduled Caste (SC) students for post-matriculation studies.
Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and Others: A scheme designed to provide financial support to Scheduled Caste students at the pre-matriculation level to reduce financial barriers to education.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The primary mechanism used to credit scholarship amounts directly into the Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of beneficiaries to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment: The nodal ministry responsible for implementing and monitoring scholarship schemes aimed at the educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste students.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Record Scholarship Disbursements Reflect
Government's Commitment to Educational
Empowerment of Scheduled Caste Students:
MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri
Ramdas Athawale in Written Reply in Lok Sabha
Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme Benefits Over 48 Lakh SC
Students with central assistance amounting to ₹5,562.23
Crores
Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme Benefits Over 26 Lakh SC
Students.With Central Assistance Amounting To ₹562.36
Crore
प्रव तथ: 22 JUL 2026 5:57PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS)
Scheme and the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and Others to provide financial assistance to
Scheduled Caste (SC) students pursuing education at various levels. These centrally sponsored scholarship
schemes aim to promote educational inclusion, reduce financial barriers and ensure that deserving students
are able to continue their studies with adequate financial support.
This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas
Athawale in a written reply to Member of Parliament Shri Navaskani K in Lok Sabha.The Minister informed the House that the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme was revised during 2020-21,
while the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and Others was revised in 2021-22. To ensure
transparent, efficient and timely delivery of scholarship assistance, the Government has adopted the
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, under which scholarship amounts are credited directly into
the Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries, the statement added.
The written reply further stated that the reforms have resulted in a significant increase in financial
assistance under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme. The Central assistance released under the scheme
increased from ₹1,930.38 crores in 2021-22 to ₹6,186.96 crores in 2025-26. The scheme has consistently
benefited nearly 48 lakh Scheduled Caste students annually in recent years. During 2024-25, a total of
48,04,208 beneficiaries received scholarships with central assistance amounting to ₹5,562.23 crore.
The Minister further informed the House that under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and
Others, the Government has continued extending financial support to lakhs of students. During 2025-26,
central assistance amounting to was released, benefiting 26,79,049 students. Since the implementation
of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system under the scheme from 2022-23, scholarship disbursement
has become more transparent, accountable and efficient.
The Government continues to strengthen educational opportunities for Scheduled Caste students through
enhanced scholarship support and technology-enabled delivery mechanisms. By expanding coverage,
increasing financial assistance and ensuring transparent transfer of benefits through DBT, the Ministry
remains committed to promoting educational empowerment, social justice and equitable access to quality
education for Scheduled Caste students across the country.
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