Scholarship Schemes for ST Students in Lakshadweep

**Executive Summary** This document outlines scholarship schemes implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. It details Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, National Fellowship, National Scholarship for Higher Education, and National Overseas Scholarship schemes. Key deadlines or specific action items for immediate implementation are not explicitly stated, but the information pertains to the period up to FY 2022-23. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Scholarship Schemes Offered:** The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) offers five scholarship schemes to promote secondary and higher education for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students: * Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X) * Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class XI and above) * National Fellowship for ST Students (NFST) * National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST Students (Top Class) * National Overseas Scholarship for ST students (NOS) * **Central Sector Schemes:** NFST, National Scholarship (Top Class), and NOS are Central Sector Schemes, open for eligible ST students nationwide without State/UT-wise slot allocation. Lakshadweep students are currently benefiting from these. * **Centrally Sponsored Schemes:** Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes for ST students are Centrally Sponsored Schemes. These are implemented through States/UTs with fund contributions from both Central and State/UT governments. * **Funding Pattern for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Schemes:** * Union Territories without legislature: 100% Central Share, Nil State Share. * N.E. States and Hilly States (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) and UT of Jammu and Kashmir: 90% Central Share, 10% State Share. * All other States/UTs: 75% Central Share, 25% State Share. * **Lakshadweep's Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Funding:** The UT administration of Lakshadweep is not submitting proposals for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes, leading to no funds being released to the UT for these specific schemes. However, the UT administration reportedly implements these schemes using grants from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). * **Annexure-I Data (FY 2020-21 to FY 2022-23):** * **National Scholarship for Higher Education (Top Class):** Lakshadweep showed 0 beneficiaries and fund released in FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22, with 2 beneficiaries and ₹3.31 lakh released in FY 2022-23. * **National Fellowship (NFST):** Lakshadweep had 1 beneficiary and ₹1.68 lakh released in FY 2020-21; 2 beneficiaries and ₹8.39 lakh released in FY 2021-22; and 1 beneficiary and ₹2.63 lakh released in FY 2022-23. * **National Overseas Scholarship (NOS):** No beneficiaries from the UT administration of Lakshadweep have been selected under this scheme in the last five years. **Impact Analysis** * **ST Students in Lakshadweep** * **Impact:** Students in Lakshadweep are eligible for and are availing benefits from the National Fellowship (NFST), National Scholarship (Top Class), and National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) schemes. However, due to the UT administration not submitting proposals for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric schemes to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, direct funding for these specific schemes from MoTA is not being received, even though the UT administration is reportedly implementing them using MHA grants. * **Action Required:** Ensure awareness and continued application for the Central Sector Schemes (NFST, Top Class, NOS) where eligibility criteria are met. For Pre-Matric and Post-Matric schemes, students are reliant on the UT administration's implementation using MHA funds. * **UT Administration of Lakshadweep** * **Impact:** The UT administration is responsible for the implementation of scholarship schemes for ST students within its jurisdiction. It is not submitting proposals to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes, instead using grants from the Ministry of Home Affairs for these. * **Action Required:** Continue to implement Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes using MHA grants, and ensure eligible ST students are aware of and can access these opportunities. Maintain eligibility and application processes for Central Sector Schemes (NFST, Top Class, NOS) for students applying from Lakshadweep.

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