**Policy Summary: Tribal Affairs Scholarship Schemes for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Students**
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements several scholarship schemes aimed at promoting education among the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population, including tribal girls, across India. These schemes encompass basic and higher education and extend to remote regions.
The scholarship programs are:
1. **Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X):** A Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through respective States/UTs. Open to all eligible students, including girls, with parental income not exceeding Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum. Covers studies from class 9th to 10th.
2. **Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class XI and above):** A Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through respective States/UTs. Open to all eligible students, including girls, with parental income not exceeding Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum. Covers studies from class 11th to Post-Graduation courses.
* For both Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships, States/UTs are responsible for application intake, verification, beneficiary selection, and scholarship disbursement via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The Ministry releases central share funds to States/UTs based on submitted proposals and progress reviews.
3. **National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students:** A Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It grants fellowships to meritorious ST students pursuing Ph.D. in India after completing a Master's degree.
* 750 fresh fellowships are awarded annually.
* Eligibility: Minimum 55% marks in Master's Degree, age up to 36 years.
* Fellowship value is at par with UGC rates.
* 30% of slots (225 out of 750) are reserved for women.
4. **National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class):** A Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Scholarships are provided for Graduate/Post-Graduate courses in selected top-class Government and Non-Government Institutes in professional fields (e.g., Management, Medicine, Engineering, IT, Law).
* Open to all eligible Girl ST students studying in the 265 notified institutes by the Ministry, with annual parental income not exceeding Rs. 6 lakhs.
5. **National Overseas Scholarship for ST students:** A Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Scholarships are awarded to meritorious ST students for higher education in top 1000 ranked (QS World Ranking) Institutes/Universities abroad. Implemented through Indian Embassies/Missions abroad, Ministry of External Affairs.
* 20 awards are given annually.
* Eligibility: Annual family income not exceeding Rs. 6 lakhs.
* 30% of slots (6 out of 20) are reserved for women.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes.
Tribespecific Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students: A scholarship program by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs specifically for female students from Scheduled Tribes.
Shri Ganesh Singh: Individual who raised a question in Lok Sabha.
Shri Durgadas Uikey: The Union Minister of State For Tribal Affairs who provided information to Lok Sabha regarding scholarship schemes.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Indian Parliament where the question regarding scholarship schemes was addressed.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India, specifically its Vindhya region, mentioned as a remote region benefiting from the scholarship schemes.
National Overseas Scholarship for ST students: A Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the 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 InstitutesUniversities abroad.
University Grants Commission (UGC): An Indian statutory body that provides recognition to universities in India and disburses funds to such recognised universities and colleges. The National Fellowship scheme's value is at par with UGC rates.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
"Tribe-specific Scholarship Scheme for Girl
Students"
Posted On: 21 AUG 2025 3:49PM by PIB Delhi
Replying today an un-starred question of Shri Ganesh Singh the Union Minister of State For Tribal Affairs
Shri Durgadas Uikey informed Lok Sabha today that the 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.****
RN/
(Release ID: 2159040)