Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar stated that the Government is committed to inclusive development and social justice through targeted welfare initiatives

**Executive Summary** This report details the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment's commitment to inclusive development during the 2025–26 financial year. It highlights the disbursement of ₹7,981.47 crore to over 75 lakh Scheduled Caste (SC) beneficiaries, primarily through educational scholarship schemes. As of April 24, 2026, the data reflects a consistent upward trend in welfare expenditure compared to the previous fiscal year. **Key Points / Main Content** **Financial Disbursements and Scope** * A total of ₹7,981.47 crore was disbursed to more than 75 lakh SC beneficiaries in FY 2025–26. * The Department manages welfare schemes for multiple groups, including SCs, OBCs, senior citizens, transgender persons, EWS, and nomadic tribes. * Welfare initiatives also target victims of substance abuse, manual scavengers, and sanitation workers. **Growth in Educational Scholarship Schemes** * **Pre Matric Scholarship:** Saw a 21% increase in expenditure for SCs and other eligible groups. * **Post Matric Scholarship:** Recorded an 11.23% increase in funding for SC students. * **Top Class Education:** The Central Sector Scholarship for high-level education increased by 13.5%. * **SHRESHTA Scheme:** Funding for residential education in targeted high school areas grew by 16% compared to FY 2024–25. **Impact Analysis** **Scheduled Caste (SC) Students** **Impact** Students benefit from significantly increased financial support for pre-matric, post-matric, and top-class education, as well as improved access to residential schooling through the SHRESHTA scheme. **Action Required** Eligible students should engage with the Department’s educational empowerment schemes to utilize the increased scholarship allocations. **Department of Social Justice & Empowerment** **Impact** The Department is responsible for the oversight and implementation of various Acts and the expanded distribution of welfare funds across multiple marginalized sections of society. **Action Required** The Department must continue the targeted implementation and monitoring of these schemes to ensure the upward trend in social justice initiatives is maintained. **Other Marginalized Groups (OBCs, EWS, DNTs, etc.)** **Impact** These groups are included under the broader umbrella of the Department’s targeted interventions and welfare initiatives aimed at social upliftment. **Action Required** Members of these groups should identify specific welfare schemes applicable to their demographic to benefit from the government's inclusive development mandate.

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