The Central Government has disbursed a total of ₹19,216.46 crore during the last three financial years towards various scholarship schemes for Scheduled Caste (SC) students administered by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar in a reply to Shri Raja A in the Lok Sabha today.
He said the total amount disbursed under these scholarship schemes increased from ₹6,094.48 crore in 2023-24 to ₹6,200.59 crore in 2024-25 and further to ₹6,921.39 crore in 2025-26.
The scholarship schemes covered include the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs & Others, Top Class Education Scheme (TCS) and the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme for SC and other eligible candidates, he further said.
Dr Kumar said under the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students, ₹17,224.63 crore was disbursed during the last three financial years. The amount released increased from ₹5,475.42 crore in 2023-24 to ₹5,562.26 crore in 2024-25 and ₹6,186.95 crore in 2025-26.
The Minister further said the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs & Others accounted for ₹1,469.92 crore during the three-year period, with ₹446.66 crore released in 2023-24, ₹460.90 crore in 2024-25 and ₹562.36 crore in 2025-26. Under the Top Class Education Scheme, ₹304.29 crore was released, while ₹217.62 crore was released under the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme during the same period.
Under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students, Tamil Nadu received ₹713.70 crore in 2023-24, ₹1,032.09 crore in 2024-25 and ₹1,034.94 crore in 2025-26 as Central Assistance. Maharashtra received ₹1,652.98 crore, ₹929.92 crore and ₹1,095.80 crore respectively during the three years, while Uttar Pradesh received ₹674.83 crore, ₹366.02 crore and ₹617.64 crore respectively.
Under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs & Others, Tamil Nadu received ₹70.56 crore in 2023-24, ₹109.45 crore in 2024-25 and ₹121.49 crore in 2025-26.
The Post Matric Scholarship for SCs and Pre-Matric Scholarship for SCs & Others are Centrally Sponsored Schemes, under which the Department releases the Central share through the central portal after the respective States and Union Territories release their share. The National Overseas Scholarship and Top Class Education Scheme for SCs are Central Sector Schemes.
Under the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme, funds are released in advance through a Letter of Authorisation (LoA) to Indian Missions, while funds under the Top Class Education Scheme are released directly to eligible students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The Minister stated that Department regularly reviews the scholarship schemes to address issues relating to delayed release of scholarships. Measures include capacity-building programmes, technical handholding, national-level Chintan Shivirs and workshops involving States, Union Territories and other stakeholders.
The Government has further stated that DBT into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of beneficiaries has streamlined payment processes and reduced delays.
Under the Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers for Scheduled Castes (SHREYAS-SCs), the Top Class Scholarship for SC Students is implemented as a Central Sector Scheme and, therefore, there is no State-wise or district-wise allocation. During the last three financial years, ₹304.29 crore was released under the scheme.
The Government continues to strengthen the implementation of scholarship schemes through digital payment mechanisms, regular reviews, technical support and capacity-building initiatives to facilitate timely release of scholarships to eligible SC students across the country.
