Over 1.44 crore Scheduled Caste students supported with scholarships amounting to Rs 12,773 crore
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has expanded its scholarship schemes, supporting over 1.44 crore SC students with Rs 12,773 crore and over 1.01 crore OBC and EBC students with Rs 2,445.05 crore. Recent administrative reforms include advancing the SHRESHTA NETS exam, introducing on-the-spot document verification for the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme, and setting a grievance window for the National Fellowship for SC Students Scheme.
Why It Matters
This press release contains statistics on scholarship distributions and procedural updates for central educational schemes, which may be relevant for competitive exams testing government welfare programmes.
In Simple Words
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has implemented reforms to improve educational support schemes for Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and Economically Backward Classes. Over 1.44 crore SC students received scholarships worth Rs 12,773 crore, while more than 1.01 crore OBC and EBC students received Rs 2,445.05 crore.
Several procedural changes were also introduced. The NETS exam schedule under the SHRESHTA scheme was moved from May to December. The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme added on-the-spot income and caste certificate verification, and the National Fellowship for SC Students Scheme established a seven-day grievance window.
Key Points
- Over 1.44 crore SC students benefited under Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes.
- Scholarships amounting to Rs 12,773 crore were disbursed to SC students.
- More than 1.01 crore OBC and EBC students received support under scholarship schemes.
- Assistance amounting to Rs 2,445.05 crore was disbursed to OBC and EBC students.
- The NETS exam schedule for SHRESHTA was advanced from May to December starting in academic year 2024-25.
- On-the-spot verification of income and caste certificates was introduced under the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for 2024-25.
- A mandatory seven-day grievance-submission window was introduced for the National Fellowship for SC Students Scheme from 2025-26.
Exam Angle
A. More than 1.44 crore SC students
Source: Press Information Bureau