Lok Sabha Question No. 252 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Criteria for Scholarships to SC and ST Students
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.252 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2025

## CRITERIA FOR SCHOLARSHIPS TO SC AND ST STUDENTS

## f*252. SHRI MURARI LAL MEENA:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the annual family income limit prescribed by the Government for providing scholarships to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students;
- (b) the criteria adopted by the Government to determine the amount of scholarships;
- (c) whether the Government had reviewed such criteria, if so, the time last review was done and the outcome thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to increase the family annual income limit for scholarships to SC and ST students, if so, the present status thereof and the time by which it is likely to be implemented, if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to increase the amount of scholarship being given to SC and ST students in view of the inflation and rising cost of education?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## Statement referred to in reply of part (a) to (e) in respect of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 252 asked by Shri Murari Lal Meena for answer on 18/03/2025

(a) The details of annual family income limit prescribed for the scholarship schemes being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for Scheduled Castes (SCs) & Scheduled Tribes (STs) is at Annexure-I.

(b) & (c):- The scholarship amount under the schemes is fixed after due consultation with State Governments/concerned Ministries/ Departments and accordingly the scheme norms are approved by Competent Authority/Standing Finance Committee(SFC)/Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC)/Cabinet. The criteria adopted for review and the outcome for each scheme has been given in Annexure-II.

(d) & (e) The scheme guidelines are revised from time to time as per requirement and the issue related to family annual income limit & amount of scholarship are decided as and when such revisions take place in consultation with stakeholders including Ministries/Departments.

## Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) in respect of Lok Sabha Starred Question No 52 asked by Shri Murari Lal Meena for answer on 18/03/202:

The annual family income limit for scholarship schemes of SCs and STs:-

| S.No.   | Name of the Scheme                                  | Income limit (per annum)   | Income limit (per annum)                         |
|---------|-----------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
|         |                                                     | FOR SCs                    | FOR STS                                          |
| (i)     | Post Matric Scholarship Scheme                      | Rs. 2.50 lakh              | Rs. 2.50 lakh                                    |
| (ii)    | Pre Matric Scholarship Schemes                      | Rs. 2.50 lakh              | Rs. 2.50 lakh                                    |
| (iii)   | Top Class Education                                 | Rs. 8.00 lakh              | Rs. 6.00 lakh                                    |
| (iv)    | National Overseas Scholarship Scheme Rs. 8.00 lakh  |                            | Rs. 6.00 lakh                                    |
| (v)     | Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and Rs. 8.00 lakh OBCs |                            | No such scheme                                   |
| (vi)    | National Fellowship Scheme                          | No income prescribed       | annual family No annual family income prescribed |

:

Annexure referred to in reply of part (b) & (c) in respect of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 252 asked by Shri Murari Lal Meena for answer on 18/03/2025

For SCs

| Scheme Name Sub category                                                      | Stipend per annum prior to revision                        | Year of last revision in scholarship rates   | Revision in scholarship rates under Scholarship Schemes for SCs (in Rs) 2023-24 Stipend per annum after revision   |
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Day Scholar                                                                   | 3000.00                                                    | 2021-22                                      | 3500.00                                                                                                            |
| Pre-Matric Hosteller                                                          | 6250.00                                                    | 2021-22                                      | Comp-l:- 7000                                                                                                      |
| Scholarship                                                                   | 6250.00                                                    | 2021-22                                      | Comp-ll:- 8000                                                                                                     |
| Day Scholar Group 1                                                           | 5500.00                                                    | 2020-21                                      | 7000.00                                                                                                            |
| Day Scholar Group 2                                                           | 5300.00                                                    | 2020-21                                      | 6500.00                                                                                                            |
| Day Scholar Group 3                                                           | 3000.00                                                    | 2020-21                                      | 3000.00                                                                                                            |
| Post-Matric Day Scholar Group 4                                               | 2300.00                                                    | 2020-21                                      | 2500.00                                                                                                            |
| Scholarship Hosteller Group 1                                                 | 12000.00                                                   | 2020-21                                      | 13500.00                                                                                                           |
| Hosteller Group 2                                                             | 8200.00                                                    | 2020-21                                      | 9500.00                                                                                                            |
| Hosteller Group 3                                                             | 5700.00                                                    | 2020-21                                      | 6000.00                                                                                                            |
| Hosteller Group 4                                                             | 3800.00                                                    | 2020-21                                      | 4000.00                                                                                                            |
| Books and Stationery                                                          | 3000.00                                                    | 2022-23                                      | 5000.00                                                                                                            |
| Computer allowances(one time Top Class Education in course                    | 45000.00                                                   | No change                                    | 45000.00                                                                                                           |
| Annual Maintenance allowances                                                 | 29640.00                                                   | 2020-21                                      | 41000.00                                                                                                           |
| National Fellowship First two years (M.Phil/P.hd)                             | 31000.00                                                   | 2023-24                                      | 37000.00**                                                                                                         |
| Last three years P.hd)                                                        | 35000.00                                                   | 2023-24                                      | 42000.00**                                                                                                         |
| Maintenance allowances for USA and other countries (in USD) National Overseas | 14000.00                                                   | 2013-14                                      | 15400.00                                                                                                           |
| (B) Annual Maintenance allowances for UK (in (GBP)                            | 9000.00                                                    |                                              | 9900.00                                                                                                            |
| Free Coaching for SCs, OBCs and PM- Course fees Cares beneficiaries           | no fixed amount                                            | 2022-23                                      | 20000.00 to 75000.00                                                                                               |
| Stipend                                                                       | 3000.00 (for local students) and 6000.00 (for outstations) |                                              | 4000.00                                                                                                            |

•

FOR STs

| Revision in scholarship rates under Scholarship Schemes for STs (in Rs)   | Revision in scholarship rates under Scholarship Schemes for STs (in Rs)   | Revision in scholarship rates under Scholarship Schemes for STs (in Rs)   | Revision in scholarship rates under Scholarship Schemes for STs (in Rs)   | Revision in scholarship rates under Scholarship Schemes for STs (in Rs)   |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Scheme Name                                                               |                                                                           | Stipend per annum prior to revision                                       | Year of last revision in scholarship rates                                | 2023-24 Stipend per                                                       |
|                                                                           | Sub category                                                              |                                                                           |                                                                           | annum after revision                                                      |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship                                                    | Day Scholar                                                               | 1500.00                                                                   | 2019-20                                                                   | 2250.00                                                                   |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship                                                    | Hosteller                                                                 | 3500.00                                                                   | 2019-20                                                                   | 5250.00                                                                   |
| Post-Matric Scholarship*                                                  | Day Scholar Group 1                                                       | 5500.00                                                                   | No change                                                                 | 5500.00                                                                   |
| Post-Matric Scholarship*                                                  | Day Scholar Group 2                                                       | 5300.00                                                                   | No change                                                                 | 5300.00                                                                   |
| Post-Matric Scholarship*                                                  | Day Scholar Group 3                                                       | 3000.00                                                                   | No change                                                                 | 3000.00                                                                   |
| Post-Matric Scholarship*                                                  | Day Scholar Group 4                                                       | 2300.00                                                                   | No change                                                                 | 2300.00                                                                   |
| Post-Matric Scholarship*                                                  | Hosteller Group 1                                                         | 12000.00                                                                  | No change                                                                 | 12000.00                                                                  |
| Post-Matric Scholarship*                                                  | Hosteller Group 2                                                         | 8200.00                                                                   | No change                                                                 | 8200.00                                                                   |
| Post-Matric Scholarship*                                                  | Hosteller Group 3                                                         | 5700.00                                                                   | No change                                                                 | 5700.00                                                                   |
| Post-Matric Scholarship*                                                  | Hosteller Group 4                                                         | 3800.00                                                                   | No change                                                                 | 3800.00                                                                   |
| National Scholarship                                                      | Books and Stationery                                                      | 3000.00                                                                   | 2022-23                                                                   | 5000.00                                                                   |
| National Scholarship                                                      | Computer allowances (one time in course)                                  | 45000.00                                                                  | No change                                                                 | 45000.00                                                                  |
|                                                                           | Annual Maintenance allowances                                             | 26400.00                                                                  | 2022-23                                                                   | 36000.00                                                                  |
| National Fellowship                                                       | First two years (M.Phil/P.hd)                                             | 31000.00                                                                  | 2023-24                                                                   | 37000.00**                                                                |
| National Fellowship                                                       | Last three years (P.hd)                                                   | 35000.00                                                                  | 2023-24                                                                   | 42000.00**                                                                |
| National Overseas                                                         | (a) Annual Maintenance allowances for USA and other countries (in USD)    | 14000.00                                                                  | 2013-14                                                                   | 15400.00                                                                  |
| National Overseas                                                         | (b) Annual Maintenance allowances for UK (in GBP)                         | 9000.00                                                                   | 2013-14                                                                   | 9900.00                                                                   |

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