Lok Sabha Question No. 2581 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Scholarship Scheme under PM CARES
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2581 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2025

## SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME UNDER PM CARES

†2581. SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI: SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE: DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE: SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL: SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government has implemented scholarship scheme under PM CARES for Children Scheme in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including Dadra and Nagar Haveli Union Territory, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh;
- (c) the criteria fixed under the said scheme;
- (d) the details of beneficiaries under the said scheme during the last five years; and
- (e) the number of students those have availed financial assistance under the said scheme for higher education during the last five years along with the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam/Sir. The Government has implemented the PM CARES for Children Scheme across the country to support children who lost both parents, surviving parent, legal guardian or adoptive parents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A special scholarship scheme called "Scholarship for PM CARES Children" was formulated as a Central Sector scheme by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment. Under this scheme, a scholarship allowance of 7 20,000/- per child per annum is provided. This amount comprises a monthly stipend of $ 1,000/- per month plus an annual academic allowance of * 8,000/- towards school fees, books, uniforms, shoes, and other educational expenses. The benefit is available for the eligible school-going children from Class 1 to Class 12. The scholarship amount is disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the beneficiary's bank account (linked with Aadhaar). The Scheme has been implemented uniformly across all States and Union Territories, including Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

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(d): Since inception, i.e., FY 2022-23, the number of beneficiaries to whom scholarship has been disbursed, year wise by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, is provided as below:

| Financial Year   |   No. of Beneficiaries to whom scholarship has been transferred |
|------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2022-23          |                                                            3847 |
| 2023-24          |                                                            3676 |
| 2024-25          |                                                            3383 |
| 2025-26          |                                                            2855 |

(e): As per the guidelines of this scholarship scheme under PM CARES, scholarship is provided only for the beneficiaries who are studying in Class Ist to Class 12th by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.

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