Lok Sabha Question No. 2405 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Higher Education for Scheduled Caste Students
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya, Shri Vijay Baghel

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2405 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2024

## HIGHER EDUCATION FOR SCHEDULED CASTE STUDENTS

## $2405. SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL: SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:

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

- (a) whether the Ministry has started any scheme or programme for higher education for the students of Scheduled Caste community and to send them abroad;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Ministry has also included technical education in this scheme; if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the minimum and maximum amount provided under this scheme;
- (e) whether there are any Scheduled Caste students who have achieved success through the scheme; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): Department of Social Justice & Empowerment implements the following Schemes for higher education for the students of Scheduled Caste community:
- (1) Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students (PMS);
- (i)Top Class Education for SC Students (TCS);
- (i11)National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC);
- (iv) National Overseas Scholarship for SC etc. candidates (NOS)

Among the above, the NOS Scheme facilitates students to pursue higher education abroad.

- (b): Scheme-wise details are as under:
- (i) Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC students: This Scheme is for SC students studying in post matriculation Classes (Class 11 to Higher studies) in all recognized Schools/Colleges.
- (il) Top Class Education (TCS) for SC Students: Under the Scheme full financial support is provided for higher studies in empanelled 266 Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in the country. Total 1800 fresh slots are available during the year 2024-25.
- (iIi) National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste (NFSC) Students: Fellowship is provided to Scheduled Castes students for pursuing higher education leading to Ph.D degrees in various streams within India. The Scheme provides for 2000 fresh slots per year.
- (iv) National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for SC etc. candidates: There are 125 slots available for study abroad in each selection year, out of which 115 for Scheduled Castes category, 06 for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes and 04 for Landless Agricultural Labourers and Traditional Artisans category have been earmarked. 30% of the slots are reserved for female candidates.
- (c): The technical education is also covered under all these Schemes. Scholarship under Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC students, Top Class Education (TCS) for SC Students and National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for SC etc. candidates is provided to all eligible students who have taken admission in technical and professional courses. Similarly, under NFSC Scheme annually 500 slots are reserved for research fellows undertaking research in science stream which also includes research in Technology Sector.
- (d): The details of amount provided as financial assistance under these Schemes are as under:
- (e) & (f): The Evaluation Study and Impact Study reports reveal that many SC students who have been provided support and financial assistance under the above Schemes have achieved success. These Schemes collectively promote educational empowerment of students from SC community.

| Sr.No. Name of Scheme               | Financial assistance                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1. Post-Matric Scholarship students | Full non-refundable tuition fees (as fixed by Fee for SCFixation/Rationalization Committee of the State Government) and annual academic allowance ranging from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 13,500 depending upon the type/group of courses.                                                                                  |
| 2. for SC Students                  | Top Class EducationFull tuition fee, non-refundable charges and academic allowance of Rs. 86,000 in the first year of study and Rs. 41,000 in every subsequent year. There is a ceiling of Rs. 2.00 lakh per student for empanelled private sector institutions.                                                  |
| 3. National                         | fellowshipks. 37,000 - per month for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Sude died as el ship . Besides is oh i ency is. 1000-ch Rs. 12,000/- per annum for JRF and Rs. 20,500/- to Rs 23,000/- per annum for SRF; Escort/Reader assistance of Rs. 2,000/- per month and the applicable House Rent Allowance (HRA). |
| 4. National SC etc. candidates      | Overseas Tuition fees, visa fees, medical insurance premium, Incidental Scholarship (NOS) forJourney Allowance and Equipment Allowance and to and fire air passage on actual basis. Apart from above, annual maintenance allowance and annual contingency allowance is also paid.                                 |

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