Lok Sabha Question No. 3475 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Higher Education to Students belonging to Scheduled Castes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Mahesh Kashyap

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3475 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2024

## HIGHER EDUCATION TO STUDENTS BELONGING TO SCHEDULED CASTES

$3475. SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP:

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

- (a) the details of various notable activities related to "higher education" and development of the students belonging to Scheduled Castes;
- (b) whether the Government is also conducting the other notable activities related to higher education and development of Students belonging to Scheduled Castes; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

## Scheme-wise details are as under:

- (i) Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC students: This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for SC students studying in post matriculation classes (Class 11 to higher studies) in all recognized Schools/Colleges. It aims to increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio of SC students in higher education with a focus on those from the poorest households.
- (ii) Top Class Education (TCS) for SC Students: Under this Central Sector Scheme full financial support is provided for higher studies in empaneled 266 Higher Education Institutes (HEls) in the country. Total 1,800 fresh slots are available during the year 2024-25.
- (111) National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste (NFS) Students: Fellowship is provided to Scheduled Castes students for pursuing higher education leading to Ph.D degrees in various streams within India. Total 2,000 fresh siots are available 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 De-notified, 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.

Some other Schemes being implemented by the Department of Higher Education which are open to all category of students including students belonging to Scheduled Caste are as under:

- a. AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme Specially for Girls (Degree & Diploma)
- c. AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Boys and Girls (Degree & Diploma)
- b. AICTE -Young Achievers' Scholarship and Holistic Academic Skills Venture Initiative Scheme (YASHASVI) (Degree & Diploma)
- a. AICTE Swanath Scholarship Scheme for Boys and Girls (Degree & Diploma)
- e. ACTE PG scholarship Scheme for Boys and Girls
6. †. AICTE Doctoral Fellowship (ADF) for Boys and Girls
- g. AICTE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF)
- h. AICTE - Scheme for Campus Accommodation and Facilities Enhancing Social experience (CAFES)
- i. Junior Research Fellowship in Science, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- j. Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Single Girl Child Fellowship
- k. National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies.

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