Lok Sabha Question No. 3996 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Upliftment of Women Belonging to SC/OBC Communities
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3996 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.03.2026

## UPLIFTMENT OF WOMEN BELONGING TO SCIOBC COMMUNITIES

## 3996. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has launched or proposes to launch   any   scheme for the upliftment   and   development of women belonging to  Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs);
- allocated thereunder; and
- C the number of women beneficiaries covered under these schemes during each of the last three years and the current year in Amravati district of Maharashtra; scheme-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment implements various Schemes for the social,  economic and educational   empowerment of the vulnerable sections of   society including women belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) The schemes are open to eligible female applicants  However, there are special provisions for women in some of these Schemes. The details and objectives of the major Schemes along with the details of special provisions for women beneficiaries under these schemes are at Annexure-I.

across   India during last three years and in current year are at Annexure-II. The total number of SCIOBC beneficiaries, including women, acroSS India, including the State of Maharashtra under the major Schemes during last three years and in current year are at Annexure-III:

Annexure referred to in part (a) to (c) in respect of Lok Sabha unstarred Q. No. 3996 for answer on of   Women   Belonging to   SCIOBC Communities asked by Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade

The details and objectives of the major Schemes and special provisions for women:

|                                          |                                                           | Details and objectives the schemes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs) | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs)                  | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|                                          | Post Matric lscholarship for lScheduled Castes(SCs) lonly | The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students (PMS   Isc) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for studies in India forl those SC students whose   Parent/Guardian's   incomel Ishould not exceed Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum. The vision of thel Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students (PMS-SC) lis to create pathways for SC students towards theirl leducational and socio-economic development, linclusivity and empowering them to pursue higher education The objective is to appreciably increase the Gross Enrolmentl Ratio (GER) students in   higher education with lemphasis on those from the poorest households by providing] Ifinancial assistance at post-matriculation or post-secondaryl kstage for enabling_them to complete their education: |
| 2                                        | Pre Matric for scheme for SCs and Others                  | The vision of the centrally sponsored Pre-Matric] IScholarships Scheme for SCs and Others is to  promotel kchildren   belonging to   Scheduled Castes and children Iparents/guardians engaged in unclean and loccupations. The objective of the scheme is to support, through financial lassistance,   parents of children   belonging to Schedules Caste and other disadvantaged categories for education of ktheir  wards studying at the Pre-Matric stage so that their pparticipation improves, the incidence of drop-out lespecially in the transition from the primary to the next Ilevel and elementary to the secondary stage is minimized; perform better and have a better chance of progressing Jto the Post-matric stage of education:  lthey           |
| 3                                        | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit (JaatiAbhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)  | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM- AJAY); a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in 2021 k2 by merging three existing schemes, namely Adarsh Gram_ ISpecial Central Assistance to Scheduled kSCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram (Yojana The Scheme has three components namely (i) Adarsh Gram' , (ii)Grants-in-aid for District/State-levell {Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of Scheduled ICaste(SC) Communities' and (iii) 'Hostel' . The   objectives of the PM AJAY Scheme are to improvel Isocio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring ladequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages; to reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation_ of additional employment]                        |

|    |                                                                                            | lopportunities through skill development, income generating] Ischemes and other initiatives; to increase   literacy lencourage enrolment of SCs in schools and leducational institutions by providing  adequate  residentiall lfacilities in quality institutions; as well as residential schoolsl Idominated blocks and elsewhere in India                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    | Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) | ISHRESHTA is implemented in two modes, where in Mode - Ito CBSE/State Boards for providing high quality residentiall leducation to meritorious SC students. Under Mode-II (Grant-in-Aid is provided to the NGOs/VOs for running and Imaintenance of the project of ResidentialNNon-Residentiall schools and Hostels for SC student, The   objective ISHRESHTA is to enhance the reach of development IIntervention of the Government and to fill the gap in service] Ideficient   SCs dominant areas; in the sector  of  education kthrough the efforts of grant-in-aid institutions (run by NGOs) and residential high schools offering high quality education] land to provide environment for socio-economic upliftment pand overall development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) |
| 5  | [Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) ffor SCs           | For Educational Empowerment of Talented SHREYAS-SC is a Central Sector Umbrella Scheme which lcomprises 4 central sector sub- schemes namely Education for SCs" "Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs and beneficiaires of PM Cares Children' "Nationall Overseas   Scheme for SCs" SCs"_ The details of these sub-Schemes are as under: "Top                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |

lategory to obtain higher education viz , masters degree o [Economic and Social status.

The objective of the scheme is to provide fellowships in thel assistance to students   belonging to sc lcategory to pursue higher studies HHumanities, Social Science, in Indianf Universities/Institutions/Colleges recognized by University KGrants Commission (UGC) leading

30% of the scholarships for each selection year are learmarked for female candidates under TCS; FCS and NOS

## MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs)

- Classeski)   Pre-Matric  Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT

PM Achievers The following schemes are implemented under PM-| Scholarship Scheme for VibrantYASASVI which are gender-neutral, and 30% reservation] India (PM YASASVIffor girls is provided under these schemes: for Other Young

## Backward Economic-Students Backward NNotified Tribes (DNTs) are

IThe objective of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre-| not covered under   SC, ST or OBC) is welfare and lotivation to the children of these categories by providing]

## EBC and  DNT IStudents

The   objective the Scheme is to   provide   financiall lassistance to the OBC, EBC and DNT students studying at ppost-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them tof Icomplete their education:

## Kiii) [DNT Students Top

The objective of the Schemes to provide premium education] Ito the meritorious students   belonging to OBC, EBC 9 lonwards till complete Class 12. they

## Kiv) Class Education in DNT Students Top

Iquality education amongst Students belonging to OBC, EBC Scheme will Istudies beyond class XIIth

FFurther, there is a fifth component under the PM YASASVI (Scheme as below:

|    |                                                                           | Construction of Hostel for OBC and Girls. lespecially from rural areas, to enable them to Isecondary and higher education: will be pursuel kthe proposals for construction of hostels for Boys Priority                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|----|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  7 | [Scholarships for HHigher Education for Achievers (Scheme (SHREYAS- Young | The   Central   Sector  Umbrella HHigher Education for kSHREYAS-OBC)' Achievers Schemel is implemented by DoSJE, which hasf the following two sub-schemes The main objective of thel Ischemes is  Educational Empowerment of OBC &   EBC Istudents by way of awarding fellowship (financiall lassistance) in obtaining quality higher education and intecesy 1 National Fellowship for OBC ii. Dr. Ambedkar   Central Sector   Scheme Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies] for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) Young |

Annexure referred to in part () to (0) in respect 0f Lok Sabha for answer on   17.03.2026 unstarred Q. No. 3996 regarding   Upliftment of Women  Belonging to   SCIOBC Communities asked by Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade

The total   funds   allocated/released under   the Castes(SCs) major   Schemes for   welfare of  Scheduled the last three Financial Years (FYs) and the current year are: during

| Sr: No.                                         | Name of Welfare Programmel Schemes for Scheduled Castes(SCs) of DoSJE                                                                                                        | FY                                              |                                                 | 2022-23 FY 2023-24FFY 2024-25]                  | (in Rs: FY 2025-26* Cr:)                        |
|-------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (Cs)         | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (Cs)                                                                                                                                      | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (Cs)         | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (Cs)         | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (Cs)         | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (Cs)         |
|                                                 | Post Matric Scholarship scheme for Scheduled Castes(SCs)                                                                                                                     | 4388.32                                         |                                                 | 5562.26                                         | 5804.63                                         |
| 2                                               | Pre Matric for scholarship scheme for SCs and Others                                                                                                                         | 207.93                                          | 446.65                                          |                                                 | 432.97                                          |
| 3                                               | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)                                                                                                                     | 164.00                                          | 471.11                                          | 736.16                                          | 353.18                                          |
|                                                 | Scheme for Residential Education High   Schools in   Targeted] Areas (SHRESHTA)                                                                                              | 51.12                                           | 81.57                                           | 109.98                                          | 106.29                                          |
|                                                 | Scholarships for Education for Young Achievers Schemel (SHREYAS) for SCs                                                                                                     | 324.74                                          | 379.98                                          | 404.61                                          | 365.6                                           |
| MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs)                                                                                                                              | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) |
|                                                 | PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM YASASVI) for Other Backward Classes (OBCs)_ Economic Backward Classes(EBCs) and Del Notified Tribes (DNTs) | 1390.02                                         | 1329.26                                         | 1435.51                                         | 796.83                                          |
|                                                 | Scholarships for Higher Education for Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for OBCs and EBCs Young                                                                                     | 75.3                                            | 145.94                                          | 157.64                                          | 105.34                                          |

Annexure referred to in part () to () in respect of Lok Sabha unstarred Q No. 3996 for answer on 17.03.2026 regarding  Upliftment of  Women   Belonging to SCIOBC Communities asked by Shri Balwant Baswant Wankhade

The total no. of SCIOBC beneficiaries, including women with the State of Maharashtra under the major Schemes during the last three years and the current year: along

| Sr:                                             | Name of Welfare Programmel No:| Schemes for Scheduled Castes(SCs) of] DoSJE                                                           | 23                                              | FY 2023- 24                                     | FY 2024- 25                                     | FY 2025- 26*                                    |
|-------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs)        | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs)                                                                                                   | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs)        | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs)        | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs)        | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs)        |
|                                                 | Post Matric Scholarship scheme for Scheduled Castes(SCs)                                                                                   | 46,47,1351                                      | 47,38,578                                       |                                                 |                                                 |
| 2                                               | Pre Matric for scholarship scheme for SCs and Others                                                                                       | 11,34,268]                                      |                                                 | 21,29,540| 21,65,983]                      | 20,56,682                                       |
| 3                                               | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaatil Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)                                                                                  | 47,567                                          | 13,764                                          | 5,254                                           | 410                                             |
|                                                 | Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA)                                                 | 16,479                                          | 15,816                                          | 14,281                                          | 8,977                                           |
| 5                                               | Scholarships for   Higher Education] for Young Achievers Schemel (SHREYAS) for SCs                                                         | 8,435                                           | 8,472                                           | 10,896                                          | 9,308                                           |
| MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs)                                                                                            | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) | MAJOR SCHEMES FOR OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES (OBCs) |
|                                                 | PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM YASASVI) for Other Backward Classes(EBCs) and Del Notified Tribes (DNTs) | 44,07,497                                       | 45,70,204                                       |                                                 | 45,46,580 | 22,48,493                      |
|                                                 | Scholarships for Higher Education for Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for OBCs and EBCs Young                                                   | 5,729                                           | 4,798                                           | 3,034                                           | 2,524                                           |

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As on 12.03.2026