Lok Sabha Question No. 5093 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Welfare Schemes, Scholarships and Social Protection Programmes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Verma, Smt. Shambhavi, Dr. D. Purandeswari, Dr. Lata Wankhede, Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil, Shri Arun Bharti

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5093 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026

## WELFARE SCHEMES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES

## 5093. SMT. SHAMBHA VI:

SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

DR D PURANDESWARI:

DR LATA WANKHEDE:

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

- a) the details of increased budgetary allocations to strengthen welfare schemes, scholarships and social protection programmes for Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and senior citizens;
- (6) whether there is any enhanced funding on loans has improved implementation of schemes for Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, if SO, the details thereof and if not;, the reasons for the same;
3. (c) whether any efforts have been made to improve accessibility and awareness of welfare schemes, if the details thereof; SO,
4. (d) whether any steps have been taken to ensure efficient utilisation of allocated funds, if the details thereof and if not; the reasons for the same; and SO,
5. (e) the expected impact of enhanced allocations on social inclusion and welfare outcomes?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): The details of budgetary allocation under the welfare Schemes, scholarships and social protection programmes for Scheduled Castes (SCs) Other Backwards Classes (OBCs) and senior citizens are at Annexure-I.
- (b): The enhanced funding o loans have increased access to affordable finance for SCs, OBCs and other vulnerable groups, reduced the effective cost of borrowing and promoted self-employment and income-generating activities.

(c): Multiple measures have been taken to improve accessibility and awareness of welfare schemes  such as organization of awareness camps,  workshops and outreach programmes publicity   through  print; electronic and social media Information; Education and Communication (IEC) materials. Participation in exhibitions, fairs and stakeholder engagements has also been   encouraged to widen   outreach. In addition, helplines such as Elderline for senior citizens and awareness generation initiatives for persons with disabilities have been strengthened to ensure better access to information and services. using

(d): Several steps have been taken to ensure efficient utilisation of allocated funds.  These include implementation of the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) and SNA-SPARSH fund flow system;, adoption of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms, and mandatory submission of Utilization Certificates. The Ministry undertakes   regular  monitoring   through review meetings, inspections and digital tracking systems Fund releases are linked to performance and compliance, and third-party evaluations and audits are conducted periodically to ensure transparency, accountability and effective utilization of resources.

(e): The enhanced allocations and strengthened implementation mechanisms are expected to significantly  improve the   financial  inclusion, expand access to welfare   programmes and promote entrepreneurship among target groups.

This Annexure referred to in part (a) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no. 5093 to be answered on 24.03.2026.

The details of budgetary allocation under the welfare Schemes, Scholarships and social protection programmes of Department of Social Justice and Empowerment;

|                                                                                | [Sr No [Programme/Schemes                                                                            | BE 2021-22                                                                     | BE 2022-23                                                                     | BE 2023-24                                                                     | BE 2024-25                                                                     | (Rs:_in crore) BE 2025-26                                                      |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                | Schemes Scheduled Castes for                                                                         | Schemes Scheduled Castes for                                                   | Schemes Scheduled Castes for                                                   | Schemes Scheduled Castes for                                                   | Schemes Scheduled Castes for                                                   | Schemes Scheduled Castes for                                                   |
|                                                                                | Post Matric Scholarship for SCs                                                                      | 3415.62                                                                        | 5660.00                                                                        | 6359.14                                                                        | 6359.98                                                                        | 6360.00                                                                        |
| Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs | Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs                       | Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs | Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs | Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs | Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs | Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs |
| 2                                                                              | National Fellowship for SCs                                                                          | 300.00                                                                         | 173.00                                                                         | 163.00                                                                         | 188.00                                                                         | 212.00                                                                         |
| 3                                                                              | National Overseas Scholarship for SCs                                                                | 30.00                                                                          | 36.00                                                                          | 50.00                                                                          | 95.00                                                                          | 130.00                                                                         |
| 4                                                                              | Class Education for SCs Top                                                                          | 70.00                                                                          | 108.00                                                                         | 111.00                                                                         | 110.00                                                                         | 110.00                                                                         |
| 5                                                                              | Free Coaching for SCs and OBCs                                                                       | 50.00                                                                          | 47.00                                                                          | 47.00                                                                          | 35.00                                                                          | 20.00                                                                          |
|                                                                                | Total SHREYAS Scheme                                                                                 | 450.00                                                                         | 364.00                                                                         | 371.00                                                                         | 428.00                                                                         | 472.00                                                                         |
| Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)                       | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)                                             | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)                       | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)                       | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)                       | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)                       | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM AJAY)                       |
| 6                                                                              | Total PM-AJAY Scheme                                                                                 | 1800.00                                                                        | 1950.00                                                                        | 2050.00                                                                        | 2140.00                                                                        | 2140.00                                                                        |
| 7                                                                              | [Strengthening of machinery for  Enforcement ofl [Protection of Civil Right Act 1955 and Prevention] | 600.00                                                                         | 600.00                                                                         | 500.00                                                                         | 550.00                                                                         | 463.00                                                                         |
| 8                                                                              | Scheme of Residential Education for Students in High School in Targeted Area (SRESHTA) for SC        | 200.00                                                                         | 89.00                                                                          | 104.65                                                                         | 133.07                                                                         | 140.00                                                                         |
|                                                                                | [Pre Matric for SCs and Other                                                                        | 725.00                                                                         | 500.00                                                                         | 500.00                                                                         | 500.00                                                                         | 577.96                                                                         |
| 10                                                                             | State Scheduled Castes Development Corporations_                                                     | 25.00                                                                          | 0.01                                                                           |                                                                                |                                                                                |                                                                                |
| 11                                                                             | ISelf Employment Scheme of Liberation Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers_                           | 100.00                                                                         | 70.00                                                                          | 97.41                                                                          | 116.94                                                                         | 130.00                                                                         |
| 12                                                                             | VISVAS Yojana (SC)                                                                                   | 100.00                                                                         | 50.00                                                                          | 0.01                                                                           | 6.01                                                                           | 24.57                                                                          |
| 13                                                                             | Venture Capital Funds for SCs                                                                        | 100.00                                                                         | 70.00                                                                          | 70.00                                                                          | 10.00                                                                          | 0.01                                                                           |
| 14                                                                             | [Pradhan Mantri Dakshta aur Kushalta   Sampann]  Hitgrahi                                            | 60.00                                                                          | 40.00                                                                          | 43.73                                                                          | 65.00                                                                          | 70.00                                                                          |
|                                                                                | Total                                                                                                | 7575.62                                                                        | 9393.01                                                                        | 10095.94                                                                       | 10309.00                                                                       | 10377.54                                                                       |
| 2_ Schemes for Social Defence                                                  | 2_ Schemes for Social Defence                                                                        | 2_ Schemes for Social Defence                                                  | 2_ Schemes for Social Defence                                                  | 2_ Schemes for Social Defence                                                  | 2_ Schemes for Social Defence                                                  | 2_ Schemes for Social Defence                                                  |
|                                                                                | Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana-GBS                                                                        | 300.00                                                                         | 150.00                                                                         | 294.97                                                                         | 260.00                                                                         | 263.73                                                                         |
|                                                                                | Assistance to Voluntary Agencies for Welfare ofl Scheduled Castes Scheduled Caste Welfare Fund       |                                                                                |                                                                                | 410.14                                                                         | 279.44                                                                         | 289.69                                                                         |
|                                                                                | National Action Plan on Drug Demand Reduction                                                        | 260.00                                                                         | 200.00                                                                         | 311.00                                                                         | 314.00                                                                         | 333.00                                                                         |
| [Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE)      | [Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE)                            | [Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE)      | [Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE)      | [Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE)      | [Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE)      | [Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE)      |
|                                                                                | [ntegrated Programme_ for Rehabilitation ofl                                                         | 50.00                                                                          | 15.00                                                                          | 20.00                                                                          | 30.00                                                                          | 30.00                                                                          |

|                                                                                         | Beggars                                                                                                       |                                                                                         |                                                                                         |                                                                                         |                                                                                         |                                                                                         |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                                                                                         | Scheme for Tansgender Persons                                                                                 | 20.00                                                                                   | 30.00                                                                                   | 52.91                                                                                   | 68.46                                                                                   | 76.87                                                                                   |
|                                                                                         | Total                                                                                                         | 630.00                                                                                  | 395.00                                                                                  | 678.88                                                                                  | 951.90                                                                                  | 993.29                                                                                  |
| Schemes for Backward Classes                                                            | Schemes for Backward Classes                                                                                  | Schemes for Backward Classes                                                            | Schemes for Backward Classes                                                            | Schemes for Backward Classes                                                            | Schemes for Backward Classes                                                            | Schemes for Backward Classes                                                            |
|                                                                                         | [Pre Matric Scholarship for Other Backwardl IClasses; Economically Backward Classes Denotified Tribes         | 250.00                                                                                  | 478.00                                                                                  | 281.00                                                                                  | 210.00                                                                                  | 300.00                                                                                  |
| 2                                                                                       | Post Matric   Scholarship   for Other Backward Classes, Economically Backward   Classes and Denotified Tribes | 1300.00                                                                                 | 1083.00                                                                                 | 1087.00                                                                                 | 921.00                                                                                  | 1250.00                                                                                 |
| 3                                                                                       | & Girls Hostels for Other Backward Classes                                                                    | 30.00                                                                                   | 20.00                                                                                   | 30.00                                                                                   | 40.00                                                                                   | 40.00                                                                                   |
| 4                                                                                       | Class School for Other Backward Classes Top                                                                   |                                                                                         |                                                                                         | 100.00                                                                                  | 150.00                                                                                  | 100.00                                                                                  |
| 5                                                                                       | Class College for Other Backward Classes Top                                                                  |                                                                                         |                                                                                         | 90.00                                                                                   | 515.00                                                                                  | 500.00                                                                                  |
| Scholarships_for Higher Education for Young_Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS)for OBCs and EBCs | Scholarships_for Higher Education for Young_Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS)for OBCs and EBCs                       | Scholarships_for Higher Education for Young_Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS)for OBCs and EBCs | Scholarships_for Higher Education for Young_Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS)for OBCs and EBCs | Scholarships_for Higher Education for Young_Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS)for OBCs and EBCs | Scholarships_for Higher Education for Young_Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS)for OBCs and EBCs | Scholarships_for Higher Education for Young_Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS)for OBCs and EBCs |
|                                                                                         | IInterest Subsidy on Education Loans forl Overseas Studies for OBCs and EBCs                                  | 30.00                                                                                   | 27.00                                                                                   | 29.00                                                                                   | 25.00                                                                                   | 60.00                                                                                   |
|                                                                                         | National Fellowship for OBCs and EBCs                                                                         | 100.00                                                                                  | 53.00                                                                                   | 57.00                                                                                   | 55.00                                                                                   | 190.13                                                                                  |
|                                                                                         | Other Schemes                                                                                                 |                                                                                         |                                                                                         |                                                                                         |                                                                                         |                                                                                         |
| 8                                                                                       | VISVAS Yojana(OBCs)                                                                                           | 50.00                                                                                   | 30.00                                                                                   | 0.01                                                                                    | 4.01                                                                                    | 25.70                                                                                   |
|                                                                                         | Venture Capital Fund for Backward Classes                                                                     | 20.00                                                                                   | 40.00                                                                                   | 22.00                                                                                   | 40.00                                                                                   | 0.01                                                                                    |
| 10                                                                                      | PM DAKSH Yojana OBC Component                                                                                 | 40.00                                                                                   | 44.00                                                                                   | 48.74                                                                                   | 65.00                                                                                   | 60.00                                                                                   |
| 11                                                                                      | Scheme for Economic lof DNTNTISNTs(SEED)                                                                      | 50.00                                                                                   | 28.00                                                                                   | 40.40                                                                                   | 39.40                                                                                   | 39.40                                                                                   |
|                                                                                         | Total                                                                                                         | 1870.00                                                                                 | 1803.00                                                                                 | 1785.15                                                                                 | 2064.41                                                                                 | 2565.24                                                                                 |
| 4                                                                                       | Audit                                                                                                         | 25.00                                                                                   | 19.50                                                                                   | 20.00                                                                                   | 10.00                                                                                   | 6.11                                                                                    |
| 5                                                                                       | PM Cares                                                                                                      |                                                                                         |                                                                                         | 10.00                                                                                   | 8.50                                                                                    | 8.50                                                                                    |
|                                                                                         | Total of all Schemes of the Department                                                                        | 10100.62                                                                                | 11610.51                                                                                | 12589.97                                                                                | 13343.81                                                                                | 13950.68                                                                                |

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