Pre and Post-Matric Scholarships to SC/ST Students

On Aug 13, 2015

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment provides post-matric scholarship to SC students studying at post-matriculation stage and pre matric scholarship to SC students studying in classes IX and X. Similar scholarships are provided for ST students by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The pre and post-matric scholarship schemes for SC and ST students are identical.

The details of the pre and post-matric scholarships provided to SC/ST students and the criteria for awarding the scholarships are as under:

(i) Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST students studying in classes IX & X:-

The objective of the Scheme is to support parents of SC/ST children for education of their wards studying in IXth & Xth classes so that the incidence of dropout especially in the transition from the elementary to the secondary stage is minimized.

This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme introduced w.e.f. 1^st July 2012. The scheme is implemented by the State Governments and UT Administrations, which will receive 100% Central Assistance from Government of India for expenditure under the Scheme over and above their Committed Liability. The rate for day scholars is Rs. 150/- per month and Rs. 350/- per month in the case of hostellers. The scholarship is available for 10 months in a year. There is also an ad-hoc grant of Rs. 750/- per annum for day scholars and Rs.1000/- per annum for hostellers. Students with disabilities are also eligible for other additional allowances viz. Reader charges for the blind students etc.

For being eligible under this Scheme, the student should belong to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe and parent’s income should not exceed Rs.2.00 Lakh per annum.

(ii) Post Matric Scholarhsip for SC/ST students

The objective of the Scheme is to provide financial assistance to the Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled tribe students studying at Post Matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to pursue higher education. The Scheme provides for 100% Central Assistance to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations over and above the committed liability. The North Eastern State are exempted from Committed Liability.

The rates of the maintenance allowance per month in various groups range from Rs. 230/- to Rs. 550/- for day scholars and in the case of hostellers, the rates range from Rs. 380/- to Rs. 1200/- per month. Beside this, there, are other allowances viz Study Tour charges, Book allowances, Thesis typing charges etc. The scholarship also includes reimbursement of non-refundable compulsory fees charged by educational institutions. Students with disabilities are also eligible for other assistance viz. Reader charges for the blind students etc.

For being eligible for the scheme the Annual Parental/Guardians Income Ceiling is Rs. 2.5 lakh

This information was given by the Minister of State, Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri Vijay Sampla in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha here today.