MoS informs Lok Sabha about revised SC scholarship schemes and DBT-based disbursement
Revision of Scheduled Caste scholarship schemes and Direct Benefit Transfer have strengthened scholarship delivery through Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts.
- The ministry implements the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme and the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and Others for Scheduled Caste students.
- The ministry revised the scheme during 2020-21 and reported a strong rise in central assistance after revision.
- The ministry revised the scheme in 2021-22 and shifted scholarship disbursement to DBT from 2022-23.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Lok Sabha that scholarship support for Scheduled Caste students is being delivered through the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme and the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and Others. The ministry said both schemes are meant to reduce financial barriers and support educational inclusion for Scheduled Caste students at different stages of schooling.
The current relevance lies in the way the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has combined welfare expansion with technology-enabled delivery. The government has revised both schemes in recent years and has shifted scholarship payment to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
Background and earlier position
UPSC can frame this topic around the design of centrally sponsored scholarship schemes, the role of Direct Benefit Transfer in reducing leakages, and the larger question of educational equity for Scheduled Caste students. A mains answer can discuss targeting, Aadhaar seeding, and administrative efficiency, while a prelims question can test scheme names, beneficiary group, and the delivery mechanism.
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