What happened: Rajya Sabha reply on DAPSC monitoring and SC-spending utilisation
On 10 August 2026, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Rajya Sabha that 38 Ministries/Departments earmark funds for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC)—earlier known as the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP). Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale made this statement in reply to questions.
The Ministry also reported DAPSC utilisation performance across Ministries/Departments and described steps to strengthen monitoring and review mechanisms for improved utilisation.
Background: DAPSC earmarking under NITI Aayog Guidelines (2017)
The Government linked DAPSC earmarking to the NITI Aayog Guidelines (2017) for the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC). Under these Guidelines, multiple Ministries/Departments earmark resources across various schemes for Scheduled Castes welfare and development.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment stated that it oversees utilisation through periodic review meetings chaired by the Minister and the Secretary of Social Justice and Empowerment.
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