Government Disburses Record ₹5,562 Crore Under Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students

1
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced that the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme benefited over 48 lakh Scheduled Caste (SC) students in 2024-25.
2
Central assistance under the scheme reached a record ₹5,562.23 crore, reflecting a massive increase from the ₹1,930.38 crore disbursed in 2021-22.
3
The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme also extended financial support to over 26 lakh SC students during 2025-26.

●Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
●Post-Matric Scholarship Beneficiaries (24-25): 48,04,208 SC students
●Pre-Matric Scholarship Beneficiaries (25-26): 26,79,049 students
●Delivery Mechanism: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts.

To provide financial assistance to SC students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage.

Key: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through State Governments and UT administrations.

upsc

GS Paper 2 > Vulnerable Sections > Scheduled Castes

★Are the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes for SCs central sector schemes or centrally sponsored schemes?
★Which ministry is the nodal agency for SC welfare schemes?

Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)

Schemes that are funded jointly by the Central and State Governments, but implemented by the State Governments.

•These scholarship schemes are Centrally Sponsored, not Central Sector.
•Funds are now released via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) utilizing Aadhaar-seeded accounts to prevent leakages.

•Always track the nodal ministry for welfare schemes. SC schemes usually fall under Social Justice & Empowerment, whereas ST schemes fall under Tribal Affairs.

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