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The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment reported that over 1.44 crore Scheduled Caste students have been supported under the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes with disbursals of Rs 12,773 crore.
Over 1.01 crore OBC and EBC students received Rs 2,445.05 crore under the corresponding Pre-Matric and Post-Matric schemes.
The SHRESHTA entrance test (NETS) has been moved from May to December so counselling and admissions align with the academic calendar and drop-outs fall.
The National Overseas Scholarship added on-the-spot verification of income and caste certificates from issuing authorities from 2024-25; the National Fellowship for SC Students added a mandatory seven-day grievance window from 2025-26.
Remove financial barriers to schooling and higher education for Scheduled Caste students and raise their Gross Enrolment Ratio.
Key: Post-Matric dates to 1944; benefits flow by DBT; over 1.44 crore students and Rs 12,773 crore reported.
Extend the same support to Other Backward Classes and Economically Backward Classes.
Key: Over 1.01 crore students assisted with Rs 2,445.05 crore.
Place meritorious students from targeted areas in reputed residential schools for Classes IX to XII.
Key: The annual NETS examination has been advanced from May to December so that counselling and admissions fit the academic cycle and drop-outs are reduced.
Fund master's and PhD study abroad for low-income meritorious SC, DNT, landless agricultural labourer and traditional artisan candidates.
Key: From 2024-25, income and caste certificates are verified on the spot directly with the issuing authorities to block fraudulent claims; 125 slots a year.
Support SC students pursuing PhDs in UGC-recognised Indian institutions in the sciences, humanities and social sciences.
Key: Open to those qualifying UGC NET-JRF or the Joint CSIR-UGC NET-JRF; from 2025-26 a mandatory seven-day grievance window follows the declaration of results.
Scholarship umbrella for OBC, EBC and DNT students with family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh a year.
Key: Launched 2021-22 with four components — Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Top Class Education in Schools and Top Class Education in Colleges.
| Aspect | National Overseas Scholarship | National Fellowship for SC Students |
|---|---|---|
| Stage supported | Master's and PhD abroad | PhD in Indian UGC-recognised institutions |
| Annual slots | 125 (115 SC, 6 DNT, 4 landless labourers/artisans) | 2,000 (500 science, 1,500 humanities and social sciences) |
| Entry route | Selection on merit and income criteria | Qualifying UGC NET-JRF or Joint CSIR-UGC NET-JRF |
| Reform announced | On-the-spot certificate verification from 2024-25 | Seven-day grievance window from 2025-26 |
GS Paper 2 > Governance > Welfare schemes for SCs, OBCs and weaker sections
General Awareness > Government schemes
Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas — residential schooling for Classes IX-XII, admissions through the National Entrance Test for SHRESHTA (NETS).
PM Young Achievers' Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India, launched 2021-22 for OBC, EBC and DNT students with family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh.
Single platform launched in July 2015, run by NIC under the National e-Governance Plan, for applying to and disbursing central and state scholarships.