Government considers raising parental income limits for SC/ST scholarships to expand coverage
The Union government is considering revising the parental income limits for eligibility in post and pre-matric scholarships for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Denotified Tribes (DNTs). The Ministry of Tribal Affairs proposes raising the limit for ST scholarships to ₹4.5 lakh from the current ₹2.5 lakh, with similar discussions for SCs, OBCs, and DNTs. This move comes as data shows a significant drop in beneficiaries across these categories from 2020-21 to 2024-25. Parliamentary committees have recommended a "suitable rise" in income limits, emphasizing that the current low limits prevent many needy families from accessing these centrally sponsored schemes, which are funded by both Union and State governments.
Key Points
- The Union government is reviewing parental income limits for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for SCs, STs, OBCs, and DNTs.
- The Ministry of Tribal Affairs suggests raising the income limit for ST scholarships to ₹4.5 lakh from ₹2.5 lakh.
- The number of beneficiaries for these scholarships has significantly decreased across all categories from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
- Parliamentary committees have recommended increasing the income limits to ensure wider access for needy families.
- These scholarships are centrally sponsored schemes, funded by the Union and State governments (60:40 ratio, 90:10 in Northeast states).
Exam Facts
- Current parental annual income limit for eligibility is ₹2.5 lakh.
- Proposed parental income limit for ST scholarships is ₹4.5 lakh.
- Beneficiaries for pre-matric SC scholarships dropped by 30.63% from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
- Centrally sponsored scholarship schemes are funded 60:40 by Union:States (90:10 in Northeast states).
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