New Delhi, 24 April (H.S.): The Central Government has disbursed ₹7,981.47 crore in the financial year 2025-26 to support the education and empowerment of more than 75 lakh marginalised students, primarily from Scheduled Castes (SC). This funding aims to advance their educational prospects and provide better opportunities in the field of learning.
According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this financial assistance marks significant enhancements across major scholarship schemes. The government's goal is to make students from economically and socially weaker sections self-reliant and empowered through education.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar stated on Friday that the government remains committed to ensuring inclusive development and social justice for all sections of society via targeted solutions and welfare initiatives. He noted that continuous efforts are being made to integrate deprived groups into the mainstream.
The Minister explained that the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment monitors the implementation of schemes and acts for the upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), senior citizens, those affected by drug abuse, transgender persons, beggars, denotified and nomadic tribes (DNT), manual scavengers, sanitation workers (including ragpickers), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Virendra Kumar highlighted consistent positive growth in expenditure under SC welfare schemes. Specifically, the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme saw a 21% increase, the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs recorded an 11.23% rise, the Central Sector Scholarship for Top Class Education for SC students grew by 13.5%, and the Shreshtha Scheme for residential education in high schools in targeted areas increased by 16% compared to FY 2024-25.
The government believes this educational investment will bolster social equality and offer marginalised students a pathway to a brighter future. The Ministry described it as a vital step towards social justice and inclusive development.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
