The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements various schemes for socio-economic empowerment of the six (6) centrally notified minority communities. During last five years, the ministry has implemented 3 Scholarship schemes namely (i) Pre-Matric, (ii) Post-Matric and (iii) Merit-cum-Means based scholarships for the students belonging to minority communities. The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 makes it obligatory for the Government to provide free and compulsory elementary education (classes I to VIII) to each and every child. Hence, only students studying in classes IX and X are covered under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme. Due to the above reasons, the budget allocation has been rationalized. Similarly, the technical and professional courses were covered under Post-Matric as well as the Merit-cum-Means based Scholarships of this Ministry. In order to rationalize the distribution of courses/ institutions, all the technical and or professional courses of UG/PG level, except the listed institutes, have been brought under the Post-Matric Scheme. The Merit-cum-Means (MCM) based Scholarships covered only the top listed institutions.

In so far as the fellowship scheme is concerned, Government of India has implemented the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) Scheme on the lines of the JRF Scheme of UGC and CSIR. The UGC and CSIR Fellowship Schemes are open for candidates of all social categories and communities including minorities. In addition to this, students from minority communities are also covered under the Fellowship Schemes being implemented by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment and Ministry of Tribal Affairs for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes and Scheduled Tribes. In view of the apparent overlap among the aforesaid Schemes, it has been decided to discontinue the MANF Scheme from 2022-23 onward. The existing MANF Fellows will continue to receive Fellowships till the end of their respective tenure, subject to compliance with the extant guidelines. For the above reasons, the funds under MANF have been reduced only to meet the committed liabilities.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Ministry of Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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