The Government of India continues to strengthen educational, economic and social empowerment of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Tamil Nadu through a wide range of flagship schemes implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

The Minister informed that under the Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes, the number of beneficiaries increased from 6,43,761 in 2023-24 to 9,34,793 in 2024-25 and further to 9,66,840 in 2025-26. Similarly, the Pre-Matric Scholarship for SCs and Others benefited 3,35,642 students in 2023-24, 5,21,124 students in 2024-25 and 5,82,684 students in 2025-26.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), the number of beneficiaries increased from 507 in 2023-24 to 894 in 2024-25, while 666 beneficiaries were covered during 2025-26.

The SRESHTA scheme for residential education benefited 238 students in 2023-24, 312 students in 2024-25 and 267 students in 2025-26.

The reply further stated that the Ministry continued to support students belonging to OBCs, Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) and Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs). Under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, 2.94 lakh students in 2023-24, 8.75 lakh students in 2024-25 and 2.76 lakh students have been benefitted in 2025-26. The Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme covered 4.76 lakh, 4.59 lakh and 3.67 lakh students, respectively.

The reply said that the beneficiaries under the Top Class Education Scheme in Schools increased significantly from 725 in 2023-24 to 10,735 in 2025-26, while the National Fellowship for OBC Students supported 78 scholars in 2023-24, 92 in 2024-25 and 116 in 2025-26.

The Minister further informed that welfare initiatives for senior citizens and economically weaker sections continued to benefit thousands of people in the State. Under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) component of Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), 32,940 senior citizens in 2023-24, 33,715 in 2024-25 and 24,390 senior citizens were covered in 2025-26. The lending schemes of the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) benefited 20,618 persons in 2023-24, 18,377 persons in 2024-25 and 21,437 persons in 2025-26. Under the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), Income Generating Schemes supported 14,548 beneficiaries in 2023-24, 5,314 beneficiaries in 2024-25 and 8,085 beneficiaries in 2025-26. The National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students benefited 107 scholars, 102 scholars and 112 scholars, respectively, while the VISVAS scheme covered 5,092 beneficiaries in 2024-25 and 7,475 beneficiaries in 2025-26.

The reply also informed that under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, relief was provided to 5,586 atrocity victims in both 2023-24 and 2024-25, while 6,042 victims received relief during 2025-26. The financial incentives were extended to 2,392 inter-caste marriage couples in 2023-24, 2,476 couples in 2024-25 and 2,202 couples in 2025-26.

The Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) benefited 1,052 persons in 2023-24, 1,036 persons in 2024-25 and 878 persons in 2025-26, respectively, while the Scholarship Scheme for Students with Disabilities supported 4,046 students in 2023-24, 3,851 students in 2024-25 and 4,043 students in 2025-26.

The Minister further stated that welfare of Scheduled Castes is undertaken through 38 Ministries under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC).

An assessment carried out by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog has observed that the Ministry's targeted interventions have contributed to notable improvements in access to education for marginalized communities. The Government remains committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable development by strengthening educational opportunities, livelihood support, financial inclusion and social protection for all vulnerable sections of society.

PR – 041 – TAR/KV/GA

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2291281) आगंतुक पटल : 151