The Government of India continues to strengthen educational opportunities for students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) through a comprehensive set of scholarship and coaching schemes aimed at improving access to quality education and enhancing their participation in higher education and competitive examinations. These initiatives are designed to provide financial assistance, academic support and equal opportunities to students from socially and educationally disadvantaged communities.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B. L. Verma, in a written reply to SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM, SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI, SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL, SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE, DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE in the Lok Sabha.

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a number of welfare schemes for OBC students, including the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBCs & Others, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBCs & Others, Top Class Education in Schools for OBCs & Others, Top Class Education in Colleges for OBCs & Others, and the Free Coaching Scheme for Scheduled Castes (SCs), OBCs and beneficiaries of the PM CARES Children Scheme.

Financial assistance under the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes is released to States and Union Territories based on Notional Allocation, enabling them to extend scholarship benefits to eligible students. Under the Top Class Education Schemes and the Free Coaching Scheme, financial assistance is transferred directly to eligible beneficiaries through the Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism, ensuring transparency and timely disbursal of benefits.

The Central Sector Scheme of Free Coaching seeks to enhance the competitiveness of students from disadvantaged communities by providing quality coaching for various competitive examinations conducted for recruitment to Government and private sector jobs, as well as for admission to reputed technical and professional higher educational institutions.

The scheme is currently being implemented through Dr. Ambedkar Centres of Excellence (DACE) established in 19 empanelled Central Universities, with 100 coaching seats earmarked in each university. In Maharashtra, Mahatma Gandhi Hindi Antarrashtriya Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha, has been empanelled under the scheme. In Madhya Pradesh, the scheme is being implemented through Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, and Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar. At present, there is no empanelled Central University under the scheme in the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

The Minister further informed that the revision of scholarship and coaching assistance under these schemes is undertaken periodically in consultation with all concerned stakeholders, ensuring that the schemes remain responsive to the educational needs of students while supporting the Government's vision of inclusive and equitable development.

The Government reiterated its commitment to ensuring that no deserving student is deprived of educational opportunities due to financial constraints. Through sustained investments in scholarships, quality coaching and direct financial assistance, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment continues to empower OBC students with the knowledge, skills and opportunities required to participate effectively in the nation's social and economic progress.

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