Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed today in Lok Sabha that the Scholarship Division of Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the following ongoing Scholarship Schemes to promote and encourage secondary and higher education amongst ST population in the country, including the UT of Ladakh:

I. Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X)

II. Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class XI and above)

III. National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class)

IV. National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students (NFST)

V. National Overseas Scholarship for ST students (NOS)

The Scholarship schemes mentioned above at Sl. No. (i) to (ii) are Centrally Sponsored Schemes and implemented through respective States/UTs of the Country. Both Pre & Post Matric Scholarship Schemes are open ended Schemes wherein scholarships are given to all eligible students, without any ceiling limit on the number of selections, for pursuing studies from class 9th to post-Graduation courses whose parental income is not more than Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum. The inviting of applications, verification, selection of beneficiaries and disbursement of scholarship amount is the primary responsibility of the respective States/UTs. Based on the proposals submitted by States/UTs and after examining requisite documents & necessary compliance, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs releases central share of funds to States/UTs. Further, the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations disburse the scholarship amount to all the eligible ST Student's into their bank account through DBT mode.

The Scholarship schemes mentioned above at Sl. No. (iii) to (v) are Central Sector Schemes implemented directly by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. There is no state-wise allocation of funds under these Central Sector Schemes. Under National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students, funds are directly released to the Students/Institutions through DBT mode. The scheme “National Overseas Scholarship for ST students” is implemented through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the funds are released to ST students studying abroad through Embassies. Based on the vouchers/bills submitted by the MEA regarding payment made by the Embassies to the selected ST students/Institutions, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs reimburse the funds to MEA.

The scheme-wise number of beneficiaries and funds released under all five scholarship schemes for the Union Territory of Ladakh during the last five years is given at Annexure-I.

No such specific assessment has been conducted as on date.

The appraisal and approval process of the Expenditure Finance Commission (EFC) for the continuation of the education related schemes of this Ministry during FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31 is currently ongoing, wherein, inter alia, the proposal to enhance the scope of educational support is included for seeking the approval of the Department of Expenditure on the draft EFC note. The decision on the proposal in the said EFC is subject to the approval of the Competent Authority.

It has been the constant endeavour of the Ministry to ensure pan-India coverage (including in the UT of Ladakh) of all tribal students eligible under various scholarship schemes of this Ministry, by issuing timely advisories and instructions to States and UT Administrations to spread awareness about the schemes in their area.

Annexure I

Centrally Sponsored Schemes

Pre- Matric Scholarship Scheme ST Students

Amounts In lakhs
FY 2020-21		FY 2021-22		FY 2022-23		FY 2023-24		FY 2024-25		FY 2025-26
Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released
421	10.81	1439	44.63	760	23.15	2283	69.21	1694	58.76	1394	50.00

Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.

Post- Matric Scholarship Scheme ST Students

Amounts In Lakhs
FY 2020-21		FY 2021-22		FY 2022-23		FY 2023-24		FY 2024-25		FY 2025-26
Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund released
3055	857.79	8631	185.77	9619	2153.56	9413	2500.44	8847	2449.78	7618	2245.9

Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.

Central Sector Schemes

National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST Students (Top Class)

Amounts In Lakhs

F.Y. 2021-22		F.Y. 2022-23		F.Y. 2023-24		F.Y. 2024-25		F.Y. 2025-26
Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries
71.49	58	86.39	42	127.41	97	133.44	83	75.74	71

Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.

National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST Students (NFST)

Amounts In Lakhs

F.Y 2021-22		F.Y 2022-23		F.Y 2023-24		F.Y 2024-25		F.Y 2025-26
Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries
140.41	35	181.76	49	367.41	55	290.31	53	257.75	58

Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.

National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students (NoS)

Amounts In Lakhs

F.Y 2021-22		F.Y 2022-23		F.Y 2023-24		F.Y 2024-25		F.Y 2025-26
Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries	Fund Released	Number of Beneficiaries
1.50	1	2.43	1	0.00	0	0.00	0	0.84	1

Note: The beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.

RN/

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