The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing different schemes to support the education and welfare of students from marginalized and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) communities. The major challenges faced during the distribution of scholarships are timely payment to the scholars. For this, the central share is now released directly into the bank account through DBT/digital mode without any intermediary intervention. This has reduced the time for distribution of scholarships and also increased transparency in the process.

I. The details of these schemes are as below:

1. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes and others: The Objective of the scheme is supporting parents of children belonging to Schedules Caste and other disadvantaged categories and thereby improving the participation of their children studying at the pre-matric stage.

2. Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes and others: The objective of the scheme is to appreciably increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio of SC students in higher education with a focus on those from the poorest households, by providing financial assistance at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education.

3. Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana (PM-DAKSH): The main objective of the Scheme is to enhance competency level of the target groups to make them employable both in self-employment and wage-employment for their socio- economic development of Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes. .

4. Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Area (SHRESHTA): The objective of SHRESHTA is to enhance the reach of development Intervention of the Government and to fill the gap in service deficient SCs dominant areas, in the sector of education through the efforts of grant-in-aid institutions (run by NGOs) and residential high schools offering high quality education and to provide environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Castes (SCs). The Scheme is further modified to provide easier access to the bright SC students in the best schools in the Country, thereby securing their future opportunities.

5. Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY): The objectives of the Scheme are:

(a) To reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives.

(b) Improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages.

(c) Increase literacy and encourage enrollment of SCs in schools and higher educational institutions by providing adequate residential facilities in quality institutions, as well as residential schools where required, especially in the aspirational districts/ SC dominated blocks and elsewhere in India.

6. Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs: The SHREYAS scheme is an umbrella scheme that combines four existing schemes: National Fellowship Scheme for SCs, National Overseas Scholarship for SCs, Top Class Education for SCs, Free Coaching for SCs. The main objective of the schemes is Educational Empowerment of SCs students byway of awarding fellowship (financial assistance) in obtaining quality higher education and interest subsidy on educational loan for overseas studies.

(a)   National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for SCs: The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for SCs etc. aims to empower marginalized communities by providing financial assistance for pursuing master's and Ph.D. level courses abroad. The scheme targets individuals from Scheduled Castes (SCs), De-notiied, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, landless agricultural labourers, and traditional artisan categories.

(b) Top class Education for SCs: To provide equitable access to quality education for meritorious SC students studying in IIMs/IITs/IIITs/AIIMs/NITs/NIFTs/NIDs/Indian Institutes of Hotel Management, National Law Universities in India. Its primary objective is to empower them with the tools for personal and professional growth by providing top-class education opportunities.The scheme ensures financial support for SC students pursuing higher education inprestigious institutions, covering tuition fees, living expenses, and other related costs. Thisaims to alleviate financial barriers and enable deserving students to pursue their academic aspirations.

(c) Free Coaching Scheme for SCs & OBCs: Inclusive growth and empowerment to uplift economically disadvantaged sections of society. The scheme mandate to provide quality coaching for competitive examinations and higher education, the scheme targets economically disadvantaged sections, namely Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), to bridge the gap in educational and employment opportunities.

7. Pre-Matric Scholarships for OBC, EBC and DNT students: The scholarship will be provided for students studying in class IX and X on a full-time basis in Government school only.

8. Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT students studying in india: Scholarships will be given for the study of all recognized post-matriculation or post­ secondary courses pursued in recognized Institutions / Universities/ Colleges.

9. Top class education in schools for OBC, EBC and DNT students: The good quality CBSE/ICSE affiliated reputed and performing higher secondary schools having classes from 9 to 12, shall be covered under the scheme. The students who are studying or secured admission in the shortlisted schools would only be eligible for scholarships under the scheme.

10. Top class education in college for OBC, EBC and DNT students: The Scheme will operate in all the institutions notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for every financial year. All the IIMs / IITs/ IIITs / AIIMSs/ NITs/NIFTs/ NIDs/ Indian Institutes of Hotel Management, National Law Universities and other Central Government Institutions will be eligible to be included in the Scheme.

11. Construction of Hostels for OBC Boys and Girls: State Governments and UT Administrations and the Institution of repute ranked in the latest NIRF rankings of Ministry of Education, are eligible to receive grant. Agencies eligible for assistance under the Scheme should have clear title and possession over the land where the hostel is to be constructed, and will submit proposals in the prescribed formats.

12. National Fellowship for OBC Students: All universities/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) are covered. Eligibility conditions are as per notification for UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC-NET examinations.

13. Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for OBCs and EBCs: The Scheme is applicable for higher studies abroad. The interest Subsidy shall be linked with the existing Educational Loan Scheme of Indian Banks Association (IBA) and restricted to students enrolled for course at Masters, M.Phil and Ph.D level.

14. Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNT/NT/SNTs (SEED): To have De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities fully empowered and enjoying the same Economical and Social Status as other communities in the society and work for overall development and welfare of these communities.

II. Details of schemes for making education and employment more accessible for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) are given at below:

To make education more accessible, the Accessibility Guidelines and Standards for Higher Education Institutions and Universities and Accessibility Code for Educational Institutions formulated by the Department of Higher Education and Accessibility Code for Educational Institutions by Dept. of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education respectively have been notified under the RPwD Rules, 2017.

Further, Department of School Education & Literacy has launched an overarching programme for the school education sector- Samagra Shiksha Scheme. Under Samagra Siksha, there is a dedicated component for Inclusive Education for Children with Special Needs (IE for CwSN), to ensure full equity and inclusion such that all children with special needs are able to fully participate in schools. The scheme aims to look at education for CwSN in a continuum from pre-school to class XII. The scheme covers all CwSN with one or more disabilities as mentioned in the Schedule of disabilities of the Right of the Person with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016. The Samagra Shiksha Scheme is being implemented through State Governments/ UT Administrations and the Central Government provides necessary financial support for the same.

Through the inclusive education for CwSN component, various provisions are made available for CwSN such as identification and assessment camps (at block level), student specific interventions @ Rs. 3500/- per CwSN per annum for support, such as provision of aids, appliances, assistive devices, teaching-learning material, Braille books, large print with severe & multiple disabilities who are unable to attend school. The focus of Samagra Siksha is on providing inclusive education to CwSN, wherein children regardless of their abilities/disabilities participate and learn together in the same class, thus creating an equitable enabling educational environment for all students.

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) is implementing an Umbrella Scheme titled 'Scholarships for Students with Disabilities (Divyangjan)' which comprises six components viz;

• Pre-matric (Classes IX & X),
• Post-matric (Classes XI to Post graduate Degree and Diploma),
• Top Class Education (Graduate and Post graduate Degree/Diploma in notified institutes of excellence in education),
• National Overseas Scholarship (Master’s Degree/ Ph.D in Foreign Universities),
• National Fellowship for PWDs (M Phil and Ph.D in Indian Universities); and
• Free Coaching (for competitive exams for group A, B and C posts and entrance examinations for admission to technical and professional courses).

Further, Section 16(ii) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates the appropriate Government and local authorities to make building, campus and various facilities accessible for the purpose of providing inclusive education to children with disabilities. Section 17(i) of the said Act provides for making suitable modification in the curriculum and examination system, by way of provisioning extra time for completion of examination paper and exemption from second and third language courses to meet the needs of students with disabilities. In view of this, CBSE being sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities provides several exemptions/concessions to CwSN including deaf and dumb as defined in RPwD Act, 2016 such as issuing authority of medical certificate, facility of scribe and compensatory time, appointment of scribe and related instructions, fee and special exemptions for class X like exemption from third language, flexibility in choosing subjects, alternate questions/separate questions and special exemptions for class XII like flexibility in choosing subjects, separate question paper and questions in lieu of practical component.

Furthermore, DEPwD implements 'National Action Plan (NAP) for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)' which was launched in March, 2015. NAP is implemented under the umbrella scheme – Scheme for Implementation of Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 (SIPDA). Under NAP, funds are released as per Common Norms Guidelines issued and subsequent amendments from time to time by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for imparting skill training to persons with disabilities in the age group of 15 to 59 years. This Department recently launched PM-DAKSH - DEPwD Portal. The link of the portal is available on https://pmdaksh.depwd.gov.in/login. Under this portal, there are two modules:

1. Divyangjan Kaushal Vikas: Skill training is conducted for PwDs through the portal across the country
2. Divyangjan Rozgar Setu: The platform aims to act as a bridge between PwDs and employers having jobs for PwDs. The platform provides geo-tagged based information on employment/earning opportunities within private companies as well as PwDs across India.

The Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Directorate General of Employment has established 24 National Career Service Centres for Differently Abled (earlier known as Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for Handicapped). The main objective of National Career Service Centres for Differently Abled is to evaluate the residual capacities and provide the rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities irrespective of their educational backgrounds and as per benchmark disabilities. The Centres provide Vocational Guidance, Career Counselling, Non-formal Vocational Training, extend Referral Services, conduct Outreach Activities and assist PwDs in the process of Vocational Rehabilitation.

In pursuance of RPwD Act, 2016, Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) has issued detailed instructions regarding reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disability in direct recruitment and promotions in posts and services vide OM dated 15.1.2018 and 17.5.2022, respectively. Further, the benefit of reservation in promotions to Persons with benchmark Disability has been extended from 30.06.2016 onwards vide OM dated 28.12.2023. It is also stated that as per the instructions issued by DoPT, each Ministry/Department is required to designate an officer, at least of the rank of Deputy Secretary, as Liaison Officer for Persons with Benchmark Disability to ensure implementation of these instructions.

Further, in order to enable such candidates to effectively discharge their duties, detailed guidelines have been issued advising the Ministries/Departments to extend additional facilities/amenities to them such as post recruitment and pre-promotion training, assistive devices, preference in transfer/posting, special casual leave, etc. instructions regarding exemption from the routine exercise of transfer/rotational transfer has also been extended to those employees, who are caregiver of Persons with Disability dependents. The above instructions have been uploaded on the website of DoPT. Further, these instructions are also brought to the notice of the concerned Ministries/Departments during interaction with them”

DEPwD is implementing the Scheme of ‘Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP)’ under which funds are released to various Implementing Agencies to assist the eligible persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) including school-going students in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhancing their economic potential throughout the country. In order to make the education accessible Aids and assistive devices are distributed to school going children under the provision of ADIP- SSA (Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan). Various types of aids and assistive devices distributed to different types of disabilities are Motorized Tricycle, Wheelchair, Prosthesis and orthosis, Walking Stick, Accessible Smart Phones, Smart Cane, Low Vision Aids, Hearing Aids, Teaching Learning Material (TLM) Kits etc.

Further, Under the Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), of the Department, financial assistance is provided to the voluntary Organizations for running various projects for the welfare/empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) including Special School for the Children with Visual, Hearing and Intellectual disability including Children with Cerebral Palsy etc., aimed at enabling them to maintain their optimal, physical, sensory, intellectual, psychiatric or social functional levels.

National Institute of Empowerment for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) (an autonomous body under this Department), Dehradun hosting a National Accessible Library to provide learning materials in various accessible formats Braille large print, audio and E-Pub to the students.

NIEPVD have Model School for the Visually Handicapped affiliated to CBSE, is imparting free education to children with visual impairment from Class Nursery to Class 12th. The Institute also introduced a Scheme for the students with visual impairment of the Model school. Under this Scheme, All the students securing minimum of 70% marks can benefit from the merit scholarship. The scholarship can be availed for a period of 5 years after Class XII, provided they are successful in obtaining 55% marks in aggregate in each academic session.

Under the Project on ‘Financial Support for Development of Accessible Learning Materials’ (under SIPDA) the institute provides Braille Textbooks, Talking Books, E-Pubs/Digital Books and Large Print Books, broadening accessibility and catering to the diverse learning needs of visually impaired students across educational levels.

NIEPVD has partnered with leading organizations to develop innovative and inclusive solutions, and making accessible including:

• Operation of Shravan, an IVR-based audio library in collaboration with NAB Delhi.
• Promotion of accessible STEM education with XRCVC.
• Development of an AI-based speech therapy app with Demosthenes Technology.
• Collaboration with DAISY Forum of India for online accessible resources in formats like DAISY and E-Pub.

Establishment of the Universal Design Centre for Reading in Dehradun, under an MoU with NBT, New Delhi, to provide accessible publications and learning materials.

Indian Sign Language (ISL) dictionary developed by Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) has been translated into 10 additional regional languages to facilitate accessibility for regional language users and expand its scope (apart from already included English and Hindi). The 10 languages – Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu - have been updated in the ISL Dictionary.

ISLRTC in collaboration with NCERT has translated new text books of classes 1-3 based on National Education Policy 2020 into ISL to provide educational content to school children in an accessible language.

ISLRTC has developed an Indian Sign Language Dictionary including terms of everyday use and academic terms. The dictionary is available for free on multiple platforms. Further, ISLRTC initiated a project to develop signs for academic terms and include them ISLRTC’s ISL Dictionary. Around 500 academic signs have been developed in collaboration with NCERT and 81 signs related to STEM vocabulary have been developed in collaboration with CSIR Institute of Microbial Technology (IM Tech), Chandigarh. Additional 2500 signs from various areas such as academic subject, sports etc. have been developed and are in process of being included in the ISL Dictionary.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) is implementing ‘Awareness Generation and Publicity Scheme’ as one of the components under Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA) across the country. The main objective of the scheme is creation of general awareness about the schemes and programmes of the Government for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) and to train and sensitize key functionaries of the Central/State Government/Local Bodies and other service providers on a regular basis on disability related matters through State/District/Block level workshops with the aim to raise awareness among employees and peer groups about capabilities of PwDs. The grant-in-aid is released to the Government Organizations/NGOs/RCI (Nodal Agency) for awareness and sensitization towards PwDs.

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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VM

(Rajya Sabha US Q1083)

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