Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
WELFARE SCHEMES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES
Posted On:
24 MAR 2026 4:09PM by PIB Delhi
The details of budgetary allocation under the welfare Schemes, scholarships and social protection programmes for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backwards Classes (OBCs) and senior citizens are at Annexure-I.
The enhanced funding on loans have increased access to affordable finance for SCs, OBCs and other vulnerable groups, reduced the effective cost of borrowing and promoted self-employment and income-generating activities.
Multiple measures have been taken to improve accessibility and awareness of welfare schemes such as organization of awareness camps, workshops and outreach programmes across States/Union Territories (UTs), use of digital platforms and dedicated portals, and publicity through print, electronic and social media using Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. Participation in exhibitions, fairs and stakeholder engagements has also been encouraged to widen outreach. In addition, helplines such as Elderline for senior citizens and awareness generation initiatives for persons with disabilities have been strengthened to ensure better access to information and services.
Several steps have been taken to ensure efficient utilisation of allocated funds. These include implementation of the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) and SNA-SPARSH fund flow system, adoption of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanisms, and mandatory submission of Utilization Certificates. The Ministry undertakes regular monitoring through review meetings, inspections and digital tracking systems. Fund releases are linked to performance and compliance, and third-party evaluations and audits are conducted periodically to ensure transparency, accountability and effective utilization of resources.
The enhanced allocations and strengthened implementation mechanisms are expected to significantly improve financial inclusion, expand access to welfare programmes and promote entrepreneurship among target groups.
ANNEXURE-I
This Annexure referred to in part (a) of LokSabhaUnstarred Question no. 5093 to be answered on 24.03.2026.
The details of budgetary allocation under the welfare Schemes, Scholarships and social protection programmes of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
|
(Rs. in crore)
|
|
Sr.No.
|
Programme/Schemes
|
BE 2021-22
|
BE 2022-23
|
BE 2023-24
|
BE 2024-25
|
BE 2025-26
|
|
|
Schemes for Scheduled Castes
|
|
1
|
Post Matric Scholarship for SCs
|
3415.62
|
5660.00
|
6359.14
|
6359.98
|
6360.00
|
|
Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs
|
|
2
|
National Fellowship for SCs
|
300.00
|
173.00
|
163.00
|
188.00
|
212.00
|
|
3
|
National Overseas Scholarship for SCs
|
30.00
|
36.00
|
50.00
|
95.00
|
130.00
|
|
4
|
Top Class Education for SCs
|
70.00
|
108.00
|
111.00
|
110.00
|
110.00
|
|
5
|
Free Coaching for SCs and OBCs
|
50.00
|
47.00
|
47.00
|
35.00
|
20.00
|
|
|
Total SHREYAS Scheme
|
450.00
|
364.00
|
371.00
|
428.00
|
472.00
|
|
PradhanMantriAnusuchitJaatiAbhyudayYojana (PM AJAY)
|
|
6
|
Total PM-AJAY Scheme
|
1800.00
|
1950.00
|
2050.00
|
2140.00
|
2140.00
|
|
7
|
Strengthening of machinery for Enforcement of Protection of Civil Right Act 1955 and Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989
|
600.00
|
600.00
|
500.00
|
550.00
|
463.00
|
|
8
|
Scheme of Residential Education for Students in High School in Targeted Area (SRESHTA) for SC
|
200.00
|
89.00
|
104.65
|
133.07
|
140.00
|
|
9
|
Pre Matric for SCs and Other
|
725.00
|
500.00
|
500.00
|
500.00
|
577.96
|
|
10
|
State Scheduled Castes Development Corporations
|
25.00
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
Self Employment Scheme of Liberation & Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers
|
100.00
|
70.00
|
97.41
|
116.94
|
130.00
|
|
12
|
VISVAS Yojana (SC)
|
100.00
|
50.00
|
0.01
|
6.01
|
24.57
|
|
13
|
Venture Capital Funds for SCs
|
100.00
|
70.00
|
70.00
|
10.00
|
0.01
|
|
14
|
PradhanMantriDakshtaaurKushaltaSampannHitgrahi
|
60.00
|
40.00
|
43.73
|
65.00
|
70.00
|
|
|
Total
|
7575.62
|
9393.01
|
10095.94
|
10309.00
|
10377.54
|
|
2. Schemes for Social Defence
|
|
1
|
AtalVayoAbhyudayYojana-GBS
|
300.00
|
150.00
|
294.97
|
260.00
|
263.73
|
|
2
|
Assistance to Voluntary Agencies for Welfare of Scheduled Castes – Scheduled Caste Welfare Fund
|
|
|
410.14
|
279.44
|
289.69
|
|
3
|
National Action Plan on Drug Demand Reduction
|
260.00
|
200.00
|
311.00
|
314.00
|
333.00
|
|
Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE)
|
|
4
|
Integrated Programme for Rehabilitation of Beggars
|
50.00
|
15.00
|
20.00
|
30.00
|
30.00
|
|
5
|
Scheme for Tansgender Persons
|
20.00
|
30.00
|
52.91
|
68.46
|
76.87
|
|
|
Total
|
630.00
|
395.00
|
678.88
|
951.90
|
993.29
|
|
3. Schemes for Backward Classes
|
|
PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM YASASVI) for OBCs, EBCs and DNTs
|
|
1
|
Pre Matric Scholarship for Other Backward Classes, Economically Backward Classes and Denotified Tribes
|
250.00
|
478.00
|
281.00
|
210.00
|
300.00
|
|
2
|
Post Matric Scholarship for Other Backward Classes, Economically Backward Classes and Denotified Tribes
|
1300.00
|
1083.00
|
1087.00
|
921.00
|
1250.00
|
|
3
|
Boys & Girls Hostels for Other Backward Classes
|
30.00
|
20.00
|
30.00
|
40.00
|
40.00
|
|
4
|
Top Class School for Other Backward Classes
|
|
|
100.00
|
150.00
|
100.00
|
|
5
|
Top Class College for Other Backward Classes
|
|
|
90.00
|
515.00
|
500.00
|
|
Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for OBCs and EBCs
|
|
6
|
Interest Subsidy on Education Loans for Overseas Studies for OBCs and EBCs
|
30.00
|
27.00
|
29.00
|
25.00
|
60.00
|
|
7
|
National Fellowship for OBCs and EBCs
|
100.00
|
53.00
|
57.00
|
55.00
|
190.13
|
|
|
Other Schemes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
|
VISVAS Yojana(OBCs)
|
50.00
|
30.00
|
0.01
|
4.01
|
25.70
|
|
9
|
Venture Capital Fund for Backward Classes
|
20.00
|
40.00
|
22.00
|
40.00
|
0.01
|
|
10
|
PM DAKSH Yojana OBC Component
|
40.00
|
44.00
|
48.74
|
65.00
|
60.00
|
|
11
|
Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNT/NT/SNTs(SEED)
|
50.00
|
28.00
|
40.40
|
39.40
|
39.40
|
|
|
Total
|
1870.00
|
1803.00
|
1785.15
|
2064.41
|
2565.24
|
|
4
|
Information, Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit
|
25.00
|
19.50
|
20.00
|
10.00
|
6.11
|
|
5
|
PM Cares
|
|
|
10.00
|
8.50
|
8.50
|
|
|
Total of all Schemes of the Department
|
10100.62
|
11610.51
|
12589.97
|
13343.81
|
13950.68
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This information is given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment,Shri Ramdas Athawale, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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