The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment oversees the implementation of various Acts and welfare schemes aimed at the upliftment of diverse sections of society, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), senior citizens, victims of alcoholism and substance abuse, transgender persons, persons engaged in begging, De-notified and Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), manual scavengers, sanitation workers (including waste pickers), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, has said that the Government remains committed to ensuring inclusive development and social justice for all sections of society through targeted interventions and welfare initiatives.

The Department implements a range of schemes focused on the educational empowerment of marginalised students belonging to Scheduled Castes. During the financial year 2025–26, an amount of ₹7,981.47 crore has been disbursed to more than 75 lakh SC beneficiaries.

Expenditure under SC welfare schemes has shown a consistent positive growth with an upward trend, with a 21% increase under the Pre Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs & Others, an 11.23% increase under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs, an increase of 13.5% under Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students and a 16% increase under the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) Scheme for SCs as compared to the financial year 2024–25.

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SIRAJ/AJ