The Central Government has strengthened the delivery, monitoring and accountability framework for the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Post-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Castes and Pre-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Castes and Others. The schemes support eligible students of recognised institutions across the country and are implemented through State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.

The scholarship programmes are open-ended and demand-driven. The Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme has been implemented through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from 2021-22, while the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme has followed the DBT mode from 2022-23. Under this system, the Central share is released directly into the Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of eligible applicants.

Release of the Central share is linked to the transmission by States and Union Territories of data relating to payment of their respective share on the National Scholarship Portal. This digital process enables Centre- and State-level monitoring of scholarship applications and disbursement, promotes timely delivery and reduces the scope for diversion or misuse of funds.

Complaints or representations concerning implementation are promptly forwarded to the concerned State Government or Union Territory Administration, which is the implementing agency, for examination and remedial action under the applicable procedure. The concerned authorities take appropriate administrative action wherever required.

The reformed framework places emphasis on comprehensive accountability, continuous monitoring and transparency. Implementation is reviewed periodically through meetings at the National, Regional and State levels, as well as through field visits. National conferences and Chintan Shivirs are also organised to assess scheme performance, with the participation of Union and State Ministers, senior officers and other officials from the Centre and the States.

Together, DBT, Aadhaar seeding, portal-based data exchange and regular reviews create a traceable delivery chain from sanction to receipt. The measures are intended to ensure that scholarship assistance reaches eligible students directly and supports their continued education without avoidable delays.

The Ministry of Social Justice And Empowerment remains committed to strengthening educational access for students from disadvantaged communities through transparent, technology-enabled and accountable scholarship delivery systems.

For more information, visit: https://socialjustice.gov.in/schemes/23

***

PR-103- TAR/KV/GA/RK