Govt working on raising income limit for SC scholarships to Rs 4.5 lakh from Rs 2.5 lakh, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Centre is considering raising the income limit for Scheduled Caste (SC) pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs 4.50 lakh.
• A note is being prepared to seek feedback from stakeholders like NITI Aayog, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• The last income limit hike was implemented on April 1, 2013, increasing it from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh per annum.
• In 2024-25, 19.13 lakh SC students benefited from the post-matric scholarship scheme, while 7.54 lakh benefited from the pre-matric scheme.

Detailed Insights:

• The post-matric scholarship, operational since 1944, provides financial aid covering compulsory fees and an academic allowance ranging from Rs 4,000-Rs 13,500 for hostellers and Rs 2,500-Rs 7,000 for day scholars, varying by course type.
• The current funding pattern for both pre-matric and post-matric scholarships is a 60:40 split between the Centre and states, except for Northeastern states where it is 90:10.
• The pre-matric scholarship scheme, initiated in 1977-78, initially catered to hostellers but expanded to include day scholars in 1991, offering Rs 3,500 annually to day scholars and Rs 7,000 to hostellers.
• There is no income limit for children of parents/guardians in unclean and hazardous occupations under the pre-matric scheme, with hosteller children in this category receiving Rs 8,000 per annum.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Pre-Matric Scholarship: Financial aid for students studying before the matriculation or secondary level (Class 10).
• Post-Matric Scholarship: Financial aid for students studying after completing matriculation (Class 10).
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: A scheme funded by the central government but implemented by state governments.