More Than 2.22 Crore Scheduled Caste Students Benefited Govt's Post Matric, Top-Class Scholarship Schemes

The Centre on Wednesday stated that more than 2.22 crore students benefited from scholarships under the Modi government's Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme and Top-Class Education Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) Students to study during the last five years.

The PMS schemes are the scholarships offered by the Centre to encourage students of particular social classes, i.e., Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and minorities, who are studying higher education after Class 10.

Under these schemes, the government strives to enhance the Gross Enrolment Ratio of higher education by offering financial assistance to students who belong to economically weaker sections.

In this regard, the Top-Class Education Scheme for SC provides financial support to SC students for studies after Class 12 in some of the nation's best institutions.

With this scheme, the Centre seeks to encourage quality education among SC students and sponsor their higher education.

"In the last five years, 2,22,31,139 and 20,340 SC students have benefitted from the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme and Top-Class Education Scheme, respectively," the Union Minister of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale presented in response to a query in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

As reported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, scholarship and fund support rendered under the PMS and Top-Class Education for SS Students schemes have "helped in improving the education level of Scheduled Caste students to study higher courses in educational institutions/colleges in the country.

"This not only minimized economic burden but also ensured access to quality education to Scheduled Caste students. By enhancing educational opportunities, the schemes have enabled increased socio-economic mobility, increased career opportunities, and met economic as well as social backwardness among SC groups," the Union Minister added.

He declared that under such programs, SC students can study in colleges, universities and institutions, for instance, IITs, IIMs, IIITs, AIIMSs, NITs, NIFTs, NIDs, IHMs, NLUs, etc., and reach "substantial success in their fields.".