India, Aug. 12 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
The Central Government is implementing the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students with the objective of appreciably increasing the GROSS ENROLLMENT RATIO OF SC students in higher education, with a focus on students from the poorest households. The scheme provides financial assistance at the post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable eligible students to complete their education.
In a written reply to Shri Brij Lal, Smt. Laxmi Verma and Shri Ryaga Krishnaiah in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale stated that the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme is open-ended and demand-driven for eligible students studying in all recognized institutions across the country.
He stated that Annual Action Plans under the scheme are obtained from States and Union Territories, which are the implementing agencies. The release of the Central share is contingent upon States and UTs transmitting their State/UT share-paid, finally verified data on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for disbursement of the Central share.
Under the scheme, the scholarship is paid to students whose parents or guardians have an annual income from all sources not exceeding Rs.2.5 lakh. The income eligibility criterion ensures that financial assistance is targeted towards eligible students requiring support to pursue and complete their post-matric and higher education.
The Government also provided details of Central Assistance released to Chhattisgarh under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students during the last five financial years. In 2021-22, Rs.29.00 crore was released, benefiting 87,464 students. In 2022-23, Rs.45.00 crore was released, benefiting 96,267 students. During 2023-24, Rs.36.14 crore was released for 79,237 beneficiaries, while Rs.39.96 crore was released in 2024-25, benefiting 87,675 students. In 2025-26, Central Assistance increased to Rs.53.60 crore, benefiting 96,839 students.
During the five-year period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, a total Central Assistance of Rs.203.70 crore was released to Chhattisgarh under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students, benefiting 4,47,482 students.
The Government's response highlights the demand-driven nature of the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme and its focus on enabling eligible SC students, particularly those from the poorest households, to pursue and complete higher education.
PR-69-TAR-KV-GA
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
