New Delhi: The Central Government disbursed ₹19,216.46 crore under various SC scholarships during the last three financial years.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment administered the schemes for Scheduled Caste students. Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar gave the information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Overall disbursement rose steadily during the period. The government released ₹6,094.48 crore in 2023-24 and ₹6,200.59 crore in 2024-25.
It then increased the annual release to ₹6,921.39 crore in 2025-26. The schemes covered several levels of education and overseas study.
These included the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students. They also included the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs & Others.
In addition, the government covered the Top Class Education Scheme and National Overseas Scholarship Scheme. Together, these programmes supported eligible SC students through different education stages.
The Post Matric Scholarship accounted for the largest share. The government released ₹17,224.63 crore under the scheme during the three-year period.
The annual release under the scheme also increased. It stood at ₹5,475.42 crore in 2023-24 and ₹5,562.26 crore in 2024-25.
It then rose to ₹6,186.95 crore in 2025-26. Thus, the scheme accounted for most of the total scholarship disbursement.
The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme received ₹1,469.92 crore during the same period. Its annual releases rose from ₹446.66 crore to ₹460.90 crore.
The amount then increased further to ₹562.36 crore in 2025-26. Meanwhile, the Top Class Education Scheme received ₹304.29 crore.
The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme received ₹217.62 crore during the three years. The government said these schemes follow different funding and payment arrangements.
SC scholarships use digital payments to reduce delays
Under the Post Matric Scholarship and Pre-Matric Scholarship schemes, States and Union Territories release their respective shares first. The Department then releases the Central share through the central portal.
Both schemes operate as Centrally Sponsored Schemes. In contrast, the National Overseas Scholarship and Top Class Education Scheme operate as Central Sector Schemes.
Tamil Nadu received ₹713.70 crore under the Post Matric Scholarship in 2023-24. Its allocation increased to ₹1,032.09 crore in 2024-25.
The state then received ₹1,034.94 crore in 2025-26. Maharashtra received ₹1,652.98 crore, ₹929.92 crore and ₹1,095.80 crore respectively.
Uttar Pradesh received ₹674.83 crore in 2023-24. It received ₹366.02 crore in 2024-25 and ₹617.64 crore in 2025-26.
Under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Tamil Nadu received ₹70.56 crore in 2023-24. The amount increased to ₹109.45 crore in 2024-25.
It then reached ₹121.49 crore in 2025-26. The figures show continued releases under the scholarship programme across the three-year period.
Under the National Overseas Scholarship, the government releases funds in advance through a Letter of Authorisation. Indian Missions receive these funds for eligible beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Top Class Education Scheme uses Direct Benefit Transfer for eligible students. The government sends funds directly to their bank accounts.
The Minister said the Department regularly reviews the scholarship schemes. These reviews aim to address issues linked to delayed scholarship releases.
For this purpose, the Department conducts capacity-building programmes and technical handholding. It also organises national-level Chintan Shivirs and workshops.
These programmes involve States, Union Territories and other stakeholders. Therefore, the government uses both administrative and technical measures to improve implementation.
The government also said Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts have streamlined payments. Direct Benefit Transfer has helped reduce delays in scholarship payments.
Under Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers for Scheduled Castes, the Top Class Scholarship operates as a Central Sector Scheme. Therefore, it has no State-wise or district-wise allocation.
The government released ₹304.29 crore under the Top Class Scholarship during the last three financial years. It said implementation would continue through digital payment systems and regular reviews.
The Department will also continue technical support and capacity-building initiatives. These measures aim to facilitate timely scholarship payments to eligible SC students across the country.
