New Delhi: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted the success of the Top Class Education Scheme in helping Scheduled Caste students access quality higher education and achieve professional excellence.
The ministry said the scheme supports meritorious SC students from families with annual incomes up to ₹8 lakh. It provides assistance for tuition fees, books, computers, living expenses and other academic needs.
Since its launch in 2007-08, the scheme has expanded significantly. The number of beneficiaries increased from 195 students to 4,742 students in 2025-26. Similarly, annual expenditure rose from ₹2.17 crore to ₹117.19 crore.
Students under the scheme are studying in leading institutions such as IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIMs, NLUs and NID. As a result, they are building careers in technology, law, management, design and research.
Top Class Education Scheme creates new career opportunities
Several students have secured successful careers through the opportunities provided by the scheme. For example, Amul Shaturia from IIIT Allahabad received a ₹56 lakh annual placement package after completing B.Tech in Information Technology.
Likewise, Sushmitha Pothuraju from IIIT Allahabad secured a placement at Amazon with an annual package of ₹45 lakh. Moreover, students like Thamballa Sindhu from IIT Palakkad and Nalan S from IIT Palakkad entered engineering and defence sectors.
The scheme has also supported students in management, law, design and artificial intelligence fields. Furthermore, many scholars have pursued research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Ministry said the scheme continues to promote educational equality and social empowerment. Therefore, it is helping create a skilled generation that contributes to India’s development and innovation goals.
