SC Students to Receive Scholarship Up to ₹2 Lakh Annually
The Central Government has taken a major step toward promoting higher education for Scheduled Caste (SC) students by increasing the scholarship limit. As per the newly issued guidelines, SC students will now receive financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh per year to pursue higher education. This amount will cover tuition fees and other non-refundable charges.
Scholarship Payment Through Direct Benefit Transfer
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has introduced major reforms under the “High-Level Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students”, which will be effective from the academic year 2024–25. Under the revised structure, students will also receive additional academic allowances.
Students will get:
- ₹86,000 in the first year
- ₹41,000 per year for subsequent years
This amount can be used for expenses such as hostel fees, books, laptops, and other academic necessities. The scholarship will be transferred directly into students’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Eligibility Criteria
According to the new guidelines, students cannot avail benefits from any other central or state scholarship scheme simultaneously. Only those students whose parents' annual income is up to ₹8 lakh will be eligible.
The government has approved 4,400 new scholarships for the year 2024–25. Overall, 21,500 scholarships have been allocated for the period from 2021–22 to 2025–26, with 30% reserved exclusively for girl students.
Eligible Institutions
This scholarship is applicable only for SC students admitted to centrally recognized premier institutions such as:
- IITs
- IIMs
- AIIMS
- NITs
- National Law Universities (NLUs)
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
- National Institute of Design (NID)
- Other nationally accredited institutions
Only first-year students are eligible to apply for the scholarship. Renewal will continue based on academic performance throughout the duration of the course.
Additional Guidelines and Restrictions
The scheme ensures transparency and accountability. In case of any violation, the student may be removed from the scheme. However, students already selected will continue to receive benefits until course completion.
Important provisions include:
- A family can avail the scholarship for only two children.
- If a student changes their institution after selection, their eligibility will be revoked.
The revised guidelines are expected to significantly increase access to higher education for SC students, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder academic aspirations.