Revising Scholarship Norms for Marginalized Students: A Policy Deep Dive
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Social Justice & Governance (Schemes for Scheduled Castes - SCs, Scheduled Tribes - STs, Other Backward Classes - OBCs; Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Parliamentary Committees).
Mains: GS Paper 2 (Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections).
Key Highlights from the News
Main Policy: The Central Government is considering raising the parental income limit, which is the eligibility criterion for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Denotified Tribes (DNTs).
Current and Proposed Limit:
Currently, the annual income limit to be eligible for these scholarships is ₹2.5 lakh.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is considering raising this limit to ₹4.5 lakh for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. A similar increase for other categories is also under discussion.
Nature of the Scheme: These are Centrally Sponsored Schemes jointly funded by the Centre and states.
Funding ratio: Typically 60:40 (Centre:State) in general states, and 90:10 in Northeastern states.
Reason for Change:
The number of beneficiaries receiving scholarships has been decreasing in recent years.
Due to the current low-income limit, many eligible families are not receiving the benefits.
Parliamentary Committees have recommended raising the income limit.
Related Ministries: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
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