Central Government SC Scholarship Disbursement Overview
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, disbursed a total of ₹19,216.46 crore over the last three financial years (2023-24 to 2025-26) for various scholarship schemes targeting Scheduled Caste students. The annual disbursement showed consistent growth, increasing from ₹6,094.48 crore in 2023-24 to ₹6,200.59 crore in 2024-25 and further to ₹6,921.39 crore in 2025-26.
Scheme-wise Allocation Breakdown
The Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students constituted the largest component at ₹17,224.63 crore over the three-year period, with annual disbursements growing from ₹5,475.42 crore (2023-24) to ₹5,562.26 crore (2024-25) and ₹6,186.95 crore (2025-26). The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs & Others accounted for ₹1,469.92 crore, distributed as ₹446.66 crore (2023-24), ₹460.90 crore (2024-25), and ₹562.36 crore (2025-26). Additional schemes included the Top Class Education Scheme with ₹304.29 crore and the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme with ₹217.62 crore released during the same period.
State-wise Distribution
Tamil Nadu received the highest allocation under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, receiving ₹713.70 crore (2023-24), ₹1,032.09 crore (2024-25), and ₹1,034.94 crore (2025-26) as Central Assistance, totaling ₹2,780.73 crore over three years. Maharashtra received ₹1,652.98 crore, ₹929.92 crore, and ₹1,095.80 crore respectively, totaling ₹3,678.70 crore. Uttar Pradesh received ₹674.83 crore, ₹366.02 crore, and ₹617.64 crore respectively, totaling ₹1,658.49 crore. Under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Tamil Nadu received ₹70.56 crore (2023-24), ₹109.45 crore (2024-25), and ₹121.49 crore (2025-26).
Implementation Mechanisms
The Post Matric and Pre-Matric Scholarship schemes are Centrally Sponsored Schemes where the Department releases the Central share through the central portal after respective States and Union Territories release their share. The National Overseas Scholarship Scheme operates through advance fund releases via Letter of Authorisation to Indian Missions, while the Top Class Education Scheme disburses funds directly to eligible students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The government emphasized that DBT into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts has streamlined payment processes and reduced delays. Regular reviews including capacity-building programs, technical handholding, national-level Chintan Shivirs, and workshops with States, Union Territories, and stakeholders are conducted to address disbursement delays.