The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing comprehensive welfare schemes for Scheduled Caste communities focused on educational advancement, socio-economic empowerment, livelihood promotion, and protection. During financial years 2021-22 to 2025-26, funds have been allocated for major initiatives including Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, National Fellowship for SC Students, National Overseas Scholarship, Top Class Education, Free Coaching, Pre-Matric Scholarship, Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), Scheme of Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA), Venture Capital Fund for SCs, and skill-development programmes.
Scheme implementation and fund utilization are coordinated with respective States and Union Territories, with fund releases contingent on receipt of complete proposals, submission of Utilisation Certificates, onboarding onto SNA-SPARSH where applicable, adherence to scheme guidelines, and compliance with prescribed financial norms.
To strengthen accountability and improve expenditure, the Ministry conducts regular internal reviews, third-party evaluations, and social audits to assess implementation effectiveness. Scholarship assistance is primarily disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer mode to enable faster, more transparent transfers directly to beneficiary bank accounts, supporting accurate targeting and reducing disbursement delays.
Monitoring occurs through national-level Chintan Shivirs, regional meetings, national conferences, and stakeholder consultations with state/UT officials. Monthly and quarterly expenditure targets are reviewed to identify implementation gaps and facilitate timely corrective measures. Awareness initiatives include advertisements in national/regional newspapers, social media campaigns, and regular follow-up with states/UTs to increase beneficiary awareness, improve proposal submission, and ensure timely fund utilization. These efforts aim to advance education, dignity, livelihood security, and socio-economic empowerment among SC communities through strengthened monitoring, digital fund-management systems, and direct benefit transfers.