Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Highlights Student Success Under Top Class Education Scheme
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has released a progress report on the Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students, demonstrating significant growth and impact since its inception in 2007-08. The scheme provides comprehensive educational coverage including tuition fees, living expenses, books, computers, and other academic requirements for meritorious Scheduled Caste students with annual family income up to ₹8 lakh, enabling access to quality higher education in premier institutions.
Scheme Growth and Financials
The program has expanded substantially from supporting 195 students with ₹2.17 crore expenditure in 2007-08 to 4,742 students with ₹117.19 crore expenditure in 2025-26. Students are pursuing education in premier institutions including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Law Universities (NLUs), National Institute of Design (NID), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and other institutions of national importance.
Success Stories and Placements
The report highlights several individual success stories demonstrating the scheme's impact across various sectors. Mr. Amul Shaturia from IIIT Allahabad, son of a school bus conductor, secured placement in a leading technology company with an annual package of ₹56 lakh. Ms. Sushmitha Pothuraju from IIIT Allahabad secured placement at Amazon with an annual package of ₹45 lakh. Ms. Thamballa Sindhu from IIT Palakkad, from a rural background, was selected as a Graduate Engineer Trainee at Larsen & Turbo Construction. Mr. Nalan S from IIT Palakkad, a first-generation student, secured placement at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence.
Diverse Professional Achievements
The scheme supports students across multiple disciplines beyond engineering. Ms. Boggiti Shiny Jasper completed her PGDM at the Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru and secured placement in the corporate sector. Mr. Rishabh Bhaskar Lade pursued B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) at Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai and secured placement as Assistant Legal Manager at IDBI Bank. Ms. Vartika Sonkar from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad established herself as a professional jewellery designer. Mr. Chintala Sanjay from NIT Raipur demonstrated academic excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications, including healthcare technologies research.
Scheme Objectives and Impact
The Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students aims to ensure greater access to quality higher education, nurture a new generation of professionals, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who contribute to India's growth and development. The scheme is creating pathways to outstanding professional outcomes across technology, engineering, law, management, design, research, and entrepreneurship sectors, while fostering a culture of aspiration, confidence, and achievement among marginalized communities.