New Delhi- In a recent session of the Lok Sabha, Dausa MP Murari Lal Meena raised critical questions regarding the scholarship schemes for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, highlighting the glaring discrepancies in income limits and inadequate stipends.
The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Virendra Kumar, provided a detailed written reply, but the response has sparked a heated debate over the government’s commitment to empowering marginalized students.
MP Murari Lal Meena sought clarity on several key issues affecting SC and ST students:
Income Limits: What is the current annual family income limit for SC/ST students to avail scholarships?
Scholarship Amounts: How does the government determine the amount of scholarships?
Review of Criteria: Has the government reviewed the scholarship criteria, and when was the last review conducted?
Increase in Income Ceiling: Does the government plan to raise the income limit for scholarships?
Inflation and Rising Costs: Is the government considering increasing scholarship amounts to account for inflation and the rising cost of education?
These questions have brought to light the struggles of marginalized students who are increasingly being excluded from these schemes due to outdated policies.
In his response, Minister Virendra Kumar provided detailed information on the scholarship schemes. The annual family income limit for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships is Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum for both SC and ST students. For the Top Class Education Scheme, the income limit is Rs. 8.00 lakh for SC students and Rs. 6.00 lakh for ST students. The National Overseas Scholarship has an income limit of Rs. 8.00 lakh for SC students and Rs. 6.00 lakh for ST students. The Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs has an income limit of Rs. 8.00 lakh, while there is no such scheme for STs. The National Fellowship Scheme has no income limit.
The scholarship amounts are fixed after consultations with State Governments, concerned Ministries, and Departments. The norms are approved by competent authorities such as the Standing Finance Committee (SFC), Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), and the Cabinet. The government periodically reviews the scholarship schemes, with the last revision in stipend amounts occurring in 2023-24. For instance, the Pre-Matric Scholarship for SCs was increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 7,000 for day scholars and from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 8,000 for hostellers. Similarly, the Post-Matric Scholarship for SCs saw an increase for hostellers in Group 1, who now receive Rs. 13,500, up from Rs. 12,000.
The Minister stated that the income limits and scholarship amounts are revised as per requirement, in consultation with stakeholders. However, no specific timeline or commitment was provided for increasing the income ceiling. While stipends have been revised in some categories, the Minister did not explicitly address the issue of inflation or provide a clear plan for further increases.
One of the most glaring issues is the unchanged annual family income limit of Rs. 2.50 lakh for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships since 2012. This limit is grossly inadequate in today’s economic context, excluding countless deserving students from economically weaker backgrounds. For instance, a family earning Rs. 2.51 lakh per annum is deemed ineligible, while one earning Rs. 2.49 lakh qualifies—a disparity that makes little sense in today’s economic reality.
The stipends provided under these schemes are equally inadequate. The Pre-Matric Scholarship offers a meager Rs. 7,000 per annum for day scholars and Rs. 8,000 for hostellers. Similarly, the Post-Matric Scholarship provides Rs. 13,500 per annum for hostellers in Group 1. These amounts are woefully insufficient to cover even basic educational expenses, let alone the rising costs of professional courses like medicine, engineering, and law. For example, a medical student incurs expenses far exceeding the stipends provided, forcing many to rely on loans or drop out altogether.
Another critical issue is the government’s failure to link scholarship amounts to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as calculated by the Labour Bureau in Shimla. This disconnect from inflation has rendered the stipends inadequate in meeting the actual costs of education.
While the Minister’s reply mentions periodic revisions, these adjustments are often nominal and fail to keep pace with the rising cost of living. For instance, the last revision in the Pre-Matric Scholarship stipend was in 2021-22, when it was increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 7,000 for day scholars. However, this amount remains insufficient given the current economic realities.
The government’s scholarship schemes for SC and ST students, while well-intentioned, are plagued by outdated income limits and inadequate stipends. The income ceiling of Rs. 2.50 lakh, unchanged since 2012, and the paltry stipends fail to address the rising cost of education and inflation. Stakeholders like Dr Baba Sahab Ambedkar National Association of Engineers (BANAE) have rightly demanded higher stipends and revised income ceilings to ensure that these schemes effectively support marginalized students.
Nagsen Sonare, National President of BANAE has been vocal in demanding reforms. He highlighted that prior to 1980, all SC/ST students applying for Post-Matric Scholarships were awarded scholarships, regardless of income limits. Sonare questioned why the current government is reluctant to adopt a similar inclusive approach. BANAE has put forward the following demands:
Increase the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) to Rs. 5,000 per month (Rs. 60,000 per annum).
Revise the income ceiling to reflect current economic realities.
Link stipends to inflation to ensure they keep pace with rising costs.
Revert to the pre-1980 policy of awarding scholarships to all SC/ST applicants, regardless of income limits.
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