The decision is expected to help students from these communities pursue higher education with better financial and institutional support, officials said.
The PM VIKAS scheme has seen a sharp cut from Rs 517 crore last year to Rs 303 crore, which will weaken the socio-economic and skill-based empowerment of minorities, SIO said.
The minister proposed reducing the TCS rate on alcoholic liquor, scrap, minerals, and tendu leaves to 2 per cent while presenting the Union Budget 2026–27 in the Lok Sabha.
The high-powered 'Education to Employment' committee would propose measures for upskilling and re-skilling of engineers in AI and emerging technologies.