Post-Matric Scholarship for ST: 5 lakh fewer beneficiaries even as govt spends more

The number of Scheduled Tribe (ST) students availing Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) has declined over the past four years, even as the budget allocation has steadily increased, the government data revealed. A total of 18.163 lakh scholarships were disbursed last year, a decrease of about five lakh beneficiaries in four years.

Minister of state for tribal affairs Durgada Uikey said that the data on the number of beneficiaries for academic year 2023-24 and 2024-25 is not complete and yet to be received from states. Therefore, the number of beneficiaries is likely to increase, he said.

The post-matric scholarship scheme is a centrally-sponsored scheme for ST students pursuing studies from Class 11 to postgraduate courses.

MP of Rajya Sabha Ryaga Krishnaiah asked the tribal minister whether the number of beneficiaries has stagnated in the last few years.

Answering the question, Uikey said: “In some states and in the case of professional courses like medicine and engineering, the Academic Year starts very late due to delay in conduct of exams and consequent delay in admissions. Therefore, the disbursement of scholarship pertaining to an Academic Year may be accounted for in the next Financial Year.”

The financial year in India starts from April 1 of the current year and ends on March 31 in the following year. Whereas the academic year starts from July and ends in June the next year.

“The data on the number of beneficiaries is captured on the basis of disbursal of scholarships. As such, there may be a difference in the number of beneficiaries from year to year,” he added.

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PM Scholarship for ST: Number of beneficiaries

The number of beneficiaries under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST students during the last five academic years. The number of beneficiaries in the last two academic years may defer since some states (numbers not specified) have not shared the “complete data”, the government said.

Budget allocation for PMS for ST in last 5 years

The budget allocation for PM Scholarship has steadily increased in the last five years, with Rs 2668.83 crore allocated in 2023-24.

Steps taken by Centre to increase beneficiaries

To address the concerns over the stagnant beneficiaries, the government has taken up several initiatives. The minister said states and Union Territories (UTs) publicise the PM Scholarship for ST students through newspaper advertisements in local languages and websites. The awareness programme is organised by the schools and colleges.

The ministry is also implementing a flagship scheme — Dharti Abha Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA) — for the overall development of tribal communities across the country, he said. The states and UTs are also organising IEC ((Information, Education, and Communication) campaigns in tribal areas.