‘Rs 19.93 cr released for SC scholarships in J&K in three years’

Srinagar, Aug 12: Jammu and Kashmir received a total of Rs 15.22 crore in Central assistance under two State-wise Scheduled Caste scholarship schemes during the last three financial years, from 2023-24 to 2025-26, the Centre informed the Lok Sabha.
The information was provided by Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar in reply to Starred Question No. 332, raised by Raja A, regarding scholarships for Scheduled Caste students.
According to the data, J&K received Rs 12.96 crore under the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students during the three-year period. The Central assistance stood at Rs 4.68 crore in 2023-24, Rs 4.09 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 4.19 crore in 2025-26.
Under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and Others, J&K received another Rs 2.26 crore, including Rs 0.54 crore in 2023-24, Rs 0.82 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 0.90 crore in 2025-26.
The combined Central assistance under these two State-wise schemes therefore stood at Rs 15.22 crore for Jammu and Kashmir over the three years.
At the national level, the Centre said a total of Rs 19,216.46 crore was disbursed during the last three financial years towards various scholarship schemes for Scheduled Castes. The amount included Rs 6,094.48 crore in 2023-24, Rs 6,200.59 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 6,921.39 crore in 2025-26.
Of the total national disbursement, the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme accounted for Rs 17,224.63 crore, while Rs 1,469.92 crore was released under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SCs and Others. The Top Class Education Scheme received Rs 304.29 crore and the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for SC and other eligible candidates received Rs 217.62 crore.
The government said the Post-Matric and Pre-Matric scholarship schemes are Centrally Sponsored Schemes, under which the Department releases the Central share through the central portal after the respective States and Union Territories release their share.
The National Overseas Scholarship and Top Class Education Scheme are Central Sector Schemes. Under the National Overseas Scholarship, funds are released in advance through Letters of Authorisation to Indian Missions, while funds under the Top Class Education Scheme are released directly to eligible students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
On delays in scholarship disbursement, the Ministry said it reviews the schemes regularly and takes up issues through capacity-building programmes, technical handholding, national-level Chintan Shivirs and workshops involving States, UTs and other stakeholders.
The government further said that DBT into Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts of beneficiaries has streamlined the payment process and reduced delays. (KNO)