From the year 2021-22, it has been decided to provide scholarship to students only from class 9 and 10 under Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme for OBCs. Under the scheme of Pre-Matric scholarships to Scheduled Castes (SC) and others, Pre-Matric scholarship is being provided only to class 9 and 10 students since the launch of the scheme in 2012-13.

For the Pre-Matric Scholarship to SC, with effect from 2022-23, the Central Share is directly released to the Bank Account of beneficiaries through DBT mode after the States release their share of the amount to the students. Central share for 2022-23 under pre- matric scholarship for SC will be released only after receiving the verified data from the respective State Govt./UTs. Pre-Matric OBC Scheme is being implemented through the respective State Governments/ UTs. Every financial year, funds are allocated to all States/UTs from the overall annual outlay of the Scheme.

The enrolment of class I to VIII in Government schools has increased in the last 3 (Three) years by about 1 (One) crore. Further, to incentivize children from these communities to attend school, the Government is providing free education, free uniform, free meal etc. under different programmes/ schemes like Samagrha Shiksha Abhiyan, PM Poshan, etc.

Earlier the students from Economically Weaker sections were not provided Pre-Matric scholarship but in the revised scheme they are also being considered for Pre-Matric scholarship for classes IX and X.

Under the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, the Government is committed to provide free and compulsory elementary education (Classes I to VIII) to each and every child. Under the centrally sponsored scheme- Samagra Shiksha, financial assistance is provided to States and UTs for undertaking various activities for universalization of education, including opening/strengthening of new schools upto senior secondary level, construction of school buildings & additional classrooms, setting up and running of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Avasiya Vidyalayas, provision of free uniforms, free text books to the eligible students at elementary level, transport allowance and undertaking enrolment & retention drives. Further, special training for age appropriate admission of out of school children and residential as well as non-residential training for older children, seasonal hostels / residential camps, special training centers at worksites, are also supported to bring out of school children to the formal schooling system. There is also increase in the enrolment of students in class I to VIII in the last 3 (Three) years by about 1 (One) crore.

From the year 2022-23, pre-matric scholarship scheme is available for students only in Class 9 and 10.

This information was given by Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

***** 

      MG/DP/MPW