The Central Government is implementing the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) for Scheduled Castes and Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes & Others as Centrally Sponsored Schemes to promote educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste students across the country. The schemes are implemented through State Governments and Union Territory Administrations in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, ensuring timely, transparent and efficient disbursement of scholarship benefits to eligible students.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale shared these details in a written reply to Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary, Shri Tejasvi Sury, Shri Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor, Shri Pradeep Kumar Singh, Shri Bharatsinhji Shankarji Dabhi, Shri Yogender Chandolia, Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Shri Ramesh Awasthi, Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta, Shri Radheshyam Rathiya, Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap, Shri Janardan Mishra, Shri Naba Charan Majh, Shri Trivendra Singh Rawat, Shri Avimanyu Sethi, Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi and Shri Khagen Murmu. The House was informed that both scholarship schemes are open-ended and demand-driven, enabling all eligible students enrolled in recognised educational institutions across India to avail scholarship benefits. Annual Action Plans are received from States and Union Territories in accordance with the scheme guidelines.

The written reply further stated that the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme follows a funding pattern of 60:40 between the Centre and States and 90:10 for North-Eastern States, while the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme follows a 60:40 funding pattern, 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and 100 per cent Central funding for Union Territories without legislatures.

The House was also informed that the Government has introduced several reforms to enhance transparency, accountability and continuous monitoring of the scholarship schemes. Through Aadhaar-enabled Direct Benefit Transfer, scholarship amounts are credited directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts, eliminating leakages, ensuring accurate targeting and enabling faster flow of funds. Applications are processed through designated State Scholarship Portals and the National Scholarship Portal, while verification and approval are undertaken by the respective State Governments and Union Territories as per the scheme guidelines.

According to the data shared in Parliament, during 2025-26, the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme benefited 47,53,420 students across the country, while the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme benefited 26,79,049 students, reaffirming the Government's continued commitment towards expanding educational opportunities for Scheduled Caste students.
The reply further provided district-wise information for Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka), Dahod (Gujarat) and Shimla (Himachal Pradesh).

Between 2022-23 and 2025-26, the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme covered 29,184 beneficiaries with Central Assistance amounting to ₹35.91 crore, while the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme covered 34,184 beneficiaries with Central Assistance of ₹8.15 crore across these districts.

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