Rules for SC/ST Scholarships May Change; Income Limit Likely to Rise

A major change could be in store for the post-matric scholarship scheme for SC and ST students. The annual parental income limit used to determine eligibility under this scheme has remained unchanged for over a decade.

Significant changes are being considered regarding the post-matric scholarship provided to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students across the country. The annual parental income limit for eligibility under this scheme has not been revised for more than ten years. The government is now contemplating raising this limit. According to an official from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, there is a proposal to increase the annual income limit to ₹4.5 lakh. Under the current system, the maximum annual parental income limit for SC and ST students to qualify for the post-matric scholarship is ₹2.5 lakh. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs last revised this limit in 2013, raising it from ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh.

The scholarship scheme’s guidelines mandate a review of the income limit every two years. Despite this, there has been no change since 2013. Various organizations working for SC/ST communities and other marginalized sections have urged the government to raise the income limit. These organizations argue that the lack of revision over such a long period could result in a large number of deserving students being excluded from the scheme’s coverage.

Comparison with EWS Income Limit

Organizations such as the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers, the National Confederation of Dalit Organizations, and the National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights have raised questions by drawing a comparison between the SC/ST scholarship income limit and the income limit for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category. Nag Sen Sonare, President of BANAE, states that the income limit for scholarships should be revised periodically, taking into account inflation and the Consumer Price Index. According to him, the limit should have been amended approximately six times over the past 11 years. Sonare has demanded that the annual income limit for the post-matric scholarship for SC/ST students be raised to at least ₹12 lakh so that a larger number of students can benefit from the scheme.

Organizations Raise Various Concerns

Ashok Bharti, President of NACDOR, has alleged that the government is applying different income criteria to identify poor students from the economically weaker sections of the general category versus those from the SC/ST categories. He argues that there should be a uniform system for determining income limits for poor students. Meanwhile, Beena J. Pallikal, Secretary of NCDHR, questioned the delay in revising the income limit. She noted that several organizations have submitted memoranda to the government urging an increase in the limit to ₹8 lakh, yet no decision has been reached so far.

Changes Likely from 2026-27

Following persistent demands, there are now indications that the government is preparing to raise the income limit. According to an official from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, there is a proposal to increase the income limit for the SC/ST post-matric scholarship from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh. Plans are reportedly in place to implement this change starting from the 2026-27 academic session. However, approval from the Union Cabinet will be required to finalize this proposal.