₹7,981 Crore Disbursed for SC Welfare: Centre
Minister Virendra Kumar highlights inclusive development push, rise in scholarship spending
- Virendra Kumar outlines welfare focus
- ₹7,981.47 crore disbursed to over 75 lakh SC beneficiaries
- Increase across major scholarship schemes in FY 2025–26
- ₹223 crore allocated for education-related initiatives
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 24th April: Union Minister Virendra Kumar on Friday said the government is committed to inclusive development and social justice through targeted welfare initiatives, highlighting increased spending on schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, ₹7,981.47 crore has been disbursed in the financial year 2025–26 to benefit over 75 lakh SC students and beneficiaries.
The department implements a range of schemes aimed at educational empowerment and social upliftment of marginalised groups, including SCs, OBCs, senior citizens, transgender persons, sanitation workers and other vulnerable sections.
Officials said expenditure under key SC welfare schemes has recorded steady growth. The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme saw a 21 per cent increase, while the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme registered an 11.23 per cent rise compared to the previous financial year.
Similarly, spending under the Central Sector Scholarship for Top Class Education for SC students increased by 13.5 per cent, and the SHRESHTA scheme for residential education in targeted areas recorded a 16 per cent rise.
The government also allocated ₹223 crore towards education-focused initiatives in the current financial year.
The minister said the initiatives are aimed at expanding access to education, improving socio-economic conditions and ensuring equitable opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
