Scholarship schemes

General Studies Paper 2

Context:

Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted the funds spent on the scholarship schemes by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

About

• In the first nine months of the financial year 2022-23, the Ministry was able to spend only 1% of its allocation for a pre-matric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste students.
• And less than half the amount allocated for a post-matric scholarship scheme for SC students.
• Under the PM-YASASVI scheme the Government spentjust a little over 2% out of the total budget allocation for the scheme.
• Government’s Response:Earlier, the scheme was split into two — one for SC students and one for children of those engaged in hazardous occupations. It was merged into one and implemented as such from 2022-23.
  • Under the new system, the Centre sends its60% share of the funds through a Direct Benefit Transfer to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the beneficiary, but only after the concerned State government releases its 40% share of the funds.

Pre-matric scholarship scheme

• Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class IX and X) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2006 and implemented through respective State/UT administrations.
• It is an open-ended Scheme covering all ST students studying in Std. IXth & Xth, whose parental annual income is up to  2.50 lakhs.
• The contribution from the Government of India is 75%and the state contribution is 25%. 
• In respect of North East states and hilly states, the contribution from Government of India is 90% and the state contribution is 10%. 
• In case of UTs like Andaman & Nicobar without Legislative Assembly and own grants, Govt. of India’s contribution is 100%.

Post matric scholarship scheme

• Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class XI and above) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through respective Ste/UT administrations.
• This is an open-ended Scheme covering all ST students studying in in class XI and above, whose parental annual income is up to Rs. 50 lakhs.
• The contribution from the Government of India is 75% and the state contribution is 25%. 
• In respect of North East states and hilly states,the contribution from Government of India is 90% and the state contribution is 10%.
• In case of UTs like Andaman & Nicobar without Legislative Assembly and own grants, Govt. of India’s contribution is 100%.

PM-YASASVI scheme

• It is formulated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJ&E) and known as PM Young achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (YASASVI)for award of scholarships to Other Backward Class (OBC), Economically Backward Class (EBC) and Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes Denotified Tribe(DNT) students.
• The annual income of whose parents/guardian is not more than  2.5 lakhs, studying in identified Schools.
• The award of scholarships is at two levels:
  • For students who are studying in Class IX.
  • For students who are studying in Class XI.
• Selection of candidates for award of Scholarships under the Scheme is through a written test known as Yasasvi Entrance Test (YET)conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).

About National Testing Agency (NTA)

• MSJ&E, Government of India (GoI) has established the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an independent, autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organization under the Societies Registration Act (1860).
• It is established for conducting efficient, transparent and international standardized tests in order to assess the competency of candidates for admission to premier Higher Educational Institutions(HEI).