Relevance: GS II (Social Justice, Education) | Source: The Hindu / PIB

1. The Human Context: Why the Change?

Inflation has eroded the value of money since 2013. Many SC families, despite being economically vulnerable, crossed the old income limit of ₹2.5 lakh, getting pushed out of the safety net.

• The Fix: To bring these students back, the Centre proposes raising the parental income ceiling to ₹4.50 lakh/year for Pre and Post-Matric scholarships.
• The Goal: To reverse the trend of declining beneficiaries (dropped from 51 lakh in 2014 to 47 lakh in 2024) and ensure higher education remains accessible.

2. The Scheme (Static Core)

• Structure: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (Cost shared 60:40 between Centre and State).
• Scope: It covers compulsory fees and provides an academic allowance.
• The “Dignity” Clause: For the Pre-Matric scheme, children of parents engaged in “unclean and hazardous occupations” (e.g., manual scavenging, tanning) are eligible regardless of income. There is no income cap for them.

UPSC Value Box

Q. With reference to the ‘Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students’, consider the following statements:

1. It is a Central Sector Scheme funded 100% by the Union Government.
2. For children of parents engaged in hazardous occupations, there is no income ceiling to avail the Pre-Matric scholarship.
3. The scheme is implemented under the aegis of the Ministry of Education.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b)