As Bharat advances towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, our department remains dedicated in its commitment towards empowering the last mile by ensuring access to quality education and enabling the Nation’s Youth through inclusive and impactful scholarship support.
Demonstrating its firm commitment towards educational empowerment and social inclusion, the Department has earmarked an estimated budget of Rs. 1300 crore for the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBCs, EBCs and DNTs for the year 2026–27. Over the last five years, the scholarship scheme has benefited more than 107 lakh students, with a total fund release of over Rs. 5,350 crores, reflecting its sustained focus on supporting eligible students across the country.
In line with the vision of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment to build an inclusive society where disadvantaged and vulnerable communities can lead productive, safe, and dignified lives, several transformative initiatives have been undertaken to strengthen educational and social empowerment.
These efforts are focused not merely on scheme implementation, but on building trust, awareness, and accessibility among vulnerable communities.
However, as highlighted in the Impact Assessment Report by NITI Aayog, awareness of welfare schemes at the grassroots level continues to remain a challenge, even in the digital era. Recognising this critical gap, the Department has adopted innovative outreach strategies to ensure that the benefits of scholarship and welfare schemes effectively reach the last mile.
The transformative impact of the Department’s scholarship initiatives is reflected in the journey of Mahesh Appaiya Nandi Kolmat, a fourth-year BBA student at Alva’s College (Autonomous), Sundari Ananda Alva Campus, Moodubidire, Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka. Sharing his experience, he said that the Post-Matric Scholarship has greatly helped him in paying his hostel and college fees, enabling him to continue his studies without financial burden.
“The Department is using data and accountability to build an inclusive welfare ecosystem. Through transparent governance, grass-roots implementation, and community outreach, it aims to turn scholarships into tools for social inclusion, ensuring all young people can achieve their goals and contribute to the nation.”
Another inspiring example of the Department’s inclusive educational outreach is the story of Sakshi Thakur, a Class 12 student studying at Government Senior Secondary School, Khalag, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Sharing her experience, she said that she received an amount of Rs. 5,000 under the PM-YASASVI Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, which greatly supported her studies. She expressed her gratitude to the Government of India for the valuable assistance provided through the scholarship.
In order to further strengthen the effectiveness, efficiency and outreach of the Post MatricScholarship, the Department periodically undertakes a comprehensive impact assessment of the schemes in collaboration with NITI Aayog and independent third-party agencies. The assessment aims to evaluate the on-ground implementation of the schemes, identify existing gaps and operational challenges, and understand the experiences of beneficiaries at the grassroots level. The findings of this exercise support policy makers and the officials in enhancing transparency, improving service delivery mechanisms, refining outreach strategies, and ensuring that the benefits of the schemes reach every deserving student efficiently.
This evidence-based approach reflects the Department’s commitment towards continuous improvement, accountability, and building a more inclusive and responsive welfare ecosystem. The continued efforts of officials at every level from policy formulation to grassroots implementation reflect a collective effort to transform scholarships into effective instruments of educational empowerment and social inclusion. Through sustained outreach, transparent governance, and citizen-centric implementation, the Department aims to create a future where every young individual, irrespective of background, has the opportunity to realise their aspirations and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s progress.
(The author Secretary, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India . Press Information Bureau-PIB Srinagar has mailed this article to “Kashmir Horizon” for publication in this newspaper. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
