Sudhansh Pant
Enabling Talent, Expanding Opportunities, Building The Nation: Across India, talented young students are translating aspirations into achievement through the Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students. By expanding access to quality education in premier institutions, the scheme is nurturing a new generation of professionals, innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders who are contributing to India’s growth and development. Implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Top Class Education Scheme for SCs seeks to ensure that meritorious students having annual family income upto 8 Lakhs have a greater access to quality higher education in institutions of national importance and other premier institutions. The scheme provides a comprehensive educational coverage towards tuition fees, living expenses, books, computers and other academic requirements, enabling students to pursue excellence with confidence and focus. Over the years, the scheme has emerged as a significant instrument for educational empowerment, creating opportunities for students to excel across diverse disciplines and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.
A Growing Footprint Of Educational Empowerment: The impact of the scheme has expanded steadily since its inception in 2007-08. The number of students supported under the Scheme has increased from 195 in 2007-08 to 4,742 in 2025-26. During the same period, annual expenditure under the Scheme has risen from ₹2.17 crore to ₹117.19 crore. Today, students supported under the scheme are pursuing higher education in premier institutions including the Indian Institutes of Technology(IITs),National Institutes of Technology(NITs),Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), National Law Universities (NLUs),National Institute of Design(NID),leading management institutions like Indian Institutes of Management(IIMs) and other institutions of national importance. The scheme is not only facilitating access to quality education but is also enabling students to acquire advanced skills, pursue research, embrace innovation and prepare for leadership roles in emerging sectors of the economy.
Creating Excellence In Technology, Innovation: The technology sector offers some of the most dynamic opportunities in the modern economy, and students supported under the Scheme are making their mark in this field. Thousands of students have been benefitted by the scheme, some of the success stories are illustrated below:-
Amul Shaturia pursued B.Tech. In Information Technology at IIIT Allahabad with support under the scheme. The opportunities available through quality education, technical projects and skill development enabled him to strengthen his professional capabilities and secure placement in a leading technology company with an annual package of ₹56lakh.Eventhough,he is a son of a school bus conductor of poorer financial background, his achievementreflectshowthe scheme is enabling talented students to compete successfully in highly competitive technology-driven sectors. Similarly, Sushmitha Pothuraju utilized opportunities in academics, coding activities, internships and leadership engagements during her studies at IIIT Allahabad. Her placement at Amazon with an annual package of ₹45 lakh demonstrates the growing presence of women scholars in advanced technology careers and highlights the role of the Scheme in fostering excellence and professional achievement.
These success stories illustrate how educational opportunity, combined with determination and talent, can create pathways to outstanding professional outcomes.
“Scholars supported under the Scheme are advancing India’s innovation-driven sectors and knowledge ecosystem through research in emerging technologies. Notably, Chintala Sanjay has demonstrated academic excellence by applying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to healthcare technologies, reflecting the program’s success in strengthening the country’s research capacity.”
Strengthening Participation In Nation-Building Sectors: The impact of the scheme is equally visible in sectors that are critical to India’s development journey. Thamballa Sindhu, a Civil Engineering student at IIT Palakkad, who comes from rural background, utilised the opportunities available through the Scheme to pursue professional education and industry-oriented learning. She was subsequently selected as a Graduate Engineer Trainee at Larsen & Turbo Construction, one of India’s leading infrastructure and engineering organizations. Likewise, Nalan S, an Electrical Engineering graduate from IIT Palakkad, a first-generation student of his community, secured placement at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence. His achievement demonstrates how the scheme is helping prepare highly skilled professionals who contribute to strategic sectors and technological advancement.
Such achievements highlight the scheme’s contribution in creating a skilled workforce capable of supporting India’s infrastructure, manufacturing, defence and technological aspirations.
Enabling Success Across Diverse Professional Fields: The reach of the Scheme extends far beyond engineering and technology. Boggiti Shiny Jasper completed her PGDM at the Indian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru. The opportunities created through the scheme enabled her to focus on academics, internships and professional development, leading to successful placement in the corporate sector. Her journey highlights the scheme’s role in facilitating professional advancement and creating opportunities for future leadership even to girl students. In the field of legal education, Rishabh Bhaskar Lade pursued the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme at Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai. Following the successful completion of his studies, he secured placement as Assistant Legal Manager at IDBI Bank. His achievement reflects how the Scheme is enabling talented students to build successful careers in law, banking and governance. These examples demonstrate the scheme’s ability to support excellence across diverse disciplines and create pathways to rewarding professional careers.
Fostering Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Research: The scheme is also encouraging students to pursue innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. Vartika Sonkar, a student of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, utilised the opportunities created through the Scheme to develop her design expertise and creative capabilities. Today, she has established herself as a professional jewellery designer and has worked with reputed organisations in the industry. Her journey highlights how the Scheme supports talent in creative sectors and encourages students to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions. In the field of research and innovation, scholars supported under the Scheme are contributing to emerging areas of knowledge and technology. Chintala Sanjay has demonstrated academic excellence through his work in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning applications, including research relating to healthcare technologies. Such accomplishments reflect the growing contribution Of students supported under the Scheme to innovation-driven sectors. Many scholars are also pursuing advanced academic and research aspirations, contributing to India’s knowledge ecosystem and strengthening the country’s innovation capacity.
(The author is 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”)
