The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has reaffirmed that Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Tribal Scholarships will continue to remain open to all eligible Scheduled Tribe students from Class Nine to postgraduate level. The ministry clarified that both schemes are open-ended in nature, meaning there is no cap on the number of beneficiaries, provided all eligibility conditions are met. The annual family income limit has been fixed at ₹2.5 lakh. The clarification comes as a significant reassurance for tribal households where education beyond the elementary level often becomes vulnerable due to financial constraints. The ministry stated that these centrally sponsored schemes remain one of the most important pillars of educational support for Scheduled Tribe students across States and Union Territories.
Central Tribal Scholarship Schemes for ST Students
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is currently implementing five major scholarship and fellowship schemes for Scheduled Tribe students. These schemes collectively cover school education, higher education, research and overseas studies.
The active schemes include:
- Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class Nine and Ten)
- Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (Class Eleven and above)
- National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students
- National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class)
- National Overseas Scholarship for ST students
Each scheme is designed to address a specific stage of academic progression, ensuring continuous financial support from secondary education to advanced research and international study programmes.
No Cap on Beneficiaries, Open for All Eligible Students
The ministry reiterated that there is no numerical ceiling on the number of students who can receive benefits under the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric schemes. Any Scheduled Tribe student who satisfies the income and academic eligibility conditions is entitled to apply, irrespective of region or course of study. These scholarships cover a wide range of academic disciplines, including general education, professional courses, technical programmes and skill-based studies. Officials noted that the open-ended structure of the schemes ensures that financial assistance reaches every deserving tribal student, without exclusion due to budget-linked caps.
Role of State and UT Governments in Scholarship Distribution
While the schemes are sponsored by the Central Government, the entire operational process is carried out by the respective State and Union Territory governments. This includes:
- Inviting applications from eligible students
- Verifying documents and eligibility
- Approving scholarship beneficiaries
- Releasing scholarship amounts to students’ accounts
The exact application procedure may vary from state to state, but the responsibility of identifying beneficiaries and ensuring timely payments lies fully with the State and UT administrations.
How Central Funds Are Released to States?
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs releases its share of scholarship funds only after detailed scrutiny of annual proposals submitted by the States and Union Territories. These proposals include:
- Total number of students covered
- Amount of money already disbursed
- Utilisation certificates
- Physical and financial progress reports
Officials examine both the financial expenditure and on-ground implementation before approving the next instalment of central assistance. This monitoring mechanism is intended to link fund release with actual performance and to prevent delays or misuse of allocated resources.
Why These Scholarships Matter for Tribal Education?
For many Scheduled Tribe families, particularly in remote and economically weaker regions, the cost of secondary and higher education remains a major barrier. The ministry observed that dropout rates tend to rise sharply after Class Eight, largely due to financial stress. The continuation of these open-ended schemes is expected to:
- Reduce dropout rates after middle school
- Improve enrolment in higher secondary and college education
- Support meritorious students pursuing professional degrees
- Strengthen representation of ST students in higher education and research
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