Centre mulls raising parental income cap for SC, ST post-matric scholarship to Rs 4.5 lakh

A big change is likely in the post-matric scholarship given to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students across the country. Eligibility for the scheme depends on a cap on parents' annual income, and that cap has remained unchanged for more than ten years. The government is now considering raising it.

At present, the upper limit on parents' annual income for the post-matric scholarship for SC and ST students is Rs 2.5 lakh. According to an official of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, there is a proposal to raise it to Rs 4.5 lakh a year.

The limit was last revised in 2013, when the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs raised it from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh. Under the scheme's guidelines, the income limit was to be reviewed every two years, but there has been no increase since 2013.

Because the limit has not been raised, many needy students are being denied the benefit of the scheme. Citing this, various Dalit organisations and an engineers' association have demanded that the limit be raised.

Pointing to inflation and the Consumer Price Index, BANAE president Nagsen Sonare has demanded that the limit be raised to at least Rs 12 lakh. Several organisations have also sought a limit of Rs 8 lakh.

Following these continuing demands, it is proposed that the income limit be raised from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh from the 2026-27 session. However, the proposal will need the approval of the Union Cabinet before it is finalised. Until that approval comes, it remains only a proposal.