₹7981 Crore Disbursed to 75 Lakh SC Beneficiaries in FY26; Welfare Spend Sees Double-Digit Growth
Union minister Dr Virendra Kumar (File photo)
Expenditure under the pre-matric scholarship scheme for SCs and others rose by 21%, while allocations under the post-matric scholarship scheme increased by 11.23%.
New Delhi: Union minister Virendra Kumar on Friday said the government remains committed to inclusive development and social justice through targeted welfare interventions, as spending under key schemes for scheduled castes continues to rise.
According to official data , the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment disbursed ₹7,981.47 crore in FY 2025–26, benefiting over 75 lakh scheduled caste (SC) beneficiaries through various educational and welfare schemes.
The department, which oversees initiatives for SCs, OBCs, senior citizens, transgender persons, sanitation workers, de-notified and nomadic tribes, and economically weaker sections, reported consistent growth across major scholarship programmes.
Expenditure under the pre-matric scholarship scheme for SCs and others rose by 21%, while allocations under the post-matric scholarship scheme increased by 11.23%. The central sector scholarship for top class education recorded a 13.5% increase, and the SHRESHTA scheme for residential education in targeted areas saw a 16% rise compared to FY 2024–25.
The minister said these interventions are aimed at strengthening educational access and long-term socio-economic mobility among marginalised communities, with a focus on expanding reach and improving outcomes.
The sustained increase in allocations signals a continued policy push towards inclusive growth through education-led empowerment of disadvantaged sections.
