Social justice ministry spends Rs 2,042 crore on educational schemes in FY-26

Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has disbursed over Rs 2,000 crore on various educational schemes for OBCs, EBCs, and DNTs students in the Financial Year 2025-26, an official statement said on Wednesday.

Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has disbursed over Rs 2,000 crore on various educational schemes for OBCs, EBCs, and DNTs students in the Financial Year 2025-26, an official statement said on Wednesday. Union Minister Virendra Kumar said these interventions seek to improve access to quality education and support academic progression among students from these communities. ''As part of its continuing efforts towards educational empowerment, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a range of schemes for students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), and De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs),'' the ministry said in a statement. ''During the financial year 2025-2026, an amount of Rs 2042.08 crore has been disbursed under these initiatives,'' it said. According to the ministry, the expenditure under OBC welfare schemes increased by 36.96 per cent in FY 2025-26 over FY 2024-25. ''This reflects the sustained emphasis being placed on educational assistance and targeted welfare delivery for eligible beneficiaries,'' it said. The ministry said that scheme-wise, expenditure has increased by 59.13 per cent under the Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBCs, EBCs and DNTs; 27.18 per cent under the Post-Matric Scholarship; 154 per cent under Top Class Education in Schools for OBCs, EBCs and DNTs; and 105.80 per cent under Top Class Education in Colleges for OBCs, EBCs and DNTs, as compared to FY 2024-25. The increase in expenditure under these schemes reflects the Government of India's continued commitment to expanding educational opportunities for students from socially and educationally disadvantaged communities, it added.