Proposed Increase in Income Limit for SC/ST Post-Matric Scholarship

The post-matric scholarship scheme for SC and ST students may see a significant change as the government considers raising the annual parental income limit from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh. This proposal comes after a decade without adjustments, with advocacy groups pushing for even higher limits to ensure more students can benefit. The changes could be implemented in the 2026-27 academic year, pending approval from the Union Cabinet. This article explores the implications of these potential changes and the ongoing discussions surrounding them.

By Ambika Singh Oct 3, 2026, 20:23 IST

Potential Changes to the Scholarship Scheme

A significant update may be on the horizon for the post-matric scholarship program aimed at Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. The annual parental income threshold that determines eligibility has not been adjusted in over ten years.

Current Income Limit and Proposed Changes

The government is currently evaluating a proposal to increase the annual income limit for eligibility from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh. This limit was last modified in 2013, when it was raised from ₹2 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Guidelines for the scholarship scheme stipulate that the income limit should be reviewed every two years; however, no adjustments have been made since 2013. Advocacy groups representing SC/ST communities have urged the government to revise this limit, emphasizing that the prolonged stagnation could exclude many deserving students from receiving support.

Comparison with EWS Income Limit

Organizations like the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Association of Engineers and the National Confederation of Dalit Organizations have highlighted discrepancies between the income limits for SC/ST scholarships and those for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS).

Nag Sen Sonare, President of BANAE, argues that the income limit should be adjusted regularly to reflect inflation and the Consumer Price Index, suggesting it should have been revised multiple times in the last decade. He advocates for an increase to at least ₹12 lakh to broaden the scheme's reach.

Concerns Raised by Advocacy Groups

Ashok Bharti, President of NACDOR, has criticized the government for applying different income criteria for economically disadvantaged students in the general category compared to those in SC/ST categories. He calls for a standardized approach to income assessment.

Beena J. Pallikal, Secretary of NCDHR, has expressed frustration over the delay in updating the income limit, noting that various organizations have submitted requests to raise it to ₹8 lakh, yet no action has been taken.

Implementation Timeline

In light of ongoing advocacy, there are signs that the government may soon increase the income limit. An official from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has indicated that the proposal to raise the limit to ₹4.5 lakh could be implemented starting in the 2026-27 academic year, pending approval from the Union Cabinet.