New Delhi (thestates.news)| The Central Government is implementing the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) students with the objective of appreciably increasing the GROSS ENROLLMENT RATIO OF SC students in higher education, with a focus on students from the poorest households. The scheme provides financial assistance at the post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable eligible students to complete their education.
In a written reply to Shri Brij Lal, Smt. Laxmi Verma and Shri Ryaga Krishnaiah in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale stated that the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme is open-ended and demand-driven for eligible students studying in all recognized institutions across the country.
He stated that Annual Action Plans under the scheme are obtained from States and Union Territories, which are the implementing agencies. The release of the Central share is contingent upon States and UTs transmitting their State/UT share-paid, finally verified data on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for disbursement of the Central share.
Under the scheme, the scholarship is paid to students whose parents or guardians have an annual income from all sources not exceeding ₹2.5 lakh. The income eligibility criterion ensures that financial assistance is targeted towards eligible students requiring support to pursue and complete their post-matric and higher education.(s-pib)
