Minority Scholarship Schemes Await EFC Approval for Revival
The Ministry of Minority Affairs has stated that its key scholarship schemes for minority students—Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means—were not formally discontinued but were not approved for continuation beyond 2021–22. This pause followed the detection of irregularities and alleged embezzlement of funds flagged by the National Scholarships Portal. Based on these alerts, the Ministry requested investigations by the concerned agencies and directed States and Union Territories to verify suspicious institutions and take strict action against those found guilty.
Responding to questions in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry clarified that the Government intends to revive these scholarships. The process of securing Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) approval for their implementation in the upcoming 16th Finance Commission cycle is currently underway. Once sanctioned, the schemes are expected to resume with stronger safeguards, enhanced transparency, and improved monitoring mechanisms to ensure that genuine students from minority communities receive timely and rightful support.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †606
ANSWERED ON 03/12/2025
SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES FOR STUDENTS BELONGING TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES
606. SHRI AMRA RAM:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the year from which the scholarship for the students belonging to minority community has been discontinued along with the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government proposes to restore it from this year; and
(c) if so, the time by which it is likely to be restored and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) : Ministry of Minority Affairs has implemented Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Schemes for the 6 notified religious minority communities.
Considering the alleged embezzlement of funds under the Scholarship Schemes, the Ministry, on the basis of red flags generated by National Scholarships Portal, requested investigating agency and States/UTs for verification of suspicious institutions and to take punitive action against the defaulters. The schemes as such have not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22.
& (c) : The Ministry is in the process of seeking EFC approval on the scholarship schemes for 16th Finance Commission cycle.
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