SRINAGAR: As many as 55,778 beneficiaries in the Union Territory of Ladakh received scholarships worth Rs 123.87 crore under five education support schemes of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs during the last six years, according to data placed before the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey said the ministry implements five scholarship schemes for Scheduled Tribe students, covering education from Classes IX and X to postgraduate studies, research and overseas higher education.
The figures show that the largest share of support went to students pursuing post-matriculation education. The Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students benefited 47,183 students, with Rs 103.93 crore released during 2020-21 to 2025-26.
The Pre-Matric Scholarship, for students of Classes IX and X, covered another 7,991 beneficiaries, with Rs 2.57 crore released during the six-year period.
Under the National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST students (Top Class), 351 beneficiaries received Rs 4.94 crore between 2021-22 and 2025-26. The National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students (NFST) supported 250 beneficiaries, with Rs 12.38 crore released during the same period.
The National Overseas Scholarship for ST students had three beneficiaries from Ladakh during the five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26, with Rs 4.77 lakh released for them.
The ministry clarified that the beneficiary figures include both fresh and renewal students.
The Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships are Centrally Sponsored Schemes implemented through the respective States and Union Territories. They are open-ended schemes, meaning all eligible students can receive scholarships without a ceiling on the number of selections. Eligibility extends from Class IX to postgraduate courses for students whose annual parental income does not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh.
The responsibility for inviting applications, verifying and selecting beneficiaries and disbursing the scholarship rests primarily with the respective States and UTs. The Centre releases its share of funds after examining proposals and requisite documentation, while the UT administrations transfer the scholarship amounts directly into eligible students’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer.
The Top Class Scholarship, National Fellowship and National Overseas Scholarship are Central Sector Schemes implemented directly by the Union Government. The ministry said there is no state-wise allocation under these schemes.
Under the National Fellowship and Top Class Scholarship, funds are released directly to students or institutions through DBT. The overseas scholarship is implemented through the Ministry of External Affairs, with payments made through Indian embassies and subsequently reimbursed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The minister said no specific assessment had so far been conducted on the educational impact of these schemes in Ladakh.
Meanwhile, the appraisal and approval process for continuing the ministry’s education-related schemes during 2026-27 to 2030-31 is under way. A proposal to expand the scope of educational support has been included in the draft Expenditure Finance Commission note, though any enhancement will be subject to approval by the competent authority.
The ministry said it was also issuing advisories and instructions to States and UT administrations to create awareness about the schemes and ensure pan-India coverage of eligible tribal students, including those in Ladakh.
