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From FY 2014-15 to 2025-26, Centre released Rs 4,893.03 crore under Pre-Matric SC scholarships and Rs 46,581.54 crore under Post-Matric scholarships. In 2025-26 alone, 26.79 lakh and 47.53 lakh students respectively benefited. DBT, Aadhaar, e-KYC and database integration now anchor delivery.
WHY IN NEWS
On 14 September 2026, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment released updated scholarship-finance and beneficiary data while highlighting digital reforms designed to improve authentication, de-duplication and direct transfer.
TOP DATA & FACTS
- Pre-Matric central assistance during FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26 totalled Rs 4,893.03 crore.
- Reported annual Pre-Matric beneficiary figures over the period totalled about 299.66 lakh.
- In FY 2025-26, Rs 562.36 crore was released under Pre-Matric scholarships.
- Pre-Matric scholarships benefited 26.79 lakh students in FY 2025-26.
- Post-Matric central assistance during FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26 totalled Rs 46,581.54 crore.
- Reported annual Post-Matric beneficiary figures over the period totalled 612.98 lakh.
- In FY 2025-26, Post-Matric central assistance was Rs 6,186.95 crore.
- Post-Matric scholarships benefited 47.53 lakh students in FY 2025-26.
- From FY 2021-22, the Post-Matric scheme shifted to a DBT-enabled framework.
- Transfers use Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts, with biometric authentication and e-KYC among verification measures.
- DigiLocker and API SETU support digital verification of certificates and documents.
- One-Time Registration and linkages with AISHE, UDISE, NCVT, SCVT, UIDAI, NPCI and PFMS support validation and fund flow.
PRELIMS
- Pre-Matric central assistance during FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26 totalled Rs 4,893.03 crore.
- Reported annual Pre-Matric beneficiary figures over the period totalled about 299.66 lakh.
- In FY 2025-26, Rs 562.36 crore was released under Pre-Matric scholarships.
- Pre-Matric scholarships benefited 26.79 lakh students in FY 2025-26.
- Post-Matric central assistance during FY 2014-15 to FY 2025-26 totalled Rs 46,581.54 crore.
- Reported annual Post-Matric beneficiary figures over the period totalled 612.98 lakh.
- In FY 2025-26, Post-Matric central assistance was Rs 6,186.95 crore.
- Post-Matric scholarships benefited 47.53 lakh students in FY 2025-26.
QUICK REVISION
- Authority/theme: Social Issues / Governance.