
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday requesting to increase the annual family income ceiling for post-matric and pre-matric scholarships for SC, ST and OBC students from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹8 lakh.
In his letter, Mr. Stalin said at present, the income ceiling for eligibility for the scholarship for SC/ST/OBC students was ₹2.5 lakh but the Government of India has revised the income ceiling for the economically weaker section (EWS) to ₹8 lakh and has also raised the income ceiling for schemes such as National Overseas Scholarship and Top-Class Education Scheme to ₹8 lakh for SC/ST students.
According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report, the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe students and certain Backward Communities remained significantly lower than other students. “The refixing of income ceiling has benefitted many students from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
“There is a stark difference in the GER of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, as compared to the general population. Therefore, it is imperative to facilitate their enrolment in larger numbers in higher education institutions,” an official release contended.
Providing post and pre-matric scholarships would go a long way in increasing their enrolment in higher education, he said. “In our view, increasing the annual income ceiling for post-matric and pre-matric from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹8 lakh on par with that of the economically weaker sections is not only essential but also fully justified and warranted.”
Mr. Stalin further requested the Prime Minister’s favourable intervention in this matter to consider and increase the annual family income ceiling for post and pre-matric scholarships for SC/ST/OBC students from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹8 lakh at the earliest.
Published – December 10, 2024 07:11 pm IST