Government Spent Rs 3,509 Crore On Higher Education Scholarships For SC, OBC Students: Union Minister
The Centre has recorded a cumulative expenditure of Rs 3,509.39 crore under four components of the Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) between 2014-15 and 2025-26, benefiting 1,18,248 SC and OBC students, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar said.
The government has spent Rs 3,509.39 crore on higher education initiatives benefiting more than 1.18 lakh students belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) between 2014-15 and 2025-26, Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar said.
The expenditure was recorded under four major components of the Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) — Free Coaching, Top Class Education, National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) and National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC). The cumulative beneficiary count under these components stood at 1,18,248 during the period.
2025-26 Sees Rs 213 Crore Spending Under National Fellowship
The National Fellowship for SC Students accounted for the largest share of the expenditure, with Rs 2,199.28 crore spent between 2014-15 and 2025-26. The component benefited 59,039 students during this period.
In 2025-26, expenditure under NFSC stood at Rs 213.45 crore, benefiting 4,218 scholars. This was higher than the Rs 209.50 crore spent in 2024-25 for 4,143 beneficiaries.
The NFSC provides financial support to SC scholars pursuing higher education and research programmes. According to the minister, the fellowship is intended to support participation in advanced academic research and help scholars pursue careers in teaching, research and other knowledge-based fields.
Top Class Education Benefits Over 35,000 Students
Under the Top Class Education component, around Rs 703.44 crore was spent between 2014-15 and 2025-26, benefiting 35,237 SC students.
The expenditure under this component increased from Rs 19.37 crore for 1,568 beneficiaries in 2014-15 to Rs 117.19 crore for 4,742 beneficiaries in 2025-26. The ministry said the expenditure recorded in 2025-26 was the highest during the period.
The component provides financial assistance to meritorious SC students pursuing studies in premier educational institutions across the country.
Rs 461 Crore Spent Under Overseas Scholarship
The National Overseas Scholarship recorded an expenditure of approximately Rs 461.57 crore between the selection years 2014-15 and 2025-26. A total of 764 beneficiaries went abroad for higher studies during this period.
The number of beneficiaries increased from 20 in 2014-15 to 114 in 2023-24. It subsequently stood at 80 in 2024-25 and 67 in 2025-26. Expenditure under the component was Rs 54.89 crore in 2025-26.
Free Coaching Component
The Free Coaching component recorded expenditure of around Rs 145.10 crore between 2014-15 and 2025-26, benefiting 23,208 students.
The initiative provides financial assistance for coaching to economically disadvantaged SC and OBC students preparing for competitive and professional examinations. In 2025-26, Rs 9.87 crore was spent under the component, covering 854 beneficiaries, compared with Rs 17.68 crore for 2,136 students in 2024-25.
Through these four components, SHREYAS covers different stages of higher education support, including preparation for competitive examinations, education at premier institutions, overseas studies and advanced research.
