As per NSSO (2009-10) 66th Round, the estimated population of OBCs is 41.7 per cent, as per 2011 National Census. Moreover, as per the then Planning Commission’s report 2011- 12 out of total population of OBCs, 21.9% are below poverty line. However the overall numbers are expected to have been multiplied by now. The existing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) Students and Post-Matric Scholarship for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) schemes were formulated in the year 1998-99. Keeping in view the present implementation status, an umbrella scheme namely “PM YOUNG ACHIEVERS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD SCHEME FOR VIBRANT INDIA FOR OBCs AND OTHERS (PM –YASASVI)” for OBC, EBC and DNT students has been formulated for the duration 2021-2022 to 2025-26 having following five sub-schemes: Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students Top Class School Education for OBC, EBC and DNT Students Top Class College Education for OBC, EBC and DNT Students Construction of Hostel for OBC Boys and Girls Pre-matric Scholarship for OBC Students Objective The objective of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT students (who are not covered under SC, ST or OBC) is welfare and motivation to the children of these categories by providing financial assistance at pre matriculation or secondary stage. Scope Scholarship under the Scheme will be available for studies in India only and will be awarded by the Government of the State/Union Territory to which the applicant belongs i.e. where he is domiciled. The scholarship will be provided for students studying in Government Schools only. Eligibility Scholarship award will be sanctioned in the case of students whose parents/guardians income from all sources does not exceed Rs.2,50,000 per annum. The students should be studying in class IX and X on a full-time basis in Government Schools only A scholarship holder under this scheme will not hold any other educational scholarship for the purpose of studying in class IX and X. Scholarship The students shall be given a consolidated academic allowance of Rs. 4000/- per annum. For More Information: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Post-matric Scholarship for OBC Objective The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the OBC, EBC and DNT students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education. Scope These scholarships shall be available for studies in India only and will be awarded by the Government of State/Union Territory to which the applicant actually belongs, i.e. permanently settled. Conditions of Eligibility Only such educational Institutions which maintain the laid down academic standards shall be covered under the scheme. The scholarships will be open to Indian nationals belonging to OBCs, as notified by the Central Govt./State Govt./ UT Admn.; These scholarships will be given for the study of all recognized post-matriculation or post-secondary courses pursued in recognized institutions as outlines in the scheme document. Only those candidates who belong to OBCs so specified in relation to the State/UT to which the applicant actually belongs, i.e. permanently settled and who have passed the Matriculation or Higher secondary or any higher examination of a recognized University or Board of Secondary Education will be eligible. Candidates who, after passing one stage of education, are studying in the same stage of education in different subject e.g. I. Sc. after I.A or B.Com. after B.A. or M.A. in a subject after M.A in another subject will not be eligible. Students who, after having completed their educational career in one professional line, e.g., LLB after B.T/B. Ed will not be eligible. Students studying in XI Class of the Higher Secondary School courses or the XII class of the Multipurpose High School will not be eligible for it being a continuous school course. However, in cases, where tenth class examination of such courses is treated as equivalent to Matriculation and students who after passing tenth class join other courses, such students will be treated as post-matric students and will be eligible for the award of scholarships. Students pursuing Post-graduate courses in medicine will be eligible if they are not allowed to practice during the period of their course. Students who after failing or passing the Under Graduate/Post-Graduate examinations in Arts/science/Commerce join any recognized professional or Technical certificate/diploma/degree courses will be awarded scholarships if otherwise eligible. Subsequent failure will be foregiven except courses in Group 'A' and no further change in the course will be allowed. Students, who pursue their studies through correspondence/online courses, are also eligible. The term correspondence includes distant and continuous education for courses in Central/ State Universities only. Only two boys of the same parents/guardian will be entitled to receive scholarships. This restriction will, however, not apply to girls. A scholarship holder under this Scheme will not hold any other scholarship/stipend. If awarded any other scholarship/stipend, the students can exercise his/her option for either of the two scholarships/stipends, whichever is more beneficial to him/her and should inform the awarding authority through the Head of the Institution about the option made. No scholarship will be paid to the students under this Scheme from the date he/she accepts any other scholarships/stipend. The student can however, accept free lodging or a grant or temporary monetary help from the State Government or any other source for the purchase of books, equipment or for meeting the expenses on board and lodging, in addition to the scholarship amount paid under this Scheme. Scholarship holders who are receiving coaching in any of the pre-examination training centers with financial assistance from the Central Government/State Government will not be eligible for stipend under the coaching schemes for the duration of the coaching programme. Employed students whose income combined with the income of their parents/guardians does not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum shall be eligible for post-matric scholarships to the extent of compensation of all compulsorily payable non-refundable fees. In case of unemployed students whose parents/guardians income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum will be entitled for the scholarship under the Scheme. Scholarship amount Degree and Post Graduate level professional courses - Rs 20,000 (Academic Allowance- Rs 10000 ; Tuition Fee - Rs 10000) Other Professional Courses leading to Degree, Diploma, Certificate - Rs 13,000 (Academic Allowance- 8000; Tuition Fee - Rs 5000) Graduate and Post Graduate courses not covered under Group I & Group II - Rs 8000 (Academic Allowance- 6000; Tuition Fee - Rs 2000) Group 4: All post-matriculation (Post Class X level) non-degree courses - Rs 5000 For More Information: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Top Class School Education for OBC, EBC and DNT Students Objective The objective of the scheme is to provide premium education to the meritorious students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT categories by funding their education from Class 9 onwards till they complete Class 12. Scope All the OBC, EBC and DNT students studying in the Top Class Schools identified as per the modalities of the scheme with household annual income of less than Rs. 2.5 lakhs would be eligible for the scheme. The number of slots for each State would be allocated based on the OBC population data available. The sanction of scholarship would be based on merit. The top performing schools which consistently secure 100% passes in the Classes 10th 12th would be selected by a selection committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary (BC) and with representation from Department of School Education and the NITI Ayog. These schools will be termed as ‘Top Class Schools (TCSs)’ for the purpose of this scheme. Assistance The grants will be provided for tuition fee, hostel fee and other charges as required by the school, subject to a maximum of Rs. 75,000/- per annum per student of class 9 and 10 and Rs. 1,25,000/- per annum per student of class 11 and 12. For More Information: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Top Class College Education for OBC, EBC and DNT Students Objective The objective of the scheme is to recognize and promote quality education amongst Students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT categories by providing full financial support. The Scheme will cover OBC/EBC/DNT students for pursuing studies beyond class XIIth. Scope The Scheme will operate in all the institutions notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for every financial year 2021-22 onwards. All the IIMs / IITs/ IIITs / AIIMSs/ NITs/NIFTs/ NIDs/ Indian Institutes of Hotel Management, National Law Universities and other Central Government Institutions will be eligible to be included in the Scheme, subject to their applying for being included in the Scheme and recommendation by the Selection Committee under the scheme. The scholarship, once awarded, will continue till the completion ofthe course, subject to satisfactory performance of thestudent.The students are required to apply for scholarship every year even in case of renewal also. Those OBC/EBC/DNT students having total annual family income from all sources up to Rs. 2.50 lakh and having secured admission in a full-time prescribed course in any of the notified institutions according to the general selection criteria prescribed by the concerned institution, will be eligible for scholarship under the Scheme to the extent of the number of scholarships (slots) allocated to the institution for the course. Assistance The OBC/EBC/DNT students, who secure admission in the notified institutions, will be awarded scholarship to meet the requirements for full tuition fee and non-refundable charges (there will be a ceiling of Rs. 2.00 lakh per annum per student for private sector institutions and Rs. 3.72 lakhs per annum per student for the private sector flying clubs for Commercial Pilot Training and Type Rating Courses) living expenses to the beneficiary @Rs.3000/-per month per student books and stationery @ Rs. 5000/- per annum per student and a latest computer/laptop of reputed brand with accessories like UPS and printer limited to Rs. 45000/- per student as one time assistance during the course. For More Information: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC & Others) The scheme Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme- SHREYAS, has been proposed to implement during the 2021-22 to 2025-26 by placing two ongoing Central Sector schemes for OBC and others namely National Fellowship for OBC Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs). The main objective of the schemes is Educational Empowerment of OBC & EBC students by way of awarding fellowship (financial assistance) in obtaining quality higher education and interest subsidy on educational loan for overseas studies. National Fellowship (NF) for OBC Students The scheme is designed to provide a total number of 1000 Junior Research Fellowships per year to undertake advanced studies and research leading to M.Phil. /Ph.D. Degrees, who have qualified in the following tests: National Eligibility Test – Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC (for Humanities/Social Sciences) or UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) NET-JRF Joint Test (for Sciences) The scheme covers all universities/institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and are implemented by the UGC itself on the pattern of the scheme of UGC Fellowships being awarded to research students pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. These 1000 slots will be over and above the number of OBC students selected under the normal reservation policy of the Government for UGC Fellowship. Eligibility The other Backward Class (OBC) candidates qualifying for the award of NFOBC will be eligible to receive fellowship subject to finding placement in the University/IITs/Institutions. The validity period of the offer is 3 years with effect from the date of issue of JRF Award letter. However, in case of candidates who have already joined M.Phil. /Ph.D. the date of Commencement opening of fellowship shall be form the date of declaration of result of NFOBC or date of their joining, whichever is later. Students belonging to Other Backward Class (OBC) category once considered eligible for the fellowship shall not be entitled to any other benefits from Central or State Government or any other body like UGC offering similar benefit to avoid duplication and increase coverage. Only those, doing regular and full time M.Phil. /Ph.D. course of a University/research Institution shall be eligible for the fellowship. After two years, if the progress in the research work of the awardee is found satisfactory, his/her tenure will be extended for a further period of three years as Senior Research Fellow (SRF). The research work will be assessed as per the UGC norms. The total period of award of JRF and SRF shall not exceed a period of 5 years. At least 5% of the total seats should be reserved for students with disabilities while making selection of candidates for award of fellowships by the UGC. Employees of any University/Educational Institution/Central/State/UT Government shall be excluded from availing the fellowship, even if they are on study leave of Extra Ordinary Leave (EOL) to pursue M.Phil./Ph.D. Rate of Fellowship The rates of fellowship for JRF and SRF will be at par with the UGC Fellowships. Presently these rates are as follows: Fellowship in Science Humanities and Social Science & Fellowship in Engineering & Technology @ Rs.31,000/- p.m. for initial two years (JRF) @ Rs.35,000/- p.m. for remaining tenure (SRF) Contingency for Humanities & Social Sciences @ Rs.10,000/- p.a. for initial two years @ Rs. 20,500/- p.a. for remaining tenure Contingency for Sciences, Engineering & Technology @ Rs. 12,000/- p.a. for initial two years @ Rs. 25,000/- p.a. for remaining tenure Escorts/Reader assistance (All subjects) @ Rs. 2,000/- p.m. in cases of physically and visually handicapped candidates The House Rent Allowance (HRA) will be on the UGC pattern and will be payable to those students who are not provided with hostel accommodation. In case hostel accommodation offered by the University/institution is refused, the student will forfeit his claim of HRA, other facilities such as medical facilities, leave including maternity leave will be governed as per the guidelines of the UGC in case of their fellowship programme. For More Information: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies for OBCs and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs) This is a Central Sector Scheme to provide interest subsidy to the student belonging to the OBCs and EBCs on the interest payable for the period of suspension for the Education Loans for overseas studies to pursue approved courses of studies abroad at Masters, M.Phil. and Ph.D. level. Eligibility The students should have secured admission in the approved courses at Masters, M.Phil or Ph.D levels abroad for the courses listed in the scheme document He/She should have benefitted loan from a scheduled bank under the Education Loan Scheme of the Indian Banks Association (IBA) for the purpose. For OBC candidates, total income from all sources of the employed candidate or his/her parents/guardians in case of unemployed candidate shall not exceed present Creamy Layer criteria. Benefit Under the scheme, interest payable by the students benefitting the education loans of the IBA for the period of moratorium (i.e. course period, plus one year or six months after getting job, whichever is earlier) as prescribed under the Education Loan Scheme of the IBA, shall be borne by the Government of India. After the period of delay is over, the interest on the outstanding loan amount shall be paid by the student, in accordance with the existing Educational Loan Scheme as may be amended from time to time. The candidate will bear the Principal installments and interest beyond moratorium period. For More Information: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment