SHREYAS SCHEME

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Context

• SHREYAS scheme empowers thousands: over 2300 crore rupees allocated for education of SC and OBC students since 2014.

Details

• The SHREYAS scheme, initiated in 2014, encompasses four central sector sub-schemes aimed at empowering Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) students through education.

Sub-Scheme 1: Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs

Objective

• Provide high-quality coaching to economically disadvantaged SC and OBC candidates.
• Prepare them for competitive and entrance exams for public and private sector jobs.
• Facilitate admissions to prestigious technical and professional higher education institutions.

Key Details

• Total family income ceiling: 8 lakhs per annum.
• Annual allocation: 3500 slots.
• SC:OBC student ratio: 70:30.
• 30% slots reserved for females.
• Flexibility in ratios to ensure at least 50% SC students.

Impact

• Funding Allocation: From 2014-15 to 2022-23, a total of 77 crore rupees released.
• Beneficiaries: 19,995 beneficiaries.

Sub-Scheme 2: Top Class Education for SCs

Objective

• Promote quality education among SC students.
• Offer full financial support for studies beyond the 12th class.
• Scholarships continue based on satisfactory performance.
• Inclusion of prestigious institutions.

Key Details

• Total family income ceiling: 8 lakhs per annum.
• Allocation for 2021-22 to 2025-26: 21,500 scholarships.
• Financial support includes tuition fees, academic allowance, and living expenses.

Impact

• Funding Allocation: From 2014-15 to 2022-23, a total of 43 crore rupees released.
• Beneficiaries: 21,988 beneficiaries.

Sub-Scheme 3: National Overseas Scheme for SCs

Objective

• Provide financial assistance for master's and Ph.D. level courses abroad.
• Open to SCs, De-notified, Nomadic, Semi-Nomadic Tribes, and others.
• Admission in top 500 QS ranking foreign Institutes/Universities.
• Covers tuition fees, maintenance, visa fees, and air passage.

Key Details

• Total family income ceiling: Less than Rs. 8 lakhs per annum.
• Criteria: More than 60% marks in the qualifying examination, below 35 years of age.

Impact

• Funding Allocation: From 2014-15 to 2022-23, a total of 14 crore rupees released.
• Beneficiaries: 950 beneficiaries.

Sub-Scheme 4: National Fellowship for SC Students

Objective

• Support SC students in pursuing higher education leading to Phil/Ph.D. degrees.
• Available in Sciences, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
• Based on qualifying exams like NET-JRF and UGC-CSIR Joint Test.
• Generous fellowship rates and no financial ceiling.

Key Details

• Fellowship rates for JRF and SRF.
• Contingency allowances for Humanities & Social Sciences and Sciences, Engineering & Technology.

Impact

• Funding Allocation: From 2014-15 to 2022-23, a total of 89 crore rupees released.
• Beneficiaries: 21,326 beneficiaries.

Conclusion

The SHREYAS Scheme stands as a beacon of hope, providing educational opportunities and financial support to thousands of SC and OBC students in India. Through its four sub-schemes, it has paved the way for empowerment, inclusivity, and progress in the country's education landscape.

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1958644