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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.

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following statements in reference to the SHREYAS Scheme for SC and OBC Education are correct? The Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs aims to provide coaching to economically disadvantaged SC and OBC candidates. The National Fellowship for SC Students covers students pursuing M.Phil/Ph.D. degrees in Sciences and Humanities only. The total family income ceiling for most sub-schemes under SHREYAS is 8 lakhs per annum. Options: A) 1 and 2 B) 2 and 3 C) 1 and 3 D) 1, 2, and 3 Correct Answer: C) 1 and 3

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