Scholarship Support from School to Higher Education
The Ministry currently runs five major scholarship programmes for ST students. These include:
- Pre-Matric Scholarship for students in Class IX and X
- Post-Matric Scholarship for students in Class XI and above
- National Fellowship for Higher Education (Ph.D.)
- Top Class National Scholarship for premier institutions
- National Overseas Scholarship for study abroad
Among these, the pre-matric and post-matric scholarships are centrally sponsored and implemented through state governments. They are open-ended, covering all eligible ST students whose parental income does not exceed ₹2.5 lakh annually. These scholarships directly transfer funds into students’ bank accounts via DBT mode.
The government has ensured that girl students are given strong representation in advanced scholarship categories. For instance, under the National Fellowship scheme for Ph.D. aspirants, 30% of the 750 annual fellowships—about 225 slots—are reserved for women. Similarly, the National Overseas Scholarship reserves six out of its 20 annual awards exclusively for ST women candidates.
These measures aim to reduce gender disparities and empower tribal women to pursue higher education both in India and abroad.
Top Class Education and Professional Studies
The National Scholarship for Higher Education, fully funded by the Ministry, supports ST students pursuing professional courses such as engineering, medicine, law, IT, and management. Students from families earning up to ₹6 lakh annually are eligible, provided they secure admission in one of the 265 notified top-class institutions across the country. This scheme also ensures that every eligible tribal girl gets coverage without restrictions.
Opportunities Abroad through National Overseas Scholarship
To promote global exposure, the Ministry offers 20 annual scholarships under the National Overseas Scholarship scheme. These awards are reserved for meritorious ST candidates securing admission in the world’s top 1,000 universities, as per QS rankings. Implemented with support from the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions abroad, this scheme also reserves 30% of the slots for women.
Implementation and Monitoring
While the Ministry of Tribal Affairs funds these schemes, the inviting of applications, verification, and disbursement of funds are carried out by state governments and union territories. The central ministry releases funds only after evaluating the financial and physical progress submitted by each state.
By widening access to quality education and reserving opportunities for women, the Ministry hopes to bridge gaps in educational attainment and create pathways for tribal girls to succeed in diverse professional fields.
A Step Toward Inclusive Development
Experts believe that these scholarship programmes can significantly transform educational outcomes for marginalized communities. With consistent support, tribal girls—often from remote areas with limited resources—will now have the chance to access higher education, professional training, and even international learning opportunities. This initiative aligns with the government’s larger vision of inclusive growth and social justice for Scheduled Tribes in India.