The Centre has spent ₹3,509.39 crore between 2014-15 and 2025-26 to support higher education and competitive exam preparation for students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr Virendra Kumar said.
The spending was made through four components of the Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS), which together benefited 1,18,248 students during the period.
NFSC Accounts for Largest Share
The National Fellowship for SC Students (NFSC) accounted for the largest portion of the overall expenditure, with ₹2,199.28 crore spent between 2014-15 and 2025-26.
The programme supported 59,039 students pursuing higher education and research.
In 2025-26 alone, NFSC expenditure stood at ₹213.45 crore, benefiting 4,218 scholars. This was slightly higher than the ₹209.50 crore spent for 4,143 beneficiaries in 2024-25.
Top Class Education Supports 35,000+ Students
Under the Top Class Education component, the government spent around ₹703.44 crore during the 12-year period, benefiting 35,237 SC students.
Spending under the programme increased from ₹19.37 crore for 1,568 beneficiaries in 2014-15 to ₹117.19 crore for 4,742 students in 2025-26.
The scheme provides financial assistance to meritorious SC students pursuing education at premier institutions.
₹461 Crore for Overseas Studies
The National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) recorded expenditure of approximately ₹461.57 crore between the selection years 2014-15 and 2025-26.
A total of 764 students received support to pursue higher studies abroad. The number of beneficiaries rose from 20 in 2014-15 to 114 in 2023-24, before standing at 80 in 2024-25 and 67 in 2025-26.
Expenditure under the component was ₹54.89 crore in 2025-26.
Free Coaching Benefits Over 23,000 Students
The Free Coaching component recorded expenditure of around ₹145.10 crore between 2014-15 and 2025-26, supporting 23,208 students.
The programme provides coaching assistance to economically disadvantaged SC and OBC students preparing for competitive and professional examinations.
In 2025-26, ₹9.87 crore was spent for 854 beneficiaries, compared with ₹17.68 crore covering 2,136 students in 2024-25.
Four Components Cover Different Education Needs
Through its four components, SHREYAS provides support at different stages of a student’s academic journey — from competitive examination preparation and education at premier institutions to overseas studies and advanced research.
Also Read | Centre Disburses ₹2,042 Crore for Education Schemes Benefiting OBC, EBC and DNT Students
The expenditure figures reflect the Centre’s continued funding of higher education opportunities for SC and OBC students through these programmes.
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