Table of Contents

Government schemes for SC/ST in India — complete list (2026)

Quick answer: India's 16.6% SC + 8.6% ST population (2011 census, total 25.2%) has 40+ central schemes with dedicated SCSP (Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan) + TSP (Tribal Sub-Plan) earmarked allocations across all ministries. Scholarships (Pre/Post/Top Class/National Overseas), Credit (Stand-Up India, NSFDC, NSTFDC), Free coaching (PRABAL), Atrocity protection (PoA Act monetary relief), Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) dedicated programmes, Forest Rights (FRA 2006).

Who is eligible

Indian citizen of Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe per Constitution Schedule. Caste cert mandatory. Income < Rs 2.5L for most scholarships.

Top 12 schemes

1. Pre-Matric SC/ST Scholarship

Class 1-10. Rs 350-750/month + book + uniform. Income < Rs 2.5L. NSP.

2. Post-Matric SC/ST Scholarship

Class 11+ to PhD. Rs 230-3,000/month + tuition (full). Income < Rs 2.5L. Top-priority scheme.

3. Top Class Education Scheme (SC/ST)

For 270 institutions (IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS etc.). Full tuition + Rs 86,000/year. Income < Rs 8L.

4. National Overseas Scholarship (NOSGS)

Up to Rs 80L for masters/PhD abroad. 125 SC + ~25 ST selections/year. Income < Rs 8L.

5. National Fellowship for SC/ST (UGC)

PhD fellowship Rs 31K-35K/month + research grant. ~2,000 SC + 750 ST selections/year. UGC.

6. Stand-Up India (SC/ST)

Loan Rs 10L-1Cr for SC/ST entrepreneur. 75% loan + 25% margin. Greenfield enterprise. Banks via standupmitra.in.

7. NSFDC (National SC Financing Development Corporation)

Loans Rs 50K-30L for self-employment + education. 6% interest (women: 5%). State Channelizing Agency.

8. NSTFDC (National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corp)

Same as NSFDC but for ST. Loans + skill + marketing.

9. PRABAL (Free Coaching)

Free coaching for civil services, JEE, NEET, banking. SC/ST/OBC. 100% govt-funded. Empanelled centres.

10. SC/ST Atrocity Prevention Act 1989 — Monetary Relief

Rs 85,000-8.25L compensation depending on offence + SLA. Apply at SP/DM. Time-bound disposal.

11. PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups)

75 PVTG groups. Targeted health + education + livelihood. Min of Tribal Affairs.

12. Forest Rights Act 2006

Forest land titles + community forest rights for ST. Apply at Gram Sabha → SDLC → DLC.

How to apply (general process)

NSP for scholarships, NSFDC/NSTFDC for loans, sector-specific portals. Common docs: Aadhaar, caste cert (matching state SC/ST list), income cert, education proof.

Helplines

Common issues + how to handle

If a scheme is delayed or rejected — file an RTI

Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template: 

1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
2. Name + designation of dealing officer assigned to my file.
3. Reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
5. Likely date of disbursement / decision.

Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →

Frequently asked questions

SC list — same nationwide?

Largely yes (Presidential SC Order 1950 + amendments). State variations rare. Move = re-apply caste cert in new state.

Stand-Up India for general entrepreneur — possible?

No — only women + SC/ST + greenfield. General entrepreneurs use Mudra / PMEGP.

NSFDC interest rate — really 6%?

Yes — through State Channelizing Agency. Compares vs commercial 12-15%. Women: 5%.

PRABAL coaching — admission criteria?

Income < Rs 8L (general SC/ST/OBC) + entrance test by empanelled coaching centre. ~5,000 selections/year/centre.

Scholarship delayed > 90 days. Fix?

File RTI to Institution + DNO + State Nodal. Use scholarship RTI generator.

Summary + what to do next

Bottom line: 12 central + state schemes available. Aadhaar + bank account in own name + community/income certificate (if applicable) is the gateway. If a scheme is delayed beyond timeline, file an RTI.

Sources

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.

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