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.
- Where to apply: NSP
- Official portal: https://scholarships.gov.in
2. Post-Matric SC/ST Scholarship
Class 11+ to PhD. Rs 230-3,000/month + tuition (full). Income < Rs 2.5L. Top-priority scheme.
- Where to apply: NSP
- Official portal: https://scholarships.gov.in
3. Top Class Education Scheme (SC/ST)
For 270 institutions (IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS etc.). Full tuition + Rs 86,000/year. Income < Rs 8L.
- Where to apply: NSP
- Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in
4. National Overseas Scholarship (NOSGS)
Up to Rs 80L for masters/PhD abroad. 125 SC + ~25 ST selections/year. Income < Rs 8L.
- Where to apply: Min of Social Justice / Tribal Affairs
- Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in
5. National Fellowship for SC/ST (UGC)
PhD fellowship Rs 31K-35K/month + research grant. ~2,000 SC + 750 ST selections/year. UGC.
- Where to apply: UGC NFS portal
- Official portal: https://www.ugc.ac.in
6. Stand-Up India (SC/ST)
Loan Rs 10L-1Cr for SC/ST entrepreneur. 75% loan + 25% margin. Greenfield enterprise. Banks via standupmitra.in.
- Where to apply: Standup Mitra
- Official portal: https://www.standupmitra.in
7. NSFDC (National SC Financing Development Corporation)
Loans Rs 50K-30L for self-employment + education. 6% interest (women: 5%). State Channelizing Agency.
- Where to apply: NSFDC
- Official portal: https://nsfdc.nic.in
8. NSTFDC (National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corp)
Same as NSFDC but for ST. Loans + skill + marketing.
- Where to apply: NSTFDC
- Official portal: https://nstfdc.nic.in
9. PRABAL (Free Coaching)
Free coaching for civil services, JEE, NEET, banking. SC/ST/OBC. 100% govt-funded. Empanelled centres.
- Where to apply: Min of Social Justice
- Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in
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.
- Where to apply: DM / State SC ST Welfare
- Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in
11. PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups)
75 PVTG groups. Targeted health + education + livelihood. Min of Tribal Affairs.
- Where to apply: Min of Tribal Affairs
- Official portal: https://tribal.gov.in
12. Forest Rights Act 2006
Forest land titles + community forest rights for ST. Apply at Gram Sabha → SDLC → DLC.
- Where to apply: Min of Tribal Affairs
- Official portal: https://tribal.gov.in/forest-rights-act
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
- Min of Social Justice (SC) — 011-23381390
- Min of Tribal Affairs (ST) — 011-23383586
- State SC/ST Welfare Department
- National Commission for SC: 011-24604200
- National Commission for ST: 011-26113344
Common issues + how to handle
- Caste cert from another state — re-apply in current state with father's caste cert + 10th cert.
- Stand-Up India bank refusal — banks have flexibility; SLBC + SCMM coordinator help.
- Atrocity Act compensation delayed — SLA-bound (1 month for FIR-stage relief). RTI to SP + DM.
- FRA claim rejected at SDLC — appeal to DLC then SLMC then HC.
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.
- Browse all 10 audience hubs: All audience hubs
- How to apply step-by-step: 25 application guides
- Track applications: 25 status-check guides
- If stuck — RTI Drafter: File RTI in 5 minutes
- Talk to other citizens: AwaazRTI community
Related reading
Sources
- Each scheme's official portal (linked above).
- Ministry budget documents + scheme operational guidelines.
- Citizen feedback via AwaazRTI (composite, identifying details removed).
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.