SHREYAS scheme

About SHREYAS scheme:

• The scheme Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme- SHREYAS comprises 4 central sector sub-schemes.
• All these sub-schemes are central sector schemes.
• Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs:
  • The objective of the Scheme is to provide coaching of good quality for economically disadvantaged Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) candidates to enable them appear in competitive and entrance examinations for obtaining appropriate jobs in Public/Private Sector as well as for securing admission in reputed technical and professional higher education institutions.
  • The ceiling of the total family income under the scheme is 8 lakhs per annum.
  • The ratio of SC: OBC students is 70:30 and 30% slots are reserved for females in each category.
  • In case of non-availability of the adequate number of candidates in SC category the Ministry can relax this ratio.
  • However, in no case, a less than 50% SC student shall be permitted.
• Top Class Education for SCs:
  • The Scheme aims at recognizing and promoting quality education amongst students belonging to SCs, by providing full financial support.
  • The Scheme will cover SC students for pursuing studies beyond 12th class.
  • The scholarship, once awarded, will continue till the completion of the course, subject to satisfactory performance of the student.
  • The ceiling of the total family income under the scheme is 8 lakhs per annum.
  • Presently, 266 higher education institutes which include Government institutes and private institutes such as all the IIMs, IITs, NITs, IIITs and AIIMS are covered.
  • Under the scheme full tuition fee, non-refundable charges and academic allowance expenses is provided.
• National Overseas Scheme for SCs:
  • Under this scheme financial assistance is provided to the selected students from SCs, De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisan categories for pursuing masters and Ph.D. level courses abroad.
  • Such students can benefit under the scheme whose total family income including the candidate is less than Rs. 8 lakhs per annum, who have more than 60% marks in the qualifying examination, below 35 years of age and secured admission in top 500 QS ranking foreign Institutes/ Universities.
  • Under the scheme, total tuition fee, maintenance and contingency allowance, visa fee, to and fro air passage etc. are provided to the awardees.
• National Fellowship for SC Students:
  • Under the scheme fellowship is provided to Scheduled Castes students for pursuing higher education leading to M.Phil/ Ph.D degrees in Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences in Indian Universities/Institutions/ Colleges recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC).
  • The scheme provides for 2000 new slots per year who have qualified the National Eligibility Test- Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF) of UGC and Junior Research Fellows for Science stream qualifying UGC-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (UGC-CSIR) Joint Test.

Q1) Who are Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes?

De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs/NTs/SNTs) are distinct social groups in India that have historically faced marginalization and socio-economic challenges. These groups have been classified based on their traditional lifestyles and occupations.

Source: SHREYAS scheme empowers thousands: over 2300 crore rupees allocated for the education of SC and OBC students since 2014