Srinagar, August 13, 2025 – In a significant boost to educational empowerment, the Government of India has supported 15,309 tribal students in Jammu & Kashmir through its Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme during the 2024-25 academic year, marking a substantial rise from 10,430 beneficiaries in 2022-23. This initiative, backed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, underscores the J&K administration’s commitment to prioritizing education for tribal communities, fostering inclusivity and opportunity.Scholarship Impact and GrowthThe Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, administered through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and integrated with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS), provides financial assistance of Rs 18,000 per student, plus a Rs 2,300 maintenance allowance, to support post-secondary education in recognized institutions. The program has seen a remarkable increase in outreach, with a 47% rise in beneficiaries compared to two years ago, reflecting enhanced transparency and accessibility. Additionally, 8,371 tribal students benefited from the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme in 2024-25, nearly doubling from 4,689 in 2022-23.
Leadership and Commitment
Secretary of Tribal Affairs, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, highlighted the J&K government’s focus on tribal education, crediting LG Manoj Sinha for driving record disbursements. “Education of tribal students is a top priority. Under LG Manoj Sinha’s guidance, we’ve ensured the highest-ever scholarship disbursements to support students at post-graduate, graduate, and post-matric levels,” Choudhary said. In 2022-23, Rs 45 crore was disbursed, with Rs 31.12 crore allocated in the previous fiscal year, showcasing a consistent increase in funding.
Addressing Past Challenges
The scholarship program has faced scrutiny, with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) uncovering a multi-crore scam involving misappropriation of funds between 2014 and 2018. The ACB registered cases against former Tribal Affairs officials and private institutes for disbursing Rs 1.66 crore to unrecognized institutes for unapproved courses, bypassing guidelines. This led to reforms, including PFMS integration and stricter verification, ensuring funds reach genuine beneficiaries.
Broader Educational Initiatives
The Tribal Affairs Department is also focusing on special scholarships for over 32,000 students in Seasonal Educational Centres for transhumant semi-nomadic families, aiming to integrate marginalized communities into mainstream education. The department’s efforts align with broader initiatives like the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, where LG Manoj Sinha has emphasized unity and progress, fostering a conducive environment for such programs.
The Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme continues to empower J&K’s tribal youth, paving the way for academic excellence and socio-economic upliftment.Keywords: Post-Matric Scholarship, J&K tribal students, Government of India, LG Manoj Sinha, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, National Scholarship Portal, PFMS, educational empowerment, tribal education, pre-matric scholarship, Anti-Corruption Bureau, scholarship scam, Seasonal Educational Centres, Har Ghar Tiranga, inclusivity, J&K Tribal Affairs.
