Scheme for Development of Minority Communities
Source: PIB
GS II: Policies and Developmental Studies

Overview

1. News in Brief
2. The schemes/programmes implemented by the Ministry
3. Scholarship schemes

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Minority Affairs has recently released a comprehensive report detailing the numerous government programs and initiatives that have been implemented to improve the overall well-being and upliftment of minority populations in India.
• This information is invaluable for those who seek to learn more about the efforts being made by the government to support and empower these marginalized communities.

News in Brief

• The government of our country has established a number of departments to cater to the diverse needs of the population.
• The below-listed departments have been entrusted with the responsibility of executing plans and programs that aim to uplift the overall welfare of all sections of society:
  • The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • Ministry of Textiles
  • Ministry of Culture
  • Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • Ministry of Rural Development
• The initiatives launched by these departments are mainly focused on providing assistance to the marginalized and underprivileged segments of the population, thereby ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of progress and prosperity
• The Ministry of Minority Affairs is a government agency dedicated to enhancing the socio-economic and educational development of six minority groups registered throughout the country, including:
  • Muslims
  • Christians
  • Sikhs
  • Buddhists
  • Jains
  • Parsis
• Through various initiatives and programs, the Ministry empowers these communities and improves their overall quality of life.
• The ultimate goal is to create a society that is inclusive and equitable, where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed and thrive.
• The Ministry’s steadfast commitment to promoting minority rights and welfare demonstrates its dedication to building a fair and just society for everyone.

Scheme for Development of Minority Communities

• • Educational Empowerment Schemes
    • Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme
    • Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme
    • Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme
  • Employment and Economic Empowerment Schemes
    • Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PMVIKAS)
    • National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) Scheme for providing concessional loans to minorities.
  • Special Schemes
    • Jiyo Parsi: A scheme for reversing the population decline of Parsis in India.
    • Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme (QWBTS) and Shahari Waqf Sampatti Vikas Yojana (SWSVY).
  • Infrastructure Development Schemes
    • Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)

Scholarship schemes

• The Ministry has taken steps to support and uplift students from six specific minority communities, including the Jain community.
• To achieve this goal, they have introduced several scholarship schemes, including Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means based programs.
• These initiatives aim to empower and encourage students to pursue their academic goals and achieve success. 
• The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry, provides a commendable education loan program for students hailing from minority communities, including the Jain community.
• The program has been specifically designed to offer concessional credit for technical and professional courses that are limited to a maximum duration of 5 years.
• As per the program’s guidelines, students can receive a maximum amount of $20,000 as an educational loan for their five-year courses in India, with an annual rate of $4,000.
• Similarly, for students pursuing five-year degrees overseas, the program offers a maximum of $30,000 at a rate of $6,000 per year.
• The main objective of this program is to provide financial assistance to minority students, thereby enabling them to pursue their education without any financial hindrance.

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