PM-YASASVI Scheme- Scholarships For OBC, EBC And DNT Students
Source: PIB
GS II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; Issues relating to development and management of social-sector services relating to education.
Overview
- PM-YASASVI is an umbrella scholarship scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aimed at improving educational access and reducing financial barriers for OBC, EBC, and DNT students.
- Covering school education through higher education, the scheme provides targeted financial support through four components, thereby promoting educational equity, social mobility and inclusive development.
- Its effective implementation can help address persistent educational disadvantages among vulnerable communities and strengthen their participation in India’s human capital development.
Why in the News?
The Union Government highlighted the implementation of PM-YASASVI to promote educational opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
News in Brief
- The scheme covers students belonging to OBC, EBC, and DNT communities.
- It aims to reduce financial barriers to education and improve access to quality educational institutions.
- The scheme supports students across school and higher education through multiple scholarship components.
Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes
- Denotified Tribes (DNTs)- Communities that were wrongly labeled as “born criminals” by the British government under the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871.
- Independent India repealed this law in 1952, “denotifying” these groups.
- Today, many DNTs overlap with nomadic and semi-nomadic groups
- Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes– Communities traditionally dependent on mobility for livelihood and lacking stable access to services such as education, healthcare and housing.
- These communities often face educational, economic and social disadvantages, making targeted welfare interventions important.
Key Highlights
- The PM-YASASVI (Prime Minister Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India) is a central government initiative launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- It aims to reduce financial barriers to education and improve educational access and opportunities among socially and educationally disadvantaged communities.
- It provides scholarship support across different stages, from school education to higher education.
- The scheme covers eligible students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT communities.
- Eligibility- Total annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹2,50,000.
- The umbrella scheme has four major components,
| Component | Broad Purpose |
|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship | Financial allowance for students in Classes 9 and 10 in government schools |
| Post-Matric Scholarship | Financial assistance for students pursuing higher education from Class 11 onwards, including Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses |
| Top Class Education in Schools | Grants for tuition and hostel fees (up to rupees 1,25,000 per annum) for meritorious students in selected top-tier schools from Class 9 to 12 |
| Top Class Education in Colleges | Full tuition coverage, books/stationery grants, financial assistance towards basic expenses, and a one-time laptop allowance for approved college courses |
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 15(4)– Permits special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, SCs and STs.
- Article 15(5)– Enables special provisions relating to admission to educational institutions, including private educational institutions, subject to constitutional limitations.
- Article 46- Directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of weaker sections.
- Article 21A- Provides for the right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years.
Way Forward and Conclusion
PM-YASASVI should focus on wider coverage, timely scholarship delivery, simpler procedures, stronger monitoring and complementary support such as digital access and skill development. A holistic approach can help disadvantaged students not only access education but also complete their studies and improve their livelihood opportunities.
Thus, effective implementation and sustained support can make PM-YASASVI a stronger instrument of social justice, educational equity and inclusive development.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
Consider the following statements regarding PM-YASASVI:
- It is an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- It covers students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT communities.
- It is restricted exclusively to higher education scholarships.
- It includes both Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship components.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4 only
Mains Practice Question
Q. “Discuss the role of targeted educational welfare schemes in promoting social justice and inclusive development in India.” (250 Words)
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