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The government has updated the Top Class Scholarship Scheme for SC students for 2024-25, expanding financial assistance and strengthening institutional accountability. The scholarship covers tuition fees and academic expenses to promote higher education access among Scheduled Caste students at top Indian institutions.
Overview of the Revised Top Class Scholarship Scheme 2024-25
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has announced revised guidelines for the Top Class Scholarship Scheme aimed at supporting Scheduled Caste (SC) students enrolled in prestigious Indian higher education institutions. The scheme is designed to cover full tuition fees and academic allowances to help reduce financial barriers and encourage educational excellence.
Financial Support Extended
The revised scheme provides direct bank transfers of tuition fees and non-refundable charges capped at Rs 2 lakh per year for private institutions. Additionally, students receive an academic allowance of Rs 86,000 in the first year to cover living expenses, books, laptops, and Rs 41,000 for subsequent years.
Eligibility and Scholarship Slots
Only SC students with an annual family income up to Rs 8 lakh, admitted to notified institutions such as IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NITs, National Law Universities, and other accredited colleges, are eligible. Fresh scholarships will be given only to first-year students, with renewals based on academic performance. The government has allocated 4,400 fresh scholarship slots for the 2024-25 academic year and limits total slots to 21,500 from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Institutional Responsibilities and Monitoring
Institutions must verify caste and income certificates, include the scholarship details in their prospectus, and monitor student progress. Support provisions such as bridge courses and mentoring will help academically weaker students. Violators of guidelines may face de-notification, but existing beneficiaries will continue to receive support until course completion.
Additional Provisions
The scheme restricts benefits to no more than two siblings per family, and any student transferring institutions after selection loses eligibility. Social audits and enhanced monitoring by a steering committee have also been introduced to ensure transparency and accountability.