(a) the details of schemes formulated by the Government for education of minorities in the
country;
(b) the funds allocated and utilised for the purpose during the last 4 years and current year,
State and year-wise;
(c) whether it is a fact that the schemes have not been adequate to solve the problem of lack
of education in minorities; and
(d) if so, the action being taken by the Government in the matter ?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)
(a) For education of minorities, ‘Scheme for Providing Education to Madarsas/Minorities
(SPEMM)’ is being implemented by Ministry of Human Resource Development.
SPEMM is an Umbrella scheme which comprises of Scheme for Providing Quality
Education in Madrasa (SPQEM) and Infrastructural Development in Minority Institutions
(IDMI).
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1) SPQEM provides financial assistance to encourage traditional institutions like Madarsas
and Maktabs to introduce modern education through subjects such as Science,
Mathematics, Social Studies, Hindi and English in their curriculum through support for a
maximum of three teachers; books, teaching learning material and computer labs.
2) IDMI facilitates education of minorities by augmenting and strengthening school
infrastructure in Minority Institutions (elementary/ secondary/senior secondary schools)
in order to expand facilities for formal education to children of minority communities.
Ministry of Minority Affairs is also implementing various schemes for education of minorities as
detailed below:
1) Pre-matric Scholarship Scheme- The scholarship is provided to minority students studying
in class I to X in Government/ recognized Private schools. Minimum 30% scholarships are
earmarked for girls. To be eligible, students should not have annual parental/guardian’s
income more than Rs.1.00 lakh and he/she should have secured minimum 50% marks in
previous class.
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2) Post-matric Scholarship Scheme- The scholarship is provided to minority students studying
in Class XI to Ph.D level in Government/ recognized Private schools/Colleges/Institutes.
Minimum 30% scholarships are earmarked for girls. To be eligible, students should not have
annual parental/guardian’s income more than Rs.2.00 lakh and he/she should have secured
minimum 50% marks in previous class.
3) Merit-cum-Mean based Scholarship Scheme - The scholarship is awarded for pursuing
professional and technical courses at under-graduate and post-graduate levels, in institutions
recognized by the appropriate authority. Under the scheme, 30% Scholarships are earmarked
for girl students. 85 institutes for professional and technical courses have been listed in the
scheme; for which full course fee is reimbursed. To be eligible, students should not have
annual parental/guardian’s income more than Rs.2.50 lakh and he/she should have secured
minimum 50% marks in previous class.
4) Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) Scheme- The Fellowships are awarded to
research students pursuing regular and full time M. Phil and Ph.D courses. The Fellowship
will cover all Universities/Institutions recognized by the University Grants Commission
(UGC) under section 2(f) and section 3 of the UGC Act and is implemented through UGC.
Under the scheme, 30% fellowships are earmarked for girl students. To be eligible, students
should not have annual parental/guardian’s income more than Rs.6.00 lakh.
5) Padho Pardesh - Scheme of Interest Subsidy on educational loans for overseas studies-
Under the scheme, the interest subsidy is awarded to students on the interest payable for the
period of moratorium for the Education Loans taken for Overseas Studies to pursue approved
courses of studies abroad at Masters and M.Phil/Ph.D levels. The scheme is implemented
through the Canara Bank. To be eligible, students should not have annual parental/guardian’s
income more than Rs.6.00 lakh.
6) Free Coaching & Allied Scheme – Under this scheme free coaching is provided to students
belonging to the minority communities for qualifying in entrance examinations for admission
in technical/ professional courses such as engineering, law, medical, management,
information technology etc. and various Competitive examinations for recruitment to Group
‘A’ , ‘B’ and ‘C’ services in Central and State Governments including public sector
undertakings, banks, Railways etc.
7) Nai Udaan - Support to minority candidates clearing Prelims conducted by UPSC/SSC, State
Public Service Commission (PSC) for Civil services and other Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ posts - The
objective of the Scheme is to provide financial support to the minority community candidates
clearing prelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection
Commission and State Public Service Commissions for preparation of their mains exams.
(b) Funds allocated and funds released during the last 4 years and the current year for these
scheme is given at Annexure. However, no State-wise fund allocation is made under any of
the above schemes.
(c) and (d) No Sir, more and more minorities institutions and minority students are coming
forward to avail benefits under these schemes. Further, the minorities are also covered by all
the other educational schemes being implemented by the Ministry of Human Resource
Development.
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