Only classes 9, 10 students will be covered under Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, says govt

Stating that the Right to Education covers compulsory education up to Class 8th for all students, the government has now limited its pre-matric scholarship scheme meant for backward and minority communities to students of Class 9 and Class 10.

Earlier, the pre-matric scholarship used to cover education for Class 1 to 8 also belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and minority communities.

The government, in a notice, justified its decision by underlining that the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 makes it obligatory for the government to provide free and compulsory elementary education (Classes 1 to 8) to each and



every child.

"Accordingly, only students studying in Classes 9 and 10 are covered under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Likewise, from 2022-23, the coverage under the pre-matric scholarship scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs shall also be for Classes 9 and 10 only," the notice said.

The Institute Nodal Officer (INO)/District Nodal Officer (DNO)/State Nodal Officer (SNO) have been asked to verify the applications only for Classes 9 and 10 under the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.