The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, has, for the first time, begun scholarship distribution for the 2025–26 financial year in September.
The move aims to ensure that no student from disadvantaged backgrounds faces delays in accessing financial aid for their education.
According to officials, the scholarship drive is being implemented in two phases. In the first phase, around Rs 62.13 crore was distributed to benefit more than 2.5 lakh OBC students from classes 9 to 12.
The second phase, scheduled for Friday, will see an additional Rs 126.68 crore directly transferred to the bank accounts of over 4.83 lakh students.
The chief minister will personally oversee the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of the scholarships at a ceremony organised by the Backward Class Welfare Department at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium, according to an official statement.
GOVERNMENT AIMS FOR EDUCATION ACCESS AND TRANSPARENCY
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Backward Class Welfare and Divyangjan Empowerment, Narendra Kashyap, said the vision of “Viksit Bharat-Viksit Uttar Pradesh” can only be realised by ensuring education for every youth in the state, as reported by PTI.
He added that the government’s priority is to make sure no talented student is deprived of education due to financial constraints.
To achieve this, the process of scholarship and fee reimbursement has been made faster, fully digital, and transparent.
Kashyap highlighted that this year marks the first time scholarships are being distributed in September, streamlining the process and ensuring early support for students.
SIGNIFICANT BUDGET INCREASE FOR BACKWARD CLASS WELFARE
The minister also noted a sharp increase in the Backward Class Welfare Department’s budget, which rose from Rs 1,295 crore in 2016–17 to Rs 3,124.45 crore in 2025–26, a rise of over 2.5 times.
Similarly, allocations for scholarship and fee reimbursement schemes have grown substantially. Kashyap pointed out that during the Samajwadi Party regime in 2016–17, the allocation was Rs 1,092.36 crore.
Now, under the new digital system, all scholarships are distributed online via DBT to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and minimal leakage of funds.
