Government Schemes/Programmes for Welfare and Development of Minorities: Explained

The Ministry of Minority Affairs time-to-time implements several programmes/schemes across the country for the welfare and development of the minorities. Currently, there are 6 centrally notified minority communities in India namely; Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsis and Sikhs.

Several programmes/schemes are as follows:

1. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme: It is launched for the educational empowerment of students, through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

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2. Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme: It provides fellowships in the form of financial assistance.

3. Naya Savera: It is a kind of free coaching and allied scheme. Under the Scheme, there are provisions of free coaching to students/candidates belonging to economically weaker sections of minority communities for preparation of entrance examinations of technical/ professional courses and competitive examinations.

4. Padho Pardesh: This Scheme is all about the interest subsidy to students of economically weaker sections of minority communities on educational loans for overseas higher studies.

5. Nai Udaan: The Scheme supports the students who clearing Prelims examinations that are conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), State Public Service Commission (SPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC) etc.

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6. Nai Roshni: It encourages the leadership development of women belonging to minority communities.

7. Seekho Aur Kamao: This Scheme is a kind of skill development programme for youth of 14 – 35 years age group. It aims at improving the employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc.

8. Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK): This Scheme is implemented for all sections of the society in identified areas for development of infrastructure projects. It emphasises on education, skill, health sectors etc. that will benefit of the citizen of India.

9. Jiyo Parsi: This Scheme containing population decline of Parsis in India.

10. USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development): It was launched in May 2015. It aims to preserve the rich heritage of traditional skills of indigenous artisans/craftsmen. Under this scheme, Hunnar Haats are also held all over the country to provide a nation-wide marketing platform to Minority artisans & entrepreneurs and to create employment opportunities.

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11. Nai Manzil: It is a scheme for formal school education & skilling of school dropouts. It was launched in August 2015.

12. Hamari Dharohar: It is a scheme to preserve the rich heritage of minority communities of India.

13. Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF): Under the Scheme, the government implements education and employment-oriented programmes/schemes. For example; (a) Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Meritorious Girls belonging to the economically weaker sections of Minorities under which scholarship is awarded to minority girl students, (b) Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme started for providing short term job oriented skill development training to youth, and (c) Bridge Course for madrasa students and school dropouts.

14. Equity to National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC): It provides concessional loans to the minority sections for self-employment and income-generating ventures or work.

Besides the above scheme, the Ministry also implements schemes for strengthening State Waqf Boards and coordinates arrangements for annual Haj pilgrimage.’

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