In India, the constitution is devoted to the idea of equal opportunity of citizens. The Directive Doctrine of the Government guidelines is also to endorse with special concern the educational and economic wellbeing of the weaker segment of the people, and, specifically, of the SC/ST and Minorities. To accomplish the goal of “Equality” with several features, singular necessities have been prepared in the constitution of India.

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Education of Minorities

As for the proper implementation of the education provisions of the minorities, the Ministry of India has taken up various steps. This includes putting into practice the Prime Minister’s 15 Point program for the wellbeing of the Minorities. There has been other recommendation from the Prime Minister’s High level Committee. This was proposed by the Sachchar Committee with regard to the improvement of the Social, economical and educational status of the Muslim Community in the country.

The University Grand Commission (UGC) is at present modeling a proposal were all the universities in the country could be encouraged as to come in terms with the qualifications from Madrassas. This is with regard to the purpose of enrolment on the outline followed by JMI University, AMU, MANU University and Jamia Hamdard University, in suitable courses and program of study.

Further, the UGC has set up Academic rules in various Central Universities – like the JMIU, AMU, and MANU University for purpose of proper training of teachers to tutor in Urdu medium.

Special Provision

The Government of India has put in to practice few new steps in order to strengthen the foundation of education among the SC and ST community. A few of the special provisions which have been included for SCs and STs in the presented proposal of Department of Higher Education is mentioned below: -

Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL):

The CIIL, Mysore has created a program for developing courses of research and development in different languages. The organization is in an aim to widen manpower and production of resources in modern Indian Languages as well as tribal languages. The Central Institute of Indian Language has been working with 90 tribal and border lingo.

National Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMSS):

The Government of India has set up a National Merit Scholarship Scheme. This scholarship was established with an aim to provide a secondary stage of level playing for the talented children from far fledge rural areas in the country. The National Scholarship Scheme and Scheme of Scholarship were in existence in the country since 1961-62 and 1971-72 respectively. In the year 2005-06, the name of the scholarship was changed to the present National Merit Scholarship Scheme.

The main aim of the scholarship scheme is to give financial support to the students and help them to do extremely well academically. This option is available for students at post-metric level on state level merit base. It is also available for students independently to talented and meritorious students in rural district who are in the class IX to X for every category.

The rate of scholarship will differ from Rs. 250 to Rs.750 per month. The amount will entirely depend on the level of education and course of study. This scheme has been discontinued from April 2007. Even though, a New Central Scholarship Scheme is on process on implementation in different College and University for the students.

National University of Educational Planning & Administration (NUEPA):

The main area of focus of NUEPA is the development of SC and ST concerning education. The NUEPA conducts various studies, seminars etc and evaluates the ongoing programs on its progress. The NUEPA also assist various education institutions regarding the generation of materials and content. The programs and schemes are mainly generated for the SC and ST.

Scholarship Scheme

University Grants Commission:

The UGC has come up with a Coaching Scheme for students from SC and ST candidate. This scheme was established with a view for the improvement of educational skills and linguistic proficiency of students who are preparing for the NET exam carries out by the UGC or CSIR.

The UGC has got 15% and 7.50 % of reservation to the SC and ST candidates respectively. This reservation is allowed in all appointments of both teaching and non teaching staffs, hostel accommodation and so on. Each of the state universities follows a reservation policy of their own respective state government. The UGC also follows a minimum qualifying relaxation in marks for the SC and ST candidates.

The UGC has also come up with a Career Oriented Program for the candidates with graduation for getting higher opportunity for employment and also for getting higher wages. The UGC also endow the candidates from the SC and ST group with financial aid for extension activities. The UGS is also creating a central pool of Database and recommends candidates for teaching profession in various universities and also colleges.

SC/ST Cells:

UGC has also established special SC and ST Cells in different universities for ensuring proper execution of reservation, admission process, employment of teaching and other staffs, fellowship candidates etc.

Engineering Colleges:

15% and 7.5% of reservation of seats in most of the top most engineering colleges are reserved to the SC and ST candidates. This institution includes IIT’s, IIM’s, state level engineering colleges etc.  Other than reservation the UGC also offer Age relaxation and relaxation on minimum mark requirement for the candidates.

Facilities provided for SC/ST in the IIT-JEE:

The SC and ST candidates are given 50 and 22 seats in the IIT, Delhi campus. The cost of application forms are cheapened to a minimal amount when compared to the general candidates. The candidates from the SC/ST for the Counseling are given a single second class rail fair. The SC/ST candidates who got admission to the IIT- BHU are exempted from the payment of the fee. Some of the IIT’s also offer a facility called the Book Bank for the exclusive use of the SC/ST students.

Community Polytechnics:

The idea of Community Polytechnics was there in the Diploma level course, in some selected courses from 1979 onwards. This has provided a huge platform for the transfer of suitable technologies to rural and local population. First choice has been given in training to rural youths, SC and ST candidates, women candidate, school dropouts and other underprivileged groups. The community polytechnics will help a hand for the candidates for receiving the needed experience for a prospective employment. The proposal is being applied through a talent oriented non-formal guidance, technology relocation and technical support services.