Government Strengthens Monitoring of Funds Earmarked for Welfare and Development of Scheduled Castes under DAPSC

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment reported that, per the 2017 NITI Aayog Guidelines for the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC), 38 central ministries/departments earmark funds for SC welfare. Actual expenditure from 2020‑21 to 2025‑26 consistently fell short of revised estimates, with utilisation rates ranging from 81.61 % to 93.83 %. Monitoring is overseen by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment through periodic review meetings chaired by the Minister of State and the Secretary (e.g., meetings on 29 Apr 2025, 25 Aug 2025, and 16 Apr 2026). All 38 ministries have nominated nodal officers for financial and physical monitoring, and the government is strengthening review mechanisms to improve fund utilisation.