“EDUCATION AND HOUSING SCHEMES FOR STS IN KERALA”

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs runs five central scholarship schemes for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students – Pre‑Matric (Class IX‑X) and Post‑Matric (Class XI and above) with an annual family income ceiling of Rs 2.50 lakhs; National Scholarship for Higher Education (Top Class) and National Overseas Scholarship with a ceiling of Rs 6.00 lakhs; and National Fellowship for Higher Education (NFST) with no income limit. The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) offers concessional loans to ST persons whose annual family income does not exceed Rs 3 lakhs. Kerala’s own Pre‑Matric and Post‑Matric scholarships have no income ceiling. Housing assistance for PVTGs is provided under PM JANMAN/PMAY‑G (no income limit) and Kerala’s LIFE Mission (income ceiling Rs 3 lakhs). The Expenditure Finance Commission is reviewing the income limits for continuation of these schemes for FY 2026‑27 to 2030‑31.