About– PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM YASASVI) is a flagship initiative by the Government of India, aimed at providing scholarships to students.
Nodal ministry– Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Vision– Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikasmeans together with all, development for all.
Beneficiaries:
Other Backward Classes (OBC),
Economically Backward Classes (EBC) and
De-notified Tribes (DNT).
Eligibility – Total annual family income of up to Rs 2.50 lakhs.
Selection Process – YASASVI Entrance Test (YET) 2023 conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Streamlining schemes–PMYASASVI has subsumed following five sub-schemes:
Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students
Top Class School Education for OBC, EBC and DNT Students
Top Class College Education for OBC, EBC and DNT Students
Construction of Hostel for OBC Boys and Girls
What are the features the scheme?
Financial Scholarships –To reduce the financial burden on families and encourage students to continue their education without interruptions.
Pre-Matric Scholarship from Class 9 to 10.
Post Matric Scholarship for their higher studies at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage.
Top-Class Education scholarships –For students who excel in their studies will get scholarship to attend top-tier educational institutions.
Top Class School Education
Top Class College Education
Hostels for OBC boys and girls– Scheme includes provisions for the construction and maintenance of hostels for students. By ensuring access to safe and supportive living spaces, it seeks to create an optimal environment for students' academic success.
What is the scope of the scheme?
Transformative initiative– Towards realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 to make India more knowledge based economy.
Effective implementation– By consolidating several pre-existing schemes into a single comprehensive program the financial aid reaches those in need efficiently and effectively.
Increase beneficiaries– Targeting over 40 lakh students from OBC, EBC, and DNT communities across the country.
Reducing dropout– By encouraging higher education at critical transition points, in senior secondary school and post-secondary education.
Uniform implementation– This scheme is implemented across India, ensuring that students from all states and union territories benefit from its provisions.
What are the impacts?
Reduce educational inequities –By focusing on historically disadvantaged groups, the PM YASASVI Scheme aims to create a more inclusive education system.
Ripple effect on economy – This empowerment can lead to better employment opportunities and socio-economic mobility for both individuals and their families.
Strong foundation– Supporting students at both school and college levels helps to nurture talent from an early age for personal and professional growth.
Access to higher education – Empower marginalized students by removing financial barriers to education, thus increasing their and improving their long-term career prospects.
Just and equitable society – Reducing the gap between students from different socioeconomic backgrounds to create equitable society.
Achieving SDG – SDG 4 which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Hostel infrastructure – By providing students with access to safe and supportive living conditions, the scheme enhances the overall learning environment.
Particularly for students who come from remote or underdeveloped regions and might otherwise struggle with access to schools and colleges.
What lies ahead?
Effective implementation at the grassroots level is essential to reshape the educational landscape for millions of marginalized students in India.
Proper monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure that scholarships and infrastructure projects reach the intended beneficiaries.
Raise awareness about the scheme, particularly in remote and rural areas to ensure that eligible students and their families are informed about the opportunities available to them.
Focus on improving the quality of education in the schools and institutions.
Capacity building initiatives such as teacher training, curriculum development and initiatives to enhance student engagement and retention.
