Exclusive research on PM Narendra Modi Govt Spending on SC ST OBC & Muslims of India- 2014-2026
Exclusive research on PM Narendra Modi Govt Spending on SC ST OBC & Muslims of India- 2014-2026
Exclusive research on PM Narendra Modi Govt Spending on SC ST OBC & Muslims of India- 2014-2026
This is my exclusive research on PM Narendra Modi Govt Spending on SC ST OBC & Muslims of India.Research does not include Islamic Countries which are regulary Funded by current Govt to help Muslim Population of those countries
- Research suggests that the Modi government has substantially increased welfare allocations for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and minority communities, including Muslims, over the past 11 years, with budgets rising from around ₹50,000 crore in 2014-15 to over ₹2.5 lakh crore annually by 2025-26 across targeted schemes—reflecting a focus on affirmative action for historically disadvantaged groups.
- Specific schemes include scholarships, skill development, and economic empowerment programs like Post-Matric Scholarships for SC/ST/OBC (over ₹40,000 crore disbursed since 2014) and minority welfare initiatives (around ₹40,000-45,000 crore cumulative), but data shows uneven utilization in some years due to implementation challenges.
- There are no exclusive government schemes targeted solely at the general category, as India's affirmative action framework prioritizes backward classes; however, general category citizens benefit from universal programs like PM-KISAN (income support for farmers) and Ayushman Bharat (health insurance), which cover all eligible individuals regardless of caste.
- Evidence leans toward affirmative action as a tool to address historical inequalities rather than discrimination against the general category; while debates exist on "reverse discrimination" in reservations, constitutional provisions emphasize uplifting marginalized groups without barring general access to merit-based opportunities—any perceived bias is often linked to broader socio-economic complexities.
Overview of Spending on SC, ST, OBC, and Muslim Communities
The Modi government, in power since 2014, has emphasized welfare for disadvantaged groups through increased budgetary allocations. Total spending on SC/ST welfare has grown from approximately ₹30,000-50,000 crore in 2014-15 to over ₹2.5 lakh crore in recent budgets, with a focus on education, skill development, and economic inclusion. For minorities (including Muslims, who form the largest group), allocations under the Ministry of Minority Affairs peaked at around ₹5,000 crore in 2022-23 but have stabilized at ₹3,000-3,500 crore annually, supporting scholarships and development programs. Data from official sources like the Union Budget and PIB indicate a 200-300% rise in tribal welfare budgets alone, though actual expenditure sometimes falls short due to state-level implementation issues.
Key Schemes and Allocations
Major schemes target SC, ST, OBC, and minorities, with detailed budgets drawn from government reports. For instance:
- Post-Matric Scholarship for SCs: Over ₹30,000 crore disbursed since 2014, benefiting 4 crore+ students (2025-26 allocation: ₹6,000 crore).
- Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (for STs): Focuses on tribal village development; budget rose from ₹1,000 crore in 2021-22 to ₹1,500 crore in 2025-26.
- Post-Matric Scholarship for OBCs: Around ₹10,000 crore spent since 2014; 2025-26: ₹1,000 crore.
- Minority Scholarships (for Muslims and others): Cumulative ₹20,000 crore+; Pre/Post-Matric schemes benefited 2.5 crore Muslims (2025-26: ₹678 crore for education empowerment).
These schemes aim to bridge socio-economic gaps, with Muslims comprising 70-80% of minority beneficiaries in education programs.
Perspective on General Category and Claims of Discrimination
India's welfare policies are rooted in the Constitution's directive for affirmative action to uplift backward classes, not to exclude the general category. Universal schemes like PM-KISAN (₹63,500 crore in 2025-26, benefiting 11 crore farmers) and Stand-Up India (loans for entrepreneurs) are open to all, including general category citizens. The 10% EWS quota (introduced in 2019) provides reservations for economically weaker general category individuals in jobs and education. While some argue that targeted schemes create "reverse discrimination," evidence from reports like those from the National Commission for Backward Classes suggests these measures address centuries-old inequalities without systematically disadvantaging the general category—general candidates still access 40-50% of opportunities on merit. Claims of discrimination often overlook that general category poverty is addressed through non-caste-specific anti-poverty programs.
Detailed Survey of Government Welfare Spending, Schemes, and Equity Policies (2014-2025)
This comprehensive review examines the Modi government's welfare expenditures on Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Muslim communities over the last 11 years, based on official data from Union Budgets, Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases, and parliamentary responses. It includes breakdowns of key schemes, budget trends, and a balanced discussion on equity for the general category. The analysis draws from authenticated sources to ensure accuracy, highlighting growth in allocations while noting implementation gaps. Affirmative action in India stems from constitutional mandates (Articles 15-16, 46) to promote social justice for historically marginalized groups, without implying discrimination against others.
Budget Trends and Total Spending Overview
Welfare allocations for SC, ST, OBC, and minorities have seen substantial growth under the Modi government, reflecting a policy emphasis on "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (inclusive development). Cumulative spending exceeds ₹15-20 lakh crore across categories, with annual budgets tripling in some areas. However:
- SC Welfare: Allocations under the Allocation for Welfare of Scheduled Castes (AWSC) rose from ₹50,548 crore (BE 2014-15) to ₹165,493 crore (BE 2024-25), a 227% increase. Actual expenditure averaged 85-95% of revised estimates, totaling around ₹8-10 lakh crore cumulatively. Key drivers include scholarships and economic empowerment.
- ST Welfare: Budgets surged from ₹4,498 crore (2014-15) to ₹14,926 crore (2025-26), a 231% rise per PIB data. Cumulative spending: ~₹1-1.5 lakh crore, with focus on tribal development.
- OBC Welfare: Allocations under schemes like Post-Matric Scholarships grew from ₹1,758 crore (2019-20) to ₹1,970 crore (2021-22), stabilizing at ₹1,800-2,000 crore annually. Total: ~₹20,000-25,000 crore, including skill programs.
- Minority/Muslim Welfare: Under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, budgets peaked at ₹5,020 crore (2022-23) but declined to ₹3,350 crore (2025-26), a 17% drop from 2014-19 averages. Muslims, comprising ~70% of beneficiaries, received ~₹25,000-30,000 crore cumulatively through scholarships (e.g., 2.37 crore Muslim students benefited 2014-19). Overall minority spending: ₹40,000-45,000 crore.
Challenges include underutilization (e.g., 12.5% decline in minority scheme expenditure 2021-22) due to overlaps and state delays. Data from IndiaStat and Union Budgets show consistent upward trends until recent stabilizations.
Table 1: Year-Wise Allocations for SC/ST/OBC/Minority Welfare (in ₹ Crore, Approximate from Aggregated Sources)
| Year | SC Welfare (BE) | ST Welfare (BE) | OBC Welfare (Key Schemes) | Minority/Muslim (BE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 50,548 | 4,498 | 1,710 | 3,734 |
| 2015-16 | 30,851 | ~5,000 | 1,710 | 3,738 |
| 2016-17 | 38,833 | ~6,000 | 1,955 | 3,827 |
| 2017-18 | 52,393 | ~7,000 | 1,955 | 4,195 |
| 2018-19 | 56,619 | ~7,500 | 1,830 | 4,700 |
| 2019-20 | 81,341 | ~8,000 | 1,830 | 4,700 |
| 2020-21 | 83,257 | 7,511 | 1,955 | ~3,000 |
| 2021-22 | 126,259 | 7,995 | 1,970 | 5,021 |
| 2022-23 | 142,342 | 8,926 | ~2,000 | 5,021 |
| 2023-24 | 159,148 | 11,951 | ~1,800 | 3,098 |
| 2024-25 | 165,493 | 12,491 | ~1,800 | 3,138 |
| 2025-26 | ~170,000 (Est.) | 14,926 | ~2,000 | 3,350 |
*Sources: Union Budget Expenditure Profiles, PIB, IndiaStat. Note: Minority figures include broader programs; Muslim-specific data is ~70% of totals. Bar chart representation (simulated in markdown for visualization):
SC Welfare: |||||||||||||||||||||||||| (165k Cr in 2024-25)
ST Welfare: ||||||||||||||| (12k Cr)
OBC Welfare: ||||||||| (1.8k Cr)
Minority: ||||||| (3.1k Cr)
(Scale: Each | = ~10k Cr)Specific Schemes and Their Impact
The government runs over 30 targeted schemes, consolidated under umbrellas like PM-AJAY for SCs and PM Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana for STs. Details:
- For SCs:
- Post-Matric Scholarship: ₹6,360 crore (2025-26); benefited 92 lakh students (2023-24).
- PM-AJAY: ₹2,140 crore (2021-22); village development in SC-majority areas.
- National Fellowship for SCs: ₹300 crore annually; supports higher education.
- For STs:
- Post-Matric Scholarship: ₹2,433 crore (2025-26); 18 lakh beneficiaries.
- Eklavya Model Residential Schools: 477 sanctioned (up from 123 in 2013-14); ₹1,000 crore+ invested.
- Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana: Focuses on 1,000+ tribal villages.
- For OBCs:
- Post-Matric Scholarship: ₹921 crore (2025-26); 92 lakh beneficiaries cumulatively.
- Dr. Ambedkar Scheme for OBCs/EBCs: Interest subsidy on overseas loans; ₹250 crore (2025-26).
- SHREYAS: ₹472 crore for higher education.
- For Muslims/Minorities:
- Pre/Post-Matric Scholarships: ₹5,172 crore (2008-2023); 92 lakh beneficiaries, mostly Muslims.
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram: ₹910 crore (2024-25); infrastructure in minority areas.
- Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship: For minority girls; part of ₹678 crore education budget (2025-26).
These schemes have led to outcomes like reduced dropout rates (e.g., SC/ST enrollment up 20% per NFHS data) and increased economic participation (e.g., 71% PM Fasal Bima beneficiaries are SC/ST/OBC).
Table 2: Selected Schemes with Budgets and Beneficiaries (Cumulative 2014-2025)
| Scheme | Target Group | Budget (Cumulative ₹ Cr) | Beneficiaries (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship | SC | 40,000+ | 4 crore+ |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship | ST | 15,000+ | 1.5 crore |
| SHREYAS | OBC | 5,000 | 50 lakh |
| Minority Scholarships | Muslims/Minorities | 20,000+ | 3 crore (2.37 crore Muslims) |
Equity for General Category and Discrimination Debates
India's reservation system reserves ~50% seats/jobs for SC/ST/OBC (15% SC, 7.5% ST, 27% OBC), leaving ~40% for merit (open to all) and 10% for EWS in general category (introduced 2019). No schemes are "exclusive" to general category, as policies target backwardness per Constitution. General citizens access universal schemes:
- PM-KISAN: ₹6,000/year to farmers; 80% small/marginal (includes general).
- Ayushman Bharat: ₹5 lakh health cover; 55 crore beneficiaries.
- PMAY: 4 crore houses; open to all BPL/EWS.
Claims of "discrimination" against general category arise from perceptions of "reverse discrimination" in reservations, but Supreme Court rulings (e.g., Janhit Abhiyan v. Union of India, 2022) affirm these as tools for substantive equality, not bias. General category poverty (e.g., 10-15% of population) is addressed via EWS and anti-poverty programs. Debates highlight controversies: some view reservations as perpetuating caste divides, while evidence shows they reduce inequality (e.g., SC/ST poverty down 20% per NITI Aayog). No data supports systematic fund denial to general; instead, universal spending (~₹10-15 lakh crore annually) benefits all.
Table 3: Universal Schemes Benefiting General Category (2025-26 Allocations)
| Scheme | Focus | Budget (₹ Cr) | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM-KISAN | Farmer Income | 63,500 | 11 crore |
| Ayushman Bharat | Health Insurance | 1,16,000+ | 55 crore |
| PMAY | Housing | 54,500 | 4 crore |
In summary, while targeted spending uplifts marginalized groups, India's welfare ecosystem ensures broad access, promoting inclusive growth amid ongoing debates.
Key Citations
- PIB: "Empowering Tribes Towards Viksit Bharat" (2025)
- Union Budget: "Expenditure Profile 2026-2027"
- IndiaStat: "Special Component Plan Expenditure"
- Economic Times: "Union Budget 2025: Boost to Social Justice"
- Ministry of Minority Affairs: "Empowering Minorities" (2024)
- Wikipedia: "List of Schemes of the Government of India"
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