(a) whether there is difference in criteria for giving scholarships to the students belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) vis-à-vis the students belonging to minority communities;  (b) if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;  (c) whether the Government proposes to change the criteria of giving scholarship to students belonging to SC and Scheduled Tribe (ST) on the pattern of the students of minority communities; and  (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken in this regard? ANSWER MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (D. NAPOLEON)  (a) & (b) Yes, Sir. Scholarship under Post Matric Scholarship scheme for SC students is awarded to the students whose parents’/guardian`s income from all sources does not exceed Rs.1 lakh per annum. It is an open-ended scheme and is not merit based. Under the scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for Minority students, the scholarship is awarded to the students who have secured not less than 50% marks and the annual income of whose parents/guardian from all sources does not exceed Rs.2 lakh per annum. There are only a fixed number of scholarships available under this scheme.  (c) & (d) The upward revision of income criteria/ scholarship rates under the scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for SC students is under consideration. However, presently there is no proposal to change the criteria of giving scholarship to ST students.