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Special provisions
Government of
India has taken number of steps to strengthen the educational
base of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The following
special provisions have been incorporated for SCs and STs in the
existing schemes of Department of Higher Education: -
Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL): The Central
Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore has a scheme of
development of Indian Languages through research, developing
manpower and production of materials in modern Indian Languages
including tribal languages. The Institute has worked in more
than 90 tribal and border languages.
National Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMSS): The National
Scholarship Scheme and Scheme of Scholarship at the Secondary
Stage for Talented Children from Rural Areas are in existence
since 1961-62 and 1971-72 respectively. These have been merged
and a new scheme entitled ‘National Merit Scholarship Scheme’
has been framed for implementation with revised provisions from
2005-06. The objective of the National Merit Scholarship Scheme
is to support talented students and encourage them to excel
academically in studies by giving recognition and financial
assistance at post-metric level on state wise merit basis and
also separately to talented and meritorious students in rural
areas for Classes IX to X for all categories. The revised rate
of scholarship varies from Rs. 250/- to Rs. 750/- p.m. depending
on the level of education and course of study. The Scheme
has been discontinued with effect from April, 2007. However, a
New Central Scheme of Scholarship for College and University
Students is proposed to be implemented.
National University of Educational Planning & Administration
(NUEPA): Educational development of Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes is an area of major concern of NUEPA. It
carries out studies, seminars, symposiums, etc. and evaluates
ongoing programes/existing educational programmes. It covers
programmes and schemes for scheduled castes and scheduled
Tribes. It also generates material for educational institutions.
University Grants Commission: University Grants
Commission runs the Remedial Coaching Scheme with a view to
improve the academic skills and linguistic proficiency of the
Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students to prepare them for
the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by UGC/CSIR.
-
UGC has earmarked
15% and 7.50% reservation for SCs and STs respectively in
appointments, both in teaching and non-teaching posts,
admissions, hostel accommodation, etc. in universities/colleges.
State universities follow reservation policy of the respective
state governments. The Commission issues
guidelines/directives/instructions from time to time for
implementation of reservation policy of the Government of India.
-
There is
relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks for admission for
SC/ST candidates.
-
UGC implements the
Career Orientation programme for the graduates for gainful
employment in the wage sector in general, and self-employment in
particular for all including SCs/STs.
-
Commission
provides financial assistance for extension activities to SCs/STs.
-
Commission has
created a Central Pool Database of eligible SC/ST candidates and
recommends their candidature for teaching positions in
universities and colleges.
SC/ST Cells:
University Grants Commission provides assistance to
universities/deemed universities for establishment of Special
SC/ST Cells, to ensure effective implementation of reservation
policy for SCs/STs in admissions, recruitment both in teaching
and non-teaching posts, staff quarters/hostels, fellowships etc.
Till now, 123 SC/ST Cells have been established in universities
including deemed Universities.
-
In order to
oversee the implementation of the reservation policy in
Central/Deemed Universities, the Commission has constituted
Monitoring Committee under the chairmanship of Secretary, UGC.
-
There is a
Standing Committee on SCs and STs to review the performance of
the implementations of reservation policy and advise the
Commission on the matters.
Engineering
Colleges: The higher educational institutions administered
by the Central Government including IITs, IIMs, Regional
Engineering Colleges, etc. provide reservation to the extent of
15% and 7.5% for SCs and STs students respectively in
admissions. Apart from reservation, there is relaxation in
minimum qualifying marks for admission and seats are reserved in
hostels for SC/ST students. Reservation percentages vary in
institutions run by the State Governments as per State
Government’s policy.
Following facilities are provided to SCs and STs in Joint
Entrance Examination conducted by IITs:
-
Relaxation in
qualifying norms.
-
Reduced cost of
application form.
-
SC/ST candidates
called for Counseling are paid single second class rail fare.
-
All SC/ST
candidates admitted to IIT-BHU and IT-BHU are exempted from
payment of tuition fees. In addition, all SC/ST students are
granted free mess and a pocket allowance of Rs. 70/- per month
subject to the fulfilment of norms of parental income.
-
Special facilities
of Book Banks are provided. Some IITs have special Book Banks
for exclusive use of SC/ST students.
Community
Polytechnics: The scheme of Community Polytechnics has been
in operation in selected diploma level institutions since
1978-79. It provides platforms for transfer of appropriate
technologies to rural masses/local communities. Preference is
given in training to rural youths, SCs, STs, women, school
dropouts and other disadvantaged groups and helps them to obtain
need based gainful employment. It applies Science and technology
through skill oriented non-formal training, technology transfer
and technical support services.
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