LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath oversaw the transfer of **Rs 126.68 crore** in scholarships to over **4.83 lakh** Other Backward Class (OBC) students on Friday. The Backward Class Welfare Department organized the ceremony at the Lok Bhavan Auditorium. This distribution marks the second phase of scholarships for the 2025-26 financial year.
The state government began scholarship distribution for the 2025-26 financial year in September. This marks the first time distributions have commenced this early in a financial year, according to officials. In the initial phase, **Rs 62.13 crore** was disbursed to over **2.5 lakh** OBC students enrolled in classes 9 to 12.
Scholarship Process and Goals
Narendra Kashyap, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Backward Class Welfare and Divyangjan Empowerment, affirmed the government’s commitment to student education. He stated that the vision of “Viksit Bharat-Viksit Uttar Pradesh” relies on educated youth.
The government aims to ensure no talented student faces educational barriers due to financial constraints. The scholarship and fee reimbursement process for disadvantaged and economically weaker sections has been streamlined. It is now faster, transparent, and fully digital.
Scholarships are distributed entirely online. Funds are transferred directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This system enhances transparency and efficiency for recipients.
Budgetary Growth and Impact
The budget allocated to the Backward Class Welfare Department has seen substantial growth. Minister Kashyap reported the department’s budget increased from **Rs 1,295 crore** in 2016-17 to **Rs 3,124.45 crore** for 2025-26. This represents an increase of more than 2.5 times.
Funding for scholarship and fee reimbursement schemes has also grown. In 2016-17, during the Samajwadi Party administration, the allocation stood at **Rs 1,092.36 crore**. The current allocation for these schemes has increased significantly, supporting a larger number of students.
Department Budget Evolution
| Year | Backward Class Welfare Dept. Budget (Rs Crore) |
|---|---|
| 2016-17 | 1,295 |
| 2025-26 | 3,124.45 |
This initiative directly supports students pursuing education across Uttar Pradesh. The government continues to prioritize accessible financial aid for eligible students.