Andhra Pradesh Sanctions ₹90.50 Crore for BC Students’ Scholarships

The Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned ₹90.50 crore as the second installment of scholarships for students belonging to Backward Classes (BC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT) for the 2025–26 academic year, State BC Welfare Minister S. Savitha announced on Friday.

The scholarships have been released under the PM-YASASVI (Prime Minister Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India) to provide financial assistance to students at both school and college levels, ensuring that economic difficulties do not disrupt their education. Of the total amount, ₹69.40 crore has been allocated for post-matric scholarships, benefiting students pursuing Intermediate, ITI, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses, while ₹21.10 crore has been earmarked for pre-matric scholarships, covering students in Classes 9 and 10, mainly in government schools.

The scholarships will be credited directly to the bank accounts of eligible students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) . Eligibility criteria include prescribed family income limits and minimum attendance requirements, ensuring support reaches those who need it most. Minister Savitha emphasized that the scholarships form part of the government’s broader efforts to ensure no BC student discontinues education due to financial constraints. She highlighted that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has made educational advancement for backward classes a priority.

Alongside scholarships, the government has been strengthening BC hostels and Gurukula institutions, establishing Schools of Excellence, and providing free coaching for competitive examinations such as IIT-JEE and NEET. Initiatives like the Talliki Vandanam scheme , distribution of Vidyamitra kits , and expansion of the mid-day meal programme to include Intermediate students further support the government’s vision for equitable education.

Officials estimate that the ₹90.50 crore allocation will benefit over 10 lakh students across the state, helping to reduce dropout rates at secondary and Intermediate levels, providing financial relief for tuition and academic expenses, and improving participation among female and DNT students. The government said these measures are part of a long-term strategy to expand access to higher education, strengthen skill development, and improve learning outcomes among BC communities in Andhra Pradesh .