Patna: The Bihar government has said that improving access to education, employment and social security for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes remains a central priority, as it announced a Rs 2,752 crore budget for the welfare department in the 2025–26 financial year.
At a press conference in Patna, the secretary of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare Department, Dr Sandeep Kumar R Pudkalakatti, and the minister, Lakhindra Paswan, outlined a range of initiatives aimed at bringing marginalised communities into what they described as the social and economic mainstream.
According to the 2011 census, Scheduled Castes account for about 15.9% of Bihar’s population, while Scheduled Tribes make up 1.28%. The state has notified 22 Scheduled Castes and 32 Scheduled Tribes, along with several particularly vulnerable tribal groups, for whom separate welfare schemes are being implemented.
The department’s budget for 2025–26 is higher than last year’s allocation. Officials said the increase would be used to speed up the construction and upgrading of hostels, residential schools and other basic facilities across the state.
Education remains a key focus. Bihar currently operates 91 residential schools for students from SC and ST communities, with several institutions upgraded to the 10+2 level. Hostel facilities have also been expanded to support students from rural and remote areas.
To reduce financial barriers, the government continues to provide pre-matric and post-matric scholarships, with funds transferred directly into students’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer system. Additional support is available for students preparing for competitive examinations, including financial incentives for those appearing in exams such as the UPSC and BPSC.
The department said it was also strengthening social security measures, including strict enforcement of laws against atrocities, with assistance provided to victims.
Paswan said the schemes were beginning to show results, improving living standards and helping people from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes become more self-reliant.
