business ποΈ Scholarship Delays and Target Cuts Flagged by Panel
A Parliamentary Standing Committee flagged significant delays in disbursing scholarships to marginalised students across India. The Committee noted that scholarships are often released in the following academic year due to verification hurdles by State and Union Territory governments. Furthermore, the Committee questioned the reduction of the 2026-27 OBC scholarship target to 34 lakh beneficiaries despite previous shortfalls. The panel stressed that targets should increase annually, not decrease after missing previous goals, as per its 21st Report. Strict measures must be taken by the Department to ensure timely assistance for these students. π