Today, the MoSJE inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 34 residential hostels across various states and central institutes

In a significant stride towards improving educational opportunities for marginalized communities, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing schemes for Construction/Repair of Educational Hostels for SC students (Under PM-AJAY) and Construction of Educational Hostels for OBC boys and girls.

Today, the Ministry inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 34 residential hostels across various states and central institutes. These hostels, catering to the accommodation needs of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students, underscore the government's commitment to fostering inclusive education. This initiative not only addresses the infrastructural requirements but also aims to create a conducive environment for learning, ensuring that students from marginalized backgrounds have access to quality education without hindrances.

The inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony, which took place on February 29, 2024, witnessed the esteemed presence of Hon’ble Minister Dr Virendra Kumar (Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment) along with Secretary Shri Saurabh Garg and senior officers of the Ministry and Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly from respective constituencies, further highlighting the collective effort towards empowering education of the marginalized community.

Key Highlights:

Inauguration and Foundation Stone Laying: A total of 34 hostels was inaugurated today along with their foundation stone laid of Rs.165.81 cr (Rs. 143.45 cr. for SC hostels and Rs. 22.36 cr for OBC hostels respectively), accommodating a total of 5456 students. Among these, 28 hostels cater to SC students, providing accommodation for 3150 girls and 750 boys and 6 hostels are dedicated to OBC students, offering facilities for 396 girls .

Financial Allocation: The Ministry has allocated substantial financial resources towards this initiative. A sum of Rs. 385.94 crores has been sanctioned for the construction of 192 SC hostels since 2014-15. Of these, 138 hostels cater specifically to girls, providing accommodation for 18637 students. Furthermore, Rs. 288.61 crores have been released under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the construction of hostels for OBC boys and girls, benefiting 20915 students till date.

Empowering Education: These initiatives reflect the government's unwavering commitment to fostering a conducive learning environment for socially and educationally backward communities. By bridging the gap in educational infrastructure and providing affordable accommodation, the Ministry aimed to mitigate barriers to education and empower students to pursue their academic aspirations.

In the academic year 2021-22, of the 4.33 crore students enrolled, SC students accounted for 15.3%, while OBC students comprised 37.8% of the total enrollment. Highlighting the remarkable progress in SC student enrollment, figures indicate a notable surge to 66.23 lakh in 2021-22 from 58.95 lakh in the previous academic year. This upsurge reflects a commendable 25.4% increase over the past five years, marking an overall enhancement of 44% since 2014-15. Equally significant is the rise in SC female enrollment, witnessing an increase to 31.71 lakh in 2021-22, showcasing a 26.6% growth over the last five years and an overall enhancement of 51% since 2014-15.

Similarly, enrollment figures for OBC students soared to approximately 1.63 crore in 2021-22 from 1.48 crore in the preceding year, demonstrating a noteworthy 27.3% increase since 2017-18 and an overall expansion of 45% since 2014-15. The enrollment of OBC female students also saw an encouraging surge to 78.19 lakh in 2021-22 from 72.88 lakh in 2020-21, showcasing a 27.2% growth since 2017-18 and an overall enhancement of 49.3% since 2014-15.

These advancements signify a substantial improvement in Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER). In 2021-22, the GER for SC students rose to 25.9 from 23.1 in the previous year, indicating a remarkable upward trend from 18.9 in 2014-15. Similarly, SC female GER climbed to 26 in 2021-22 from 23.9 in 2020-21 and a notable leap from 18.1 in 2014-15.

These statistics underscore the concerted efforts of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s dedication in promoting inclusive growth and social equity through targeted interventions in education. As these hostels stand as symbols of hope and opportunity, the Ministry remains steadfast in its resolve to empower every individual with the transformative power of education.