The Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) Cell is an initiative from the institute to nurture, protect and promotes the interests and opportunities available for the students in the reserved category.

The SC/ST Cell exclusively looks after the work related to SC/STs matters and no other work is assigned to the Cell. 11. If the required data is not submitted by the given date, UGC reserves the right to withhold either plan or non-plan grant until the required information/data is received.

Recognizing education as a critical tool for achieving social and economic equality and with a view to address unique challenges faced by the Disadvantaged groups, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC – non-creamy layer), Women, Minorities, and Differently Abled Persons in accessing opportunities, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has been consistently promoting initiatives to ensure equitable access to higher education for all.

Equal Opportunity Cell and SC/ST Cell to ensure the effective and transparent redressal of grievances of the disadvantaged groups. To assist this initiative, the UGC is preparing a database of important aspects, which are crucial to the protection of the rights and interests of the Disadvantaged groups and addressing their complaints and grievances.

To ensure the effective implementation of the reservation policy in admission, recruitment, allotment of staff quarters, Hostels etc., the UGC has been encouraging establishment of SC/ST Cells in the Universities.

Schemes # Scheme Name
10                 National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students
11                 Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students
12                 Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students
13                 Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) (OBC &Others) - 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Central Universities are receiving 100% maintenance grant and also the Deemed to be universities, which are getting 100% maintenance grant or part of maintenance grant are required to provide reservation of 15% to Scheduled Castes, 7.5% for Scheduled Tribes, 27% to Other Backward Classes and 4% for Persons.