UP Scholarships received a major push as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath transferred more than Rs 148 crore in scholarships and fee reimbursements to over 4.60 lakh students. UP Scholarships are part of the state government's effort to ensure that financial difficulties do not prevent eligible students from continuing their education.
Speaking at an event in Lucknow, Adityanath said every eligible child should receive scholarship support. He also announced an ambitious plan to expand the programme's reach from the current 4.60 lakh beneficiaries to 70 lakh students.
The Chief Minister directed the Social Welfare, Backward Classes Welfare and Minority Welfare departments to ensure that scholarship funds reach eligible students' bank accounts every month.
Government claims technology has reduced fund diversion
Adityanath credited technology-driven systems with reducing the possibility of financial irregularities in scholarship distribution. He contrasted the current system with the previous Samajwadi Party government and alleged that scholarship funds were earlier diverted before reaching beneficiaries.
According to figures cited by the Chief Minister, the state government currently spends around Rs 6,200 crore on scholarships, compared with approximately Rs 2,900 crore under the previous government.
He claimed that under the earlier system, only around 60 to 70 students out of every 100 eligible beneficiaries received scholarship benefits.
The government said that last year, around Rs 2,750 crore was distributed to 26.26 lakh SC and ST students, Rs 360 crore to 5.89 lakh minority students and Rs 3,072 crore to 37 lakh students from Backward Classes.
Focus on education and competitive exam preparation
Adityanath also highlighted improvements in government school infrastructure under Operation Kayakalp. The initiative has focused on facilities such as toilets, drinking water, furniture, flooring, uniforms, textbooks, school bags, sweaters, shoes and socks.
The Chief Minister said better infrastructure is important for keeping students in school, particularly girls who may otherwise leave because of inadequate facilities.
He also highlighted the Mukhyamantri Abhyudaya Coaching Scheme, under which students preparing for competitive examinations such as JEE and NEET can access coaching within Uttar Pradesh.
In another announcement, Adityanath said 50,000 meritorious girls will receive scooters next month, further expanding the government's education-related support measures.
The latest scholarship transfer and the proposed expansion to 70 lakh beneficiaries underline the state's broader push to increase financial assistance and educational opportunities for students across Uttar Pradesh.
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