Scheduled for Progress
“The Department for the welfare of Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and Backward Classes has launched a comprehensive range of development and welfare initiatives with a clear focus on education, healthcare, livelihood and employment, infrastructure development, conservation of cultural heritage and legal protection. This reflects the government’s commitment to ensure the integration of underprivileged sections of society into the mainstream.”
-O.R. Kelu
Minister for Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes
Social justice and inclusive growth remain at the heart of the State’s development initiatives. An allocation of Rs.14,834.99 crores has been earmarked for Scheduled Caste development and Rs.4,279.86 crores for Scheduled Tribe development under special sub plans over the past five annual budgets. The budgetary allocation for these communities stands at 12.7 percent, significantly higher than their population share of 10.46 percent in the State.
Unnathi Overseas Scholarship
Under the scheme, financial assistance of up to ₹25 lakh is provided for postgraduate and higher studies at leading foreign universities. During the current government’s tenure, 1,104 students have benefited from this scheme and gained access to overseas education.
TRACE (Training for Career Excellence)
The scheme has been designed to bridge the gap between education and employment by providing professional exposure to youth from Scheduled communities who possess professional qualifications. So far, 5,000 candidates across diverse sectors have successfully completed the training, while another 5,000 candidates are currently undergoing training. Participants receive an honorarium ranging from Rs.10,000 to Rs.18,000 during the training period.
WINGS
It is a flagship initiative aimed at enabling students from Scheduled communities to access opportunities in the aviation sector. The scheme provides financial assistance of Rs.25 lakhs towards the Commercial Pilot Licence course at the Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy Thiruvananthapuram. Scholarships were granted for advanced training for those who completed the initial phase. Every year, scholarships are awarded to six students who qualify through the entrance examination: three from Scheduled Castes, two from Scheduled Tribes and one from the Other Eligible Communities (OEC).
Palakkad Medical College
Here, 72 percent of MBBS seats are reserved for students from Scheduled communities. So far, 500 students have completed their studies and another 500 are currently pursuing the course. This is the first medical college in India being run by a Scheduled Caste Development Department. The State government has invested ₹750 crore towards the establishment and functioning of the college.
E-Grants
Pre-matric and post-matric e-grants are provided to nearly six lakhs students without any income ceiling. Scholarships are available from pre-primary education up to research programmes, including skill based and vocational courses such as pilot training.
Study Rooms
The scheme provides Rs.2 lakhs for construction of study rooms. So far, 47,024 families are supported with study rooms.
SAFE
The SAFE scheme was launched to facilitate the completion and renovation of incomplete houses. Under this initiative financial assistance of Rs.2 lakhs has been sanctioned to 52,104 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe families.
LIFE Mission for SC
Under the LIFE Mission project, financial assistance has been sanctioned for 1.48 lakhs selected beneficiaries, of which 1,10,930 houses have already been completed. The assistance provided per house under the LIFE Mission is Rs.4 lakhs, including a contribution of Rs.1 lakh from the Scheduled Caste Development Department
Ambedkar Village Development Scheme
This scheme allocated ₹1 crore to each settlement with more than 25 families for improving basic infrastructure. The scheme has been implemented in 1,246 settlements. The programme has now been restructured to bring settlements with up to 15 houses under its coverage.
Scheduled Tribe Development Department
Vidyavahini
The scheme implemented to ensure school access for children living in forest areas and adjoining regions with limited transport facilities. It ensured transport facilities to 1,24,992 students.
Special Recruitment Programme
The State government conducted a special recruitment drive under which 500 youths were appointed as Beat Forest Officers in the Forest Department—marking the first time such a large number of local tribal youths have entered government service simultaneously
Social Study Rooms
Educated youth from Scheduled Tribe communities are trained and appointed as tutors in social study rooms with a monthly honorarium. Currently, 363 social study rooms are functioning. Smart study rooms have also been launched this year.
Janani Janmaraksha
This social security scheme provides financial assistance to ensure the well-being of pregnant women from Scheduled Tribe communities. Mothers with babies up to one year along with their infants receive financial assistance of Rs.2,000 per month for 18 months, from the third month of pregnancy until the child completes one year. In addition, free medical treatment is provided to Scheduled Tribe members in all government hospitals across the State under the Comprehensive Tribal Health Care scheme.
Financial Assistance for Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients
Monthly financial assistance is provided to Scheduled Tribe patients affected by sickle cell anaemia. During 2016–2021, Rs.9.64 crore was allocated, benefiting 3,471 patients. During 2021–2025, Rs.15.26 crore was allocated, benefiting 12,541 patients. A large-scale screening programme to cover the entire Scheduled Tribe population for sickle cell anaemia has been launched.
Digitally Connected Tribal Areas
The programme uses assistive technology to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions. In September 2024, the initiative received a United Nations award.
Financial Assistance for Single-Income Families
This scheme provides financial security to families dependent on a single income earner in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Financial assistance of Rs.2,00,000 is provided per family. Between 2020 and 2025, Rs.6.08-crore was disbursed.
Land Distribution
With the objective of rehabilitating landless Scheduled Tribe families, land ranging from a minimum of one acre to a maximum of five acres is provided. Between 2016 and 2025, a total of 8,573.52 acres of land was distributed to 8,919 Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries across Kerala. The achievement of providing land to all Scheduled Tribe families in Thiruvananthapuram district stands out as a significant milestone.
LIFE Scheme for ST
Under the LIFE housing construction and renovation schemes, a total of 53,438 houses were sanctioned for Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries between 2016 and August 2025. Of these, construction of 46,314 houses has been completed, while the remaining houses are at various stages of completion.
Forest Rights
Under the Forest Rights Act, possession certificates were issued for 4,224.55 acres of land to 3,126 families. Revenue land title deeds (pattayas) for 20.98 acres were issued to 27 families, and rights over 243.80 acres of vested forest land were granted to 718 families. Under the Land Bank scheme, 62.86 acres of land were purchased and distributed to 314 families. In total, 4,185 families were allotted 4,552.19 acres of land. A decision has been taken to issue revenue records to all families who have received land under forest rights.
Backward Classes Development Department
Scholarships
Financial assistance is provided to approximately seven lakhs students every year. Over the past five years, a total of Rs.2,693.49-crore has been disbursed.
Kedavilakku Scholarship Scheme
After the Central government discontinued the scholarship, the State government took over the scheme for OBC students studying in Classes I to VIII. From 2023 to date, Rs.39.36 crore has been spent under this scheme, benefiting 2,15,045 students.
Kerala State Backward Classes Development Corporation
Through the Corporation, loans amounting to Rs.5,912.67-crore have been disbursed to 5,48,639 beneficiaries during this period.