4 April 2026·PIB

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment posts highest-ever expenditure in FY 2025-26

In this note

1. At a Glance

Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) posted its highest-ever annual expenditure of ₹11,810.82 crore in FY 2025-26, up ~14% over FY 2024-25 [1].
Record outlays were utilised on welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), De-Notified Tribes (DNTs) and Senior Citizens [1].
Relevant for UPSC as it links Articles 15(4), 16(4), 46, 338, 340, 342A with flagship CSS architecture (PM-AJAY, PM-YASASVI, NAPDDR, SRMS).

PIB release dated 04 April 2026 by Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar announced the record expenditure figure [1].
Follows the Union Budget 2025-26 which marginally expanded the Ministry's outlay; high utilisation (~14% YoY rise) signals improved fund absorption capacity [2].

MoSJE bifurcated into two Departments: Social Justice & Empowerment (SCs, OBCs, DNTs, Senior Citizens, drug-demand reduction, transgender persons) and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) [3].
Constitutional mandate flows from Article 46 (DPSP — promotion of educational/economic interests of SCs, STs and weaker sections).
PM-AJAY (2021-22) merged three legacy CSSs: Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to SCSP (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY) [4].
PM-YASASVI (2021-22) is the umbrella scholarship scheme for OBC, EBC and DNT students [4].

Total DoSJE expenditure FY 2025-26: ₹11,810.82 crore (record) [1].
FY 2024-25 expenditure: ₹10,409.00 crore [1].
YoY rise: ~14% [1].
Union Minister: Dr Virendra Kumar [1].
PM-AJAY BE 2025-26: ₹2,140 crore [2].
PM-YASASVI releases (01.01.2025–30.11.2025): Pre-Matric ₹134.88 crore; Post-Matric ₹759.98 crore [4].
PM-YASASVI beneficiaries: 20.61 lakh students (OBC + EBC + DNT) [4].
PM-AJAY components: Adarsh Gram, Grants-in-Aid (erstwhile SCA-SCSP), Hostels (erstwhile BJRCY) [4].
Budget document reference: SBE No. 93 — MoSJE, indiabudget.gov.in [2].

Economic / Fiscal

~14% expenditure jump indicates improved utilisation efficiency, not merely allocation — a recurring Standing Committee concern [1].
Reduces criticism that Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP/DAPSC) allocations lapse unutilised.

Social

Targets historically marginalised cohorts: SCs (Art. 341), OBCs (Art. 342A), DNTs, Senior Citizens, drug-dependent persons [1][4].
PM-YASASVI scholarships address the post-matric dropout cliff among OBC/EBC/DNT learners [4].

Legal / Constitutional

Anchored in Art. 46 (DPSP), Art. 338 (NCSC), Art. 338B (NCBC, 102nd CAA, 2018), Art. 342A [general knowledge — uncited].
PM-AJAY operationalises Article 275(1)-style targeted assistance albeit for SCs through CSS route.

Administrative

CSS design → funds-flow via PFMS to State Implementing Agencies; PM-AJAY portal (pmajay.dosje.gov.in) for real-time tracking [5].
Merger of three legacy CSSs reduces fragmentation, aligning with NITI Aayog's CSS rationalisation push [4].

04 Apr 2026 — PIB release announcing ₹11,810.82 crore record spend [1].
01 Feb 2025 — Union Budget 2025-26 expanded social justice outlay marginally; PM-AJAY pegged at ₹2,140 crore [2].
2025 — Year-End Review of DoSJE released by PIB [4].
Jan–Nov 2025 — ₹894.86 crore disbursed under PM-YASASVI pre+post-matric to 20.61 lakh students [4].

DoSJE recorded ₹11,810.82 crore expenditure in FY 2025-26 — highest ever [1].
YoY growth in expenditure: ~14% over FY 2024-25 (₹10,409 crore) [1].
Union Minister announcing the figure: Dr Virendra Kumar [1].
PM-AJAY (2021-22) = PMAGY + SCA-to-SCSP + BJRCY [4].
PM-AJAY BE 2025-26: ₹2,140 crore [2].
PM-YASASVI covers OBC + EBC + DNT students (NOT SC/ST) [4].
PM-YASASVI beneficiaries Jan–Nov 2025: 20.61 lakh [4].
PM-YASASVI Post-Matric release Jan–Nov 2025: ₹759.98 crore [4].
Implementing portal for SC sub-scheme tracking: pmajay.dosje.gov.in [5].
MoSJE comprises two Departments — Social Justice & Empowerment, and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities [3].
NCBC acquired constitutional status via 102nd CAA, 2018 (Art. 338B & 342A) — administered by MoSJE.
Demand for Grants (SBE) number for MoSJE: No. 93 [2].

GS-II — Government policies & interventions for vulnerable sections; mechanisms, laws, institutions for protection & betterment of SCs/OBCs.
GS-III — Government Budgeting; inclusive growth.
Possible question stems: 1. "Higher allocation does not automatically translate into welfare outcomes." Examine in light of DoSJE's FY 2025-26 record expenditure. 2. Discuss the rationale and design of PM-AJAY in consolidating three SC-focused schemes. Has it improved Centrally Sponsored Scheme efficacy? 3. Evaluate scholarship-based interventions (PM-YASASVI) as a tool for OBC/DNT empowerment vis-à-vis reservation policy.

Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (Development Action Plan for SCs / DAPSC) — parent budgeting framework.
National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) — 102nd CAA, Art. 338B.
DNT-NT Welfare (SEED scheme) — same Ministry, vulnerable cohort.
NAPDDR & National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction — DoSJE flagship.
PM-DAKSH (skilling for SC/OBC/Safai Karamchari) — overlaps PM-AJAY.
SRMS (Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers) — under DoSJE.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities — sister department, RPwD Act 2016.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes rationalisation — NITI Aayog reports.

PM-YASASVI is for OBC/EBC/DNT — NOT SC/ST; SC scholarships are separate (Pre/Post-Matric for SCs) [4].
PM-AJAY is for SCs only, despite a name that sounds generic [4].
DoSJE handles SCs/OBCs; STs fall under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, not MoSJE.
NCSC (Art. 338) vs NCBC (Art. 338B) vs NCST (Art. 338A) — sequencing and amendment years often confused (NCBC: 102nd CAA, 2018).
Manual scavenger rehabilitation = SRMS + PROHIBITION Act 2013 (NOT the 1993 Act, which was repealed).