The Centre on Thursday night decided to continue the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of Post Matric Scholarship to students belonging to Scheduled Castes in its existing form, with an anticipated expenditure of Rs 5000 crore, during the Eleventh Plan (2007-12).

The decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister P Chidambaram told newspersons after the Cabinet meeting.

Making significant modifications in the scheme, the CCEA decided that  in case of professional courses the scholarship would be available to only those SC students who are admitted against “free seats” whether in government or private institutions, he said.Earlier, the scholarship was awarded to SC students getting admission in government institutions.

In case of private institutions where admission is only the basis of 12th standard examination marks, there shall be a bench mark of 60 per cent for availing the scholarship.

During the Tenth Plan (2002-07) the government disbursed scholarships to SC students to the tune of Rs 1822.45 crores as against the Plan outlay of Rs 1558 crore.

Under the scheme nearly 1.16 crore SC students were given scholarships during the Tenth Plan, Chidambaram said.

The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme is an open-ended scheme.

All the SC students, whose parents annual income does not exceed Rs 1 lakh, will be be eligible, the minister said.