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  2. Economic and Social Development

12 Years of Social Justice Achievements

Published on: 11-Jun-2026

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12 Years of Social Justice Achievements

Article Summary

Summary of Achievements in Social Justice and Empowerment (12 Years Review)

Key Facts and Figures:

  • Beneficiaries: Over 11 crore citizens impacted through various welfare schemes since 2014.
  • Financial Investments:
    • Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme: ₹46,581.54 crore for 6.12 crore students.
    • Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme: ₹4,893.03 crore for 2.99 crore disadvantaged students.
    • PM-Yashasvi Scheme: ₹15,555.53 crore for over 10.69 lakh students from OBC, EBC, and DNT communities.
    • Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Implemented to eliminate financial discrepancies.

Constitutional References:

  • Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act: Significant amendments made to strengthen victim rights and establish special courts.

Government Schemes and Policies:

  • National Health Sector Initiatives: The 'Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan' has raised awareness among over 26.28 crore citizens.
  • Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY): Special care programs for senior citizens and transgender individuals.
    • National Elderly Welfare Camps: Over 85 lakh senior citizens received free assistive devices.
    • Elderline (14567): Resolved over 29 lakh calls for elder support.
  • SMILE Scheme: National portal for transgender individuals providing legal and economic recognition; 33,189 certificates issued.
  • Venture Capital Funds:
    • VCF-SC and VCF-BC: Over ₹750 crore sanctioned to promote economic self-reliance among marginalized communities.
  • Namaste Scheme: Supported mechanization of sewer cleaning, ensuring safety for 3.42 lakh sanitation workers with ₹2,383.06 crore allocated for professional respect and safety.

Judicial and Legislative Developments:

  • Special Courts: Established under the amended SC/ST Act to ensure justice for victims.
  • Victim Support Framework: Developed to enhance victim rights and relief measures.

Economic Indicators:

  • Investment in Education: Significant funding directed towards scholarships for marginalized communities, supporting education and empowerment.

International and National Importance:

  • Social Justice Campaigns: Focus on restoring dignity and providing targeted opportunities for marginalized groups, including senior citizens and the transgender community.

Science and Technology:

  • Digital Initiatives: Implementation of a multi-tier digital structure for educational support, enhancing transparency and efficiency in welfare distribution.

Conclusion:

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has made substantial progress in transforming welfare schemes into inclusive and effective programs, particularly through digital reforms, legislative changes, and targeted financial support, significantly impacting the lives of the marginalized in India.

Key Terms & Concepts

11 crore citizensBeneficiaries of welfare schemes
71,000 crore INRFunding for social justice campaigns
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)Financial transparency model
Post-matric scholarship schemeSupport for 6.12 crore students
Pre-matric scholarship schemeSupport for 2.99 crore students
PM-Yashasvi SchemeFinancial aid for OBC and EBC
SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) ActAmendments for victim protection
Nasha Mukt Bharat AbhiyanAwareness campaign against substance abuse
Atal Vayo Abhyuday YojanaCare programs for seniors
Elderline (14567)Support hotline for seniors
Venture Capital Fund for SCFunding for entrepreneurship
Namaste SchemeMechanization of sewer cleaning

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