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

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 [S1].
• Record outlays were utilised on welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), De-Notified Tribes (DNTs) and Senior Citizens [S1].
• 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).

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 04 April 2026 by Union Minister Dr Virendra Kumar announced the record expenditure figure [S1].
• Follows the Union Budget 2025-26 which marginally expanded the Ministry's outlay; high utilisation (~14% YoY rise) signals improved fund absorption capacity [S2].

3. Background & Evolution

• 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) [S3].
• 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) [S4].
• PM-YASASVI (2021-22) is the umbrella scholarship scheme for OBC, EBC and DNT students [S4].

4. Core Static Facts

• Total DoSJE expenditure FY 2025-26: ₹11,810.82 crore (record) [S1].
• FY 2024-25 expenditure: ₹10,409.00 crore [S1].
• YoY rise: ~14% [S1].
• Union Minister: Dr Virendra Kumar [S1].
• PM-AJAY BE 2025-26: ₹2,140 crore [S2].
• PM-YASASVI releases (01.01.2025–30.11.2025): Pre-Matric ₹134.88 crore; Post-Matric ₹759.98 crore [S4].
• PM-YASASVI beneficiaries: 20.61 lakh students (OBC + EBC + DNT) [S4].
• PM-AJAY components: Adarsh Gram, Grants-in-Aid (erstwhile SCA-SCSP), Hostels (erstwhile BJRCY) [S4].
• Budget document reference: SBE No. 93 — MoSJE, indiabudget.gov.in [S2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic / Fiscal - ~14% expenditure jump indicates improved utilisation efficiency, not merely allocation — a recurring Standing Committee concern [S1]. - 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 [S1][S4]. - PM-YASASVI scholarships address the post-matric dropout cliff among OBC/EBC/DNT learners [S4].

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 [S5]. - Merger of three legacy CSSs reduces fragmentation, aligning with NITI Aayog's CSS rationalisation push [S4].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 04 Apr 2026 — PIB release announcing ₹11,810.82 crore record spend [S1].
• 01 Feb 2025 — Union Budget 2025-26 expanded social justice outlay marginally; PM-AJAY pegged at ₹2,140 crore [S2].
• 2025 — Year-End Review of DoSJE released by PIB [S4].
• Jan–Nov 2025 — ₹894.86 crore disbursed under PM-YASASVI pre+post-matric to 20.61 lakh students [S4].

7. Prelims Hooks

• DoSJE recorded ₹11,810.82 crore expenditure in FY 2025-26 — highest ever [S1].
• YoY growth in expenditure: ~14% over FY 2024-25 (₹10,409 crore) [S1].
• Union Minister announcing the figure: Dr Virendra Kumar [S1].
• PM-AJAY (2021-22) = PMAGY + SCA-to-SCSP + BJRCY [S4].
• PM-AJAY BE 2025-26: ₹2,140 crore [S2].
• PM-YASASVI covers OBC + EBC + DNT students (NOT SC/ST) [S4].
• PM-YASASVI beneficiaries Jan–Nov 2025: 20.61 lakh [S4].
• PM-YASASVI Post-Matric release Jan–Nov 2025: ₹759.98 crore [S4].
• Implementing portal for SC sub-scheme tracking: pmajay.dosje.gov.in [S5].
• MoSJE comprises two Departments — Social Justice & Empowerment, and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities [S3].
• NCBC acquired constitutional status via 102nd CAA, 2018 (Art. 338B & 342A) — administered by MoSJE.
• Demand for Grants (SBE) number for MoSJE: No. 93 [S2].

8. Mains Relevance

• 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.

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• 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.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• PM-YASASVI is for OBC/EBC/DNT — NOT SC/ST; SC scholarships are separate (Pre/Post-Matric for SCs) [S4].
• PM-AJAY is for SCs only, despite a name that sounds generic [S4].
• 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).

11. Sources

• [S1] Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment posts highest-ever expenditure in FY 2025-26 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2249066 — (tier: 1)
• [S2] MoSJE Demand for Grants / SBE No. 93, Union Budget 2025-26 — https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/sbe93.pdf — (tier: 1)
• [S3] Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment overview — https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2023/may/doc2023519200401.pdf — (tier: 1)
• [S4] Year-End Review 2025: DoSJE Schemes & Achievements — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2209488 — (tier: 1)
• [S5] PM-AJAY Portal, DoSJE — https://pmajay.dosje.gov.in/ — (tier: 1)