Reporting of Scheduled Caste Beneficiaries in Government Financial Schemes Now Mandatory, Finance Ministry Issues Directives

Following the intervention of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), the Department of Financial Services (DFS) of the Ministry of Finance has issued a significant directive. It is now mandatory to report the assistance provided to Scheduled Caste (SC) beneficiaries under major government financial schemes.

According to these instructions, State Level Bankers' Committees (SLBC) and UT-LBC coordinators across all states and Union Territories have been directed to include details on the number and percentage of SC beneficiaries receiving assistance under identified schemes in their periodic review meetings. This information must be shared regularly with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. Additionally, an action report must be submitted to the Department of Financial Services by October 9, 2026, mentioning any difficulties encountered during data compilation.

The Department of Financial Services has clarified that this reporting should be based on data already available with banks and implementing agencies to maintain uniformity in the process and avoid the need for additional reporting. SLBCs and UT-LBCs have also been asked to provide updated information on the actions taken within 30 days.

This step was taken following a letter written on September 24, 2026, by Mr. Vivek Kumar Dewangan, Secretary of the NCSC, to the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services. The letter highlighted that the percentage of Scheduled Caste families among beneficiaries of key schemes—such as Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand-Up India, Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), PM SVANidhi, CGTMSE, and MSME business loans—was not clearly specified in the SLBC reports. The Commission stated that the lack of data was hindering its ability to fulfill constitutional obligations assigned under Article 338(5)(c) and was obstructing the evaluation of the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes.

In response, the Department of Financial Services issued directives to the concerned coordinators on October 5, 2026. It is expected that this arrangement will increase transparency and accountability in the reach of financial inclusion benefits. Mr. Dewangan stated that the National Commission for Scheduled Castes will continue to monitor the implementation of these directives to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the targeted beneficiaries in an equitable manner.