Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday, October 3, 2026, accused the previous state government of irregularities in scholarship distribution before 2017. Speaking at a scholarship and fee reimbursement programme in Lucknow, he alleged that Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students were also denied scholarships during 2016-17. Key HighlightsYogi Adityanath raised allegations about scholarship distribution before 2017.He referred to SC and ST students during the 2016-17 academic year.He said pending scholarships were later released after his government came to power.The remarks were made at a scholarship and fee reimbursement programme in Lucknow.What did Yogi Adityanath say about scholarships?Yogi Adityanath said students had faced problems in getting scholarships before 2017. He alleged that money meant for students did not reach them properly.The Chief Minister also referred to the 2016-17 academic year. He said SC and ST students were among those who did not receive scholarships.His remarks were made during a programme at the Lok Bhavan auditorium in Lucknow, where scholarships and fee reimbursements were distributed to students. “In 2016-17, scholarships for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students were not sent,” Adityanath alleged.The allegation is a statement by the Chief Minister about the previous government. The sources reviewed for this report do not establish an independent finding that scholarship funds were embezzled.What happened to pending scholarships?Adityanath said that scholarships that had remained pending before 2017 were later released after his government came to power.He has made similar claims about scholarship delays in the past. In 2021, he said SC and ST students had faced delays in scholarship payments during 2016-17. The issue of timely scholarship payments remains important for students who depend on government support for education and fees.How are scholarships being managed now?Scholarship systems have seen changes in recent years. The Union government says scholarship delivery has been strengthened through online applications, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Aadhaar-linked bank accounts and monitoring systems. For SC students, the centrally sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme is implemented through state governments and Union Territories. States handle important parts of the application, verification and implementation process. The Union government said in September 2026 that more than 1.44 crore SC students had benefited from pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes, with assistance of more than Rs 12,773 crore. Why are scholarship payments important?Scholarships can help students continue their education and pay for fees and other study needs. Delays can create problems for families that depend on this support.Yogi Adityanath said his government had worked to ensure that eligible students receive scholarships on time. His latest remarks again brought the issue of past scholarship distribution into focus.The Chief Minister's comments are part of a political dispute over the record of the previous government. The specific allegation about funds from 2016-17 should be distinguished from independently verified facts about current scholarship systems and payments.Also Read : UP Elections: Yogi Adityanath Outlines BJP Strategy
