Government Strengthens Monitoring of Funds Earmarked for Welfare and Development of Scheduled Castes under DAPSC

The Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC), formerly known as the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP), represents a critical instrument of targeted governance aimed at bridging historical socio-economic disparities faced by Scheduled Castes (SCs) in India. Rooted in the constitutional mandate of Articles 15(4), 16(4), and 46 — which empower the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, including SCs — the DAPSC operationalizes the Directive Principle under Article 46 that directs the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections, particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The plan was rechristened and restructured under the NITI Aayog Guidelines of 2017, replacing the earlier SCSP framework to ensure better alignment with outcome-based budgeting and stricter monitoring mechanisms. Currently, 38 Ministries and Departments of the Government of India are mandated to earmark a portion of their budgetary allocations for SC welfare under DAPSC. This cross-ministerial approach reflects the understanding that SC development cannot be confined to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment alone but must permeate sectors like education, health, rural development, agriculture, skill development, and infrastructure. However, the data presented in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State Shri Ramdas Athawale in response to a question by Shri Golla Baburao reveals a persistent challenge: actual expenditure has consistently fallen short of Revised Estimates (RE) from 2020-21 to 2025-26. Utilization rates, while improving from 81.61% in 2020-21 to a peak of 93.83% in 2023-24, dipped again to 85.65% in 2025-26, indicating systemic bottlenecks in fund absorption. The government attributes underutilization to the "general nature of schemes" in some Ministries, where SC-specific targeting is difficult due to universal or non-targeted design. This points to a deeper structural issue: the lack of scheme-level disaggregation and SC-specific outcome indicators in many flagship programmes. To address this, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has institutionalized a multi-tier monitoring framework. Review meetings are held periodically — notably under MoS Shri B.L. Verma on April 29, 2025, and at the Secretary level on August 25, 2025, and April 16, 2026 — to assess financial and physical progress. Furthermore, all 38 obligated Ministries have now nominated nodal officers dedicated to DAPSC monitoring, enhancing accountability. The significance of DAPSC extends beyond budgetary allocations; it is a litmus test for inclusive governance. With SCs constituting over 16% of India's population (Census 2011), their equitable participation in development is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Persistent underutilization not only deprives intended beneficiaries but also undermines the credibility of gender- and caste-responsive budgeting. Looking ahead, the focus must shift from mere fund earmarking to outcome tracking. Integrating DAPSC with the Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework (OOMF) and leveraging the PFMS (Public Financial Management System) for real-time expenditure tracking could enhance transparency. Additionally, the 15th Finance Commission's emphasis on equity-based devolution and the proposed Social Justice and Empowerment Bill (if reintroduced) may provide stronger legal backing. For aspirants, this topic sits at the intersection of polity, governance, social justice, and public finance — a recurring theme in UPSC GS Paper II, III, and Essay, as well as in State PSC and SSC examinations.