Department of Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, Minority and Backward Class Welfare, Government of Jharkhand

The Department of Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, Minority and Backward Class Welfare is a state government department of the Government of Jharkhand responsible for the socio-economic upliftment of marginalised communities. It formulates and implements policies, schemes, and welfare programs for Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and minority groups across the state. The department administers a wide portfolio of education and welfare interventions, including pre-matric and post-matric scholarships, hostel facilities, residential schools, skill development programs, and merit-cum-means awards. Its flagship online platform e-Kalyan, developed in partnership with the Centre for Good Governance, enables students to apply for scholarships, track applications, and receive disbursals through Direct Benefit Transfer. Beyond scholarships, the department oversees community development initiatives such as funding for girls' education, support for tribal language and culture, hostel infrastructure for students from rural and remote areas, and economic empowerment schemes for backward classes. It works through district-level Welfare Officers and a network of state agencies to deliver entitlements directly to eligible beneficiaries. The department coordinates closely with the Government of India's Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for centrally sponsored schemes, ensuring that students from SC, ST, OBC, and minority backgrounds in Jharkhand can access education without financial barriers.