The Ministry of Minority Affairs: Empowering India’s Diverse Fabric 

Policy Update
Saniya Verma

Introduction   

India’s a kaleidoscope of cultures, over 1.4 billion people, hundreds of languages, and six officially recognized minority communities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains. This diversity is a strength, but it’s not without cracks. Minorities often trail in education, jobs, and social equity, facing hurdles the majority sidesteps. That’s where the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) steps in.

Born on January 29, 2006, after splitting from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, MoMA’s mission is laser-focused: bridge the gaps that minorities face. It is Led by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju since June 2024, with George Kurian as Minister of State, it’s these engine driving policies and programs to lift these communities into India’s growth story. From scholarships to skill training, MoMA  makes sure no one’s left out. 

Functioning of the Ministry   

MoMA is a conductor, directing a sprawling orchestra of policies and funds across India’s bureaucracy. Headquartered in New Delhi, it’s steered by Rijiju, backed by Kurian, and run operationally by Secretary Katikithala Srinivas, with an Additional Secretary, two Joint Secretaries, and a financial adviser keeping the wheels turning. Its job is to Set national policies, funnel resources to states, and track progress for minorities under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.   

MoMA channels funds (like ₹2528 crore for scholarships in 2023-24) and guidelines to State Governments and Union Territories (UTs), who roll them out through local bodies like State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) or education boards. MoMA designs the scholarships, funds them via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), but states disburse the cash. It also oversees partnerships like the Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) for education grants and the Central Waqf Council (chaired by Rijiju) for Waqf properties. Syncing with ministries like Education or Skill Development keeps schemes aligned with national goals. It ensures its accountability through Annual reports, parliamentary questions, and field checks—though success often depends on how fast states move. 

Schemes and Initiatives  

MoMA has a massive toolbox, split between Centrally Sponsored Schemes (cost-shared with states) and Central Sector Schemes (100% Union-funded).  

Here’s the rundown:   

1. Scholarships:   
  – Pre-Matric: Covers fees for classes 1-10 for low-income minority kids.  
  – Post-Matric: Supports 11th grade to postgrad, easing higher education costs.   
  – Merit-cum-Means: Funds professional/technical courses for job-ready skills.   
  – Nai Udaan: Cash for UPSC/SSC prelims qualifiers.   

2. Skill Development:   
  – Seekho aur Kamao: Trains 14-35-year-olds—think tailoring, IT, or welding.   

3. Economic Empowerment:   
  – National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC): Micro-loans for small ventures via State Channelizing Agencies.   
  – Padho Pardesh: Interest subsidies for overseas study loans (on hold since 2022-23).   

4. Cultural Preservation:   
  – Hamari Dharohar: Preserves minority heritage; festivals, crafts.   
  – Jiyo Parsi: Supports Parsi population growth with medical aid (since 2013).   

5. Infrastructure:   
  – Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK): Builds schools, clinics in minority-heavy areas  (revamped from MsDP in 2018).   
– Prime Minister’s New 15-Point Programme: Since 2006, ensures minorities snag fair shares in jobs, education, and housing across ministries.   

Budget’s climbed from ₹1651 crore in 2014-15 to ₹3183 crore in 2024-25, though some schemes (like SPEMM  for madrasas) got the axe in 2024. 

Key Initiatives   

Two programs pack MoMA’s biggest initiative:   

1. PMJVK: Started in 2018, it targets 1300+ minority-concentrated blocks, funding schools, hostels, and sanitation. It’s 60:40 Centre-to-State funding (90:10 in hilly zones).  
2. Scholarship Trio (Pre/Post/Merit): Since 2007-08, 4 crore scholarships have rolled out, with ₹2528 crore disbursed in 2023-24 via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It’s the crown jewel, hitting education where it counts.   

These aren’t just projects, they’re MoMA’s boldest moves at leveling the playing field. 

Impact  

  • Education: Pre-Matric beneficiaries doubled from 30 lakh (2014-15) to 60 lakh (2023-24). Literacy among minorities rose from 68% (2011) to 75% (2021), as per NSSO data—scholarships likely gave that a nudge.   
  • Jobs: Seekho aur Kamao trained 4.5 lakh youth by 2024, with 70% landing work (MoMA stats). NMDFC loans reached 20 lakh since 1994.   
  • Infrastructure: Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) has built 1.2 lakh assets by 2023—schools, health centers, sanitation facilities. School enrollment in minority-concentrated areas has increased, according to UDISE data, there was a 12% jump in primary school attendance from 2018 to 2023, with half of that growth coming from girls. Experts say that PMJVK’s girl-friendly infrastructure—like separate toilets—has boosted attendance in rural areas.   
  • Data Trends: Scholarship funds (₹ crore) climbed steadily—1100 (2014-15), 1900 (2018-19), 2528 (2023-24)—but plateaued post-2020 due to budget limits. Dropout rates for minority girls dropped 8% (2015-2023), per UDISE. Muslims (19.2% of India) and Christians (2.3%) grab most benefits, matching population shares, while Jains (0.4%) tap less. Urban areas see stronger uptake; rural zones lag due to awareness gaps. 

Challenges Facing the Ministry   

MoMA got headwinds:   

  • Delays: States like Bihar contribute to the delays, only 60% of 2023-24 scholarship funds were received by students till December.   
  • Awareness: Rural folks miss out on schemes, 40% of eligible students don’t apply, says MoMA’s 2022 audit.   
  • Cash Crunch: ₹3183 crore (2024-25) sounds big, but for 300 million minorities, it’s ₹106 per head—down from ₹120 (adjusted) since 2014.   
  • Politics: Some on X brand it “appeasement”—BJP-ruled states sometimes stall rollouts. In 2019, the central government rolled out a scholarship scheme for minority students (think Muslims, Christians, etc.). Gujarat, a BJP stronghold, wasn’t having it. They challenged it in court, arguing it was “discriminatory” for focusing on religious groups. While other states got moving, Gujarat stalled the rollout for years. 
  • Data Drought: No Sachar Committee update since 2006; 2021 Census delays muddy targeting.   

Execution’s the bottleneck, good ideas need sharper delivery. 

Way Forward   

If the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) truly wants to move forward, it needs to revamp its strategy with tech-savvy solutions and faster execution. For this, embracing digital solutions is essential; by adding SMS alerts to the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), the awareness gap can be reduced, ensuring that rural beneficiaries don’t miss out. At the same time, it’s crucial to hold states accountable—linking funds to timely disbursement will pressure slow states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, while rewarding those doing well like Kerala, and ensuring that money reaches the ground quickly.

Data collection and analysis also need to be improved—by launching a Minority Status Report in 2025, it can be determined where the real needs are, so that focus is placed on the right areas instead of guessing. In terms of skills, MoMA should focus on Seekho aur Kamao, aiming for a target of 10 lakh trainees by 2030, and pivoting towards high-demand tech jobs like coding and AI to make minority youth future-ready.

Additionally, public perception needs to be managed—the taunts of “appeasement” can be countered with impact ads that show how every ₹1 spent leads to a ₹3 GDP gain through educated minorities, proving that these schemes are not handouts but investments. This isn’t about new ideas but about sharp tools and big results—MoMA has the blueprint; now it just needs the strength to implement it. 

Conclusion   

The Ministry of Minority Affairs isn’t just a bureaucracy, it’s a lifeline for India’s 300 million minorities, stitching them into the nation’s growth story. From scholarships lifting dropout kids to PMJVK building schools, it’s made strides—literacy’s up, jobs are sprouting. Yet, state delays, thin funds, and political noise hobble its pace.

The numbers tell a tale of progress, scholarship beneficiaries are doubling, literacy is climbing 7% in a decade, but also of gaps, with rural areas still trailing. Looking ahead, MoMA needs tech savvy, tighter state sync, and a megaphone for its wins to dodge the “appeasement” jab. For a country eyeing global clout, this isn’t optional; The Ministry’s initiatives are crucial in fostering an inclusive India, demonstrating that diversity is not merely a buzzword but a substantial asset when there is full participation from all communities. 

References   

About the Author: Saniya Verma is a researcher at IMPRI and is pursuing an Honours degree in Sociology at the University of Delhi. 

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation. 

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