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Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment · PIB Delhi · Read the original release on pib.gov.in
- Scheme-wise and bank-wise mandatory reporting of Scheduled Caste beneficiaries as directed by the Department of Financial Services
- राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों में एसएलबीसी और यूटीएलबीसी संयोजकों को निर्देश जारी; Action taken report to be submitted by October 9, 2026
Following the intervention of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), the Department of Financial Services (DFS) of the Finance Ministry has issued instructions for mandatory reporting of assistance provided to Scheduled Caste beneficiaries under major government financial schemes.
Under the instructions, State Level Bankers Committees (SLBCs) and UTLBCs have been advised to include scheme-wise and bank-wise details of the number and percentage of Scheduled Caste beneficiaries assisted under the identified schemes in their periodic review meetings.
They have also been directed to regularly share information with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and submit an action taken report to the Department of Financial Services by October 9, 2026, including details of any problems encountered in the availability and compilation of data.
The Department of Financial Services has further directed that reporting should be done using data already available with the banks and implementing agencies. This will ensure uniformity in definitions and methodology without creating parallel reporting requirements. SLBCs and UTLBCs have also been asked to provide updates on action taken within 30 days.
On September 24, 2026, Shri Vivek Kumar Dewangan, Secretary, NCSC, wrote to the Secretary, Department of Financial Services, highlighting that the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) reports are not reflecting the percentage of Scheduled Caste families and beneficiaries assisted under major government schemes including Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand-up India, Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program (PMEGP), PM Swanidhi, CGTMSE and MSME Business Loan. Was.
The Commission has stated that in the absence of such data, the discharge of the constitutional responsibility assigned to it under Article 338(5)(c) to evaluate the progress of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes was being hampered. In response to this, the Department of Financial Services has notified SLBC and UTLBC in all States and Union Territories on October 5, 2026. Instructions were issued to the coordinators.
These instructions are expected to significantly strengthen transparency and accountability in reaching the benefits of financial inclusion to Scheduled Caste communities. Availability of scheme-wise and bank-wise data will enable the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to discharge its constitutional responsibilities more effectively and assess the progress of socio-economic development of the Scheduled Castes.
Shri Dewangan said that the National Commission for Scheduled Castes will continue to monitor the implementation of these directions and engage with stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the targeted Scheduled Caste beneficiaries in a scalable and equitable manner.
This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.
