- Scheme-wise and bank-wise reporting of SC beneficiaries is now mandatory
- Directions issued October 5, 2026 to SLBC and UTLBC convenors nationwide
- Reports must cover number and percentage of SC beneficiaries assisted
- Action-taken reports due by October 9, 2026; update within 30 days
- Commission says the data will help assess SC socio-economic progress
Scheme-wise and bank-wise data on Scheduled Caste beneficiaries under major government financial schemes is now mandatory. The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, issued the directions after an intervention by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).
What the directions require
State Level Bankers’ Committees (SLBCs) and UTLBCs must include the number and percentage of SC beneficiaries assisted under the identified schemes in their periodic review meetings. The details must be broken down by scheme and by bank.
The committees must also share this information regularly with the NCSC. They have been asked to submit an action-taken report to DFS by October 9, 2026. The report must cover data availability and any problems in compiling the figures.
Using existing data
DFS has directed that the reporting use data already held by banks and implementing agencies. The department said this will keep definitions and methods consistent and avoid parallel reporting. SLBCs and UTLBCs must also send an update on the action taken within 30 days.
Why the NCSC pushed for it
NCSC Secretary Vivek Kumar Dewangan wrote to the DFS Secretary on September 24, 2026. He said SLBC reports did not show the percentage of SC families and beneficiaries assisted under major schemes. These include Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand-Up India, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), PM SVANidhi, CGTMSE and MSME Business Loans.
The Commission said the lack of such data hampered its duty under Article 338(5)(c) of the Constitution. That duty is to evaluate the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes. The DFS issued its directions to all SLBC and UTLBC convenors across States and Union Territories in response.
The directions are expected to improve transparency and accountability in delivering financial inclusion benefits to SC communities. Dewangan said the NCSC will keep monitoring implementation and stay engaged with stakeholders. The aim is to make sure scheme benefits reach the intended SC beneficiaries in a measurable and equitable way.
