Kerala to extend education benefits to 28 additional communities

The Kerala government has decided to extend educational benefits to 28 more communities, bringing them under the state’s list of eligible groups for welfare measures linked to education. The move is aimed at widening access to scholarships, fee concessions and other academic support schemes.

According to officials, the decision was taken after reviewing recommendations from the Kerala State Backward Classes Commission and representations submitted by various community organisations. With this inclusion, students belonging to these communities will now be eligible for benefits currently available to recognised backward and minority groups under existing state policies.

The newly added communities will be entitled to a range of support measures, including scholarships for school and higher education, hostel facilities, and financial assistance for professional and technical courses. The benefits will apply across government, aided and recognised private educational institutions in the state.

Government sources said the expansion is part of a broader effort to ensure that students from socially and educationally disadvantaged sections are not excluded from the formal education system due to financial or social barriers. The administration has directed the concerned departments to issue detailed guidelines to educational institutions for implementing the revised list.

The decision is expected to benefit a significant number of students in the coming academic sessions. Officials added that the updated list would be notified formally, after which eligible students can apply for benefits through the existing state scholarship and welfare portals.

The state government has reiterated that the policy change aligns with its commitment to inclusive education and equitable access, especially for communities that have historically remained outside the ambit of structured educational support.