Dr. Ambedkar Foundation, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, on Tuesday organized the Dr. Ambedkar National Merit Awards Ceremony 2025 in New Delhi to honour meritorious Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students who excelled in their Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations.
Students from 29 State and Central Boards were felicitated for their outstanding academic performance across the two sessions of 2021-22 and 2022-23. A total of 367 students was awarded from class 10th, out of which 22 were toppers and a total of 563 students were awarded from class 12th, out of which 49 were toppers, during the session 2021-22. For session 2022-23, a total of 198 students were awarded from class 10th, out of which 17 were toppers and a total of 362 students were awarded from class 12th, out of which 29 were toppers.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment and Chairman of the Foundation Dr. Virendra Kumar graced the occasion as Chief Guest. In his address, he paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar for his immense contribution to education and social justice. He reiterated the Government’s resolve to empower marginalized communities through scholarships, fellowships, and welfare schemes.
Highlighting the vision of Babasaheb, Kumar said, “Education is the most powerful instrument for social transformation. Through initiatives like these awards, we are committed to ensuring that every child from disadvantaged backgrounds has access to quality education and opportunities.”
Ministers of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale and B.L. Verma also addressed the gathering, lauding the achievements of the awardees and underlining the Government’s pro-people initiatives to make education accessible to all.
Under the scheme, the top three SC and ST students in Class 10 and top three SC students in Class 12 from each recognized board are conferred one-time cash prizes ₹60,000 for the first position; ₹50,000 for the second position; and ₹40,000 for the third position.
In addition, a special award of ₹60,000 was presented to the highest-scoring girl student in cases where no girl figured among the top three.
Senior officials including Amit Yadav, Secretary (SJ&E), V. Apparao, Member Secretary of the Foundation, and Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, Additional Secretary, were present along with awardees, parents, teachers, and educationists from across the country.
The ceremony concluded with the reaffirmation of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s enduring call – “Educate, Agitate, Organize” – as the guiding light for building an equitable and inclusive society.