Dr Ambedkar National Merit Awards 2025: 1,490 SC/ST Students Felicitated for Academic Excellence

Introduction

The Dr Ambedkar National Merit Award Ceremony 2025 was held in New Delhi this week to celebrate academic excellence among Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. A total of 1,490 students were felicitated for securing top ranks in their Class 10 and 12 board examinations across 29 central and state education boards for the academic years 2021–22 and 2022–23.

Organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the ceremony was presided over by Union Minister Virendra Kumar, also the chairman of the Dr Ambedkar Foundation, which instituted the award to honour the vision and legacy of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, India’s chief architect of the Constitution and a champion of social justice.

Empowering Excellence: Purpose of the Award

The Dr Ambedkar National Merit Awards aim to encourage academic achievement among students belonging to SC and ST communities and to promote educational equity by recognising and rewarding talent from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Addressing the awardees, Union Minister Virendra Kumar emphasised that education was central to Dr Ambedkar’s dream of an equitable society.

“Babasaheb gave the oppressed communities the strength to rise through knowledge. The government remains committed to empowering Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other disadvantaged groups through scholarships, fellowships, and targeted welfare schemes,”
— Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment

Awardees at a Glance: Class 10 and 12 Toppers Honoured

The recipients were selected based on their performance in Class 10 and Class 12 board exams conducted during the 2021–22 and 2022–23 academic years. The awardees included:

Academic Year 2021–22

• Class 10: 367 students
• Class 12: 563 students
• Toppers (First, Second, Third positions): 71 students

Academic Year 2022–23

• Class 10: 198 students
• Class 12: 362 students
• Toppers (First, Second, Third positions): 46 students

In total, 1,490 students were honoured for their outstanding academic performance across two years.

Cash Grants and Special Awards

Each awardee received a one-time financial grant as part of the recognition:

• First Position: ₹60,000
• Second Position: ₹50,000
• Third Position: ₹40,000
• Special Girl Award: ₹60,000
   
  • Awarded to the highest-scoring girl student in cases where no girl was among the top three.

This tiered reward system not only celebrates achievement but also incentivises future academic effort, particularly among young girls from marginalised communities.

Celebrating Ambedkar's Vision Through Education

The event served not only as a recognition platform but also as a reminder of Dr Ambedkar’s vision—one that placed education at the heart of social upliftment. Minister Kumar underlined that Babasaheb saw education as a tool to dismantle caste-based inequalities and empower marginalised communities to participate fully in national life.

The Dr Ambedkar Foundation, under the Ministry, has been instrumental in supporting such transformative initiatives that aim to reduce dropout rates, enhance academic motivation, and celebrate merit among SC/ST students.

Ministers Commend Youth as Ambedkar's Torchbearers

The ceremony also featured Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale and B.L. Verma, both of whom addressed the gathering.

“These young achievers are torchbearers of Babasaheb’s ideals. Education is the true instrument of empowerment,”
— Ramdas Athawale, MoS, Social Justice and Empowerment

They urged students to uphold values enshrined in the Constitution—equality, fraternity, dignity, and social justice—and encouraged them to become agents of change in their communities and beyond.

A Step Towards Inclusive India

The ceremony stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to inclusive development and equal opportunities. Through schemes like the Dr Ambedkar National Merit Award, the Ministry is fostering a culture where academic achievement transcends social barriers, ensuring that every deserving student gets recognised, regardless of their background.

The emphasis on rewarding top-performing SC/ST students contributes to breaking long-standing social stigmas and reinforces the idea that merit knows no caste.

Conclusion

The Dr Ambedkar National Merit Awards 2025 not only recognised academic brilliance but also reinforced a national commitment to social equity through education. By honouring 1,490 young achievers from marginalised communities, the event became a powerful symbol of hope, resilience, and progress.

As India continues its journey toward becoming a more just and inclusive society, such initiatives act as cornerstones of empowerment, echoing the timeless wisdom of Dr B.R. Ambedkar: