Jammu January 01, 2026:- In a major breakthrough for tribal education, the Tribal Affairs Department of Jammu & Kashmir has commenced the electronic disbursal of Post-Matric Scholarships to eligible Scheduled Tribe (ST-I and ST-II) students.
This move follows a period of technical delays caused by the complex migration from the legacy Single Nodal Agency (SNA) system to the more advanced SNA-SPARSH platform. With the successful resolution of these data migration issues by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Jammu & Kashmir has achieved a national milestone, becoming the first Union Territory in India to fully implement this digital public finance reform.
Minister for Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, who personally monitored the resolution of the long-pending technical constraints, has authorized the release of ₹16.65 crore to thousands of beneficiaries.
The funds are being transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the bank accounts of students who applied through the official online scholarship portal. The Minister emphasized that the transition to SNA-SPARSH is a vital e-governance initiative designed to ensure greater transparency and efficiency in the management of public funds, preventing future delays in student welfare schemes.
The delay in disbursal had previously sparked concerns among student associations and civil society members, as the technical “porting” across integrated digital platforms halted actual transfers despite funds being available.
Minister Rana has now directed the Tribal Affairs Department to fast-track the remaining payments to ensure that the educational pursuits of tribal students are not hindered by financial constraints. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to the empowerment of marginalized communities through streamlined digital infrastructure and responsive governance.
