New Delhi:As a new year gift to students belong to Scheduled Castes, the centre on Thursday revised the norms for post-matric scholarships for their studies.

 The meeting of the cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also approved the revision in the maintenance and other allowances besides regrouping of courses.

The parental annual income ceiling for eligibility has been enhanced from $1lakh to $2 lakh per annum in the schemes of post-matric scholarships to students belonging to Scheduled Castes for studies in India.

The CCEA also approved an estimated increased expenditure of $7,136 crore against the existing plan outlay of $4,082 crore for it during the 11th Five Year Plan. Additional committed liability on account of the revision would be passed on to state governments at the end of the 12th Five Year Plan period and not immediately after the 11th Five Year Plan period.

 The increase in income ceiling is likely to increase the number of beneficiaries and will lead to an increase in gross enrolment ratio.