Politics & Governance

PAC Questions Ministry Over CAG-Flagged Fraud Markers in SC Scholarships

Edition: 18 October 2026Published: 18 Oct 2026 · Updated: 18 Oct 2026UPSCSSC

In Brief

Questions Social Justice Ministry over unsubmitted action-taken reports on CAG audit findings in SC scholarship schemes.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) questioned the Centre and State governments regarding 'fraud markers' highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in Scheduled Caste (SC) scholarship schemes.

PAC members interrogated the Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment over delays in submitting action-taken reports on the audit findings. In response, the Ministry assured the parliamentary committee that the pending reports would be submitted within one month.

Source: The Hindu

#Public-Accounts-Committee#CAG-audit#SC-scholarship#Ministry-of-Social-Justice#parliamentary-oversight

Expert Study NotesHIGHGS2 — Polity & Governance

GS2 — Polity & Governance

📌 Exam Angle

A question can test the role and powers of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in parliamentary oversight, the function of CAG audits in detecting financial irregularities, and the accountability mechanism for implementation of audit recommendations by Union ministries.

⚠️ Key Concerns

Delays in submitting action-taken reports by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on CAG-flagged fraud markers in SC scholarship schemes indicate potential gaps in timely compliance with parliamentary audit directives.

💡 Why It Matters

SC scholarship schemes are critical social welfare instruments; fraud detection and corrective action within stipulated timelines strengthen transparency and ensure beneficiary protection, directly supporting constitutional commitments to SC welfare and public financial accountability.

🔑 Must Remember

• PAC questioned Centre and State governments over CAG-identified fraud markers in SC scholarship schemes • Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment assured submission of pending action-taken reports within one month • Delays in submitting CAG audit follow-up reports indicate accountability gaps in scheme implementation

📝 Key Terms

Public Accounts CommitteeCAG auditScheduled Caste scholarshipsMinistry of Social Justice and Empowermentaction-taken reportsfraud markersparliamentary oversight

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