Union Minister of Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Tuesday announced that several scholarships including pre-matric, post-matric and merit-cum-means will be offered to 5 crore students including 50% girls from the minority communities in the next 5 years.

In order to ensure socio-economic and educational empowerment of the minorities, especially girls, the central government has taken the initiative- Naqvi added.

The scholarships include over 10 lakh Begum Hazrat Mahal girls' scholarship for economically weaker sections.

Naqvi said that free coaching will be offered to minority communities in competitive services including central and state administrative services, banking, railways, staff selection commission and other services.