Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students 2026: Up to ₹13,000 Allowance, Eligibility & Application

At a glance

About the scheme

Implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this centrally sponsored scheme aims to raise the Gross Enrolment Ratio of Scheduled Caste students in higher education, with a strong focus on students from low-income families. The scholarship covers post-secondary studies across various disciplines categorized into four groups, offering differentiated yearly allowances for hostellers and day scholars. Selections are handled by the student's domicile State or Union Territory Government, ensuring financial barriers do not halt higher education.

Benefits

• Group 1 (Professional degree/PG courses like Medicine, Engineering, Management, Commercial Pilot): ₹13,000 per year for hostellers and ₹7,000 per year for day scholars.
• Group 2 (Other professional courses leading to Degree, Diploma, or Certificate like PG Diploma, CA, ICWA, CS): ₹9,500 per year for hostellers and ₹6,500 per year for day scholars.
• Group 3 (Non-professional Graduate and Post Graduate courses like BA, BSc, BCom, MA, MSc, MCom): ₹6,000 per year for hostellers and ₹3,000 per year for day scholars.
• Group 4 (All post-matriculation non-degree courses): ₹4,000 per year for hostellers and ₹2,500 per year for day scholars.
• Ten per cent extra allowance is provided for Divyang (disabled) students.
• All children from an eligible family are permitted to avail the scheme benefits.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
• Must have passed Matriculation (Class 10), Higher Secondary, or a higher exam from a recognised Board or University.
• Total annual income of parents or guardians from all sources must not exceed ₹2,50,000.
• Studies must be pursued within India.
• Students pursuing correspondence or online courses are eligible (though not entitled to academic allowance).
• Age limit criteria for admission are determined by the respective educational institutions.

Who cannot apply

• Candidates studying in the same stage of education in a different subject after passing that stage are not eligible.
• Students holding any other government scholarship or stipend cannot hold this scholarship concurrently.
• Students pursuing studies through correspondence or online courses are not eligible for the academic allowance component.

Documents required

• Passport-size photograph
• Academic mark sheets and certificates
• Caste Certificate
• Income Proof
• Domicile Certificate
• Bank Account Details
• Aadhaar Card

How to apply

1. 1Visit the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
2. 2Click on 'New Registration' under the Applicant Corner, agree to guidelines, and complete mobile OTP verification.
3. 3Provide required identity and bank account details to generate your application ID and password.
4. 4Log in under 'Fresh Application' using your login credentials.
5. 5Select the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students from the available options.
6. 6Fill in the required academic and personal fields in the application form.
7. 7Upload the required documents and submit the online application.

Frequently asked questions