Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC & Others 2026: Up to ₹8,000 Allowance, Eligibility & Apply
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Quick answer
The Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for Scheduled Castes & Others (PMSSSC) provides an annual academic allowance of up to ₹8,000 to pre-matric students from SC communities and children of parents in hazardous occupations. Eligible day scholars and hostellers receive financial support to complete their school education without dropping out. Applications must be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
At a glance
| Main benefit | Up to ₹8,000 per annum academic allowance |
| Ministry / department | Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Level | Central Government |
| Income limit | ₹2.5 lakh |
| Application mode | Online |
About the scheme
The Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for Scheduled Castes & Others is a centrally sponsored initiative implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It aims to support parents from Scheduled Castes and disadvantaged occupational groups in educating their children from the primary or secondary level through Class 10. By easing the financial burden, the programme seeks to curtail school dropout rates during the transition from primary to secondary education and improve overall academic participation.
Benefits
- Day scholars receive a consolidated academic allowance of ₹3,500 per annum.
- Hostellers under Component 1 receive an academic allowance of ₹7,000 per annum.
- Hostellers under Component 2 (Class 3 to 10) receive an academic allowance of ₹8,000 per annum.
- Divyang (disabled) students receive an additional 10% allowance over and above the standard rate.
Who can apply (eligibility)
- The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- For Component 1: The student must belong to a Scheduled Caste (SC) and be studying in Class 9 or 10 on a full-time basis.
- For Component 1: Annual family income of parents or guardians must not exceed ₹2.50 lakh.
- For Component 2: The student must be studying in Classes 1 to 10 on a full-time basis.
- For Component 2: Parents or guardians must be engaged in unclean or hazardous occupations, specifically as manual scavengers, tanners and flayers, waste pickers, or persons engaged in hazardous cleaning (irrespective of caste or religion).
- For Component 2: There is no parental income limit.
- A student is eligible for only one scholarship at a time for Classes 1 to 10.
Who cannot apply
- Students receiving another scholarship for Classes 1 to 10 cannot retain both without notifying the awarding authority.
Documents required
- Passport-size photograph
- Academic certificate or previous mark sheet
- Caste certificate (for Component 1)
- Income certificate or proof (for Component 1)
- Domicile certificate
- Bank account details (Aadhaar-seeded)
- Aadhaar card
How to apply
- 1Visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in.
- 2Click on 'New Registration' under the Applicant Corner if you are applying for the first time.
- 3Read the guidelines, accept the undertaking, and complete registration using mobile OTP and Aadhaar details.
- 4Log in using your registered Application ID and password on the NSP portal.
- 5Select the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes & Others from the list of schemes.
- 6Fill out the scholarship application form with personal and academic information.
- 7Upload the required documents such as photograph, caste certificate, and academic records.
- 8Review all entered details carefully and submit the application online.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC & Others?+
It is a central scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment offering financial allowances to students of SC communities and families in hazardous occupations studying in pre-matric classes.
How much scholarship money is provided under PMSSSC?+
Day scholars receive ₹3,500 per year. Hostellers receive ₹7,000 per year under Component 1, and ₹8,000 per year for Classes 3 to 10 under Component 2. Disabled students receive an extra 10% allowance.
What is the income limit for this pre-matric scholarship?+
For Component 1 (SC students in Classes 9 and 10), the parental income limit is ₹2.50 lakh per annum. For Component 2 (children of workers in hazardous occupations), there is no income ceiling.
Who is covered under Component 2 of PMSSSC?+
Component 2 covers full-time students in Classes 1 to 10 whose parents are manual scavengers, tanners and flayers, waste pickers, or engaged in hazardous cleaning, regardless of caste or religion.
How can I apply for this scholarship?+
You must apply online through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) by registering as a new applicant or logging in with existing credentials when applications open.
Can I receive another scholarship along with PMSSSC?+
No, students are eligible to draw only one scholarship at a time for Classes 1 to 10, and must notify the awarding body if another scholarship is awarded.
NaukriZila is not a government website. Apply only on the official portal; never pay anyone to apply for a government scheme. Source: myScheme (Government of India)