ST Post Matric Scholarship 2026: Up to ₹12,000 Annual Stipend & Eligibility

At a glance

About the scheme

The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Tribe Students is an initiative administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to support ST students in completing higher education from post-matriculation to post-graduate levels across India. Implemented through State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, the scheme covers compulsory course fees and provides a monthly maintenance allowance directly into the student's bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer. It aims to reduce dropouts among tribal youth and encourage academic progression across general, vocational, technical, and professional courses.

Benefits

• Reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees charged by educational institutions as per limits fixed by the State.
• Maintenance stipend for professional degree and PG diploma courses: ₹1,200 per month (₹12,000 annually) for hostellers and ₹500 per month (₹5,500 annually) for day scholars.
• Maintenance stipend for non-professional degree and PG courses (Arts, Science, Commerce): ₹820 per month (₹8,200 annually) for hostellers and ₹530 per month (₹5,300 annually) for day scholars.
• Maintenance stipend for vocational, ITI, and 3-year polytechnic diploma courses: ₹570 per month (₹5,700 annually) for hostellers and ₹300 per month (₹3,000 annually) for day scholars.
• Maintenance stipend for Class 11, Class 12, and post-matric non-degree courses: ₹380 per month (₹3,800 annually) for hostellers and ₹230 per month (₹2,300 annually) for day scholars.
• Additional disability allowance of ₹800 per month (₹9,600 annually) for hostellers and ₹600 per month (₹7,200 annually) for day scholars with disabilities, sickle cell anaemia, or thalassaemia.
• Direct payment of maintenance and fee benefits through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Who can apply (eligibility)

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen belonging to a notified Scheduled Tribe of the respective State or Union Territory.
• The applicant must have passed Matriculation (Class 10), Higher Secondary (Class 12), or a higher examination from a recognised board or university.
• Must be pursuing a recognised post-matriculation or post-secondary course in a recognised institution.
• Total annual family income of parents or guardians from all sources must not exceed ₹2,00,000.
• Employed students on leave without pay for the entire course duration who study full-time are eligible.
• Students pursuing correspondence, distance, or continuing education courses are eligible.
• Postgraduate medical students who are not permitted to practice during their course are eligible.
• All children belonging to the same parents or guardians are eligible to receive benefits.
• The student must not be receiving any other scholarship or stipend simultaneously.

Who cannot apply

• Students pursuing a degree or diploma in a different stream after already completing a course in one stream (such as B.Com after B.A. or B.Sc., or MBBS after B.Tech).
• Students in Class 11 of schools that offer an undivided 12-year continuous school curriculum.
• Students enrolled in the 252 institutes covered under the National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students (Top Class Scholarship).
• Students who fail to secure promotion to the subsequent semester or academic year.

Documents required

• Proof of Scheduled Tribe category status
• Income certificate issued by a competent authority
• Marksheet or passing certificate of the qualifying post-matric examination
• Proof of admission in the recognised educational institution
• Disability certificate issued by a competent medical authority (if applying for disability allowance)
• Leave without pay sanction letter (for employed applicants)

How to apply

1. 1Obtain the official application form for the Post Matric ST Scholarship from your educational institution or state department.
2. 2Fill in all required academic, personal, and banking details accurately.
3. 3Attach copies of the qualifying mark sheet, Scheduled Tribe certificate, and family income certificate.
4. 4Submit the completed application form to the Head of the Institution currently attended or last attended.
5. 5The institution will verify the application and forward it to the designated State or Union Territory welfare officer.

Frequently asked questions