The Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students 2026-27 is a centrally sponsored scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for Scheduled Caste students in Class 11 and above. The annual family income limit is ₹2.5 lakh, and the scholarship covers compulsory tuition fees plus a maintenance allowance of ₹230–₹1,200 per month depending on your course group and residential status. Apply online at scholarships.gov.in — the portal opened on 1 June 2026.
- Scheme Name: Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students
- Administered by: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
- Apply on: National Scholarship Portal — scholarships.gov.in
- Portal Opened: 1 June 2026 (Academic Year 2026-27)
- General Last Date: 31 October 2026 (confirm your state’s deadline on the portal)
- Annual Family Income Limit: ₹2.5 lakh per year (from all sources)
- Maximum Maintenance Allowance: ₹1,200/month (Group I hostellers)
- Covers: Maintenance allowance + reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees
- Payment Mode: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account
- Eligibility Level: Class 11 and above (up to PhD)
- One-Time Registration (OTR): Mandatory before applying
- Funding Pattern: Centrally sponsored — 60:40 Centre:State (restructured 2020-21)
What Is the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students 2026?
The Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students is a centrally sponsored scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE), Government of India. It provides financial assistance to Scheduled Caste students studying at Class 11 level and above — including undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, ITI, and PhD programmes — so that economic barriers do not interrupt their education.
The scheme was restructured in 2020-21 and now follows a 60:40 Centre:State funding pattern. All applications are processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in, and funds are credited directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT. Some states have their own SC scholarship portals — check your state’s notification to confirm where to apply.
Scholarship Amount and Benefits Under Post Matric Scholarship 2026
The scholarship has two components: a monthly maintenance allowance and reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees charged by the institution. The maintenance allowance varies by course group (I to IV) and residential status (hosteller or day scholar).
| Course Group | Course Types | Hosteller (per month) | Day Scholar (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group I | Professional courses — MBBS, B.Tech, MBA, LLB, CA and equivalent | ₹1,200 | ₹550 |
| Group II | Other postgraduate and Honours degree courses | ₹820 | ₹530 |
| Group III | Polytechnic, ITI, and other technical diploma courses | ₹570 | ₹300 |
| Group IV | Class 11, Class 12, and other post-matric non-degree courses | ₹380 | ₹230 |
In addition to the maintenance allowance, the scheme reimburses compulsory non-refundable fees (such as tuition, library, laboratory, and examination fees) as actually charged by the institution — not estimated. Scholars with disabilities receive an additional allowance of ₹10,000 per annum as notified under revised guidelines.
Important: No maintenance allowance is paid for courses taken through distance or online mode. Only regular, full-time enrolment qualifies for the maintenance component.
Eligibility Criteria for Post Matric Scholarship SC Students 2026
Before applying on NSP, confirm that you meet all the criteria below. A single unmet condition will result in rejection during state verification.
- Caste: Must belong to a Scheduled Caste community as notified by the central or state government.
- Education Level: Must be studying in Class 11 or above (including UG, PG, Diploma, ITI, and PhD) at a government-recognised institution.
- Income Limit: Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh per year. Where both parents are employed, combined income of both is considered.
- Domicile: Must be a permanent resident (domicile) of the state/UT from which the SC certificate was issued. Students domiciled in one state but holding an SC certificate from another must apply through the issuing state/UT.
- Attendance: Must be a bonafide regular student of a recognised institution. Minimum attendance norms (typically 75%) apply for renewal.
- Exclusivity: Cannot hold more than one central government scholarship simultaneously for the same course or period.
- Renewal condition: Renewal requires passing the previous examination in the first attempt and no active backlogs in most professional programmes.
- 30% female reservation: As per scheme guidelines, 30% of scholarship slots are reserved for eligible SC girl students based on merit. Unfilled female slots are reallocated to male candidates.
How to Apply for Post Matric Scholarship SC Students Online — Step-by-Step
All applications for the Post Matric Scholarship SC scheme are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Follow the exact steps below to avoid common errors such as OTR mismatch or Aadhaar-bank seeding failures.
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) — Visit scholarships.gov.in and complete the OTR using your Aadhaar number and Aadhaar-linked mobile number. OTR is mandatory and must be done before filling the scholarship form.
- Log in to NSP — Use the Application ID and password generated during OTR to log in to your student dashboard.
- Select the correct scheme — From the list of available schemes, select “Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students” under your state/UT. Some states (such as West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra) operate on their own state portals — check your state’s scholarship notification for the correct portal.
- Fill the application form — Enter your personal, academic, caste, income, and bank account details exactly as they appear on your certificates and marksheets. Double-check every field before proceeding.
- Upload required documents — Scan and upload all mandatory documents (see Section 5 below). File size and format requirements are displayed on the portal at the time of upload.
- Submit the form — Review your complete application and submit. Save a printout or screenshot of the submission confirmation and your application ID for future reference.
- Institute verification — Your college/institution’s Nodal Officer verifies your bonafide status, fees paid, and documents on the portal within the deadline. Follow up with your institution if verification is pending.
- State-level sanction and DBT disbursement — After state-level approval, the scholarship amount is credited directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT. Track your application status on the NSP portal.
The most common reasons applications fail are: (1) missing or incomplete OTR, (2) Aadhaar–bank account mismatch that blocks DBT credit, and (3) late institute verification. Complete your OTR first, ensure your bank account is Aadhaar-seeded and NPCI-mapped, and submit your application well before the last date. Do not wait until October.
Documents Required for Post Matric Scholarship SC Students 2026
Keep all documents ready in scanned digital format before starting your NSP application. Uploading incomplete or mismatched documents is the primary reason for verification rejection.
| Document | Details / Notes |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | Mandatory for OTR and DBT payment. Mobile number must be Aadhaar-linked. |
| SC Caste Certificate | Issued by a competent authority (Tahsildar / SDM). Must show the exact community name as notified. |
| Income Certificate | Annual family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh, issued by a competent revenue officer (Tahsildar / SDM). Plain-paper self-declarations not accepted. |
| Domicile / Residence Certificate | Proof of permanent residence in the state/UT from which SC certificate was issued. |
| Previous Academic Marksheets | Latest passing certificate or marksheet (Class 10 or last qualifying examination). |
| Bonafide Certificate / Admission Proof | Issued by the current institution confirming enrolment in the current academic year. |
| Fee Receipt | Official receipt for compulsory non-refundable fees paid to the institution for the current year. |
| Bank Account Details | Bank passbook first page or cancelled cheque. Account must be active and Aadhaar-seeded (NPCI-mapped) for DBT. |
| Passport-Size Photograph | Recent colour photograph as specified on the portal (usually JPEG, under 50 KB). |
Important Dates and Timeline — Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| NSP Portal Opens for 2026-27 Applications | 1 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply (General / NSP) | 31 October 2026 (confirm on the portal for your state) |
| Institute Verification Deadline | As per state notification (typically 15–30 days after student deadline) |
| State-Level Sanction | As per official portal — check scholarships.gov.in |
| DBT Disbursement | As per official portal — check scholarships.gov.in |
Note: There is no single national last date for all states. Each state/UT announces its own deadline, and deadlines are frequently extended. Always confirm your state’s closing date directly on scholarships.gov.in before applying.
Important Links — Post Matric Scholarship SC Students 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About Post Matric Scholarship SC Students 2026
What is the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students 2026 and who is eligible to apply for it on NSP?
What is the monthly maintenance allowance under the Post Matric Scholarship for SC students studying in 2026-27?
What is the family income limit for Post Matric Scholarship SC students and how is it calculated for 2026?
How do SC students apply online for the Post Matric Scholarship on the National Scholarship Portal in 2026-27?
What is the last date to apply for the Post Matric Scholarship for SC students on the NSP portal for 2026-27?
Last Updated: October 2026. This page is reviewed and updated when official data changes. Bookmark for the latest information on the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Scholarship details, income limits, dates, and amounts are subject to change as per official government notifications. Always verify all information on the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment website before taking action.
