Post-Matric Scholarship for Minority Students: who gets it and how to apply

Here is the whole scheme in one place: what you get, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to check.

Key points

• Open to students from notified minority communities studying after Class 10.
• The portal opened for academic year 2026-27 from 1 June 2026.
• Student application closes 31 October 2026, with verification dates after that.
• Aadhaar linking, bank account and institute verification are important.

So what does a student get from this scholarship?

The scheme gives financial help to eligible students who study after Class 10.

The help is meant to cover part of the cost of education, such as fees and other study expenses.

The exact amount, and how it is split between fees and maintenance, depends on the course and state rules.

Amounts can change, so please confirm the current figures on scholarships.gov.in before you plan anything.

Who can apply, and who cannot?

The scheme is for students from notified minority communities. These include Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains.

The student must be studying at a recognised school or institution after Class 10, in an eligible course.

Family income limits apply, and the limit can differ by scheme and year. Check the current limit on the portal.

A student can apply for one merit-based scholarship and one or more welfare-based scholarships for 2026-27, as per each scheme's rules.

Students who are not eligible under the current rules, or whose income is above the limit, will not get the scholarship.

Why does this scheme exist, and what has changed recently?

The scheme is run by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, which was created in 2006.

Its aim is to help minority students who are financially weak continue their studies.

For 2026-27, the portal opened on 1 June 2026. The student application deadline is 31 October 2026.

Institute verification closes 15 November 2026, and second-level verification closes 30 November 2026.

What documents should you keep ready?

Keep your Aadhaar card, and make sure your Aadhaar is linked with your bank account.

Keep your bank account details, your previous marksheet, and your current admission proof.

Keep your income certificate and your caste or community certificate, if asked by the portal.

If you are a student with a disability, first log in to the UDID portal and give consent to share your UDID details. Otherwise you cannot submit.

How do you apply online, step by step?

Go to scholarships.gov.in, which is the National Scholarship Portal.

Register or log in. Choose the Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities from the list.

Fill in your personal, academic and bank details carefully. Check the spelling against your Aadhaar.

Upload the required documents, then submit the form. Save or print the acknowledgement.

Can you apply through a Common Service Centre instead?

Yes. NSP services are available at Common Service Centres (CSCs).

The CSC process includes generating a reference number, biometric or face authentication, and filing the form.

The total charge is Rs 30 per candidate, including all taxes. Find the nearest CSC at locator.csccloud.in.

Be careful with agents who ask for more money. Never pay anyone outside the official process.

What if the face authentication fails or the money is stuck?

If you get error 904 during face authentication, update the UIDAI AadhaarFACERD app from the Play Store.

Check that your Aadhaar biometric lock is set to Unlocked, using the mAadhaar app or the My Aadhaar web portal.

If your scholarship is stuck, check your status on the portal. Most delays come from pending institute verification or bank linking.

For help, contact your institution's scholarship officer or the NSP helpline on the portal.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a last date to apply?

For fresh students, the student application closes on 31 October 2026. Institute and second-level verification have later dates, so apply early.

Can I apply through a Common Service Centre?

Yes. The CSC charges Rs 30 for the full process, including taxes. Find your nearest centre at locator.csccloud.in.

Can a student with a disability apply?

Yes, but first log in to the UDID portal and give consent to share your UDID details. Then apply on NSP.

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

You can apply for one merit-based scholarship and one or more welfare-based scholarships, as per each scheme's eligibility.

Is the application free?

Applying on the official portal is free. Only a CSC charges a fee for its help.