Here is the whole scheme in one place: what you get, who qualifies, how to apply, and what to check.
| Scheme | Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste (SC) students |
|---|---|
| Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt of India |
| Benefit | Financial help for fees and studies after Class 10, as per state or UT rules |
| Who can apply | SC students who passed Class 10 and are enrolled in a post-matric course |
| How it is paid | Through the state or UT government, into the student's bank account |
| Apply at | scholarships.gov.in (National Scholarship Portal) or a Common Service Centre |
| Cost to apply | Free on the portal. CSC service charge is Rs 30. |
Key points
- Only Scheduled Caste students can apply under this scheme.
- You must be a permanent resident of the state or UT where you apply.
- Apply on the National Scholarship Portal for academic year 2026-27.
- The student application deadline is 31 October 2026, and some states extend it to 15 November 2026.
So what does a student actually get?
The scholarship gives financial help to SC students for higher education after Class 10.
The amount and the items covered depend on the course and the state or UT rules.
The scheme covers many courses, including degree and postgraduate courses in medicine, engineering, technology, agriculture, management, computer science and more.
It also covers postgraduate diploma courses, professional courses like CA and CS, and general graduate courses like B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com.
Amounts can change, so please confirm the current figure on the official portal.
Who can apply, and who cannot?
You must belong to a Scheduled Caste category, and your caste certificate must support it.
You must be a permanent resident, or domicile, of the state or UT where you apply.
You must have passed Class 10 and be enrolled in a post-matric or post-secondary course.
Both new applicants and students already receiving the scholarship can apply.
Other conditions, such as income limits, may apply as per state guidelines, so check your state rules.
A short background on this scheme
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment runs this scheme for the central government.
Its aim is to increase the enrolment of SC students in higher education.
Students are selected by the state government or UT administration where they are domiciled.
The portal opened for academic year 2026-27 from 1 June 2026 onwards.
What documents should you keep ready?
Keep your Aadhaar card and a bank account linked with Aadhaar.
Keep your caste certificate, income certificate and domicile certificate ready.
Keep your Class 10 marksheet and your current college admission or fee receipt.
Keep a mobile number and an email address that you can access.
How do you apply online, step by step?
Go to scholarships.gov.in, the National Scholarship Portal.
Register or log in with your details, and complete the one-time registration.
Fill in the detailed application form, carefully and without mistakes.
Upload your documents, such as caste certificate, income proof and educational certificates.
Submit the form and note the reference number for future use. Your college will then verify it.
Can you apply offline, through a Common Service Centre?
Yes, NSP services are available at Common Service Centres (CSCs).
Visit the nearest CSC, and the operator will help you with registration and the form.
The total CSC charge is Rs 30 per candidate, including all taxes.
You can find the nearest CSC on the locator at locator.csccloud.in.
How do you check status, and what if the scholarship is stuck?
Keep checking the portal for your application status and any updates.
If you get error 904 during face authentication, update the UIDAI AadhaarFACERD app from the Play Store.
Make sure your Aadhaar biometric lock is set to Unlocked before face authentication.
Your college must complete institute verification, so follow up with your college office if things stop.
Use the grievance option on the portal, or contact your state scholarship office.
Important tips and warnings
Apply only on scholarships.gov.in or through an official CSC. Do not trust agents who ask for money.
Never share your OTP or bank password with anyone who calls you about scholarships.
The application is free on the portal, so be careful of anyone asking for a fee.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply?
The student application deadline is 31 October 2026 on the portal. Some states show 15 November 2026, so check your state's dates.
Is there any fee to apply?
Applying on the National Scholarship Portal is free. A CSC service charge of Rs 30 applies if you apply through a CSC.
Can I apply if I am already getting this scholarship?
Yes. Existing beneficiaries can also apply, so check the renewal process on the portal.
Do I need an Aadhaar card?
Yes, Aadhaar is needed for registration and for the bank account. Link your bank account with Aadhaar.
Where can I get help?
Use the help options on scholarships.gov.in or contact your college scholarship office. You can also visit your nearest CSC.
Official links
This guide is based on official scheme rules. Rules and amounts can change, so always confirm on the official website before you apply. News Anek is not a government website.
