Students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC) and Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT) can receive financial assistance for school and higher education under the Central Government’s PM YASASVI scheme.
For the 2026–27 academic year, fresh applications for the Top Class School Education Scholarship opened on 22 October 2026, with 30 November 2026 listed as the last date. Under this component, eligible students can receive assistance of up to ₹75,000 annually for Classes 9–10 and ₹1.25 lakh for Classes 11–12.
The scheme also supports college students through tuition fee assistance, living expenses and other educational benefits. However, eligibility and application deadlines differ across scholarship components.
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What Is the PM YASASVI Scholarship Scheme?
PM YASASVI stands for Prime Minister Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India. It is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, intended to improve educational opportunities for students from socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
The programme brings together different scholarship and educational support initiatives for OBC, EBC and DNT students. Its main objective is to reduce financial barriers that prevent deserving students from completing secondary, higher secondary and college education.
The scheme includes five components:
- Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT students.
- Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT students.
- Top Class School Education Scholarship.
- Top Class College Education Scholarship.
- Construction of hostels for OBC boys and girls.
While the first four components provide educational financial assistance, the hostel component supports the development of accommodation facilities rather than providing an individual cash scholarship.
PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026: Important Dates
The National Scholarship Portal has published the following schedule for the 2026–27 academic year.
| Particulars | Date |
|---|---|
| Top Class School fresh applications open | 22 October 2026 |
| Last date for fresh school applications | 30 November 2026 |
| School application correction verification deadline | 15 December 2026 |
| School institute verification deadline | 15 December 2026 |
| School DNO/SNO/MNO verification deadline | 31 December 2026 |
| Top Class College application deadline | 31 October 2026 |
Important: The Top Class School Education fresh application window is open for eligible students except those from Rajasthan, Kerala and Karnataka, for whom the National Scholarship Portal has announced a temporary delay. Renewal applications and state-administered Pre-Matric or Post-Matric scholarships may follow separate schedules.
Students should check their specific scholarship category before submitting an application.
PM YASASVI Scholarship Amount and Benefits
The financial assistance depends on the student’s educational level and the scholarship component.
1. Top Class School Education Scholarship
Under this component, eligible students studying in selected schools can receive assistance towards tuition fees, hostel fees and other approved school charges.
| Class | Maximum Annual Assistance |
|---|---|
| Class 9 | ₹75,000 |
| Class 10 | ₹75,000 |
| Class 11 | ₹1,25,000 |
| Class 12 | ₹1,25,000 |
These amounts are maximum limits rather than fixed payments to every selected student. The actual assistance depends on eligible educational expenses and applicable scheme conditions.
Only students studying in schools shortlisted under the scheme can receive this scholarship. Selection is merit-based and subject to available scholarship slots.
2. Top Class College Education Scholarship
Students admitted to institutions notified under the Top Class College Education component may receive financial support covering several educational expenses.
The benefits include:
- Tuition fees: Eligible tuition fees and non-refundable charges, subject to applicable ceilings, including ₹2 lakh annually for private institutions.
- Living expenses: ₹3,000 per month.
- Books and stationery: ₹5,000 annually.
- Laptop or computer assistance: Up to ₹45,000 as a one-time benefit during the course.
A separate annual fee ceiling of ₹3.72 lakh applies to specified commercial pilot training courses at private flying clubs.
The scholarship is available only to eligible students admitted to notified institutions and selected under the prescribed merit and allocation rules.
3. Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships
PM YASASVI also includes scholarships for eligible students at the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric levels.
The Post-Matric component provides academic allowances generally ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 annually, depending on the course category and applicable rules.
The Pre-Matric component supports eligible school students under state and Union Territory implementation arrangements. Scholarship amounts and application procedures should be checked against the relevant state notification.
PM YASASVI Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
Students must satisfy the eligibility conditions of the specific scholarship component for which they apply.
Eligibility for Top Class School Education
Applicants generally need to fulfil the following requirements:
- Belong to the OBC, EBC or DNT category.
- Have an annual household income below ₹2.5 lakh.
- Be studying in or have secured admission to a school selected under the scheme.
- Meet the academic merit requirements prescribed for the relevant scholarship cycle.
- Apply within the announced deadline and provide valid documents.
The scholarship covers education from Class 9 through Class 12, subject to the scheme’s fresh selection and continuation provisions.
The programme also provides for 30% reservation of scholarship slots for girls under the Top Class School Education component.
Eligibility for College Students
Applicants must belong to an eligible OBC, EBC or DNT category and have secured admission to a notified educational institution.
The annual family income ceiling is ₹2.5 lakh. Selection depends on the applicable admission merit criteria, institutional scholarship slots and verification of eligibility.
Students enrolled in institutions not covered by the notified list cannot automatically claim the Top Class College scholarship.
Documents Required for PM YASASVI Scholarship
Students should prepare the necessary documents before beginning their applications.
Generally required documents include:
- Aadhaar card or accepted identity details.
- Valid caste or community certificate.
- Family income certificate.
- Previous qualifying examination marksheet.
- Current school or college admission details.
- Bank account information.
- Active mobile number.
- Relevant educational records and certificates.
Additional documents may be required depending on the scholarship component, institution and state.
Students should ensure that their personal details are consistent across their Aadhaar records, school or college documents, income certificate and bank information.
How to Apply for PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026 Online
Eligible applicants can use the National Scholarship Portal to submit applications for available scholarship components.
- Open the official National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in and navigate to the student section.
- Students applying through NSP must complete the required One-Time Registration (OTR) process. Applicants who already have a valid OTR should use their existing credentials.
- Log in to the student dashboard and locate the relevant PM YASASVI scholarship, such as Top Class Education in Schools or Top Class Education in College.
- Complete the application form with the required personal information, educational qualifications, institution details, category and family income information.
- Upload the documents requested by the portal. Ensure the information is accurate and the uploaded files are clear.
- Review the completed form before submission. After submitting, retain the application reference number and acknowledgement for future use.
Applicants should also follow the verification status displayed on the portal, since submitting an application does not automatically guarantee scholarship approval.
PM YASASVI Scholarship Selection Process
Selection under the Top Class School Education component is based on academic merit, eligibility and the number of scholarship slots available.
The earlier YASASVI Entrance Test was replaced by a merit-based selection process using qualifying examination marks. Therefore, students should not assume that a separate entrance examination is required for the 2026–27 school scholarship cycle.
For the college component, institutions verify eligible applicants, and selection follows the prescribed admission merit criteria and institutional allocations.
Successful applicants must complete all required verification stages before scholarship disbursement.
How Will Students Receive the Scholarship Amount?
Scholarship payments are released through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system according to the applicable component rules.
For the Top Class School Education scholarship, payments are made to eligible beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts after approval and verification.
Students should ensure that their bank accounts are active and properly enabled for Aadhaar-based DBT payments.
The application and payment status can be checked through the relevant services available on the National Scholarship Portal.
Important Information for Applicants
Students should distinguish between the various PM YASASVI components before applying. The ₹1.25 lakh annual maximum is associated with Top Class School Education for Classes 11 and 12; it is not a universal scholarship amount for all applicants.
Similarly, merely belonging to an eligible community or meeting the income condition does not guarantee selection. Academic merit, notified institutions, document verification and available scholarship allocations remain important.
Applicants should rely on official notifications rather than older entrance examination schedules or unverified claims about guaranteed scholarship payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date for PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026?
The last date for fresh Top Class School Education applications is 30 November 2026. The Top Class College Education application deadline is 31 October 2026. Other components may have different deadlines.
2. Can Class 9 students apply for PM YASASVI?
Yes. Eligible Class 9 students studying in shortlisted schools can apply under the Top Class School Education component, subject to the applicable conditions.
3. Is an entrance examination required for PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026?
The Top Class School Education scholarship uses a merit-based selection process rather than the earlier YASASVI Entrance Test. Applicants should follow the current NSP instructions.
4. Can college students receive the PM YASASVI Scholarship?
Yes. Eligible OBC, EBC and DNT students admitted to notified colleges can apply under the Top Class College Education component.
5. What is the income limit for PM YASASVI Scholarship?
The annual household income ceiling for the Top Class School and College Education components is ₹2.5 lakh, subject to the detailed eligibility rules.
