Students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Other Backwards Classes (OBC) can receive financial assistance for school, college and higher education under several government scholarship schemes during the 2026–27 academic year.
These scholarships can help eligible students meet expenses related to tuition fees, maintenance, books, accommodation and other educational costs. However, there is no single central government scheme officially called “SC ST OBC Scholarship.” Instead, different scholarships are available separately for SC, ST and OBC students through the National Scholarship Portal, state scholarship portals and the respective Union ministries.
For 2026–27, several central scholarships are currently accepting applications, while the deadlines and benefits of state-level Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships vary by state.
Table of Contents
SC ST OBC Scholarship 2026–27: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Beneficiaries | SC, ST, OBC and other eligible category students |
| Academic Year | 2026–27 |
| Education Levels | School, Class 11–12, UG, PG and higher education |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Main Portal | National Scholarship Portal |
| Scholarship Type | Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Top Class and other schemes |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer, subject to scheme rules |
| Income Limit | Varies by scheme; ₹2.5 lakh applies to several major schemes |
Students should select the scholarship corresponding to their social category, state, course and institution.
Scholarships Available for SC Students
SC students can access several scholarship programmes administered by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and state governments.
Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students
The central Pre-Matric Scholarship supports eligible SC students studying in Classes 9 and 10.
Under the scheme, the annual family income should generally not exceed ₹2.5 lakh. Scholarship assistance is provided to help reduce school dropout and support students in progressing to higher education.
The scholarship is implemented through states and Union Territories, so application dates can differ depending on domicile.
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students
The Post-Matric Scholarship supports SC students pursuing studies after Class 10, including Class 11, Class 12, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and other recognised courses.
The assistance can include compulsory non-refundable fees and academic or maintenance allowances according to the applicable course group and government rules.
Eligibility, scholarship rates and application timelines should be checked through the student’s state scholarship portal or the National Scholarship Portal where applicable.
Top Class Education Scholarship for SC Students
SC students pursuing higher education at notified institutions can also apply under the Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students.
The programme is intended for students studying beyond Class 12 at empanelled institutions.
For the 2026–27 academic year, the current National Scholarship Portal schedule lists:
- Student application deadline: 31 October 2026
- Defective application verification: 15 November 2026
- Institute verification: 15 November 2026
- DNO/SNO/MNO verification: 30 November 2026
Students must satisfy the scheme’s income, institution, admission and other eligibility requirements.
Scholarships Available for ST Students
Scholarships for Scheduled Tribe students are primarily administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with state and Union Territory governments.
Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
The ST Pre-Matric Scholarship is available to eligible students studying in Classes 9 and 10.
Important conditions generally include:
- The applicant must belong to a notified Scheduled Tribe.
- The student should study in a recognised school.
- Annual family income should not exceed ₹2.5 lakh.
- The applicant should have an eligible bank account linked according to DBT requirements.
- The student should not simultaneously receive another scholarship where prohibited.
Under the central scheme structure, assistance includes monthly support for day scholars and hostellers.
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
The Post-Matric Scholarship assists ST students studying from Class 11 up to postgraduate level in recognised institutions.
The annual family income ceiling under the central scheme is generally ₹2.5 lakh.
Scholarship benefits can include compulsory fees and maintenance support, depending on the course and whether the student is a day scholar or hosteller.
Applications are generally processed through state portals or the National Scholarship Portal, depending on the state.
Higher Education Scholarships for ST Students
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs also operates higher education programmes such as:
- National Scholarship for Higher Education for ST Students
- National Fellowship for ST Students
- National Overseas Scholarship
Eligibility and scholarship benefits differ considerably across these programmes.
Scholarships Available for OBC Students
A major central scholarship framework for OBC students is PM YASASVI, administered by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
PM YASASVI covers OBC, EBC and DNT students through multiple components.
PM YASASVI Pre-Matric Scholarship
Eligible OBC, EBC and DNT students studying in Classes 9 and 10 may receive assistance under the Pre-Matric component, subject to implementation by their state or Union Territory.
The family income limit is generally ₹2.5 lakh per year.
PM YASASVI Post-Matric Scholarship
The Post-Matric component supports eligible students studying beyond Class 10.
Scholarship rates depend on the level and type of course. Students must satisfy category, income and institution requirements.
PM YASASVI Top Class School Education
Meritorious OBC, EBC and DNT students studying in shortlisted schools can receive substantial educational assistance.
The maximum annual support can reach:
| Class | Maximum Assistance |
|---|---|
| Class 9 | ₹75,000 |
| Class 10 | ₹75,000 |
| Class 11 | ₹1,25,000 |
| Class 12 | ₹1,25,000 |
For fresh applications in the 2026–27 session, the National Scholarship Portal currently lists 30 November 2026 as the application deadline for the Top Class School Education component.
The amount represents the maximum permissible assistance and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed fixed cash payment to every applicant.
PM YASASVI Top Class College Education
Eligible OBC, EBC and DNT students admitted to notified higher education institutions may receive assistance for tuition fees, living expenses, books and other approved educational requirements.
For 2026–27, the current application deadline listed on NSP is 31 October 2026.
Who Can Apply for SC ST OBC Scholarships?
Although rules vary between schemes, applicants commonly need to satisfy the following conditions:
- Be an Indian citizen.
- Belong to the eligible SC, ST or OBC category.
- Hold a valid category or caste certificate.
- Meet the annual family income limit prescribed under the selected scheme.
- Be enrolled in a recognised school, college or institution.
- Meet academic requirements where merit criteria apply.
- Have the required Aadhaar and bank details for verification and payment.
Students should not assume that the same income limit or scholarship amount applies to all three categories.
Documents Required
Applicants may be asked to provide:
- Aadhaar details
- Caste or category certificate
- Income certificate
- Domicile certificate
- Previous examination marksheet
- Current admission or bonafide certificate
- Fee receipt where applicable
- Bank account details
- Mobile number
- Passport-size photograph
- Other documents required by the respective scheme
The information entered in the application should match official documents.
How to Apply for SC ST OBC Scholarship Online
Open the official National Scholarship Portal and check the scholarship schemes available for the 2026–27 academic year.
- New applicants should complete the required One-Time Registration process using their verified identity details.
- After registration, sign in and enter the required personal, domicile and academic information.
- The portal may show schemes based on the student’s category, domicile, education level and institution.
- Select the correct SC, ST or OBC scholarship instead of applying under an unrelated scheme.
- Upload the required income certificate, category certificate, academic records and other documents.
- Check every field carefully before final submission. After submission, keep the application number and monitor verification status.
Applications may undergo verification by the educational institution and government authorities before approval.
How Is the Scholarship Amount Paid?
Most government scholarships are paid through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) according to scheme-specific rules.
Students should ensure that their bank details are accurate and that Aadhaar seeding or other payment requirements are completed wherever required.
Submission of an application does not automatically mean the scholarship has been approved.
Important Points Students Should Remember
The biggest mistake students make is searching for a generic “SC ST OBC Scholarship” and assuming that one application covers every category.
The correct scheme depends on the applicant’s category, class or course, domicile, family income and institution.
Students should also check whether their application is processed through the National Scholarship Portal or through their state’s own scholarship system. State deadlines can differ considerably from central scholarship deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SC ST OBC Scholarship a single government scheme?
No. SC, ST and OBC students are covered through separate scholarship programmes operated by different ministries and state governments.
What is the income limit for these scholarships?
Many major SC, ST and OBC schemes use an annual family income ceiling of ₹2.5 lakh, but this is not universal. Applicants must check the specific scheme.
Can college students apply?
Yes. Post-Matric, Top Class and higher education scholarships are available for eligible college students.
Where can students apply?
Many central schemes are available through the National Scholarship Portal, while some Pre-Matric and Post-Matric schemes are processed through state scholarship portals.
Can a student receive more than one scholarship?
This depends on the individual scheme rules. Students should check restrictions on receiving multiple scholarships before applying.
