Ashirwad Scholarship is an initiative taken by the Punjab Government in the field of education. This scheme aims to help students from the deprived sections of society. Ashirwad scholarship is to help the students cross the hurdle of insufficient funds while running on the track of education.
The scholarship is exclusively available for students coming from SC/ST and OBC communities. This is to cut down the number of students discontinuing their academic careers due to financial restraints. A big chunk of students drops out from their schools or colleges because their family cannot afford the cost of higher education. This is creating a huge population of uneducated youth. The state government sensed the urgency to tackle this issue.
The other noteworthy aspect of the Ashirwad Scholarship is the attention given to female education in the state. To uplift the young females, a 40% quota of this scholarship is reserved only for female students.
- The Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027 application portal opens in the third week of September 2026 at punjabscholarships.gov.in
- SC/ST family income limit is INR 2,50,000 and OBC limit INR 1,00,000 per year
- Study tour allowance is Rs. 1,600 for SC/ST and Rs. 900 for OBC students in professional courses
- The scheme reserves 40% of awards for women.
What Is the Ashirwad Scholarship Punjab?
The Ashirwad Scholarship is a post-matric scholarship by the Punjab Government supporting SC, ST, and OBC students in higher education. Applications open in the third week of September 2026 at punjabscholarships.gov.in. The scheme reserves 40% of awards for women. Students can pursue UG and PG courses at any college or university in Punjab under this scheme.
Punjab Government is providing the Ashirwad Scholarship to the meritorious and deserving students. Any student who hails from SC/ST/OBC communities and wishes to pursue higher education in any college or university in Punjab can benefit from this scheme.
Students who have passed their higher secondary exams can avail of this scholarship. The government has set up an e-portal. Students need to register themselves and apply for the scholarship. This is an annual scholarship, and students can apply once in a year.
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What Is the Ashirwad Scholarship Eligibility Criteria?
To be eligible for the Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027, candidates must be Indian citizens domiciled in Punjab belonging to SC, ST, or OBC categories who have passed Class 10. Annual family income must not exceed INR 2,50,000 for SC/ST applicants and INR 1,00,000 for OBC applicants. Applicants must not simultaneously receive any other government scholarship or grant.
Before applying for Ashirwad Scholarship, all the students should read the eligibility criteria.
Only the ones who fulfill the criteria can avail from the scholarship –
- Candidate must be an Indian Citizen.
- Only the candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories are eligible for Ashirwad.
- Candidates should have passed Higher secondary exams.
- Higher Secondary certificate should be from recognized All India boards of education or state secondary board of education (Punjab state).
- Candidates aged 17 years or more are eligible.
- The annual family income of SC/ST candidates should be less than 2.5 lakhs.
- The annual family income of OBC candidates should be less than one lakh.
- Financial Aid for pursuing distance courses/open education/correspondence courses is also covered in this scheme. Therefore, students pursuing such courses can apply.
- Candidates who are already receiving or have received any other scholarship schemes/grant systems/ aids from the government cannot apply for this scheme.
- Medical Students who are pursuing post-graduation cannot apply.
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What Are the Ashirwad Scholarship Perks?
The Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027 covers maintenance grants, tuition fees, library charges, medical examination fees, and study tour expenses. Study tour allowance is up to Rs. 1,600 per year for SC/ST students and Rs. 900 for OBC students in professional courses. Thesis printing charges up to Rs. 1,600 for SC/ST and Rs. 1,000 for OBC students are also provided.
Throughout the course, the following expenses will be covered under the Ashirwad Scholarship.
- Cost of Maintenance
- Study Tour Expenses
- thesis typing or printing expenses during the duration of the course
- Book bank amenity for certain courses.
- Provision of additional allowance for disabled students throughout the course duration.
What Is the Ashirwad Scholarship Events Timeline for 2026?
The Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027 portal is expected to open for applications in the third week of September 2026. The closing date for submission is the second week of October 2026. Students should regularly check the official Punjab Scholarship Portal at punjabscholarships.gov.in for exact dates, as the government may update timelines closer to the academic session.
- Portal Opens for Application : 3rd Week of September 2026
- Closing date : 2nd Week of October 2026
How to Complete the Ashirwad Scholarship Online Application?
To apply for the Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027, visit punjabscholarships.gov.in and click Post-Matric Scholarship Portal under Student Corner. Register as a new user to receive a login ID and password. Log in, complete the application form accurately, upload all required documents in the specified format, and submit. Download a printout of the submitted application for future reference.
- All the candidates have to apply for the scholarship on an online portal set up by the State Government (Punjab). Follow these steps to apply for the Ashirwad Scholarship –
- Visit the official website – ( www.punjabscholarships.gov.in) Click on the Post matric scholarship portal, which is placed under the student corner.
- Register yourself as a new user.
- Log in with the application ID and password.
- Enter all the details correctly as prompted in the application form of the Ashirwad Scholarship.
- Recheck the details thoroughly.
- Upload the required documents in the recommended format.
- Submit the form and take a printout of the filled application form for future reference.
What Is the Ashirwad Scholarship Amount for OBC Students?
OBC students selected for the Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027 are placed in four groups by merit. Group A hostelers receive Rs. 750 and day scholars Rs. 350 monthly maintenance grant. Group B offers Rs. 510 for hostelers and Rs. 335 for day scholars. Group C and D receive lower amounts. All groups also receive approved tuition, library, and examination fee reimbursements.
The students who will be selected for the scholarship will be categorized into four groups based on merit.
Group A
- Maintenance Grant
- For Hosteler: Rs.750
- For Day Scholar: Rs.350
- Thesis typing/Printing Grant (Rs.): Rs.1000
- Study tour Grant: Rs.900
- The amount allotted for books: Rs.900
- Reader Allowance: Rs.175
Group B
- Maintenance Grant (Rs.)
- For Hosteler: Rs.510
- For Day Scholar: Rs.335
- Thesis typing/Printing Grant (Rs.): Rs.1000
- Study Tour Grant: Rs.900
- The amount allotted for books: Rs.900
- Reader Allowance: Rs.175
Group C
- Maintenance Grant (Rs.)
- For Hosteler: Rs.400
- For Day Scholar: Rs.210
- Thesis typing/Printing Grant (Rs.): Rs.1000
- Study Tour Grant: Rs.900
- The amount allotted for books: Rs.900
- Reader Allowance: Rs.130
Group D
- Maintenance Grant (Rs.)
- For Hosteler: Rs.260
- For Day Scholar: Rs.160
- Thesis typing/Printing Grant (Rs.): Rs.1000
- Study Tour Grant: Rs.900
- The amount allotted for books: Rs.900
- Reader Allowance: Rs.90
What Is the Ashirwad Scholarship Amount for SC/ST Students?
SC/ST students selected for the Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027 receive higher maintenance grants than OBC students. Group A hostelers receive Rs. 1,200 and day scholars Rs. 550 monthly. Group B hostelers receive Rs. 820 and day scholars Rs. 530. Group C and D receive progressively lower grants. Tuition, library, and examination fees are also fully covered throughout the course.
The students from SC/ST category who will be selected for the scholarship will also be categorized into four groups based on merit, the same as the OBC candidates.
Group A
- Maintenance Grant
- For Hosteler: Rs1200
- For Day Scholar: Rs.550
- Thesis typing/Printing Grant (Rs.): Rs.1600
- Study tour Grant: Rs.1600
- The amount allotted for books: Rs.1200
- Reader Allowance: Rs.240
Group B
- Maintenance Grant (Rs.)
- For Hosteler: Rs.820
- For Day Scholar: Rs.530
- Thesis typing/Printing Grant (Rs.): Rs.1600
- Study Tour Grant: Rs.1600
- The amount allotted for books: Rs.1200
- Reader Allowance: Rs.240
Group C
- Maintenance Grant (Rs.)
- For Hosteler: Rs.570
- For Day Scholar: Rs.300
- Thesis typing/Printing Grant (Rs.): Rs.1600
- Study Tour Grant: Rs.1600
- The amount allotted for books: Rs.1200
- Reader Allowance: Rs.200
Group D
- Maintenance Grant (Rs.)
- For Hosteler: Rs380
- For Day Scholar: Rs.230
- Thesis typing/Printing Grant (Rs.): Rs.1600
- Study Tour Grant: Rs.1600
- The amount allotted for books: Rs.1200
- Reader Allowance: Rs.160
What Documents Are Required for the Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027?
Documents required for the Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027 include two recent passport-size photographs, marksheets of previous examinations, family income certificate, caste certificate from a competent authority, Punjab domicile certificate, Aadhaar card, bank account details, bonafide certificate from the institution, and the fee receipt for the current academic session.
The documents required for Ashirwad Scholarship are:
- Two recent passport size photos
- Copies of Marksheets of previous exams
- Family Income certificate
- Address proof
- Physical Disability certificate (if any)
- Copy of the first page of the bank passbook
How Does the Ashirwad Scholarship Renewal Process Work?
To renew the Ashirwad Scholarship for 2026-2027, existing beneficiaries must log into the official Punjab Scholarship Portal using their existing user ID and password. Update any changed details, verify all information, and submit the renewal form. A minimum attendance of 75% is required for renewal eligibility. Download or print the submitted renewal application for records.
The Ashirwad Scholarship beneficiaries will get the scholarship for the 1st academic session once the scholarship gets sanctioned. After that, the candidates have to renew their application. The government establishes an effective renewal system. A minimum 75% attendance record is mandatory for the candidates to be eligible for the renewal of the scholarship.
Follow these steps to renew the scholarship –
- Open the online portal of the Ashirwad Scholarship.
- Log into your account with the valid application ID and
- Password.
- Enter all the details
- correctly as prompted in the application form.
- Make the necessary changes as per the latest updates/modifications.
- Recheck for the correctness of all details/entries.
- After verification of all the details, click on the renewal application form button.
- Periodically check the status of the renewal application form till you get the approval.
What Are the Contact Numbers for the Ashirwad Scholarship?
For queries about the Ashirwad Scholarship 2026-2027, students can call the helpline at 0172-2602912, 9463690909, or 9356062952. Students may also visit the official Punjab Scholarship Portal at punjabscholarships.gov.in for information on eligibility criteria, application status checks, disbursement updates, and all other scholarship-related queries throughout the year.
You can call on these numbers for any queries
- 0172-2602912
- 9463690909
- 9356062952