The Dr Ambedkar Scholarship, named after Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, is a centrally sponsored scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for students from Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs).
The scheme is implemented by State Governments and Union Territory administrations on a 75:25 Centre-State funding basis. DNTs are the Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic tribes who are not covered under the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or Other Backward Classes.
- Dr Ambedkar Scholarship pre-matric amount up to INR 1,500/year; post-matric up to INR 1,200/year
- Income ceiling: INR 2 lakh/year from all sources
- Eligible for DNT students not covered under SC, ST or OBC
- Apply via the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in
- Central-State funding ratio 75:25
- Funds via Direct Benefit Transfer.
What Is the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship 2026?
Dr Ambedkar Scholarship is a centrally sponsored scheme named after Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar for students from Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes not covered under SC, ST or OBC. It is implemented by State Governments under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, funded in a 75:25 Centre-State ratio, and applications run through the National Scholarship Portal.
The scheme has been in operation since 2014-15 and is meant for DNT students who fall outside existing reserved categories, helping them continue their education at both school and higher levels.
Ashirwad Scholarship 2026: Eligibility and ApplicationRead →How Does the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship Portal Work?
The Dr Ambedkar Scholarship is delivered through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in, the Government of India platform for central scholarships. Students complete a One Time Registration using Aadhaar, then apply, upload documents and track payment online. Each participating State also runs its own welfare portal, and offline applications remain available in some states.
The National Scholarship Portal gives easy access to scheme details, the online application, the submission process and payment tracking. State portals, such as the one operated by the Government of Punjab for its domicile students, feed into the same DBT-based disbursement system.
What Does the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme Offer?
Under the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship, pre-matric DNT students receive up to INR 1,500 per year and post-matric DNT students receive up to INR 1,200 per year. The scheme, in operation since 2014-15, covers study allowances and related educational costs. The Centre funds 75 percent and the State 25 percent, with money paid through Direct Benefit Transfer.
| Component 2026 | Details |
|---|---|
| Pre-matric scholarship | Up to INR 1,500 per year |
| Post-matric scholarship | Up to INR 1,200 per year |
| Income ceiling | INR 2 lakh per year (all sources) |
| Funding pattern | 75:25 Centre-State |
| Disbursement | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
| Apply via | National Scholarship Portal, scholarships.gov.in |
The scheme provides financial assistance to DNT students who cannot afford their studies and do not come under any reserved category, so they can continue schooling and higher education without a heavy cost burden.
National Scholarship Portal 2026: All SchemesRead →Who Is Eligible for the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship?
To qualify for the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship, a student must belong to a Denotified, Nomadic or Semi-Nomadic Tribe not covered under SC, ST or OBC. The net annual family income from all sources must not exceed INR 2 lakh. Applicants should be studying from Class 1 to 12, or pursuing graduation, postgraduation, M.Phil, PhD or post-doctoral programmes.
- The applicant must belong to a Denotified, Nomadic or Semi-Nomadic Tribe not already covered under SC, ST or OBC.
- The net family income from all sources must not exceed INR 2 lakh per year.
- The student must be a bonafide resident of the state through which the scholarship is claimed.
- The student must not be receiving another scholarship for the same purpose from any other source.
What Documents Are Required for the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship?
Applicants for the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship must provide a caste certificate confirming DNT status, an Aadhaar card, an income certificate showing family income below INR 2 lakh, mark sheets of qualifying examinations, bank account details linked to Aadhaar, passport-size photographs and institutional proof of current enrolment. Extra documents may be required by individual state portals.
- Caste certificate confirming Denotified, Nomadic or Semi-Nomadic Tribe status
- Aadhaar card
- Income certificate showing family income below INR 2 lakh per year
- Mark sheets of the last qualifying examination
- Bank account details linked to Aadhaar for Direct Benefit Transfer
- Passport-size photographs and institutional proof of current enrolment
How Can You Apply for the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship Form?
The Dr Ambedkar Scholarship form is available on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Fresh applicants first complete the One Time Registration, then fill in personal, family, educational and bank details and upload the required documents. Renewal applicants log in and use the Renewal tab. The scholarship covers study allowances, study-tour costs and other prescribed educational expenses.
How Does the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship Work in Punjab and Haryana?
In Punjab and Haryana, the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship is administered by the respective State welfare departments for domicile DNT students, alongside the National Scholarship Portal. Eligible students belonging to DNT communities with family income below INR 2 lakh apply online through the state portal, attaching the required documents. Offline submission through the education department is available where notified.
- In Punjab, the state portal serves domicile students studying at the post-matric level across eligible categories.
- In Haryana, the Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes administers the scheme for state DNT students.
- Students must be bonafide residents of the state to claim the state-implemented scholarship.
- The family income limit of INR 2 lakh per year applies uniformly across states.
When Does the Dr Ambedkar Scholarship 2026 Application Open?
The Dr Ambedkar Scholarship is applied for through the National Scholarship Portal, which is open for the 2026-27 academic year. Application windows and last dates are announced each cycle on scholarships.gov.in, so students should check the portal for exact deadlines. Renewal applicants who did not complete a previous form can reapply using the same Aadhaar details.
Students who applied in a previous year but could not complete the process remain eligible to apply again using the same Aadhaar-linked account. Applicants should fill in their current qualification and any updated details as required by the portal.