- Karnataka scholarships have moved from the old KarePass and ePASS portals to the State Scholarship Portal (SSP) at ssp.karnataka.gov.in, with post-matric forms at ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in
- The Vidyasiri food and accommodation scheme pays Rs 1,500 per month for ten months
- For 2026-27, the Backward Classes post-matric deadline is 31 August 2026.
What Is the Vidyasiri Scholarship 2026?
The Vidyasiri Scholarship is a food and accommodation scheme run by Karnataka's Backward Classes Welfare Department for OBC, SC and ST students. It supports post-matric students studying outside their home district who cannot get a government hostel seat, paying a monthly allowance to cover boarding and lodging costs while they study.
The Vidyasiri Scholarship, offered by the Backward Classes Welfare Department of the Karnataka Government, helps students from backward communities pursue higher education without the burden of boarding and lodging costs. It is aimed at post-matric students who study away from home and do not secure a seat in a government or aided hostel.
Applications that were once filed on the KarePass or ePASS portal are now made through the State Scholarship Portal (SSP). The SSP unites the welfare departments and links academic, treasury and bank records so that benefits reach genuine applicants and duplicate payments are avoided.
Government Scholarships for Indian StudentsRead →Who Is Eligible for the Vidyasiri Scholarship?
Applicants must be permanent residents of Karnataka belonging to the OBC, SC, ST or Category-1 groups. They must study in a recognised post-matric course outside their home taluk, not stay in any government or aided hostel, and score at least 50 percent in the qualifying exam. Family income limits apply by category.
The Vidyasiri Scholarship is meant for meritorious but financially weaker students from Karnataka's backward classes. Eligibility depends on domicile, category, academic performance and family income. Students already receiving food or hostel benefits from any other government scheme are not eligible for a second allowance.
- Permanent resident of Karnataka belonging to OBC, SC, ST or Category-1
- Studying a post-matric course outside the home district or taluk
- Not staying in any government or government-aided hostel
- Minimum 50 percent marks in the qualifying examination
- Not receiving any other food or hostel allowance from the government
| Category 2026 | Annual Family Income Limit |
|---|---|
| Category-1 | Up to Rs 2.5 lakh |
| Category 2A, 3A and 3B | Up to Rs 1 lakh |
How Much Scholarship Amount Do You Get?
Under the Vidyasiri food and accommodation scheme, eligible students receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,500 paid for ten months each academic year, which works out to Rs 15,000 per year. The money is transferred directly to the student's bank account to help cover boarding and lodging while they study away from home.
Because the allowance is credited straight to the student's bank account through direct benefit transfer, an active bank account seeded with Aadhaar is essential. The amount is meant to offset the cost of food and rented accommodation for outstation students who could not get a government hostel place.
How to Get a Scholarship to Study AbroadRead →Which Schemes Are Offered Under Backward Classes Welfare?
Besides the Vidyasiri food and accommodation allowance, Karnataka's Backward Classes Welfare Department runs a post-matric fee reimbursement scheme covering tuition and other fees, and the Prathibha Puraskara cash award for students scoring 90 percent or above in SSLC or second PUC. All three are applied for through the same SSP portal.
The department groups its student support into a few clear schemes so that boarding help, fee reimbursement and merit rewards are all handled on one portal. The table below summarises the main schemes for backward-class students in Karnataka.
| Scheme 2026 | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation | Rs 1,500 per month for 10 months (Rs 15,000 per year) for outstation post-matric students without a government hostel seat. |
| Post-Matric Fee Reimbursement | Reimburses tuition and eligible course fees for OBC, SC and ST post-matric students of Karnataka. |
| Prathibha Puraskara | One-time cash award for backward-class students scoring 90 percent or above in SSLC or second PUC. |
How to Apply on the SSP Portal?
Applications are made online at the State Scholarship Portal. Create an account with your Aadhaar and mobile number, log in, select the Backward Classes Welfare Department and the Vidyasiri scheme, fill in personal, academic and income details, upload the required documents, and submit. Note the application number generated for tracking your scholarship status later.
- Visit the State Scholarship Portal at ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in and create a new account.
- Log in and select the Backward Classes Welfare Department and the Vidyasiri scheme.
- Fill in personal details, including Aadhaar number, SSLC details and annual family income.
- Upload the required documents such as income, caste and marks certificates.
- Submit the form and note down the application number that is generated automatically.
- Use the application number later to check your scholarship status on the portal.
What Documents Are Required?
You need a Tahsildar-issued family income certificate, a caste certificate for OBC, SC or ST status, your SSLC marks card, a transfer certificate from your previous institution, an Aadhaar card, bank account passbook details for direct benefit transfer, and recent passport-size photographs. Keep scanned copies ready before you begin the online application.
- Family annual income certificate issued by the Tahsildar
- Caste certificate for OBC, SC or ST status issued by the Tahsildar
- SSLC marks card and, where applicable, the latest marks card
- Transfer certificate from the previous institution
- Aadhaar card and Aadhaar-seeded bank account passbook
- Recent passport-size photographs
When Is the Last Date to Apply in 2026?
For the 2026-27 academic year, the State Scholarship Portal lists 31 August 2026 as the deadline for Backward Classes and Scheduled Castes post-matric applications. Dates are often extended, so check the SSP and Backward Classes Welfare Department websites regularly. Fresh and renewal applicants should apply well before the closing date to avoid a last-minute rush.
| Department Deadline 2026-27 | Last Date |
|---|---|
| Backward Classes Welfare (post-matric) | 31 August 2026 (often extended) |
| Scheduled Castes Welfare (post-matric) | 31 August 2026 |
| Minority Welfare (post-matric) | 30 September 2026 |
How to Check Your Application Status?
After submitting, an application number is generated that is unique to you. To track progress, visit the State Scholarship Portal, open the student services or application status section, enter your application number, academic year, SSLC details and date of birth, then submit to see whether your Vidyasiri scholarship is approved, pending or disbursed.
- Visit the State Scholarship Portal at ssp.karnataka.gov.in.
- Open the student services or application status section.
- Enter your saved application number and the academic year.
- Add your SSLC details and date of birth as entered in the application.
- Submit to view whether your scholarship is approved, pending or disbursed.