Issued by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the Minority Scholarship (abbreviated as the MOMA Scholarships) is financial support provided to the students belonging to the minority communities of India. This support is in the form of scholarships, that will help meritorious students lacking appropriate financial stability from the minority communities to continue with their pursuit of education and not drop out of it because of lack of monetary sources.
According to the Constitution of India, the six centrally notified minority communities include Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Zoroastrians (Parsis). Hence, any student from these communities is eligible to apply for this scholarship. The scholarship amount varies by scheme and category, ranging from a monthly grant at the pre-matric level to larger annual awards for professional and technical courses.
The scholarship scheme is divided into three categories: Pre-Matric Scholarships, Post-Matric Scholarships, and Merit-cum-Means Scholarships. The last category is only meant for professional and technical courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels of education. All three schemes are implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs and administered online through the National Scholarship Portal.
- The scholarship amount covers all costs, including that of admission fees as well as tuition fees
- The application for the application as well as disbursement of the amount takes place in an absolutely transparent manner
- Application is done entirely online
- Available in every state and union territory of India
- Around 30% of each category of the scholarship is reserved for the girl child
- MOMA minority scholarship applications are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in, which now shows the 2026-27 academic year cycle
- The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements three scholarship schemes: Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means for Professional and Technical Courses
- Since 2022-23 the Pre-Matric scheme covers only classes IX and X, because the Right to Education Act provides free education for classes I to VIII
- Income limits are INR 1,00,000 for Pre-Matric, INR 2,00,000 for Post-Matric, and INR 2,50,000 for Merit-cum-Means
- Thirty percent of scholarships are reserved for girl students, and amounts are paid via Direct Benefit Transfer to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
What is the MOMA Minority Scholarship 2025-26?
The MOMA Minority Scholarship is a scheme offered by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, to support students from minority communities: Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, and Parsi. It covers three categories: Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means scholarships. Applications for the 2025-26 cycle are submitted online via the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
Like every year, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has planned out the scheme for the Minority Scholarships. All the three categories of pre-matric, post-matric, and merit-cum-means scholarships can be availed this year. The announcement for the commencement of the applications for the scholarships is generally done by the month of August and applications continue to pour in till the month of October-November.
Applications for the minority scholarships typically open around August and continue through October and November each year, and results are usually announced by around December. Since specific deadlines change every cycle, applicants should check the current dates on the portal itself. All applications are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in.
The deadlines for the application of each category of scholarship are listed below as follows:
- Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme: application window usually closes around October
- Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme: application window usually closes around October-November
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarship: application window usually closes around October-November
What is the Pre-Matric Minority Scholarship?
The Pre-Matric MOMA Scholarship is available to students from minority communities enrolled in classes IX and X, as the RTE Act covers classes I to VIII. Candidates must have scored at least 50% previously and have annual family income not exceeding INR 1 lakh. The scholarship provides up to INR 600 per month through the National Scholarship Portal.
Since 2022-23, the pre-matric level of the minority scholarships applies only to students enrolled in standard IX and X, because the Right to Education Act already provides free and compulsory education for classes I to VIII. This scholarship aims to reduce drop-outs at the secondary level. It is accessible to all students from the notified minority communities, irrespective of any other social category.
The eligibility criteria for availing this kind of scholarship are as follows:
- Candidate must belong to a notified minority community
- Candidate must be studying in class IX or X
- Should have secured an average of at least 50% marks in the previous examination
- The annual income of the family should be less than INR 1,00,000
- A maximum of two children per family can apply
What is the Minority Scholarship in Karnataka?
Karnataka offers minority scholarships to students from minority communities who are domicile residents of the state. Candidates must have an annual family income below INR 1,00,000 and must not have any backlogs from previous examinations. Applications are processed through the NSP portal. The scheme operates alongside the central MOMA scholarship and provides additional state-level financial support.
The state of Karnataka also provides minority scholarships to students from the minority communities. Apart from the eligibility criterion mentioned by the Central Government for this scholarship, there are some other state-specific rules and criteria also apply. The students can apply to any of the three scholarships. The government of Karnataka uses this as an effective tool to financially support students who cannot afford higher education.
The eligibility criterion For Minority Scholarship in Karnataka follows:
- Only for students belonging to Karnataka, i.e. a domicile holder of the state of Karnataka
- The annual income of family less than INR 1,00,000
- Must not have a backlog from previous examinations
- Applicant should obtain more than 50% average in their last qualifying examination
- Students who hold a permanent domicile in the state of Karnataka but stays elsewhere can also apply.
What is the Minority Scholarship in West Bengal?
West Bengal provides scholarships and grants to minority and other backward community students across all three categories: Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means. The state also runs its own additional scholarship scheme. General eligibility requires West Bengal domicile, at least 50% marks in the previous examination, and an annual family income within the limits specified for each scheme.
Just like the other states, even the state of West Bengal provides scholarships and grants to not just the minority communities but also to other deserving candidates who are educationally meritorious but lack in financial stability and related resources that will help them excel further.
Apart from the known three categories of scholarships available, there is one other scholarship scheme brought by the West Bengal Government itself, i.e. TSP (Talent Support Stipend). This stipend is managed and brought out by the MA & ME Department, Government of West Bengal.
The general eligibility for availing any these scholarships are:
- Candidate must be a domiciled resident of West Bengal
- Must have secured at least 50% marks in the previous applicable examinations
- The annual income of the family should not exceed between INR 2,00,000 to INR 2,50,000
- Since these scholarships are a part of welfare schemes meant for the benefit of only the under-privileged students, hence no other student may be allowed to apply to these scholarships.
What is the Minority Scholarship in Kerala?
Kerala disburses pre-matric and post-matric scholarship opportunities to students from minority, backward, and weaker sections. The pre-matric scholarship supports students in standard IX to X, while the post-matric scheme covers higher education. Candidates must be domicile residents of Kerala, and the annual income of parents or guardians must not exceed the threshold set by the state government.
The state government of Kerala disburses pre-matric and post-matric scholarship opportunities to the students of this state who are meritorious yet belong from socially and economically weaker sections of the society. Their surrounding backwardness poses a barrier to their career of academics and through such scholarship schemes, they are assisted in funding their education.
The pre-matric and post-matric scholarships provide monetary support to the students studying in standard IX to X and to those who aspire to continue with their higher education through admission into good colleges; whether private or government ones.
The eligibility for this scholarship are as follows:
- Candidate to be a domiciled resident from the state of Kerala only
- The annual income of parents/guardian should not exceed INR 1,00,000
- The candidate from only minority/backward/weaker sections can only apply
- Minimum marks obtained in the previous qualifying examination should be at least 50%
- The pre-matric scholarship is not applicable to students from standard I to VIII
What is the Minority Scholarship in Uttar Pradesh?
Uttar Pradesh, India's largest state, offers Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means minority scholarships to domicile students from minority communities. The state government facilitates direct bank transfers for disbursement. Eligibility requires UP domicile, minority community membership, and at least 50% marks in the previous examination. Applications are processed through the NSP portal.
Being the largest state of India, Uttar Pradesh to undertakes the opportunity of providing scholarships to the students belonging from the minority communities. The pre-matric, post-matric (intermediate), and post-matric (other than intermediate) scholarships to the students in need. These scholarships are meant to reduce the financial burden of the parents, and the education of their meritorious wards are saved from being at stake.
Apart from these scholarships, the Uttar Pradesh state government also provides the added facility of transferring the monetary benefits of these scholarships online, especially for the girl child.
- Applicable only to the domicile students of Uttar Pradesh, irrespective of being a current resident or nit
- Must belong from the minority community
- The pre-matric scholarship is for students studying in standard IX and X; while the post-matric(intermediate) scholarship is for students studying in standard XI and XII
- Every minority candidate is eligible, irrespective of the fact as to they are enlisted in government or private institutions
- Family annual income must be between INR 1,00,000 to INR 2,00,000
What is the Minority Scholarship in Assam?
Assam provides all three MOMA scholarship categories: Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means. The merit-cum-means scholarship is available for professional and technical courses. Eligibility requires Assam domicile, minority community membership regardless of gender, and at least 50% marks in the prior examination. All applications are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal.
The state of Assam provides all the three categories of scholarships as like the other states. Except the pre-matric scholarships that is funded by the Assam Minorities Development Board, the other two scholarships are both funded by the Directorate of Char Areas Development Assam.
While the merit-cum-means scholarship is for provided for candidates aspiring for any technical/professional courses, the pre-matric and post-matric scholarships if for providing monetary support to students among the school level only.
- Only for the candidate's domicile of Assam
- The application entirely is done online
- Must belong from minority communities from Assam, irrespective of their social class
- Annual income should not exceed INR 1,00,000
What is the Minority Scholarship in Maharashtra?
Maharashtra's minority scholarships are managed by the Minority Development Department of the state government. Eligibility requires Maharashtra domicile, annual family income not exceeding INR 8,00,000, and at least 50% marks in the previous examination. Importantly, 30% of all scholarships under this scheme are reserved for girl students, ensuring equitable access to education across communities.
The minority scholarships provided by the Government of Maharashtra are handled under the Minority Development Department. Recipients should belong to a notified minority community such as Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, or Jewish. Scholarship amounts vary depending on the specific scheme and the level of the course pursued.
- Family’s income should be less than equal to INR 8,00,000
- Candidate to be domicile of Maharashtra
- 30% of scholarships reserved for girls
- Also applicable to domicile residents of Maharashtra who are not current residents of the state of Maharashtra.
How to Apply for Minority Scholarship Online?
MOMA minority scholarships are applied for online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Candidates must first register on the NSP to generate a unique One-Time Registration (OTR) number. They then fill in educational details, Aadhaar information, bank account details, and their state domicile before selecting the relevant scholarship category and submitting the required documents.
These scholarships provided by all the states, issued under the Ministry of Minority Affairs can be applied through a completely online process. The online website of the National Scholarship Portal and other state websites are the places where you can apply online.
- First, the candidate to register online on the NSP portal
- Provide all relevant educational qualifications and other correct personal details
- Details of Aadhar number, Bank details, and their domicile state name
- The bank details should be absolutely correct to avoid any error in the final payment of the money to the candidates
- Proof of belonging from the minority community
How Does Minority Scholarship Renewal Work?
MOMA minority scholarships are renewed annually through the National Scholarship Portal. Students must score at least 50% in their previous examination to be eligible for renewal. Renewal applications cannot be submitted once the candidate has completed their course. Updated academic documents along with personal and bank details must be provided when applying for renewal.
The minority scholarships are generally of only a year-long duration. Hence the students may desire to renew their scholarship for another academic year if they continue to fit into the eligibility criterion. The process of applying as a renewed candidate also takes place online.
- Renewal does not take place for students who have already completed their educational course/degree
- If applying as a renewed candidate, then the application has to be made in the portal under the renewal category and not under fresh application to avoid duplicate entries.
- While renewing, apart from the usual details being put up; the candidate has to mention the date of registration of the scholarship last year , along with correct bank account details.
How to Fill the Minority Scholarship Application Form?
The minority scholarship application form is completed entirely online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Candidates register, generate their OTR number, fill in educational qualifications and personal details, upload required documents, and submit. Ensure Aadhaar is linked to the bank account, as all scholarship disbursements are made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The application to access the Minority Scholarship schemes entirely takes place through the online portal. This step makes the process transparent on the part of the government and easier on the part of the candidate.
The application form can be accessed on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in after the candidate completes the mandatory One-Time Registration (OTR).
What is the Minority Scholarship Amount?
MOMA scholarship amounts vary by category. The Pre-Matric scholarship provides up to INR 600 per month. The Post-Matric scholarship offers up to INR 10,000 per year plus a maintenance allowance of up to INR 1,200 per month. The Merit-cum-Means scholarship provides up to INR 20,000 per year plus a maintenance allowance of INR 1,000 per month for hostellers for 2025-26.
The funding of these scholarships are usually undertaken by the respective state governments. The amount of money that can be received is different for each kind of scholarship. The exact amount is not mentioned; however, an approximate range of amount is mentioned. Also, this amount varies from one state to another.
What is the Minority Scholarship Income Limit?
The MOMA scholarship income limits differ by scheme. The Pre-Matric scheme, now covering only classes IX and X, requires annual family income not exceeding INR 1,00,000. The Post-Matric scheme requires income not exceeding INR 2,00,000, and the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses has a limit of INR 2,50,000 per year.
The minority scholarships are only meant to help fund the education of meritorious students whose education is often kept at stake because of the critical financial stability of their parents. This financial insecurity often leads to the students dropping out of education.
Thus, to ensure that the benefit of these scholarships only reaches to the candidate in need, the government as a part of the eligibility criterion of the scholarship scheme has put forward a specific income limit for the families of the candidates who wish to apply and benefit from this scheme.
The annual income limit of the family should not exceed INR 1,00,000 for the pre-matric scholarship, while higher ceilings of INR 2,00,000 and INR 2,50,000 apply to the post-matric and merit-cum-means schemes respectively.