- The Ministry of Minority Affairs runs three scholarship schemes on the National Scholarship Portal, Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means
- Pre-Matric now covers only Classes 9 and 10, as no fresh beneficiaries have been admitted for Classes 1 to 8 since 2022-23
- The Maulana Azad National Fellowship was discontinued from 2022-23.
MOMA scholarships are financial-aid schemes run by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, for students belonging to the six centrally notified minority communities. They help students meet the cost of school, college and professional education so that economically weaker minority families can pursue higher studies.
Every scheme is applied for online on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. The Merit-cum-Means scheme alone offers about 60,000 fresh scholarships each year for professional and technical courses, with support that covers tuition fees and a maintenance allowance.
What Is the MOMA Scholarship?
MOMA scholarships are financial aid schemes run by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, for students from six notified minority communities. They fund school, college and professional education through three schemes, Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means, all administered online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
Which Minority Communities Are Eligible?
Six centrally notified minority communities qualify for MOMA scholarships: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians (Parsis). Applicants must belong to one of these communities, meet the income ceiling for their specific scheme, and study at a recognised Indian school, college or university. A maximum of two students from one family may benefit.
- Muslims
- Christians
- Sikhs
- Buddhists
- Jains
- Zoroastrians (Parsis)
What Are the Types of MOMA Scholarships in 2026?
The Ministry of Minority Affairs currently offers three scholarship schemes. The Pre-Matric scheme supports Classes 9 and 10, the Post-Matric scheme covers Classes 11 up to postgraduate study, and the Merit-cum-Means scheme funds professional and technical courses. Each has its own income limit and marks requirement, and all use the National Scholarship Portal.
| Scheme (2026) | Who It Covers | Income Limit | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric | Classes 9 and 10 | Up to Rs 1 lakh/year | School fees and maintenance allowance |
| Post-Matric | Class 11 to postgraduate | Up to Rs 2 lakh/year | Admission, tuition and maintenance |
| Merit-cum-Means | Professional and technical courses | Up to Rs 2.5 lakh/year | Course fee up to Rs 20,000 plus maintenance |
What Is the Pre-Matric Scholarship?
The Pre-Matric Scholarship helps minority students in Classes 9 and 10 from families earning below Rs 1 lakh a year. Since the Right to Education Act covers free schooling for Classes 1 to 8, no fresh Pre-Matric scholarships have been sanctioned for those lower classes since the 2022-23 academic year.
The scheme reimburses admission and tuition fees along with a monthly maintenance allowance, with a higher rate for hostellers than for day scholars. Students already covered before the change continued to receive their remaining instalments, but Classes 1 to 8 are no longer eligible for new awards.
What Is the Post-Matric Scholarship?
The Post-Matric Scholarship supports minority students from Class 11 through undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Applicants need at least 50% marks in the previous examination and annual family income not exceeding Rs 2 lakh. It reimburses admission and tuition fees plus a maintenance allowance, and 30% of the awards are reserved for girl students.
- Minimum 50% marks in the previous final examination.
- Annual family income from all sources not exceeding Rs 2 lakh.
- 30% of scholarships earmarked for girl students.
- A maximum of two students from one family may benefit.
What Is the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship?
The Merit-cum-Means Scholarship funds professional and technical courses such as engineering, medicine and management. Students need at least 50% marks and family income below Rs 2.5 lakh a year. It covers course fees up to Rs 20,000 annually, plus a maintenance allowance of Rs 10,000 for hostellers and Rs 5,000 for day scholars.
- For recognised professional and technical courses of at least one year.
- Minimum 50% marks in the previous final examination.
- Annual family income not exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh.
- About 60,000 fresh scholarships are awarded every year.
| Scheme (2026) | Scholarship Support | Minimum Marks | Reservation for Girls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric (Classes 9-10) | Admission fee, tuition and maintenance allowance | Not applicable for entry | 30% earmarked |
| Post-Matric | Admission, tuition fee and maintenance allowance | 50% in previous exam | 30% earmarked |
| Merit-cum-Means | Course fee up to Rs 20,000 plus Rs 10,000 or Rs 5,000 maintenance | 50% in previous exam | 30% earmarked |
How Do You Apply for the MOMA Scholarship?
All MOMA scholarships are applied for online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Students register with a One Time Registration ID, fill the application, upload documents such as income and community certificates, and submit before the deadline. The institution and state then verify the application before scholarships are sanctioned and disbursed.
- Complete the One Time Registration on scholarships.gov.in and note your reference ID.
- Log in, choose the relevant Ministry of Minority Affairs scheme and fill the application form.
- Upload your income certificate, community certificate, marksheet and bank details.
- Submit before the deadline so your institution and state can verify and forward it.
The application window on the National Scholarship Portal usually opens in the second half of the year, with fresh and renewal applications processed in the same cycle. Check the portal for the exact 2026-27 dates, as they are announced there each academic year.
What Changed Recently in Minority Scholarships?
Two major changes have reshaped minority scholarships. Fresh Pre-Matric scholarships for Classes 1 to 8 were stopped from 2022-23, leaving only Classes 9 and 10 covered. The Maulana Azad National Fellowship for research scholars was also discontinued from 2022-23 because it overlapped with UGC and CSIR fellowships open to all communities.
Despite these changes, the Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means schemes remain the mainstay of support for minority students, and the Pre-Matric scheme continues for Classes 9 and 10. Applicants should rely on the official National Scholarship Portal for the latest guidelines, income limits and deadlines rather than older third-party listings.