- The National Scholarship Portal for AY 2026-27 opened on 1 June 2026, with the post-matric application deadline set for 31 October 2026
- Post-matric scholarships for SC, ST and OBC students each carry a family income ceiling of Rs 2.5 lakh per annum
- OBC, EBC and DNT post-matric scholarships now run under the PM-YASASVI umbrella of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, applied through scholarships.gov.in.
The Post Matric Scholarship is a set of government schemes that help students from disadvantaged communities meet the cost of education beyond Class 10. Rather than a single scheme, it is a family of centrally sponsored and state-run programmes covering Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, OBC and minority students studying in India.
What Is the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme?
The Post Matric Scholarship is a group of centrally sponsored schemes that fund education from Class 11 to postgraduate level for students in India. Separate schemes run for Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, OBC, EBC, DNT and minority students, each administered by a different central ministry and delivered through state governments.
Apart from the central schemes, many state governments offer their own post-matric scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, economically weaker section and minority students. The table below lists the main central schemes and the ministries or departments that administer them.
| Scholarship Scheme 2026 | Administering Ministry / Department |
|---|---|
| Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Umbrella Scheme) | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
| Post Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students (PM-YASASVI) | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Post Matric Scholarship for Minority Students | Ministry of Minority Affairs |
| Post Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
| State Post Matric Scholarships (Karnataka SSP, UP, Bihar, Chhattisgarh) | Respective State Governments and UT Administrations |
Who Is Eligible for the Post Matric Scholarship?
Eligibility depends on the specific scheme, but common conditions apply. Applicants must be Indian citizens studying a recognised post-matriculation course in India, from Class 11 upward. Family income must stay within the scheme ceiling, generally Rs 2.5 lakh per annum for SC, ST and OBC students, and a valid caste or category certificate is required.
- The applicant must be a citizen of India.
- The scholarship covers recognised post-matriculation courses from Class 11 to postgraduate level pursued within India.
- The student must belong to the category the scheme serves, such as Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, OBC, EBC, DNT or a notified minority community.
- Family income from all sources must not exceed the scheme ceiling, generally Rs 2.5 lakh per annum for SC, ST and OBC students.
- The applicant needs a valid caste or category certificate, an income certificate and a bank account for Direct Benefit Transfer.
What Is the Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students?
The Post Matric Scholarship for SC students is a centrally sponsored scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and implemented by states. It supports Scheduled Caste students from Class 11 to postgraduate study, covering maintenance allowance and reimbursement of compulsory fees. The family income ceiling is Rs 2.5 lakh per annum.
- Scheduled Caste students in post-matric classes receive a monthly maintenance allowance that varies by course group and hostel or day-scholar status.
- The scheme reimburses compulsory non-refundable fees charged by the institution.
- The family income ceiling is Rs 2.5 lakh per annum from all sources.
- It is the single largest central intervention for the educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste students, implemented by states and union territories.
What Is the Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students?
The Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe students is administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs as part of its umbrella education scheme. It funds ST students pursuing recognised courses from Class 11 onwards within India. The scheme reimburses compulsory fees and pays a maintenance allowance, with a family income ceiling of Rs 2.5 lakh per annum.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs delivers the ST post-matric scholarship as part of its umbrella scheme for the education of ST children, which also includes pre-matric and top-class education support. Awards cover maintenance allowance and compulsory fees for studies pursued within India.
What Is the Post Matric Scholarship for OBC Students?
For OBC, EBC and DNT students, the post-matric scholarship now falls under the PM-YASASVI umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It funds study from Class 11 to postgraduate level in India. The family income ceiling was raised to Rs 2.5 lakh per annum, and applications are filed on the National Scholarship Portal.
Earlier the OBC post-matric scholarship carried a lower income ceiling, but under PM-YASASVI the eligibility income limit is Rs 2.5 lakh per annum. The umbrella scheme also covers economically backward classes and de-notified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribe students, all applying through the National Scholarship Portal.
How Do You Apply for the Post Matric Scholarship?
Almost all central post-matric scholarships are applied for online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Students first complete a One Time Registration to generate a reference number, then fill the application, upload documents and submit it for verification by their institution and the state department. Payment reaches beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer.
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in and complete the mandatory One Time Registration (OTR).
- Log in and select the relevant post-matric scholarship scheme for your category.
- Fill the application form and upload documents such as caste or category certificate, income certificate, marksheet and bank details.
- Submit the application for verification by your institution and the concerned state department.
- Track your application status online; approved amounts are credited by Direct Benefit Transfer.
When Is the Post Matric Scholarship Last Date 2026-27?
For the academic year 2026-27, the National Scholarship Portal opened on 1 June 2026. The last date for students to submit post-matric scholarship applications is 31 October 2026, followed by institute-level verification until 15 November 2026. Dates can vary slightly by state scheme, so applicants should confirm on the portal.
| Event (AY 2026-27) | Important Date 2026 |
|---|---|
| National Scholarship Portal opens | 1 June 2026 |
| Last date for students to submit application | 31 October 2026 |
| Institute-level verification closes | 15 November 2026 |
What Is the SSP Post Matric Scholarship in Karnataka?
The SSP post-matric scholarship is offered through Karnataka's State Scholarship Portal, run by the Centre for e-Governance, Government of Karnataka. It routes pre-matric and post-matric scholarships from four welfare departments covering SC, ST, OBC and minority students. Applicants apply only on the SSP portal, and funds are paid by Direct Benefit Transfer into Aadhaar-linked accounts.
- SSP is operated by the Centre for e-Governance, Government of Karnataka.
- Four welfare departments route scholarships through SSP: Social Welfare, Tribal Welfare, Backward Classes Welfare and Minorities Welfare.
- Students in Classes 1 to 10 apply for pre-matric scholarships; those in Class 11 and above apply for post-matric scholarships.
- Graduate, postgraduate and PhD students of eligible categories can also apply through the portal.
- Applications are accepted only on the SSP portal, and funds are transferred to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
Which States Offer Post Matric Scholarships?
Every state runs its own post-matric scholarships alongside the central schemes. Bihar funds domiciled students through its state portal, Uttar Pradesh offers one of the largest state schemes open to all categories, and Chhattisgarh supports SC, ST and OBC students from Class 11 upward. Each state sets its own income ceiling and deadlines.
- Bihar offers post-matric scholarships to domiciled SC, ST, OBC and minority students through its state scholarship portal.
- Uttar Pradesh runs one of the largest state schemes, open to General, OBC, SC and ST students, applied via the UP scholarship portal.
- Chhattisgarh supports SC, ST and OBC students from Class 11 upward, with income ceilings set per category.
- Most states set their own income limits, benefit amounts and deadlines, so applicants should check their state portal.