Post-Graduate Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates

Key facts

Benefit	₹7,800 monthly
Who	SC/ST students
How paid	Direct Bank Transfer
Implemented by	Ministry of Education
Official portal	scholarships.gov.in
Application window	Apply during the current academic year for first-year courses.

Benefits

Beneficiaries receive a monthly scholarship of ₹7800 for postgraduate courses, supporting their educational expenses for the duration of their studies.

Who can apply

For: student
Category: SC, ST
not income tax payer
no government employee in family
poor household

Eligible candidates must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories and should not be income tax payers or have government employees in their family. Only first-year postgraduate students in recognized institutions can apply.

Who is not eligible

General category candidates
OBC candidates
Candidates in correspondence courses
Candidates in Distance Education mode

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal after the UGC advertises the scheme annually.

Visit the National Scholarship Portal after the UGC advertisement is published.
Click on the 'Apply Now' option.
Go to 'Applicant Corner' and select 'New Registration'.
Complete the mandatory details and click 'Register'.
Verify your mobile number and enter the OTP received.
Log in using the OTP and fill out the application form.
Submit the application form to receive an application ID and password for future reference.
Ensure your host institution verifies your online application.

Apply on the official website ↗

Documents required

Copy of Aadhaar Card
Passport-size Photograph
Proof of age
Mark Sheets/Grade Cards & Degrees
Caste certificate, if applicable
Disability certificate, if applicable
Any other document, as required

Common problems and how to fix them

Problem	What to do
Application not processed	Ensure that the host institution verifies the online application as required.
Scholarship not received	Check if the application ID is valid and confirm with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for payment status.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for this scholarship?

Only SC/ST students who are first-year postgraduate students in recognized institutions are eligible to apply.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants need to provide a copy of their Aadhaar card, a passport-size photograph, proof of age, mark sheets, caste certificate (if applicable), and any other required documents.

Is there an income limit for applicants?

Yes, applicants must not be income tax payers and should not have any government employees in their family.

What is the duration of the scholarship?

The scholarship is awarded for the duration of the postgraduate course, typically two to three years, depending on the course length.

Can students pursuing distance education apply?

No, candidates enrolled in postgraduate courses through correspondence or distance education are not eligible for this scholarship.

What happens if a student fails to pass the first year?

If a student does not pass the first year of their postgraduate course, they will forfeit the scholarship.

Key terms explained

SC / ST / OBC: Official social categories — Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes — used for reservations and targeted welfare schemes.

Always confirm the latest details on the official portal before applying.