Maintenance Allowance to VJNT and SBC Students Studying in Professional Courses and Living in Hostel Attached to Professional Colleges is a scheme of the VJNT, OBC and SBC Welfare Department, Government of Maharashtra. It gives a monthly maintenance allowance to Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) and Special Backward Class (SBC) students who are doing professional courses and living in hostels attached to their colleges.
The allowance covers daily living costs such as food, books, stationery and accommodation. It is paid for 10 months in an academic year on top of the regular post-matric scholarship. Applications for the 2025-26 cycle were accepted on the MahaDBT portal till 30 June 2026.
Maintenance Allowance to VJNT And SBC Students Studying in Professional Courses And Living in Hostel Attached to Professional Colleges - Introduction
Professional courses are grouped into A, B and C categories. The allowance is paid through the principal of the college. Students who get a seat in a government hostel are not entitled to this allowance, but those staying in a hostel attached to the college or an approved private hostel can apply.
The scheme stays open for the 2026-27 academic year as well. Eligible students need to apply online through the MahaDBT portal and the application is sent to the Assistant Commissioner of Social Welfare for final approval after the college checks it.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Maintenance Allowance for VJNT and SBC Students in Professional Courses |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| Category | Social Welfare and Empowerment |
| Benefit Type | Monthly Maintenance Allowance |
| Target Group | VJNT and SBC Students |
| Nodal Department | VJNT, OBC and SBC Welfare Department |
| Application Mode | Online (MahaDBT portal) |
Benefits
Eligible students receive a monthly maintenance allowance for 10 months per academic year in addition to their regular scholarship. The amount depends on the course duration and the type of hostel:
- Students staying in a hostel attached to the college: ₹700 per month for 4 to 5 year courses like Medical, Engineering, Agriculture and Veterinary, and ₹500 per month for 2 to 3 year courses like Engineering Diploma, MBA and MSW, and for shorter courses like B.Ed and D.Ed.
- Students not staying in a government hostel: ₹1,000 per month for 4 to 5 year courses, ₹700 per month for 2 to 3 year courses, and ₹500 per month for shorter courses.
- Payment method: The approved amount is paid to the student through the principal of the college for 10 months in an academic year.
Eligibility
Before applying, a student must meet the conditions set by the department. The main points are given below:
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen and a domicile of Maharashtra.
- The applicant must belong to the VJNT or SBC category.
- The student must be enrolled in a recognized professional course such as Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary or Architecture.
- The annual family income must be less than or equal to ₹1,00,000 (₹1 lakh).
- The student must live in a hostel attached to the professional college or an approved private hostel and must have applied for hostel admission.
Application Process
The whole application is done online on the MahaDBT portal. Follow the steps given below to apply:
STEP 1 - Visit the official MahaDBT portal at mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in and complete the new applicant registration by giving your name, email and mobile number.
STEP 2 - Log in using your credentials and build your profile by entering accurate personal, address and academic qualification details.
STEP 3 - Go to the scheme section, select the maintenance allowance scheme for VJNT and SBC students and fill in the application form.
STEP 4 - Upload the required documents, verify the details and submit the application.
STEP 5 - Once the college completes the initial scrutiny, the application is forwarded to the Assistant Commissioner of Social Welfare for final sanction.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready while applying so that the form is not rejected:
- Aadhaar Card
- Maharashtra Domicile Certificate
- Caste and income certificate issued by a competent authority
- Caste validity certificate (for professional courses)
- Leaving certificate and college admission receipt
- Registration ID of the post-matric scholarship scheme
- Warden letter, rent agreement or student affidavit depending on the type of hostel
- Bank account details and passport-sized photograph
References
View official scheme details on the Social Welfare Department website
Apply on the official MahaDBT portal
FAQ's
What does the maintenance allowance cover?
It covers the daily living costs of hostel students such as food, books, stationery and accommodation during their professional studies.
Who is entitled to this allowance?
Students from VJNT and SBC categories who are enrolled in professional degree or diploma courses and live in hostels attached to their institutions are eligible.
How is the allowance paid?
The approved monthly allowance is paid to the student through the college principal for a period of 10 months in an academic year.
Are students in government hostels eligible?
No. Students who get admission in a government hostel are not entitled to this maintenance allowance.
What is the income limit?
The annual family income of the applicant must be less than or equal to ₹1,00,000 (₹1 lakh).