Maharashtra government is running Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students for 2026-27 academic year, and applications are being accepted from 1st June 2026 to 30th September 2026 through the new MahaDBT 2.0 portal at mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in. Students from Vimukta Jatis and Nomadic Tribes categories can apply for full tuition fee coverage, exam fee reimbursement, and a monthly maintenance allowance of up to ₹425.
Social Justice and Special Assistance Department of Maharashtra runs this scheme for VJNT students studying in post-matric courses. Family income limit for eligibility is ₹1.50 lakh per year. Scholarship money goes directly to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT payment.
Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students 2026 Details
This is a state-level scholarship scheme for students belonging to Vimukta Jatis and Nomadic Tribes communities in Maharashtra. Students who have passed class 10 and are studying in any government-approved course after matric can apply. The scheme covers tuition fees, exam fees, and gives a monthly allowance to help students manage hostel or day-scholar costs.
For the 2026-27 session, Maharashtra has moved the entire post-matric scholarship system to the new MahaDBT 2.0 portal, also called MahaShishyavrutti. The old MahaDBT portal has stopped accepting new applications from 1st June 2026. Application form fields have been reduced from over 130 to just 65, and most documents are now auto-fetched from Aadhaar and CET Cell records.
Also read: MahaDBT Scholarship Schemes 2026 Registration and Login
How to Apply for Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students Online
Applications are fully online through the new MahaDBT 2.0 portal. Students can apply from home using their Aadhaar number. Below are the steps to submit the application for VJNT post-matric scholarship 2026-27.
STEP 1 - Go to the new official portal at mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in and pick your preferred language (English or Marathi) using the toggle at the top-right corner of the homepage.
STEP 2 - Click on 'Postmatric Scholarship' and then open the 'New Application Registration' tab. Enter your Aadhaar number or CET enrolment ID and click 'Register' to start.
STEP 3 - Login through the 'Applicant Login' tab using your username, password and captcha. Fill the personal information page with your details, family details, and address, then click 'Create Profile'.
STEP 4 - Open the 'All Schemes' section, look for Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students and click 'Apply' on the scheme card.
STEP 5 - Fill the scheme form with your course details, college name, admission year and bank account information. Upload the required documents that are not auto-fetched and submit the final application. You will get an application ID for tracking status later.
Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students |
| Launched By | Government of Maharashtra |
| Nodal Department | Social Justice and Special Assistance Department |
| Eligible People | VJNT students of Maharashtra pursuing post-matric courses |
| Benefit Amount | Tuition and exam fee cover plus ₹90 to ₹425 monthly allowance |
| Income Limit | ₹1.50 lakh per year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Dates | 1st June 2026 to 30th September 2026 |
| Official Website | mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in |
Benefits Under Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students
Selected VJNT students get a monthly maintenance allowance based on their course group. Students staying in a hostel get a higher allowance than day scholars. Rates are fixed by the Social Justice Department and paid every month during the course session.
| Course Group | Hosteller Allowance (₹) | Day Scholar Allowance (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Group A | 425 | 190 |
| Group B | 290 | 190 |
| Group C | 290 | 190 |
| Group D | 230 | 120 |
| Group E | 150 | 90 |
Along with the monthly allowance, students studying in government-aided or non-aided professional and non-professional courses get 100% cover of tuition fees and exam fees. If a student stays in a government hostel, only 1/3rd of the standard hosteller allowance is paid. For B.Ed and D.Ed courses, full fee cover is given as per government rates. If admission is taken by the 20th of a month, the allowance is paid for the full month.
Eligibility Rules
Only students who match all the below rules can apply for the scheme. Rules cover income, category, residence and course type. Check each point carefully before starting the application.
- Parents or guardian's total yearly income should be ₹1.50 lakh or less as per the latest income certificate.
- Student must belong to the VJNT category and should have a valid caste certificate from a Maharashtra authority.
- Applicant should be a permanent resident of Maharashtra with proper domicile proof.
- Course should be a government-approved post-matric course from a recognised institute.
- Student should have minimum 75% attendance in the current academic year.
- For professional courses, admission must be taken through the CAP round only.
- Maximum two boys of the same parents can get the scholarship, but there is no such limit for girl students.
Who Cannot Apply
Some students are not covered under this scheme even if they belong to the VJNT category. Working students who have a full-time job are not eligible. Students repeating a year cannot claim the scholarship for that same standard. If a student is already getting another government scholarship or stipend, they have to pick only one, as two benefits at the same time are not allowed.
Documents Required
Under MahaDBT 2.0, most records are auto-fetched from Aadhaar, PAN and CET Cell databases. Still, students need to keep the below documents ready for upload during the application.
- Caste certificate from a competent authority in Maharashtra, which also works as residence proof.
- Income certificate or income declaration from the tehsildar office.
- Caste validity certificate, required for professional degree and postgraduate courses.
- SSC or HSC marksheet, or the marksheet of the last exam passed.
- Gap certificate if there is a study gap in between.
- Death certificate of parent or guardian if applicable to the case.
- Ration card to show the number of children in the family.
- School or college leaving certificate.
- Bank passbook copy with account details linked to Aadhaar.
- Parent declaration about the number of children getting scholarship benefit.
Renewal of Scholarship
Students already getting the scholarship can apply for renewal for the next academic year through the same MahaDBT 2.0 portal. To renew, the student must pass the previous year's exam. If a student fails, they cannot claim the scholarship for that failed year, though they can continue next year after passing. Renewal applications also need the latest income certificate.
Important Links
Below are the official pages related to the scheme. Students should use only these official sources to avoid fake portals and scam websites.
- New MahaDBT 2.0 portal: mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in
- Social Justice Department: sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in
- Old MahaDBT portal (only for status tracking of past applications): mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in
Also see: Maharashtra Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Hostel Maintenance Allowance Scheme
FAQ's
Where can I apply for Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students in 2026?
Apply through the new MahaDBT 2.0 portal at mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in. The old MahaDBT portal has stopped taking new applications from 1st June 2026.
What is the last date to apply for VJNT post-matric scholarship 2026-27?
Last date is 30th September 2026 for the 2026-27 session. Applications opened on 1st June 2026.
How much maintenance allowance will a VJNT student get?
Monthly allowance is between ₹90 and ₹190 for day scholars and ₹150 to ₹425 for hostellers, depending on the course group.
Are tuition fees also covered under this scheme?
Yes. Full tuition fees and exam fees are paid by the government for government-aided and non-aided post-matric courses.
Can students staying in a government hostel still get the allowance?
Yes, but they get only 1/3rd of the regular hosteller maintenance allowance since food and stay is already covered by the hostel.
What is the family income limit for this scholarship?
Parents' or guardian's yearly income must be ₹1.50 lakh or less. Students from families above this limit are not eligible.
Is 75% attendance a must for this scholarship?
Yes, students must keep at least 75% attendance in the academic year to stay eligible and get the monthly allowance.
How is the scholarship money paid to students?
Money is paid through DBT payment directly to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account. No cash or cheque is given.
What happens if a student fails the year exam?
If a VJNT student fails, they cannot get the scholarship for that failed year. They can apply again for the next year after passing the exam.