Scheme for Award of Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers Pre & Post-Matric

Ministry of Labour and Employment has opened applications for the 2026-27 academic year under the Scheme for Award of Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers Pre & Post-Matric. The scholarship supports children of eligible mine, beedi, and cine workers with annual assistance ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹25,000 paid through direct benefit transfer.

Applications for the pre-matric component close on 31 October 2026 while post-matric applications remain open until 31 October 2026. Both categories opened on 1 June 2026 on the National Scholarship Portal.

Scheme for Award of Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers Pre & Post-Matric

This central government scheme run by the Ministry of Labour and Employment provides financial aid to children of workers in beedi manufacturing, cinema industry, iron ore manganese & chrome ore mines (IOMC), limestone & dolomite mines (LSDM), and mica mines. The programme covers education from Class 1 through professional degree courses at recognised institutions across India. Students must apply online through the National Scholarship Portal where One-Time Registration (OTR) with face authentication is now mandatory.

To qualify, the applicant should have passed the previous qualifying examination in the first attempt. Students promoted to the next class are also eligible. The parent must be a registered worker with at least six months of service in the specified sectors including contract and home-based workers. Family income limits apply and vary by worker category.

Key Information

Benefits for Academic Year 2026-27

The scholarship amounts remain unchanged from the enhanced rates applicable since academic year 2022-23. Support is provided as a lump sum per annum covering tuition and maintenance expenses with no separate hostel or book allowances.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all the following conditions to qualify for the 2026-27 scholarship:

• Indian citizen enrolled in a regular course at a government or government-recognised institution in India
• Parent occupation: Either parent should be a worker in beedi, IOMC, LSDM, mica mines, or cine sector with minimum six months service (includes contract and home-based workers)
• Academic record: Passed last qualifying exam in first attempt; promoted students also eligible
• Income limits: Beedi/IOMC/LSDM workers - ₹10,000 per month (₹1,20,000 annual); Cine workers - ₹8,000 per month (₹96,000 annual) or ₹1,00,000 lump sum; Mine workers in manual/unskilled/clerical roles have no wage limit while supervisory/managerial staff fall under ₹10,000 monthly limit
• Marks preference: 50% marks in last exam preferred (relaxation for SC/ST candidates)
• Family limit: Maximum two children from same family can apply
• No other scholarship: Student must not receive any other central or state scholarship for the same purpose
• Course continuity: No change of subject or professional stream midway (e.g., B.Sc after B.Com, LLB after B.Ed)
• No correspondence courses: Distance education programmes not eligible
• Study gap: Gap of more than one academic year leads to disqualification
• Income re-verification: Family income must be re-verified every three years

Exclusions

The scholarship may be cancelled or recovered if the student provides false information, discontinues studies, changes course or institution without prior approval from the Welfare Commissioner, fails to maintain satisfactory progress or attendance, or if the parent ceases to be a beedi/mine/cine worker. Students pursuing the same education level again (e.g., second bachelor's degree) or switching professional lines are not eligible.

Documents Required for 2026-27 Application

Keep the following documents ready in electronic format (PDF or JPEG, max 200 KB each) before starting the application:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Aadhaar card or alternative government ID (voter ID, PAN) for One-Time Registration and face authentication
• Parent's worker identity proof: Beedi worker ID/EPIC or welfare board registration; Cine worker registration certificate from Directorate of Film Festivals or Ministry of Information & Broadcasting; IOMC/LSDM worker Form B register or DGMS/welfare cess authority ID
• Income certificate (issued within last 6 months by Tehsildar/Revenue Officer)
• Marksheets of last qualifying exam (Class 10 for fresh applicants, previous year for renewals)
• Admission proof (bonafide certificate or admission letter from recognised institution)
• Bank account details (passbook front page or cancelled cheque, Aadhaar-linked, in student's name or joint with parent where student's name appears first)
• Self-declaration certificate via Aadhaar OTP on NSP confirming first-attempt pass, no other scholarship, eligibility compliance
• Death certificate (if parent is deceased, to prove income dependency)
• Caste certificate (if applicable for SC/ST/OBC relaxations)

Application Process for 2026-27

STEP 1 - Visit the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in and complete One-Time Registration (OTR) using Aadhaar, mobile number, OTP, and face authentication via the NSP mobile app.

STEP 2 - Log in to the portal after OTR completion and navigate to 'Apply for Scholarship', select academic year 2026-27, Ministry of Labour & Employment, and choose the relevant pre-matric or post-matric scheme.

STEP 3 - Fill in all personal, academic, and family details accurately in the application form.

STEP 4 - Upload all required documents in the specified format and size limits.

STEP 5 - Review the complete application carefully as no edits are allowed after submission.

STEP 6 - Submit the application and note down the application ID for tracking.

STEP 7 - Track status under 'Check Your Status' on the portal. Verification happens through self-declaration (Aadhaar OTP), institute verification, and DGLW scrutiny.

Important Dates for Academic Year 2026-27

References

PIB Press Release for Academic Year 2026-27 Scholarship Announcement

Ministry of Labour and Employment Official Website

NSP Helpdesk Contact Details

FAQ's

What is the last date to apply for the 2026-27 scholarship?

Pre-matric applications close on 31 October 2026. Post-matric applications close on 31 October 2026.

Is One-Time Registration mandatory for all applicants?

Yes, OTR with face authentication via the NSP app is mandatory for all students from academic year 2024-25 onwards.

Can I apply if my parent is a retired or deceased worker?

Yes, provided the parent was a registered worker at the time of retirement or death and family income remains within limits. Death certificate required for deceased workers.

Is there a separate hostel allowance under this scholarship?

No, the lump-sum amount covers all educational expenses including tuition, maintenance, and hostel fees. No separate allowances are provided.

How many children from one family can apply?

Maximum two children from the same family are eligible, provided both meet all criteria independently.

What happens if my application is marked defective?

Log in to NSP, check the 'Defective Application' section, upload correct documents, and contact the NSP helpline 0120-6619540 or your institute's nodal officer for guidance.

Are postgraduate courses eligible?

Postgraduate courses are eligible only if they are a direct continuation of an undergraduate professional course (e.g., M.Tech after B.Tech) and meet all scheme criteria.

How is the scholarship amount paid?

Through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account via PFMS, typically around December-January after verification.

Who do I contact for help with the application?

NSP helpline: 0120-6619540 (8 AM - 8 PM, all days except government holidays) or email helpdesk@nsp.gov.in. For worker status verification, contact DGLW regional offices or the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Will I lose the scholarship if I fail a year?

Yes, students who fail or repeat a year automatically forfeit the scholarship benefits.