Food Bill Assistant for Medical and Engineering Students of SEBC is a state welfare scheme of Gujarat that gives monthly cash support for mess and food expenses to students from the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC). Eligible medical and engineering students enrolled in self-financed colleges can receive up to ₹1,500 per month for a maximum of 10 months during the academic year 2026-27, and the application is done online through the Digital Gujarat Portal.
Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat runs this scheme to reduce the daily food cost burden on SEBC students. Instead of paying large mess bills from their own pocket, students get regular monthly support that is transferred directly to their bank account through DBT. The scheme is aimed at helping students stay focused on their professional studies.
Food Bill Assistant for Medical and Engineering Students of SEBC - Introduction
Food Bill Assistant for Medical and Engineering Students of SEBC helps SEBC category students who are studying in self-financed medical and engineering colleges in Gujarat. The support amount depends on the type of college and the admission category of the student.
Students can get this monthly food bill support for up to 10 months in an academic year. The money goes straight into the bank account of the student, so there is no middleman and no extra paperwork at the time of payment.
Before applying, students should check the eligibility conditions, the benefit amount for their category, and the required documents. The full details are given below.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Food Bill Assistant for Medical and Engineering Students of SEBC |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Gujarat |
| Category | Education and Learning, Social Welfare and Empowerment |
| Nodal Department | Social Justice and Empowerment Department |
| Financial Year | 2026-27 |
| Benefit Type | Cash (DBT) |
| Application Mode | Online via Digital Gujarat Portal |
| Official Website | digitalgujarat.gov.in |
Benefits
The scheme offers tiered financial support to cover mess charges during education. A student staying in a hostel while studying in a self-financed college gets higher support to manage daily living costs.
| Category of Student | Annual Assistance | Monthly Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| General eligible SEBC students | ₹3,000 | ₹300 |
| Selected students (limited beneficiaries) | ₹7,000 | ₹700 |
| Self-financed college students in hostels | ₹15,000 | ₹1,500 |
The support is available for a maximum of 10 months per academic year and is sent through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Eligibility
To apply for this scheme, students need to meet the following conditions:
- Must be a permanent resident of Gujarat belonging to the Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC).
- Must be pursuing a medical or engineering degree at a recognized institution.
- Must have passed Class 12 (HSC) and should have a valid admission in the current academic year.
- Total annual family income should not exceed ₹6,00,000.
- Must not already be getting similar mess assistance under any other government scheme.
Documents
Keep these documents scanned and ready before starting the application:
- Bank passbook or a cancelled cheque.
- Caste certificate of the student.
- Income certificate issued by the competent authority.
- Mark sheets, especially the last year mark sheet.
- Fee payment receipt of the current academic year.
Application Process
The application for this scheme is submitted online through the Digital Gujarat Portal. Students should select the correct financial year and fill the form carefully because multiple or incomplete applications are rejected.
STEP 1 - Visit the official Digital Gujarat Portal at digitalgujarat.gov.in and click on the register option on the home page. If the portal is slow during peak days, try again after some time.
STEP 2 - Complete the registration by entering the mobile number, email ID and a password. After registration, log in using the mobile number or email ID and the password set during registration.
STEP 3 - Open the profile section and fill in all the mandatory details. Update the profile after entering the OTP sent to the registered mobile number.
STEP 4 - Go to services and select the scholarship services option. Choose the correct scheme and the financial year 2026-27 before continuing.
STEP 5 - Fill the application form completely, upload all the required scanned documents, agree to the terms and conditions, and submit the application.
One application per student is accepted. If a student submits more than one application from a single college or from different colleges, all applications will be rejected. Any wrong or misleading information also leads to rejection, so check every detail before final submission.
References
View Official Guidelines (S. No. 183)
Download Food Bill Assistance Form (PDF)
Apply Online for Food Bill Scheme (GUEEDC)
Social Justice and Empowerment Department
Help center: Digital Gujarat helpline 1800 233 5500 or write to support-digitalgujarat@gujarat.gov.in.
FAQ's
Who is eligible to apply for this scheme?
SEBC category students of Gujarat who are pursuing a medical or engineering degree at a recognized institution and whose family income is up to ₹6,00,000 can apply.
What is the amount of financial assistance?
The amount depends on the category of the student. General eligible students get ₹300 per month, selected students get ₹700 per month, and hostel students of self-financed colleges get ₹1,500 per month for up to 10 months.
Are medical and engineering both covered?
Yes, both medical and engineering degree courses are eligible under this scheme.
How should I apply for this scheme?
The application is submitted online through the Digital Gujarat Portal at digitalgujarat.gov.in.
Does it cost money to apply?
No, the application process for this scheme is free.
Which documents are essential for the application?
Bank passbook, caste certificate, income certificate, previous mark sheets, and the college fee receipt are required. Hostel students also need to keep their hostel details ready.
Can students living outside Gujarat apply?
No, the scheme is only for permanent residents of Gujarat.
Where can I find more help?
Students can contact the Digital Gujarat helpline at 1800 233 5500 or visit the Social Justice and Empowerment Department website for more details.
Can I receive funds for more than 10 months?
No, the support is available for a maximum of 10 months per academic year.
How will I receive the financial aid?
The government transfers the amount directly into the bank account of the student through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.