Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students for studying in India

Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students for studying in India provides financial support to Other Backward Class students who are studying at the post-matriculation or post-secondary stage. The scholarship amount is sent directly to the student's bank account through DBT payment, and applications for the academic year 2026-27 are open on National Scholarship Portal from 1 June 2026.

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment runs this scheme to help students complete higher education in India without money problems. Under the same central guidelines, the scheme now also covers students from EBC (Economically Backward Classes) and DNT (Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes) categories along with OBC students. Applications are processed through the state or union territory where the student lives permanently.

Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students for studying in India - Introduction

Main aim of the scheme is to give money help to OBC, EBC and DNT students studying at the post-matriculation or post-secondary stage so that they can finish their education. Scholarships are available only for studies inside India, and the payment covers maintenance allowance, compulsory fees and some other study related charges as per the scheme rules.

Central government provides the funds and the state government or union territory administration handles applications and verification. Students apply online on the National Scholarship Portal and track the payment through the same portal. One-Time Registration (OTR) is required on NSP before applying for any scholarship from academic year 2024-25 onwards.

Key Information

Benefits

To support your education, the scheme provides a monthly maintenance allowance. Rates vary based on your course group and residential status, as fixed in the scheme guidelines.

Note: If your institution provides free boarding or lodging, you will receive 1/3rd of the hosteller maintenance rate.

Additional Benefits:

• Reader charges for blind students: Monthly allowances of ₹ 175 (Groups A and B), ₹ 130 (Group C), or ₹ 90 (Group D).
• Required fees: The scheme covers enrollment, tuition, library, and examination fees. Refundable deposits like caution money are not covered.
• Study tours: Actual transportation costs for important study tours are covered up to ₹ 900 per year with institutional certification.
• Thesis charges: Research scholars can claim up to ₹ 1,000 for thesis printing or typing.

Eligibility

Who can apply

Applicants need to meet the conditions given below to get this scholarship. Make sure the caste and income documents are ready before applying on NSP.

• You must be an Indian citizen and belong to an OBC, EBC or DNT category notified by your state or union territory. OBC students need a valid Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate issued in the current financial year.
• You must be enrolled in a recognized post-matriculation or post-secondary course in a recognized institution.
• Your combined family income must not exceed ₹ 2.50 lakh per year as per the central scheme ceiling. Some states apply a lower limit, so also check the state notification before applying.
• If you are employed, the combined income of you and your parents or guardians should also stay within the same limit.
• Scholarships are limited to two boys per family; there is no such limit for girls.

Exclusions

You will not be eligible if you fall in any of the categories given below:

1. You are pursuing aviation courses like Commercial Pilot Licence.
2. You are repeating a stage of education in a different subject, such as B.Com after finishing a B.A. degree.
3. You have already completed one professional degree, such as an LLB after an earlier professional qualification.

Application Process

How to apply online

Applications for the academic year 2026-27 are open on the National Scholarship Portal. The portal opened on 1 June 2026 for the new academic year, so complete the One-Time Registration first and then fill the post-matric scholarship application.

STEP 1 - Go to the National Scholarship Portal and complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) with your Aadhaar. OTR is a single 14-digit number valid for your whole academic career and is required for all NSP schemes since 2024-25. You can also generate OTR through the NSP OTR mobile app or at a nearby Common Service Centre, where the service charge is ₹ 30.

STEP 2 - Log in on the portal and select 'Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students' from the list of schemes. Enter your personal, academic and bank details in the application form.

STEP 3 - Upload the required documents such as OBC NCL certificate, income certificate, previous marks cards, passport size photo and bank passbook. Make sure your bank account is seeded with Aadhaar so that the DBT payment reaches you on time.

STEP 4 - Review the form carefully, click 'Final Submit' and note down the application ID. Keep the printout of the submitted application for future reference. You may also track or apply through the UMANG mobile application.

Documents

Keep these documents ready for your application:

1. OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate issued in the current financial year by a Revenue Officer or Tehsildar.
2. Income certificate for the current financial year.
3. A copy of the scholarship application in the prescribed format.
4. A passport-size photograph signed by you.
5. Certificates and marks cards for all previous examinations passed.
6. Aadhaar card and bank passbook with Aadhaar-seeded account details.
7. A receipt acknowledging the scholarship amount received in the previous year, if applicable.

References

National Scholarship Portal | NSP One-Time Registration | UMANG Portal

FAQ's

How long will the scholarship support last?

The scholarship is valid from the stage it is awarded until the completion of your course, provided you maintain good conduct and attend classes regularly.

Are refundable security deposits covered?

No, refundable amounts like caution money or security deposits are not covered under the scholarship.

Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?

You should choose only one scholarship. If you receive another offer, you must inform your institution to select the one that is most beneficial to you.

How is income calculated if one parent has passed away?

If one parent is deceased, only the remaining parent's income is considered. If both parents have passed away, the income of the guardian supporting your studies is used for verification.

Can I apply if I am studying through a correspondence course?

Yes, you can apply. You will receive reimbursement for non-refundable fees and an annual book allowance of ₹ 900.

What is One-Time Registration on NSP?

OTR is a single 14-digit number generated with your Aadhaar and is valid for your entire academic career. It is required for all scholarship applications on NSP from academic year 2024-25 onwards, so students need to generate OTR before applying for the post-matric scholarship.

Which income limit applies for OBC students?

Central scheme ceiling is ₹ 2.50 lakh per year for combined family income. Some states keep a lower limit for their own applications, so students should check the state or union territory notification as well.