If you searched for “Maharashtra scholarship” or “MahaDBT scholarship”, the short answer is this: most state scholarships for college students in Maharashtra are applied for on the MahaDBT portal (for 2026-27, reportedly the newer MahaDBT 2.0 at mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in; the older mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in still exists but reportedly accepts 2026-27 applications only through 2.0). You register once, get a Maha-ID, choose a scheme for your category and course, and your college verifies the form. Money goes by Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to your bank account.
This guide covers who can apply, the main schemes, documents, the step-by-step process, how to track your application, and the mistakes that get forms rejected. Last checked October 2026.
What students usually search for
People mostly type “mahadbt scholarship 2026-27”, “mahadbt post matric scholarship”, “mahadbt login” and “mahadbt scholarship status”. All four lead to the same place: one portal, many schemes. Each scheme has its own page with its own income limit, so reading that page before you apply matters more than anything else.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official portal | MahaDBT 2.0 (mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in) reportedly for 2026-27; older portal mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in. Confirm the link from the Maharashtra government site |
| Run by | Government of Maharashtra, with schemes from several departments |
| Number of schemes | A Buddy4Study guide says the portal hosts 68 scholarships (54 for college students, 14 for school students) from 12 departments |
| Payment | DBT to an Aadhaar-seeded bank account |
| 2026-27 dates | Registration for 2026-27 is reported to have opened on 1 June 2026; the last date for fresh applications had not been announced in the guides I read. Check the portal |
| Cost to apply | Free |
Who is eligible?
Eligibility depends on the scheme, but these conditions come up again and again:
- You must be a Maharashtra domicile.
- You should be studying at a government or government-aided institution recognised in the state (some schemes allow other recognised institutions, so read the scheme page).
- Most schemes are for a category such as SC, ST, OBC, VJNT, SBC, EBC, minority or persons with disability.
- Almost every scheme has an annual family income limit, and the limit is different for each scheme.
- You normally cannot take two scholarships for the same course at the same time.
- For renewal, you must have passed the previous year or semester. Minimum marks vary by scheme.
Main schemes on MahaDBT
The list is long, so here are the schemes students ask about most. The income limits come from a Buddy4Study compilation of the MahaDBT list, so confirm them on the scheme page.
| Scheme | Who it is for | What it covers (as reported) |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Tuition and Exam Fee (Freeship) | Students who passed SSC or equivalent, income below Rs 2.5 lakh | Tuition and exam fee reimbursement |
| Tuition and Exam Fees for OBC, SBC and VJNT students | Post-matric students, income below Rs 8 lakh, CAP admission for some courses | Reimbursement of tuition, exam and other admissible fees |
| Tuition and Exam Fees for ST students | ST students who passed the previous exam, income below Rs 2.5 lakh | Tuition and exam fee reimbursement |
| Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulk Shishyavrutti Yojna (EBC) | General category, income below Rs 8 lakh | Reported as 100 percent tuition and exam fees in one guide and 50 percent in another, so check the portal |
| Government of India Post-Matric Scholarship for SC students | SC students, income below Rs 2.5 lakh | Fee reimbursement plus maintenance allowance; check portal for current rates |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for Persons with Disability | Class 11 to PG, disability of 40 percent or more | Maintenance allowance and other allowances; check portal |
| Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Vasatigruh Nirvah Bhatta Yojna | Children of registered labourers or marginal landholders, income up to Rs 8 lakh | Hostel maintenance allowance; check portal for the amount |
There are also scheme listings for ex-servicemen wards, freedom fighters’ wards, vocational courses and postgraduate merit awards. For exact benefit amounts, open the scheme’s own page on MahaDBT, because guides disagree on some figures.
Documents you will need
- Aadhaar card, with your mobile number linked to it
- Domicile certificate
- Income certificate from the competent authority (Tahsildar or SDO)
- Caste certificate, and caste validity certificate where the course needs it
- SSC and HSC marksheets and your latest qualifying marksheet
- College bonafide certificate and fee receipt
- CAP allotment letter, if you got admission through CAP rounds
- Hostel certificate, if you claim a hostel-based allowance
- Bank passbook of an Aadhaar-linked account that works with DBT
- Scanned photograph and signature (JPEG)
How to apply, step by step
- Open the MahaDBT portal and choose new registration. You can register with Aadhaar or a ration card; an OTP goes to your registered mobile or email.
- Check the details the portal fetches, add your address, and save. The system creates your Maha-ID after a short wait.
- Log in and complete your profile: personal details, caste, income, bank account, and academic history.
- Go to the schemes section, pick your department and scheme, and apply for the one that matches your category and course.
- Upload documents, preview the form, and submit.
- Download the application summary. Many colleges also ask you to hand a printout with documents to the scholarship clerk, so ask your college office.
Apply for the scheme that fits you rather than every scheme on the list. If you tick schemes you are not eligible for, you only invite objections.
How to check your MahaDBT status
Log in, open the benefits or schemes section and choose “Track Application”. Select the scheme type, department and scheme name, enter your application ID and the captcha. The tracker shows three stages: application submission, scrutiny, and disbursement. You can also see which desk is holding the file, such as the institute principal or the officer who sanctions payment. If a form sits at the college stage for a long time, the delay is usually at the college, so meet the scholarship clerk.
Common mistakes that cause rejection
- Applying under the wrong scheme or category because the names look similar.
- Income certificate that is old, unsigned, or shows a figure above the scheme limit.
- Aadhaar name not matching marksheets or bank records.
- Bank account not Aadhaar-seeded or not mapped for DBT, so the payment fails even after approval.
- Forgetting to submit the printout or documents to the college after online submission.
- Not correcting a form that the college sends back. Look for the “sent back” status and fix it quickly.
- Trusting lookalike websites. Use only the portal address given on the Maharashtra government pages.
A note on sources: I could not open the official portal pages directly while preparing this guide, so the details below come from published guides and news reports, and I name the source where it matters. Treat every income limit, amount and date as something to confirm on the official portal before you apply.
Conclusion
MahaDBT is one portal, but the rules sit in each scheme. Register once, pick the scheme that matches your category, keep your certificates current and your bank account linked, and track the form until money reaches your account. For the latest dates and amounts, rely on the portal itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which portal is used for Maharashtra scholarships?
Most state scholarships for school and college students are applied for on MahaDBT at mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in.
What is a Maha-ID?
It is the ID created when you complete registration on MahaDBT. You use it to log in and apply for schemes.
How do I check my MahaDBT scholarship status?
Log in, open Track Application, choose the scheme and enter your application ID. The tracker shows submission, scrutiny and disbursement.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
Generally you cannot take two scholarships for the same course at the same time. Apply for the scheme that fits your category.
Is there a last date for 2026-27?
Guides I read said the last date for fresh 2026-27 applications was not yet announced. Check the portal for the current notice.
