Post Matric Scholarship

Post Matric Scholarship: SC, OBC, ST, Minority Explained

Post matric scholarships are government scholarships for students who have passed Class 10 and are studying in Class 11 or above. There is no single post-matric scheme: separate central schemes exist for SC, OBC/EBC/DNT, ST and disabled students, and the old central minority scheme is no longer open. This guide explains each, with the income limits and amounts I could verify.

Quick facts

SchemeWhoIncome limitWhere to apply
Post Matric Scholarship for SC (PMS-SC)SC students, Class 11 onwardsRs 2.5 lakh a year (a rise to Rs 4.5 lakh has been proposed)State portal or NSP, depending on your state
PM YASASVI post-matricOBC, EBC and DNT studentsRs 2.5 lakh a yearscholarships.gov.in / state portal
Post-matric for students with disabilitiesStudents with disabilitiesAs per scheme guidelinesscholarships.gov.in
ST post-matricST studentsCheck the Tribal Affairs guidelinesState portal / NSP
Central minority post-matricMinority studentsClosed on NSP since 2022See our minority scholarship guide

Last checked October 2026.

What does ‘post matric’ cover?

The scholarship applies to recognised post-secondary courses, from Class 11 and 12 through graduation, postgraduation, diplomas and professional courses, in India. It usually has two parts: a maintenance or academic allowance paid to you, and reimbursement of compulsory fees that the institute charges.

Post-matric for SC students (PMS-SC)

  • Open to SC students whose parents’ or guardians’ income is not more than Rs 2.5 lakh per year.
  • Covers students from Class 11 onwards for studies in India.
  • Pays compulsory non-refundable fees, including course tuition, and an academic allowance. A state-level example from Haryana’s official site shows monthly amounts between Rs 230 and Rs 1,200 depending on the course group; your state’s rates may differ.
  • Since 2020-21 the Centre and states share the cost 60:40.

The government has told a Parliamentary committee that it plans to raise the income limit to Rs 4.5 lakh, cap the fees reimbursed, and revise funding. Reports also say the Cabinet has approved changes to the scheme. I could not find the final notified guidelines with dates, so check the Ministry of Social Justice site (socialjustice.gov.in) and your state portal for what applies this year.

Post-matric for OBC, EBC and DNT (PM YASASVI)

Under the PM YASASVI umbrella, post-matric students whose family income is up to Rs 2.5 lakh a year get an academic allowance plus tuition fee support. The annual rates in the scheme guidelines are:

Course groupTotal per year
Group 1: degree and PG professional coursesRs 20,000 (Rs 10,000 allowance + Rs 10,000 tuition)
Group 2: other professional courses, diploma, certificateRs 13,000
Group 3: graduate and PG coursesRs 8,000
Group 4: post-Class 10 non-degree coursesRs 5,000

Attendance of at least 75 percent is required, and at most two boys per parent or guardian can receive the award. Renewals are automatic on promotion and attendance in the guidelines, but check whether your state portal wants you to log in and confirm.

What happened to the minority post-matric scheme?

The central Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities is shown as closed on NSP, with its last cycle closing in November 2022. The Ministry of Minority Affairs also told the Lok Sabha in December 2025 that the pre-matric, post-matric and merit-cum-means schemes had not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22. West Bengal’s Aikyashree and some other state schemes continue for minority students. See our separate guides.

Documents you will usually need

  • Aadhaar and an Aadhaar-seeded bank account in your own name
  • Class 10 and last-exam marksheets
  • Admission proof and fee receipt from your institute
  • Caste certificate (SC, ST, OBC/EBC/DNT)
  • Income certificate from the competent authority
  • Domicile or residence proof as your state requires

How to apply

  1. Find out which portal your state uses. Many states run their own scholarship website, others route you through scholarships.gov.in.
  2. Register (on NSP this means OTR with Aadhaar authentication).
  3. Choose the post-matric scheme that matches your category and fill in the form.
  4. Upload documents and submit.
  5. Take a printout if your institute asks for a hard copy.
  6. Follow up with your institute for verification, then check status online.

Deadlines

Deadlines differ for every scheme and state, and the same scheme can close on different dates in different years. Check the portal for the current deadline. For central schemes on NSP, reports for 2026-27 mention 31 October 2026 as a common closing date, but I could not confirm it for each scheme.

Common mistakes

  • Applying under the wrong category or scheme.
  • Income certificate older than the year the scheme allows.
  • Holding two scholarships for the same course; you must choose one.
  • Bank account not in your name or not linked to Aadhaar.
  • Not getting your form verified by the institute.

In short, find the scheme for your category, check the income limit, apply on the right portal and chase verification. Rates and rules are revised from time to time, so confirm on the official site before you apply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a post matric scholarship?
It is financial help for students studying after Class 10, from Class 11 to higher courses. It usually pays a maintenance allowance and reimburses compulsory fees.

What is the income limit for post matric scholarship for SC students?
Rs 2.5 lakh a year of parental income at present. A rise to Rs 4.5 lakh has been proposed, so check the Social Justice Ministry site for what applies this year.

Is there a post matric scholarship for minorities?
The central scheme is closed on NSP since 2022. State schemes such as West Bengal’s Aikyashree continue for minority students.

Where do I apply for post matric scholarship?
On the portal your state uses, often scholarships.gov.in or the state’s own scholarship website.

Can I get two scholarships together?
Generally no. Most schemes allow only one scholarship for the same course.