Institute Nodal Officer / Principal
Educational Institution
Step 4 — institution verification
Verifies student enrolment, marks, and documents; forwards application on NSP portal
Social Welfare & Government Schemes#108
Understanding Pre-matric and post-matric scholarship application
Apply annually for scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, minority, or merit-cum-means students.
At a glance
Jurisdiction
All of India
Who applies
SC, ST, OBC, Minority, and EBC students enrolled in recognised schools (pre-matric) or colleges/universities (post-matric) seeking central or state government scholarships
Typical time
30–60 minutes to apply online; verification and disbursement in 60–120 days after application window closes
Fee
Free
Who should use this process
- ✓Indian citizen belonging to SC, ST, OBC, Minority (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi), or EBC category
- ✓Enrolled in a recognised school (Class 1–10 for pre-matric) or college/university (Class 11 onwards for post-matric)
- ✓Family income must not exceed the prescribed ceiling: typically ₹2.5 lakh per annum for central minority scholarships; varies by scheme and category
- ✓Must have passed the previous qualifying examination with minimum marks (usually 50% or above, varies by scheme)
- ✓Must not be availing of any other central or state government scholarship simultaneously (dual benefit restriction)
Who does NOT need to apply
- ✕Students whose family income exceeds the scheme-specific ceiling
- ✕Students who have failed or had a gap year without valid reason
- ✕Students enrolled in correspondence or distance-education courses not recognised under the scheme
- ✕Students already receiving a full scholarship from any other government source
Documents required
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aadhaar Card | Self-attested Copy | Mandatory identity and de-duplication check; required for DBT disbursement |
| 2 | Caste / Community Certificate | Self-attested Copy | Proof of SC, ST, OBC, or Minority category issued by competent authority |
| 3 | Income Certificate | Self-attested Copy | Family annual income proof issued by Tehsildar or Revenue Officer |
| 4 | Previous Year Mark Sheet / Certificate | Self-attested Copy | Proof of passing the last qualifying examination with required percentage |
| 5 | Bonafide / Enrollment Certificate | Original | Issued by current school or college confirming enrolment in the current academic year |
| 6 | Bank Passbook (first page) or Cancelled Cheque | Self-attested Copy | Applicant's own bank account details for Direct Benefit Transfer; account must be Aadhaar-linked |
| 7 | Domicile / Residence Certificate(optional)Required for certain state scholarship schemes | Self-attested Copy | Proof that applicant is a permanent resident of the state from which they are applying |
| 8 | Fee Receipt from Institution(optional)Required for post-matric scholarships covering tuition fees | Original | Proof of fees paid to the institution for the current year; used to calculate scholarship amount |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Step-by-step guide
- 1
Register on National Scholarship Portal
OnlineVisit scholarships.gov.in and click 'New Registration'. Enter your mobile number (OTP verification), name, date of birth, and state. Create a login ID and password. First-time applicants must use 'Fresh Application'; renewal applicants use 'Renewal Application'.
10–15 minuteshttps://scholarships.gov.in - 2
Search and select the applicable scholarship scheme
OnlineAfter login, go to 'Services > Apply for Scholarship'. Use the scheme search to find schemes matching your category (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EBC), level (pre-matric or post-matric), and state. Read the eligibility criteria and income ceiling for each scheme carefully before selecting.
10–20 minuteshttps://scholarships.gov.in - 3
Fill the application form and upload documents
OnlineComplete all mandatory fields: personal details, academic details, institution details (AISHE code required for colleges), bank account details (must be in applicant's name and Aadhaar-seeded), and family income. Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the prescribed format (usually JPEG/PDF under 200 KB each). Submit the form and note the Application ID.
20–30 minuteshttps://scholarships.gov.in - 4
Institution verification
BothAfter submission, the application is forwarded to your school or college's nodal officer. Visit the institution's accounts or scholarship office and request the institute to verify and forward your application on the portal before the deadline. Track status on the portal.
7–15 daysInstitute Nodal Officer / Principal - 5
District or State level verification
OfflineThe District Social Welfare or Minority Welfare Officer reviews verified applications, checks for duplicates on the DBT platform, and approves or seeks clarification. Respond promptly to any deficiency memo received via SMS or the portal.
15–30 daysDistrict Social Welfare Officer / District Minority Welfare Officer - 6
Disbursement of scholarship
OnlineApproved scholarship amount is credited directly to the applicant's Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT. Check the portal for disbursement status and verify credit in your bank account. Keep the Application ID for future renewals.
30–60 days after final approval
Government officers involved
District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO)
Social Welfare / Backward Classes Welfare Department
Step 5 — district-level scrutiny
Reviews applications for SC/ST/OBC scholarships; checks income and category credentials
District Minority Welfare Officer
Minority Affairs Department
Step 5 — district-level scrutiny for minority applicants
Verifies minority community membership and income; approves Minority scholarship applications
Government portals
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
https://scholarships.gov.inRegistration, application, document upload, status tracking, and disbursement status for central and state scholarship schemes
DBT Bharat
https://dbtbharat.gov.inTracking Direct Benefit Transfer status of scholarship disbursements
Things to watch out for
Application window is time-limited
NSP opens for applications typically in August–October each year. Missing the deadline means waiting a full year for the next cycle. Check scholarships.gov.in at the start of the academic year for exact dates.
Bank account must be in the applicant's name and Aadhaar-seeded
Scholarship is transferred via DBT. A joint account or an account in the parent's name will cause rejection or failed transfer. Ensure the account is Aadhaar-linked before applying.
AISHE code of the institution is mandatory for post-matric
Post-matric college applications require the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) code of your institution. Confirm this code with the institution's administrative office before filling the form.
Dual scholarship prohibition
Receiving two government scholarships simultaneously is prohibited and can lead to recovery of excess amounts. If you receive a state scholarship, disclose it on the NSP form.
Renewal required every year
Scholarships are not automatically continued. You must apply for renewal on NSP each year within the window and must maintain the required attendance and performance.