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Education & Learning; Social welfare & Empowerment

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

The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to OBC students studying at the post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education. These scholarships shall be available for studies in India only and will be disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Maintenance Allowance | Group A | - Degree and Post Graduate level courses including M.Phil., PhD and Post Doctoral research in Medicine (Allopathic, Indian and other recognized systems of medicines), Engineering, Technology, Planning, Architecture, Design, Fashion Technology, Agriculture, Veterinary and Allied Sciences, Management, Business Finance/Administration, Computer Science/Applications. | - Post Graduate Diploma courses in various branches of management & medicine. | - C.A./ I.C.W.A./ C.S./ I.C.F.A. etc. | - M. Phil., Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral Programmes (D.Litt., D.Sc. etc.). | - L.L.M | Rate of Maintenance Allowance (₹ per month): Hostellers: 750; Day Scholars: 350. | Group B | - Graduate/Post/Graduate courses leading to Degree, Diploma, Certificate in areas like Pharmacy (B. Pharma), Nursing (B Nursing), LLB, BFS, other para-medial branches like rehabilitation diagnostics etc., Mass Communication, Hotel Management & Catering, Travel/Tourism/Hospitality Management, Interior Decoration, Nutrition & Dietetics, Commercial Art, Financial Services (e.g. Banking, Insurance, Taxation etc.) for which entrance qualification is minimum Sr. Secondary (10+2), except aviation related courses. | - Post Graduate courses not covered under Group A e.g. MA/M.Sc./M.Com/ M.Ed./M.Pharma etc. | Rate of Maintenance Allowance (₹ per month): Hostellers: 510; Day Scholars: 335. | Group C | All other courses leading to a graduate degree not covered under Group A & B e.g. BA/B.Sc./B.Com etc. | Rate of Maintenance Allowance (₹ per month): Hostellers: 400; Day Scholars: 210. | Group D | All post-matriculation level non-degree courses for which entrance qualification is High School (Class X), e.g. senior secondary certificate (class XI and XII); both general and vocational stream, ITI courses, 3-year diploma courses in Polytechnics, etc. | Rate of Maintenance Allowance (₹ per month): Hostellers: 260; Day Scholars: 160. | NOTE: Scholars who are entitled to free boarding and/or lodging will be paid maintenance chargers at 1/3rd of the hostellers' rate. | Reader Charges for Blind Students (Blind Scholars) | The blind scholars will be given an additional amount as 'Readers Charges' as mentioned below: | Group: A & B; Reader Allowance (₹ per month): 175 | Group: C; Reader Allowance (₹ per month): 130 | Group: D; Reader Allowance (₹ per month): 90 | Fees | Scholars will be paid enrolment/registration, tuition, games, union, library, magazine, medical examination and such other fees compulsorily payable by the scholar to the institution or University/Board. Refundable deposit-like caution money and security deposit will, however, be excluded. | Study Tours | Study tour charges upto a maximum of Rs. 900/- per annum limited to the actual expenditure incurred by the student on transportation charges etc., will be paid to the scholars studying professional and technical courses, provided that the head of the institution certifies that the study tour is essential for the scholar for completion of his/her course of study. | Thesis Typing/ Printing Charges | Thesis typing/printing charges upto a maximum of Rs. 1000 will be paid to research scholars on the recommendation of the Head of the Institution. | Mode of Disbursal | In order to ensure timely payment of scholarship amount to the beneficiaries, the State Government/UT administrations are requested to avoid cash payment of scholarship amount and are required to issue instructions to all concerned that payment of scholarship should be made directly to beneficiaries through their accounts in post offices/banks with phased transition to Smart Cards. | Duration of Awards | The award once made will be tenable from the stage at which it is given to the completion of the course subject to good conduct and regularity in attendance. | Renewal of Awards | It will be renewed from year to year provided that within a course, which is continuous for a number of years, the scholar secures promotion to the next higher class irrespective of the fact whether such examinations are conducted by a University or the Institution.

Who can apply

The applicant should be an Indian national.; The applicant should belong to OBCs, as notified by their State Govt./ UT Admn.; The applicant should be pursuing post-matriculation or post-secondary courses in a recognized institution.; The applicant should be permanently settled and should have passed a recognized Matriculation or Higher Secondary or any higher examination.; The applicant should be eligible if, after failing or passing the undergraduate/Post-Graduate examinations in Arts/Science/Commerce, they join any recognized professional or technical certificate/diploma/degree courses, provided they are otherwise eligible. No subsequent failure will be condoned, except for courses in Group 'A', and no further change in the course will be allowed.; The employed applicant should be eligible to the extent of reimbursement of all compulsorily payable non-refundable fees if their income, combined with the income of their parents/guardians, does not exceed Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum.; The unemployed applicant should be eligible if their parents/guardians' income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum.; The scholarships are restricted to two boys of the same parents/guardian, with this restriction not applying to girls.; The applicant should be eligible to pursue post-graduate courses in medicine only if they are not allowed to practice during the period of their course.; The applicant should not hold any other scholarship/stipend concurrently under this Scheme. If awarded any other scholarship/stipend, they can exercise their option for either of the two scholarships/stipends, whichever is more beneficial to them, and should inform the awarding authority through the Head of the Institution about the option made. No scholarship will be paid from the date they accept any other scholarship/stipend. However, students can accept free lodging or a grant or ad-hoc monetary help from the State Government or any other source for the purchase of books, equipment, or for meeting the expenses on board and lodging, in addition to the scholarship amount paid under the Scheme.; The applicant should be eligible if they pursue their studies through correspondence courses, with eligibility only towards reimbursement of a non-refundable fee and an annual allowance of Rs. 900/- for essential/prescribed books, as applicable.

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

How does the scholarship program define the duration of awards, and how does this duration policy impact the recipients' education?

The scholarship is awarded from the stage at which it is given until the completion of the course. This policy provides consistent support throughout the recipient's academic journey, encouraging them to pursue their education with dedication.

What is the rationale behind transitioning to Smart Cards for the disbursal of scholarship amounts, and how does this benefit both the authorities and beneficiaries?

The move to Smart Cards is aimed at ensuring efficient and secure disbursal of scholarship amounts. It reduces administrative complexities and ensures timely payments to beneficiaries while also offering them a more convenient and secure mode of receiving funds.

Could you elaborate on the significance of providing financial support for thesis typing/printing charges to research scholars, and how this support aids in their academic pursuits?

The provision for thesis typing/printing charges assists research scholars in the final stages of their academic journey. It helps cover essential expenses related to the preparation of their research work, ensuring a smooth and successful completion.

The scholarship document mentions specific provisions regarding income calculation. Could you clarify how income is assessed when a student has one or both parents alive, and what happens if both parents have passed away?

When either of the parents (or the husband in the case of married unemployed girl students) is alive, only their income should be considered, excluding the income of other family members, even if they are earning. However, when both parents (or the husband in the case of married but unemployed girl students) have passed away, the income of the guardian who is supporting the student in their studies should be considered. In cases where a student's parent's income is affected due to the death of one earning parent and falls within the income ceiling prescribed under the scheme, they become eligible for the scholarship, provided they meet other eligibility conditions. This applies from the month in which the parent's death occurred.

Could you provide examples of situations where an applicant would be ineligible based on these exclusions?

Certainly. Applicants would be ineligible if they are studying in the same stage of education in a different subject after passing one stage of education. Additionally, they would be ineligible if they have completed their educational career in one professional line, such as pursuing LLB after B.T/B. Ed. Furthermore, if they are studying in XI class of the Higher Secondary School courses or the XII class of the Multipurpose High School, they are ineligible, unless their tenth class examination is treated as equivalent to Matriculation, and they join other courses.

I'd like to know more about the eligibility criteria for beneficiaries receiving coaching. What are the conditions that disqualify them from receiving a stipend?

Scholarship holders receiving coaching with financial assistance from the Central Government or State Government are not eligible for a stipend under the coaching schemes for the duration of the coaching program.

I'm considering pursuing correspondence courses. How does the scholarship apply to students studying through correspondence courses, and what expenses are covered?

If you're pursuing studies through correspondence courses, you are eligible for reimbursement of non-refundable fees and an annual allowance of Rs. 900 for essential and prescribed books, as applicable.

I noticed that students can accept free lodging, grants, or ad-hoc financial assistance from other sources in addition to the scholarship. Could you clarify the specific conditions for accepting these additional forms of support?

Students are allowed to accept free lodging or a grant, along with ad-hoc monetary assistance from the State Government or any other source, for the purchase of books, equipment, or meeting board and lodging expenses, in addition to the scholarship amount paid under the Scheme. There are no restrictions on accepting these forms of support in conjunction with the scholarship.

Can scholarship recipients hold other scholarships or stipends concurrently, and if not, how do they choose between them?

Scholarship recipients cannot hold multiple scholarships or stipends simultaneously under this scheme. If they are awarded more than one scholarship or stipend, they must select the one that is more beneficial to them. The process for making this selection involves informing the awarding authority through the Head of the Institution. Once a scholarship is accepted, no further scholarships can be received.

I'm curious about the eligibility for post-graduate courses in medicine. Could you elaborate on the condition related to practicing during the course?

Eligibility for pursuing post-graduate courses in medicine under this scholarship is contingent on the student not being allowed to practice during the period of their course. This condition is essential for determining their eligibility.

Can you explain the income criteria for unemployed applicants, specifically regarding their parents or guardians' income?

Unemployed applicants are eligible if their parents or guardians' income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum. This income threshold is vital in determining their eligibility for the scholarship.

I'd like to understand the financial aspects of eligibility. How is the income of employed applicants and their parents or guardians assessed?

Employed applicants and their eligibility are linked to income. They can be eligible if the combined income of both the applicant and their parents or guardians does not exceed Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum. This income assessment is a crucial factor in determining eligibility.

I'm curious about the study tour charges. What are the conditions under which study tour charges are paid, and what is the maximum amount allowed?

Study tour charges are paid to scholars studying professional and technical courses when the head of the institution certifies that the study tour is essential for the scholar to complete their course of study. The maximum amount allowed for study tour charges is up to Rs. 900 per annum, limited to the actual expenditure incurred by the student on transportation and related expenses during the study tour.

The document mentions that certain fees are covered by the scholarship. Can you provide examples of the types of fees that are considered and those that are excluded?

The scholarship covers fees such as enrolment/registration, tuition, games, union, library, magazine, medical examination, and other fees that are compulsory for the scholar to pay to the institution or University/Board. However, fees that are refundable, such as caution money and security deposit, are excluded.