SC ST OBC Scholarship 2025–26: Apply Online, Eligibility, Status, Last Date and Benefits

The SC ST OBC Scholarship 2025–26 is a cluster of centrally sponsored and state sponsored schemes routed through the National Scholarship Portal to make education affordable for learners from historically disadvantaged communities. Support can cover tuition fees, examination fees, maintenance allowance, hostel charges, and study material assistance. Both fresh and renewal applicants can apply online, upload documents, and track verification by institutes and state departments. Disbursal is made directly to the beneficiary bank account through DBT after all checks are completed.

This guide brings together the essentials you need right now: eligibility, income ceilings, documents, the correct way to fill the online form, last date, status tracking, and common mistakes that lead to rejection. It also clarifies that different ministries and states publish their own detailed rules on NSP, so candidates must match themselves to the correct scheme before submitting.

Who Is Eligible

Eligibility varies by scheme owner on NSP, but the broad baseline typically includes:

• Citizenship: Applicant must be an Indian resident.
• Community: Applicant must belong to SC, ST, or OBC category with a valid caste certificate issued by a competent authority.
• Income ceiling:
  • SC and ST: family annual income generally up to ₹2.5 lakh.
  • OBC: family annual income commonly up to ₹1 lakh unless a specific scheme notifies a higher limit.
• Academic requirement: Passed previous qualifying examination, usually with at least 50 percent marks unless a scheme specifies a different threshold.
• Institution: Must be enrolled in a recognised school, college, university, polytechnic, ITI, or professional/technical institute in India.
• Course level: Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Higher Education schemes are listed; choose according to your present class or course.

Important: Always open the specific scheme page on NSP to confirm the exact income limit, mark criteria, course coverage, and exclusions for 2025–26 before applying.

Short Summary

What Expenses Are Covered

Depending on the exact scheme selected on NSP, assistance may include:

• Tuition and exam fee reimbursement in full or part
• Maintenance allowance monthly or annually
• Hostel subsidy where applicable
• Books and stationery grants
• Additional allowances for students with disabilities as notified in the respective scheme

All approved benefits are paid through Direct Benefit Transfer to the bank account seeded with your Aadhaar, after institute and state verification.

Documents You Must Keep Ready

• Aadhaar number or Enrollment ID
• Caste certificate for SC, ST, or OBC
• Income certificate issued in the current financial year by competent authority
• Previous year marksheet
• Bonafide certificate from present institution
• Bank account details in the applicant’s name with IFSC (preferably Aadhaar linked)
• Recent passport size photograph
• Domicile/residence certificate, if required by the scheme

Scan clearly, ensure legibility, and upload in the prescribed size and format on NSP.

How To Apply Online on NSP (Fresh and Renewal)

1. Visit https://scholarship.gov.in
2. Click New Registration and read the guidelines carefully.
3. Complete One-Time Registration with mobile and email, verify OTPs, and create your password.
4. Log in using your Application ID and choose Fresh or Renewal for 2025–26.
5. Go to Apply for Scholarship and select the correct SC/ST/OBC scheme as per your course and state.
6. Fill application form with personal, academic, and bank details.
7. Upload documents exactly as required.
8. Submit and download the acknowledgement.
9. Ask your Institute Nodal Officer to verify your application on time. Institute and state verification are mandatory for DBT.

Timeline and Last Date

• Application window: 1 October 2025 to 30 November 2025.
• Institute verification: Usually runs in parallel and closes shortly after the last date.
• State/Ministry verification: December to January, as announced on NSP.
• Merit lists and DBT: Typically released and credited from February to March 2026, subject to completion of verifications.

Note: 31 November does not exist. The effective deadline is 30 November 2025 unless NSP publishes an official extension. Always check your NSP dashboard notices.

How Selection and Disbursal Work

• Screening is based on eligibility, income, and academic performance, with priority to economically weaker households as notified.
• Verification chain: Institute → District/State → Ministry/Department.
• Allotment: Some schemes are merit cum means with caps; others are entitlement based.
• Payment: Approved amount is transferred through PFMS to your bank account. Keep the account active and Aadhaar seeded.

How To Check Application and Payment Status

• NSP Dashboard: Log in and open Check Your Status to see institute and state verification progress.
• PFMS: Use Know Your Payments to confirm DBT credit once your application shows approved.
• SMS/Email: Track alerts sent to your registered mobile and email for queries or objections.

Common Reasons for Rejection and How To Avoid Them

• Mismatch in name, DOB, or bank details. Ensure they match Aadhaar and marksheet.
• Wrong scheme selection. Pick the scheme that matches your category and course level.
• Unreadable uploads. Re-scan documents with the correct orientation and size.
• Late institute verification. Remind your institute to verify well before deadlines.
• Non-Aadhaar-linked bank account. Seed Aadhaar to reduce DBT failures.

Important Instructions for 2025–26

• Submit only one application for each relevant scheme. Multiple applications can be rejected.
• Use your own bank account. Joint accounts may fail DBT if KYC mismatches occur.
• Renewal applicants must log in with the previous year Application ID and update details.
• Keep soft copies and print the NSP acknowledgement for reference.
• Check NSP Notices for any extension or additional documents required by your state.

Official Website

https://scholarship.gov.in

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the last date to apply for SC ST OBC Scholarship 2025–26

The portal is open from 1 October 2025 to 30 November 2025 at 11:59 PM IST, unless NSP publishes an extension.

2. Can I apply if my family income is slightly above the limit

No. Income ceilings are strict. Apply only if your family income is within the notified limit for your category and scheme.

3. How do I correct mistakes after submission

Use the Edit/Correction option if enabled before institute verification closes. After verification, changes are generally not allowed. Contact your Institute Nodal Officer immediately.

4. When will the money be credited

After institute and state verification and final approval, payments are released through DBT. For 2025–26, credits typically begin from February to March 2026, subject to verification timelines.

5. Do I need to apply every year

Yes. Renewal is required each academic year, provided you meet the attendance, performance, and other conditions stated in your scheme.

Conclusion

The SC ST OBC Scholarship 2025–26 is a critical support for learners who need financial backing to continue their studies in schools, colleges, universities, and technical institutions. Apply only through the National Scholarship Portal, pick the correct scheme, upload clean documents, and get institute verification completed early. Track your status on NSP and PFMS, and ensure your Aadhaar-linked bank account remains active for smooth DBT credits. Submitting a complete and accurate application by 30 November 2025 maximises your chances of timely approval and disbursal.

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