Applications open for SC ST OBC Scholarship 2026 for school and college students

The union government has opened the application process for the SC ST OBC Scholarship 2026, a major financial assistance program aimed at supporting students from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Other Backward Class communities across India.

The scholarship is designed to help students from economically weaker backgrounds continue their studies at the school, college, and university levels by reducing financial barriers.

Officials said the initiative is part of a broader effort to promote equal access to education and curb dropout rates among students from reserved categories.

Applications for the scholarship can be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal, the government’s official platform for administering central and state scholarship schemes. The process is fully digital to ensure transparency and ease of access for applicants nationwide.

The SC ST OBC Scholarship 2026 covers multiple schemes tailored to different stages of education.

These include pre-matric scholarships for students studying below Class 10, post-matric scholarships for those in Class 11 and above, merit-cum-means scholarships for professional and technical courses, and top-class education scholarships for students enrolled in premier institutions. Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria, income thresholds, and benefit structure.

To be eligible, applicants must be Indian citizens belonging to SC, ST, or OBC categories and must be enrolled in a recognized educational institution.

Students are required to have passed their previous qualifying examination and meet the income limits specified under the selected scholarship scheme.

A valid Aadhaar-linked bank account is mandatory, as all payments are made through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Under the scholarship framework, students may receive tuition fee support, maintenance allowances to cover daily expenses, hostel fee assistance, and allowances for books and study materials.

The exact benefits depend on the student’s course level and the specific scheme under which they apply.

Students can apply by registering on scholarships.gov.in through the One-Time Registration process using Aadhaar details.

After logging in, applicants must select the academic year 2025–26, choose the appropriate scholarship category, and complete the online application form.

Required documents include Aadhaar, caste and income certificates, academic mark sheets, a bonafide certificate, and bank details.

Applicants are advised to keep a copy of their application reference number for tracking purposes.