Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh – Eligibility Criteria
The scholarship is designed to be inclusive yet targeted, ensuring aid reaches those who need it most. To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Students must be Indian citizens and permanent residents of Chandigarh.
- They must belong to the EBC categories as per the Government of India’s list.
- They must be enrolled in a post-matriculation course (Class 11 and above) at a recognised institution, including government colleges, universities, deemed universities, or private institutions affiliated with UGC/AICTE/MCI.
- The annual household income from all sources must not exceed ₹2,50,000.
- No specific minimum marks are required at the entry level, but continuation depends on satisfactory progress and at least 75% attendance.
- Students must not be availing any other central pre-matric scholarship.
- All children of the same family are eligible, but course changes mid-scholarship are not permitted.
Note – Special provisions extend to students with disabilities, as defined under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, including blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, and locomotor disabilities. Students holding SC certificates from other states can apply through Chandigarh if domiciled there, promoting mobility.
Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh: Rewards
The Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship provides comprehensive financial relief, covering academic allowances and tuition fees annually. Benefits are categorised into groups based on course type, with higher stipends for professional and research-oriented programs. Disbursement occurs via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to an Aadhaar-linked bank account, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh: Benefits and Amount
| Group | Hosteller (₹/month) | Day Scholar (₹/month) |
| Group 1 – Graduate degree and PG level courses such as M.Phil., PhD, Post-doctoral research in Medicine, Engineering & allied courses, Veterinary & allied courses, Fashion Tech, Agriculture, Management, etc. Commercial Pilot License (CPL) course, PG Diploma courses in management & medicine, CA/ICWA/CS/ICFA, L.L.M. | 750 | 350 |
| Group 2 – Graduate/PG courses leading to a degree/diploma/certificate in fields like Pharmacy, Nursing, LLB, BFS, Mass Comm, Hotel Management, Financial services, for which the minimum qualification is Class 12 and more PG courses like MA/M.Sc./M.Com/M.Ed. etc. | 510 | 335 |
| Group 3 all those courses that are not covered under Group A & B, and which lead to a graduate degree like BA/B.Sc./B.Com. etc. | 400 | 210 |
| Group 4 all post-matriculation level non-degree courses for which the minimum qualification is class 10 such as Class 11 & 12, both general & vocational stream, ITI courses, 3-year Diploma courses, Polytechnic, etc. | 260 | 160 |
| Important Point – 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:
| Groups | Amount (per month) |
| Group A and B | ₹175 |
| Group C | ₹130 |
| Group D | ₹90 |
Study Tour – These expenses will be reimbursed up to a maximum of ₹900 per annum, limited to the actual expenditure incurred by the student on transportation and related costs. This benefit applies only to scholars pursuing professional or technical courses, and reimbursement will be granted upon certification from the Head of the Institution that the study tour is essential for completion of the course.
Thesis Typing/Printing Charges – Research scholars may be reimbursed up to ₹1,000 for thesis typing or printing charges. This reimbursement will be provided based on a recommendation from the Head of the Institution.
Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh – Required Documents
The applicants must ensure that they have clear and complete copies of all essential documents ready before filling out the application form. Below is the list of documents that must be attached to the completed scholarship application:
- Copy of the marksheet of Class 10 / Class 12 / other qualifying examinations
- Copy of the annual family income certificate for the current financial year, issued in the prescribed format by the Tehsildar
- Copy of the disability certificate issued by a competent authority for differently-abled (PH) candidates (if applicable)
- Copy of the annual charges/fee receipt for all non-refundable fees
- Copy of the bank passbook showing the student’s name, account number, IFSC code, and photograph
- Copy of the student’s Aadhaar Card
- Certificate issued by the Director/Principal/Head of Institution
- Parent’s Declaration (as per the prescribed format)
Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh – How to Apply?
Students who meet the eligibility criteria for the Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship, Chandigarh can easily apply through the National Scholarship Portal.
Steps to apply on National Scholarship Portal –
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Students’ option on the left-hand side of the dashboard and click on it.
Step 3: Now, click on the ‘Login‘ button under the OTR option, as it is required to apply for a scholarship on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Step 4: Click on the ‘New user? Register yourself’ on the left-hand side of the dashboard and click on it.
Step 5: Read the details carefully, tick the checkbox, and click on the ‘Next’ button.
Step 6: Enter a functional mobile number, captcha code, and OTP, then submit to complete the registration process.
Step 7: Fill in the required details and click on ‘Save & Register’ to complete the ‘One-time registration (OTR)’ process. (Note:- This is a temporary registration number; students need to download the OTR mobile application for face authentication to complete the OTR process.)
Step 8: After successful registration, navigate to the ‘Apply for Scholarship‘ option and click on the ‘Login’ button.
Step 9: Select the scholarship, fill in the required details, upload the necessary documents and submit.
Note:- All the applicants are advised to fill in the information correctly on the application form. Once the application is submitted, no changes can be made. Additionally, submitting multiple applications will result in disqualification.
Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh – Duration and Renewal of Awards
The award, once granted under the Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh, will remain valid from the stage at which it is sanctioned until the completion of the course, subject to the scholar’s good conduct and regular attendance.
The Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh award will be renewed annually, provided that for courses spanning multiple years, the scholar is promoted to the next higher class, irrespective of whether the examinations are conducted by the University or the Institution.
Also Read – Punjab Scholarships
Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh – Freeship Card and Process of Issuance
Eligibility and Purpose – All eligible students shall be entitled to take admission in institutions without pre-payment of tuition and hostel fees as per the scheme guidelines. To facilitate this, the state government will issue a freeship card to eligible students under Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh.
The Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Chandigarh freeship card enables the student to secure admission without depositing fees in advance, on the condition that once the scholarship amount is credited to the student’s account, the institution will be duly informed to collect the fees from the student.
Student Registration for Freeship Card – Students must register for the freeship card well before their expected admission date on the respective scholarship portal. The student must provide:
- Aadhaar number
- Name of the course (e.g., MBBS, B.Sc., Class XI, etc.)
- An undertaking that institutional charges will be paid within 7 working days of receiving the scholarship amount in their account
The Freeship Card registration portals shall remain open throughout the year.
Verification of Documents – Verification of income, caste, and merit details should ideally be conducted automatically through online-linked databases to ensure a paperless process. Until complete digitisation is achieved, students may upload scanned documents, including:
- Passport–size photograph
- Copies of diploma/degree certificates
- Marksheets of all examinations passed
- Caste certificate (duly signed)
- Valid income certificate issued by the competent authority as prescribed by the State Government
Verification Timeline and Issue of Freeship Card – Once registered, the State/UT must verify the student’s details within 30 days from receipt of the application. If eligible, the Freeship Card will be issued through the IT portal, specifying the chosen course. Key provisions:
- Students should be able to download the Freeship Card from the portal.
- Once full digitisation is implemented, Freeship Cards will be auto-generated immediately upon successful registration.
- The system should ensure students do not face delays in admission due to fee payment verification.
Validity and Format of Freeship Card – The Freeship Card shall contain all required details and will be digitally signed. It will remain valid for one year from the date of issue, during which the student may use the card for admission.
Change of Course – If a student wishes to change their course before admission, they may do so by logging into the IT portal. A fresh Freeship Card will be automatically issued for all eligible students reflecting the updated course details.
Renewal Students – For renewal students, no fresh registration for the Freeship Card is required. Once issued, the Freeship Card shall remain valid for the entire duration of the course.
Also Read – Post-Matric Scholarship
FAQs
What is the family income limit for Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship, Chandigarh?
Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹2.50 lakh. The income certificate must be issued on or after April 1, 2025 by the Tehsildar/SDM only. Older certificates are rejected. The income of parents and spouse (if married) is counted. Even if you earned ₹2.51 lakh last year, you become ineligible.
Can Punjab/Haryana students studying in Chandigarh apply?
No. Only permanent Chandigarh domicile holders are eligible. You must have lived in Chandigarh for at least 15 years or be born here. Students from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal, or any other state, even if studying at Punjab University or PEC, must apply through their home state portal, not Chandigarh.
The status of my application hasn’t moved beyond institute verification. When can I expect the payment to be processed?
After your institute completes the verification, the District Welfare Officer usually reviews everything in January - February 2026. Once both levels are approved and your Aadhaar - PFMS details are successfully validated, the scholarship amount is sent directly to your bank account, typically between March and May 2026. In some cases, it may take until June, as seen in previous years.
Is Aadhaar compulsory? My mobile number isn’t linked.
Yes, Aadhaar is definitely required. Since your mobile number isn’t linked yet, you can still complete the process using the NSP OTR app through face authentication. If you face any issues, just visit any Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with your enrolment slip, and they can link your mobile number instantly. Once Aadhaar authentication is done, your registration will work smoothly.
I submitted my application with a mistake. Is there any way I can correct it now?
You can’t edit the application once it’s finally submitted. The only exception is if the institute or district officer marks your application as ‘Defective’ during their review (usually around December 2025 to January 2026). If that happens, you’ll get a short correction window to fix only the fields they allow. If it isn’t marked defective, then unfortunately, you won’t be able to make any changes; you’ll have to apply again next year.
Am I allowed to receive this scholarship along with any other scholarship?
No, you can’t receive this scholarship while taking any other centrally funded scholarship, such as Merit-cum-Means, Top Class, ISP, etc. State-level scholarships like the Punjab Post-Matric or Haryana SC Scholarship also can’t be taken at the same time. If it’s found that you’re receiving multiple scholarships, the amount may be recovered, and you could also be blacklisted, so it’s important to choose only one.