Advika’s story is just one of many. Every year, thousands of students from Muslim, Christian, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist, and Parsi communities find a new sense of hope and direction through these scholarships, transforming not just their own lives, but the future of their families and communities.
In this article, we explore various schemes under GOKDOM scholarships available, who can apply, and how they’re driving educational equity across Karnataka.
Key Scholarship Schemes under GOKDOM Scholarships
1) Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities of Karnataka: Students studying in Classes 1 to 10 belonging to minority communities in Karnataka can apply for this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
Students who are willing to apply for this scholarship must fulfill the below eligibility criteria:
- Students must be residents of Karnataka.
- They must have scored more than 50% in the previous annual exam (not applicable to Class 1)
- They must have an annual family income of not more than₹1 lakh.
- Karnataka-domiciled students studying outside the state are also eligible.
Application Mode: Online via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), followed by the State Scholarship Portal (SSP)
Application Timeline: August to March
2) Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities of Karnataka: This scholarship is open to students enrolled from Class 11 through the Ph.D. level.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students must hold the domicile of Karnataka.
- They must have secured a minimum of 50% marks in the previous examination.
- They must have an annual family income of not exceeding ₹2 lakh.
- This is not applicable to courses offered via correspondence, or to certificate and training programs.
Benefits: Under this scheme, students’ tuition and admission fees will be covered along with maintenance allowance.
Application Mode: Online via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), followed by the State Scholarship Portal (SSP)
Application Timeline: August to March
3) Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship for Minorities, Karnataka: Minority students pursuing professional or technical undergraduate/postgraduate courses are eligible to apply for this opportunity.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students must be residents of Karnataka state.
- Applicants must have secured a minimum of 50% marks in their last examination and have an annual family income not exceeding ₹2.5 lakh.
Benefits: Selected students will be awarded a scholarship amount of up to ₹30,000 per annum.
Application Mode: Online via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), followed by the State Scholarship Portal (SSP)
Application Timeline: August to March
4) National Overseas Scholarship for Minority Community Students, Karnataka: Students belonging to the minority communities of the state who are willing to pursue Master’s, Ph.D., or Post-Doctoral research abroad are eligible to apply.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must be a domicile of Karnataka and should not be older than 38 years at the start of the course.
- A minimum of 60% marks in the previous qualifying degree is required.
- Family income of the applicants must be between up to ₹6,00,000 to ₹15,00,000.
Note: The scholarship is applicable for selective courses only.
Benefits: Selected students under this scheme will receive a scholarship of up to ₹2,000,000 per annum for up to 2 years, which includes the cost of the course, living expenses, and a one-way airfare.
Application Mode: Offline via via GOKDOM official website
Application Timeline: May to July
5) Incentive for SSLC & 2nd PUC Students, Karnataka: This scholarship is for minority students excelling in either Class 10 (SSLC) or Class 12 (2nd PUC).
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students must be domiciled in Karnataka.
- Applicants must have passed class 10th or 12th with 85% marks or above.
Benefits: A one-time incentive of ₹10,000 will be provided to SSLC students, while 2nd PUC students will receive ₹20,000 as a one-time incentive.
Application Mode: Online via GOKDOM official website
Application Timeline: August to September
6) MPhil and Ph.D. Fellowship Program for Minority Students, Karnataka: Open to candidates who belong to a minority community, i.e., Muslim, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist, Christian, and Jain, and are pursuing higher studies such as a regular, full-time M.Phil. or Ph.D. degree in government-recognized universities/institutions/colleges.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants should not be more than 35 years of age.
- The annual family income of the students’ should be less than ₹6,00,000.
- Government employees and full-time employees are not eligible to apply.
Benefits: Selected candidates will receive a fellowship of up to ₹25,000 monthly and an annual contingency grant of ₹10,000.
Application Mode: Online and Offline via via GOKDOM official website
Application Timeline: May to June
Also Read: Karnataka Scholarships (SSP) – Complete List, Eligibility, & More
Documents Required for GOKDOM Scholarships
Below documents are required for various GOKDOM scholarships, including Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-Cum-Means, and National Overseas Scholarships.
- Aadhaar card
- Passport-size photograph
- Institute verification form
- Self-declaration of income certificate
- Minority community certificate
- Bank account proof
- Admission fee receipt
- Domicile certificate of Karnataka
- Academic transcripts including marksheets and certificates of previous qualifying examinations
GOKDOM Scholarships – Application Period
| Scholarship Name | Application Period* |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities of Karnataka | August to March |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities of Karnataka | August to March |
| National Overseas Scholarship for Minority Community Students, Karnataka | May to July |
| Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship for Minorities, Karnataka | August to March |
| MPhil and PhD Fellowship for Minority Students, Karnataka | May to June |
| Incentive for SSLC & 2nd PUC Students, Karnataka | August to September |
*The above-mentioned application period is tentative and may change at the discretion of the scholarship provider.
GOKDOM Scholarships – Contact Details
Directorate of Minorities
20th & 21st Floor, V.V. Towers (Main)
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Veedhi, Bangalore – 560001
Helpline Number: 080-22535900 | Email ID: gokdom@gmail.com | Website: dom.karnataka.gov.in
Also Read: Pragati Scholarship 2025 – AICTE Scholarship Scheme for Girl Child
GOKDOM Scholarships – FAQs
What is the GOKDOM Scholarship program?
The Government of Karnataka Directorate of Minorities (GOKDOM) offers scholarships for minority students in Karnataka, supporting education from Class 1 to PhD level and even for overseas studies. Key schemes include Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-Cum-Means, National Overseas Scholarships, and MPhil/PhD Fellowships.
Am I eligible to apply for a GOKDOM Scholarship?
You must be a Karnataka domicile, belong to a recognized minority community (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, or Jains), and meet academic and income criteria specific to each scheme.
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
Required documents typically include Aadhaar Card, Caste and Income Certificates, Domicile Certificate, academic mark sheets, admission fee receipt, and bank account details.
Who is eligible to apply for GOKDOM scholarships?
Minority community students including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Backward Classes, SC/ST, and physically challenged students studying in Karnataka are eligible based on income and academic performance.
How can I apply for GOKDOM scholarships?
You can apply online through the Karnataka State Scholarship Portal or directly via the GOKDOM official portal, depending on the scholarship scheme.
Can I apply for more than one GOKDOM scholarship?
No, generally students can avail only one scholarship at a time to avoid duplication of benefits.
Are students studying outside Karnataka eligible for GOKDOM scholarships?
Yes, Karnataka domiciled students studying in other states can also apply for GOKDOM scholarships.
How can I check the status of my GOKDOM scholarship application?
Applicants can log in to the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or State Scholarship Portal (SSP) to check the status of their application.
What is the amount awarded under the National Overseas Scholarship?
The National Overseas Scholarship offers up to ₹20,00,000 per annum for a maximum of 2 years. This includes tuition, living expenses, and one-way airfare.
What is the incentive scheme for SSLC & 2nd PUC Minority Students?
This scheme offers a one-time cash incentive to minority students scoring over 85% in SSLC or over 75% in 2nd PUC, promoting academic excellence.
Can I apply for GOKDOM scholarships if I already receive a central government scholarship?
No, you cannot avail double benefits. You can apply for only one scholarship either from the state (GOKDOM) or the central government for the same course.
What is the disbursement process for GOKDOM scholarships?
The scholarship amount is disbursed directly into the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
Can GOKDOM scholarships be cancelled?
Yes, the scholarship can be cancelled or recovered if the student provides false information or fails to maintain the required academic performance or attendance.