Jnanabhumi Scholarship 2026: An Overview
| Scholarship Name | Jnanabhumi Scholarship |
| Provider | Social Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh |
| Beneficiaries | SC, ST, OBC and Disabled Students of Andhra Pradesh |
| Official Website | https://jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in/ |
| Application Timeline | October-November (tentative) |
Jnanabhumi Scholarship 2026 -List of Schemes
There are three primary categories of scholarship programmes offered under the Jnanabhumi Scholarship scheme:
1. Post-Matric Scholarship (RTF)/(MTF): This scholarship is designed for eligible students belonging to the SC, ST, BC, EBC (other than Kapu), Kapu, minority and differently-abled categories who are pursuing higher education after completing their matriculation (Class 12).
2. SW and TW Departments Mega DSC Free Coaching: Through the Social Welfare (SW) and Tribal Welfare (TW) Departments, the Government of Andhra Pradesh offers free residential coaching for the DSC exam to help SC and ST students secure teaching positions in government schools.
3. Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi: The Welfare Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh has introduced the AP Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi Scholarship to support students from reserved categories in pursuing higher education abroad. This initiative provides financial assistance to eligible students aiming to study professional and academic courses such as medicine, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, sciences, humanities, and social studies at international institutions.
Jnanabhumi Scholarship 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for each scholarship under the Jnanabhumi Scholarship scheme are given below:
- Students enrolled in Polytechnic, ITI, Degree, or higher-level courses in Government, Aided, or Private colleges affiliated with State Universities or Boards.
- Students who are day scholars, or residing in College Attached Hostels (CAH) or Department Attached Hostels (DAH).
- A minimum aggregate attendance of 75% is required to receive the scholarship.
- The family’s annual income must be ₹2.5 lakhs or less.
- The family’s landholding must not exceed:
- 10 acres of wetland, or
- 25 acres of dry land, or
- A combination of both within the 25-acre limit
- No family member should be a government employee or pensioner. (Exception: Sanitary workers are eligible regardless of salary or recruitment type. Certification in such cases will be handled by the Social Welfare Department.)
- No family member should own a four-wheeler. (Exemptions: taxis, tractors, and auto-rickshaws.)
- Families owning no property or less than 1500 sq. ft. of residential or commercial built-up area in urban locations are eligible.
- No family member should be a taxpayer.
- Ineligible Students:
- Students studying in Private or Deemed Universities.
- Those enrolled in Correspondence or Distance Education courses.
- Students admitted under Management or Spot Quota.
SW and TW Departments Mega DSC Free Coaching:
- The applicant must be a domiciled resident of Andhra Pradesh.
- The applicant should belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) community.
- The annual family income should be ₹2.5 lakhs or less.
- The applicant must be eligible for the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET).
- The family should own no property, or own less than 1500 sq. ft. of residential or commercial built-up area in urban areas.
- The applicant must be applying for Secondary Grade Teacher (SGT) or School Assistant (SA) posts only.
- The family’s landholding must not exceed the following limits:
- Less than 10 acres of wetland, or
- Less than 25 acres of dry land, or
- A combined total (wet and dry) not exceeding 25 acres
Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi:
- The applicant must be a native of Andhra Pradesh.
- The maximum age limit is 35 years as on the date of the notification.
- The annual family income should not exceed ₹8.00 lakhs.
- Only one candidate per family is eligible under the scheme.
- Candidates who have already received financial assistance under similar schemes from the State or Central Government are not eligible.
- Academic Qualifications:
- For Postgraduate Courses: Minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade in the qualifying undergraduate degree in any of the following disciplines: Engineering, Management, Pure Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Medicine & Nursing, Social Sciences, or Humanities.
- For Ph.D. Courses: Minimum 60% marks or equivalent grade in the postgraduate degree in relevant fields such as: Engineering, Management, Pure Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Medicine, Social Sciences, or Humanities.
- For MBBS Courses: Minimum 60% marks in the Intermediate or equivalent examination.
Jnanabhumi Scholarship 2026 – Benefit Amount
The award details for each scholarship under the Jnanabhumi Scholarship scheme are given below:
Post-Matric Scholarship (RTF / MTF) Awards Details:
| Component | Description | Amount / Coverage | Disbursal Method |
| RTF (Reimbursement of Tuition Fee) | Covers full fee reimbursement, including tuition fees, special fees, other fees, and exam fees | Full Fee (as fixed by competent authorities) | Credited to the respective college account on behalf of the student |
| MTF (Maintenance Charges) | Financial assistance for food and hostel expenses | – ₹10,000/year for ITI students
– ₹20,000/year for Degree and above courses |
Credited to the eligible student’s mother’s account. If the mother is not available, the amount will be credited to the natural guardian’s account |
SW and TW Departments Mega DSC Free Coaching Awards Details:
| Component | Details |
| Coaching Type | Free residential coaching for DSC (District Selection Committee) exam |
| Subjects Covered | Paper-I (SGT)
Paper-II (SA – Telugu, English, Maths, Science, Social, etc.) |
| Duration of Coaching | Approximately 3 to 4 months |
| Facilities Provided | – Free study material
– Expert faculty and subject-wise coaching – Practice tests and mock exams – Guidance for TET + DSC syllabus |
| Accommodation | Free hostel facility provided |
| Food | Free meals during the entire coaching period |
| Number of Seats | Varies each year; generally around 1000–1500 students selected across Andhra Pradesh |
Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi Award Details:
| Component | Details |
| Total Scholarship Amount | Up to ₹20 lakhs, or as per the admission letter amount, whichever is lower |
| Tuition Fee Assistance | Up to ₹10 lakhs per year, or the actual tuition fee (whichever is lower) |
| Living & Other Expenses | Up to ₹10 lakhs for living and incidental expenses (provided in installments) |
| Air Travel | One-way economy class airfare to the destination country
(usually up to ₹50,000 as a one-time travel allowance) |
| Visa Fee Reimbursement | Reimbursement of visa processing fees, generally covering the full cost of the visa |
| Disbursement Method | Amount is released in installments based on university enrollment and academic progress |
Also Read: JnanaBhumi Scholarship – Check Eligibility and Awards
Jnanabhumi Scholarship Application Process 2026
The application process for the Jnanabhumi Scholarship is fully online through the Jnanabhumi Portal. A step-by-step guide on how to apply is given below:
Registration:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Jnanabhumi Portal.
Step 2: Click on the “Student 1st Time Registration” option present at the top corner of the page.
Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar number and click on the “Get Verification Code”.
Step 4: Enter the OTP received to initiate the registration process.
Step 5: Enter the required fields and click on “Register” to complete the registration process.
Post Matric Scholarships (RTF/MTF) Application Process:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Jnanabhumi Portal.
Step 2: Click on the “Post Matric Scholarships (RTF/MTF)” option present at the top left corner of the page.
Step 3: Click on the “How to Apply” option.
Step 4: Download the Jnanabhumi Scholarship Application Form (J-SAF) online or get it from your college.
Step 5: Fill in the required details in the form and submit the signed copy to your college principal.
Step 6: The principal will verify and submit your form online through the Jnanabhumi portal.
Step 7: You will get an SMS after your application is submitted.
Step 8: Visit a Mee Seva Kendra and provide your Jnanabhumi application ID and Aadhaar number to access your application online.
Step 9: Verify your details, make any required corrections, and submit your application with biometric authentication.
SW and TW Departments Mega DSC Free Coaching Application Process:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Jnanabhumi Portal.
Step 2: Click on the “SW and TW Departments Mega DSC Free Coaching” option present at the top of the homepage.
Step 3: Click on the “How to Apply” option.
Step 4: Click on the link provided in the box.
Step 5: On the page that appears, fill in your login details and click on the “Sign In” button.
Step 6: An application page will appear; fill in the required details in the form.
Step 7: Click on the “Submit” button.
Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi Application Process:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the Jnanabhumi Portal.
Step 2: Click on the “Ambedkar Overseas Vidya Nidhi” option present at the top of the homepage.
Step 3: Click on the “About Scheme” option.
Step 4: Click on the registration link provided.
Step 5: Now on the login page, enter your details and click on “Sign In”.
Step 6: After you login successfully, an application form will appear. Fill in all the required details and click on “Submit”.
Also Read: Jnanabhumi Application Status
Jnanabhumi Scholarship 2026 – Documents Required
The required documents will vary according to the scholarship selected by the student. However, the following is a list of documents generally required while applying for scholarships under the Jnanabhumi Scholarship Schemes.
- Aadhaar Card
- Bonafide Certificate from the institute
- Disability Certificate (for students with disabilities)
- Passport-size Photograph
- Ration Card of the student’s family (if available)
- SSC Certificate/Date of Birth certificate (to verify the age eligibility prescribed in the scheme)
- Transfer Certificate
- GRE/GMAT Score Card
- TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Others Scorecard
- Bank Passbook (1st page)
- Admission Letter from the foreign university (e.g., I-20)
- Passport Copy
- Residence/Nativity Certificate
- Marksheet of the last qualified course (Graduation/PG level)
- Caste Certificate from concerned village/ward secretariat
- Income Certificate from the concerned village/ward secretariat, physically certified by the concerned District Collector
Also Read: AP Scholarship
Jnanabhumi Scholarship 2026 – FAQs
How can I check my Jnanabhumi scholarship status?
Visit jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in and click “Scholarship Status.” Enter your Aadhaar number or Application ID to see whether your status is Approved, Pending or Rejected. You can also track RTF and MTF payments through the “Print Application Status” option on the portal.
What is the last date for Jnanabhumi Scholarship 2026?
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has not yet announced dates for 2026-27, but applications are expected to open in October 2026. Check jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in regularly for the official notification.
How do I apply for the Jnanabhumi scholarship?
Collect the Jnanabhumi Scholarship Application Form (JSAF) from your college, fill it in and submit the signed copy to your principal. The principal verifies your details and submits the application online. You will receive an SMS confirming successful submission.
How much scholarship amount is given under Jnanabhumi?
Jnanabhumi offers two benefits. RTF (Reimbursement of Tuition Fee) covers the full approved tuition fee and is paid to the college. MTF (Maintenance Fee) supports food and hostel costs and is credited to the mother’s bank account.
Who is eligible for the Jnanabhumi scholarship?
Students from SC, ST, BC, EBC, Kapu, Minority and differently-abled communities in Andhra Pradesh can apply. Annual family income must be ₹2.5 lakh or less, attendance must be at least 75%, and no family member should be a government employee or pensioner.