In general “Minority” may be defined as those who are less than 50% of total population. It may include any disadvantaged group in terms of social status, education, employment, wealth and political resources. The National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 defines that “Minority for the purpose of the Act, means a community notified as such by the Central Government”. The Central Government notified the Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi (Zoroastrian) communities to be regarded as “minorities” for the purpose of this Act. According to the 2001 Census, 18.4% of the Indian population comprises minority communities. Muslims constitute 13.4%, Christians 2.3%, Sikhs 1.9%, Buddhists 0.8% and Parsis 0.07% of the country’s total population. In absolute numbers, Muslims [nearly 140 million] account for 72.8% of the total minority population of 189.5 million.
Following the mandate, the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MOMA) offers a range of scholarships designed to reduce financial barriers and encourage academic growth to support the educational aspirations of students from the minority communities. These scholarships—namely, the Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means scholarships—are aimed at empowering students from economically weaker backgrounds, allowing them to pursue education from primary school to professional courses.
Available exclusively to minority groups such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis, the MOMA Scholarships provide much-needed financial assistance, covering expenses like tuition fees, maintenance, and more. Through a simple online application process, eligible students can unlock the potential of these scholarships and secure a brighter future for themselves.
This article explains the details of the MOMA scholarships, eligibility criteria, benefits, and the step-by-step online application process.
MOMA Scholarships 2024-25: Major Schemes
The MOMA Scholarships program consists of three main schemes catering to different educational levels and financial needs. They are as under:
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: This scholarship is designed to incentivise parents of students hailing from the minority communities to enroll their children in school by providing financial aid for students enrolled in Class 1 to 10. The Pre-Matric scholarships aim to reduce the financial burden of the parents by covering tuition fees, book allowances, and other necessary expenses. It is specifically targeted toward students from minority communities who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with a valuable opportunity to access quality education.
- Post-Matric Scholarship: For minority students aspiring to pursue higher education beyond the matriculation level, the Post-Matric Scholarship offers significant financial support. This scholarship program covers admission fee, tuition cost, and maintenance allowance for students from Class 11 to PhD level, making it one of the most popular MOMA schemes. The students must demonstrate a strong academic performance in order to become eligible for this scholarship scheme.
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarship: This scholarship aims to support academically talented minority students who are pursuing professional and technical courses at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. It provides financial assistance to help offset the costs of tuition fee, maintenance allowance, and other academic expenses. In order to become eligible for the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship, the applicants must demonstrate both academic excellence and a genuine need for financial support. This scholarship is a valuable resource for deserving minority students who aspire to achieve their educational goals in professional and technical fields.
- Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Girls from Minorities: This financial aid program is specifically designed for female students from minority communities in India. It is being offered to the females enrolled in Class 9 to 12 who belong to a recognised minority group.
MOMA Scholarships 2024-25: Eligibility Criteria
1. General Eligibility:
- Minority Status: The applicants must belong to minority communities such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis.
- Income Limit: The annual family income from all sources should not exceed ₹2,00,000 for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships and ₹2,50,000 for the Merit-cum-Means scholarship scheme.
- Academic Performance: The students must secure at least 50% marks or an equivalent grade in the previous qualifying examination.
2. Academic Criteria:
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: The applicants must be pursuing studies in Class 1 to 10.
- Post-Matric Scholarship: This is applicable for students pursuing studies in Class 11 to PhD levels.
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarship: This is open to students pursuing professional or technical courses.
- Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Girls from Minorities: Annual family income of the applicants must be below ₹2,00,000 and they should have secured at least 50% marks in their previous final examination to become eligible for this scholarship.
Also Read: National Fellowship for OBC Students (NF-OBC)
MOMA Scholarships 2024-25: Rewards
The students selected for these minority scholarships receive financial assistance for the entire course, including admission and tuition fees, and a maintenance allowance. The maintenance allowance is provided for a period of 10 months per academic year. The scholarship amounts are as follows:
For Class 6 to 10
- Admission Fee: ₹500 per annum (subject to actuals)
- Tuition Fee: ₹350 per month (subject to actuals)
Maintenance Allowance:
- ₹600 per month (for hostellers)
- ₹100 per month (for day scholars)
For Class 1 to 5
- Maintenance Allowance: ₹100 per month (for day scholars)
Post-Matric Scholarship Rewards
For Class 11 and 12
- Admission & Tuition Fee: ₹7,000 per annum (subject to actuals)
For Technical and Vocational Courses (Classes 11 and 12 levels)
- Admission & Course/Tuition Fee: ₹10,000 per annum (subject to actuals)
For UG & PG levels
- Admission & Tuition Fee: ₹3,000 per annum (subject to actuals)
For Class 11 and 12 including Technical & Vocational Courses
Maintenance Allowance:
- ₹380 per month (for hostellers)
- ₹230 per month (for day scholars)
For UG & PG Level Courses other than Technical & Professional Courses
Maintenance Allowance:
- ₹570 per month (for hostellers)
- ₹300 per month (for day scholars)
For M.Phil. & PhD Programmes
Maintenance Allowance:
- ₹1,200 per month (for hostellers)
- ₹550 per month (for day scholars)
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses
- For Graduation & Postgraduation Technical & Professional Courses
- Course Fee: ₹20,000 per annum (subject to actuals)
- Maintenance Allowance:
- ₹1,000 per month (for hostellers)
- ₹500 per month (for day scholars)
Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Girls from Minorities
- For Class 9 to 12 Students
- Scholarship Amount:
- ₹5,000 each for students of Class 9 & 10
- ₹6,000 each for students of Class 11 & 12
(Note: 85 reputed premier institutions have been listed under the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses. The selected students from these institutes are eligible for reimbursement of full course fee.)
MOMA Scholarships 2024-25: Step-by-Step Online Application Process
The MOMA Scholarship application can be done online on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The applicants are advised to adhere to the following steps:
Step 1: Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal.
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Students‘ option available 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’ available 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: 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.)
Also Read: National Fellowship Programme for Students from Scheduled Caste (SC) Communities
MOMA Scholarships 2024-25: Key Documents Required
Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities
- Applicant’s passport-sized photo
- Parent/Guardian’s income certificate issued by a competent authority
- Community certificate attested by parent/guardian or self-attested (if the applicant is 18 years old)
- Self-attested certificate of previous qualifying exam/board marksheet
- Bank details and Aadhaar card for identification purposes
- Residential/Domicile certificate
(Note: The applicants are not required to upload documents online for this scholarship. They need to submit hard copies of all required documents to their respective institutions.)
Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities
- Applicant’s passport-sized photo
- Income certificate
- Self-certified community certificate
- Self-attested certificate of previous year’s mark sheet (as filled in the form)
- Fee receipt of the current course year
- Proof that the bank account is in the name of the applicant
- Residential certificate
- Aadhaar card or Aadhaar enrolment number
(Note: Students need to upload documents online if the scholarship amount exceeds ₹50,000. Otherwise, they need to provide hard copies of all required documents to their institution.)
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses
- Passport-sized photo of the applicant
- Income certificate
- Self-certified community certificate
- Self-attested certificate of previous year’s marksheet
- Fee receipt of the current course year
- Bank account details
- Residential/Domicile certificate
- Aadhaar number/Aadhaar enrolment number
(Note: Students need to upload documents online if the scholarship amount exceeds ₹50,000. Otherwise, they need to provide hard copies of all required documents to their institution.)
Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Girls from Minority Communities
- Income certificate issued by a competent authority in the States/UTs
- Aadhaar Enrolment ID (EID) slip or a copy of the request made for Aadhaar enrolment
- Self-certified community certificate (if the student is 18 years old or older)
- Community Certificate certified by the parent/guardian of younger students
- Bank passbook with photograph, Ration Card, Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card, Passport, or Certificate of Identity with a photo issued by a Headmaster or Principal of School under the official seal of the school, or Driving license issued by the Licensing Authority under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988), or any other documents specified by the State Government or Union territory Administration.
MOMA Scholarships 2024-25: Selection Process
- Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities: The candidates are selected based on their economic conditions. In case of similar financial circumstances, preference is given to older applicants.
- Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities: The recipients are selected based on their financial situation. Preference is given to older applicants in case of similar family income.
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses: The applicants are selected on the basis of their merit determined by their percentage/marks obtained in their last academic course/board (higher secondary/graduation) exam.
(Note: In state-wise allocations, priority is given to applications from listed institutions in the merit list.)
- Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Girls from Minority Communities: The selection of the applicants is based on the percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying exam including the annual income of the applicants.
MOMA Scholarships 2024-25: Renewal Policy
- For pre-matric and post-matric scholarships: The scholarships may be renewed for the next academic year if students meet the given academic criteria and continue pursuing their studies.
- Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Girls from Minority Communities: This scholarship is not renewable. Since the applications are open for students of all classes from 9th to 12th, the beneficiaries will have to apply afresh for each class.
Terms & Conditions
- 30% of the scholarship schemes are reserved for female students of each minority community in a State/UT. If there is a shortage of female candidates, they may be transferred to male candidates of the same community.
- No more than two students from a family can receive the scholarship.
- The students must attend their classes regularly.
- The scholarship benefits may be cancelled or suspended if students violate the institute/school’s discipline or any scholarship conditions.
- Providing false information to obtain a scholarship may result in its cancellation. If the scholarship has already been paid, the States/UTs administration will recover the funds.
- The recipients cannot avail the benefits of any other scholarship scheme while receiving MOMA scholarship benefits.
- Scholarship amounts are transferred directly to the recipient’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- All rules are subject to change from time to time, as and when required, which will be binding on all.
MOMA Scholarships 2024-25: FAQs
Who are regarded as the ‘minorities’ in India?
The National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 defines ‘minorities’ as the communities notified as such by the Central Government. The Central Government notified the Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi (Zoroastrian) communities to be regarded as ‘minorities’ for the purpose of this Act.
What are the MOMA Scholarships 2024-25?
The MOMA Scholarships is a government-funded initiative of the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MOMA) designed to provide financial assistance to students belonging to minority communities in India. It aims to support their education from the primary level to post-graduation.
Which scholarship schemes are offered under the MOMA Scholarships 2024-25?
Three major scholarships available under the MOMA Scholarships 2024-25 are as follows:
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: For students enrolled in Class 1 to 10
- Post-Matric Scholarship: For students pursuing studies in Class 11 to PhD level
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarship: For students pursuing professional and technical courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Who are eligible under the MOMA Scholarship schemes?
The eligible applicants must belong to one of the recognised minority communities including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, or Parsis. They should have a family income not exceeding ₹2,00,000 (for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships) or ₹2,50,000 (for the Merit-cum-Means Scholarship), and secure at least 50% marks in their previous examination.
How do I apply for the MOMA Scholarships 2024-25?
The students can apply for the MOMA Scholarships 2024-25 on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) by registering as a new user, filling in the required details, uploading documents, and submitting the application online. Refer to the detailed application process provided in the article.
Which of the documents are required for the MOMA Scholarships application?
The general documents required for the application include the following:
- Aadhaar card
- Minority community certificate
- Income certificate
- Previous year’s academic marksheet
- Bank passbook
- Passport-size photo
How much financial aid is available under the MOMA Scholarships schemes?
The financial aid varies on the basis of type of scholarship:
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: Up to ₹1,000 per month for hostellers and ₹600 for day scholars.
- Post-Matric Scholarship: Tuition fee up to ₹7,000 annually and maintenance allowances.
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarship: Tuition fee up to ₹20,000 annually and monthly maintenance allowances.
Can a student apply for multiple MOMA scholarship schemes?
No, students can apply for only one MOMA scholarship scheme in an academic year.
Is there a renewal process for MOMA Scholarships?
Yes, students who have previously received a MOMA Scholarship can apply for renewal if they meet the renewal criteria (academic performance, attendance, and financial need). Renewal applications can be submitted via the NSP. However, the Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Girls from Minority Communities is not renewable.
What is the selection process for the MOMA Scholarship?
The process of selection is based on merit and financial need. Applications are verified at the institution and state levels, with preference given to students from lower-income families.
When will the scholarship amount be disbursed?
The scholarship benefits are usually disbursed in the month of January (tentative) after the completion of the verification process.
Click here to get the answers to various other queries related to MOMA scholarships
List of State Scholarship portal is as follows:
| Scholarships for Uttar Pradesh | UP Scholarship |
| Scholarships for Maharashtra | Mahadbt |
| Post Matric Scholarships disbursements through ePass | Epass Scholarship |
| Jnanabhumi online portal of the Government of Andhra Pradesh | Jnanabhumi |
| scholarship portal of Jharkhand | E Kalyan Scholarship |
| Government of Madhya Pradesh, MP scholarships | MP Scholarship |
| Karnataka education board, ePASS Karnataka | Epass Karnataka Scholarship |
| TS epass scholarship is offered by Telangana Govt | Telangana Epass |
| Scholarship Portal Government of Punjab | Punjab Scholarship |
| E-Grantz portal, Government of Kerala | E Grantz |
| Minorities under the Government of Karnataka, GOKDOM | Gokdom |
| Oasis scholarship portal, West Bengal scholarships | Oasis Scholarship |
| Chhattisgarh Scholarship Portal | CG Scholarship Portal |
| SJE Rajasthan Scholarship Portal, Government of Rajasthan | SJE Scholarship |
| Digital Gujarat scholarship, Government of Gujarat. | Gujarat Scholarship |
| HP ePass scholarship portal, Himachal Pradesh | HP Epass Scholarship |
| West Bengal Scholarship Schemes, West Bengal | West Bengal Scholarship |
| Government of Bihar Post-Matric scholarship SC/ST/BC/EBC | Bihar Scholarship |
| Scholarship for BC, MBC and Minorities, Govt of TamilNadu | TN Scholarship |
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