Pre-matric scholarships represent more than just financial assistance – they embody the nation’s commitment to inclusive education and equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background. These scholarships specifically target students studying from Class 1 to Class 10, covering the crucial formative years when educational habits are developed and academic foundations are built.
Importance of Pre-Matric Scholarships 2025
The significance of pre-matric scholarships cannot be overstated in today’s educational landscape. Many families, particularly those from marginalized communities, struggle to meet even basic educational expenses during these early years. These scholarships play a crucial role in reducing dropout rates by ensuring that financial constraints don’t force children to leave school during their elementary and secondary education.
What makes this support even more crucial is the long-term impact it creates. A child who receives consistent educational support during pre-matric years is significantly more likely to complete their schooling and pursue higher education. These scholarships don’t just cover immediate expenses, they break the cycle of educational deprivation that often spans generations.
The beauty of pre-matric scholarship programs lies in their preventive approach. Rather than waiting for students to drop out and then providing remedial support, these schemes intervene early, ensuring continuous education from the very beginning. They recognize that every child, regardless of their family’s financial situation, deserves access to quality education during their most impressionable years.
This comprehensive guide explores centrally funded, state funded, and private scholarship programs in detail, providing you with essential information about eligibility criteria, scholarship amounts, and selection procedures. Whether you’re a parent seeking support for your child’s education or a student looking to understand available opportunities, this article will help you navigate the pre-matric scholarship landscape effectively.
Private Funded Pre-Matric Scholarships
Private organizations, corporate foundations, and charitable trusts play a crucial role in supporting early education in India. Through dedicated scholarship programs, they aim to ensure that students from financially weaker backgrounds can complete their schooling without disruption.
These scholarships not only cover essential academic expenses like tuition fees, books, and uniforms but also often include mentorship support to help students stay motivated and focused. Whether region-specific or designed for children from specific occupational or social backgrounds, these initiatives open doors to continued education during the most formative school years.
Private Funded Pre-Matric Scholarships
S.No | Scholarship Name | Provided by | Application Deadline |
1 | Unnati 2-Towards a Better Future Scholarship | CNH Industrial (India) Private Limited | 17th August 2025 |
2 | HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme | HDFC Bank | 4th September 2025 |
3 | Muskaan Scholarship Program 2.0 | Valvoline Cummins Private Ltd. | 30th September 2025 |
4 | SBIF Asha Scholarship Program | SBI Foundation | November |
Unnati 2-Towards a Better Future Scholarship
The Unnati 2 scholarship focuses on supporting students in the National Capital Region, specifically targeting those in their crucial secondary education years. This program provides consistent financial support to help students in Classes 8-10 continue their studies without worrying about educational expenses, ensuring they can focus on building a strong academic foundation for their future.
Eligibility:
- Students enrolled in schools located in Gurgaon, Delhi, and Noida are eligible to apply.
- Applicants should be currently studying in Classes 8, 9 or 10.
- A minimum of 60% marks in the previous academic year is required.
- The total annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹5 lakh.
Benefits
- A scholarship of ₹12,000 per year for up to three years will be awarded to the students.
NOTE: This scholarship amount will be paid on a yearly basis.
HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme
HDFC Bank’s Parivartan ECSS (Education Crisis Scholarship Support) Programme is designed to help students who face unexpected financial difficulties that threaten their education. This comprehensive program supports students across all education levels, from primary classes to technical courses, with special consideration for those who have experienced family crises that impact their ability to continue studying.
Eligibility:
- The students must be currently studying in Classes 1 to 12, or pursuing diploma, ITI, and polytechnic courses in private, government, or government-aided schools.
- A minimum of 55% marks in the previous qualifying examination is required.
- The annual family income should be less than or equal to ₹ 2.5 lakh.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have faced personal or family crises within the past three years, which have significantly impacted their ability to bear the cost of education and put them at risk of discontinuing their studies.
- Open to Indian nationals only.
Benefits
- For Class 1 to 6: ₹ 15,000
- For Class 7 to 12, Diploma, ITI, & Polytechnic students: ₹ 18,000
Muskaan Scholarship Program 2.0
The Muskaan Scholarship Program 2.0 brings educational opportunities to students in India’s southern, eastern, and northeastern regions. This unique program focuses on supporting children from specific professional backgrounds, including those whose parents work as drivers or mechanics, alongside students from economically weaker sections, helping them pursue their secondary education dreams.
Eligibility:
- Students studying in Classes 9 to 12 are eligible for the scholarship.
- Students from the southern, eastern, and north-eastern states (Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Odisha, Bihar, Puducherry, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal) of India are eligible to apply.
- The scholarship is open to students from the following backgrounds:
- Children of commercial drivers (LMV/HMV).
- Children of mechanics.
- Students belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category.
- Applicants must have scored above 60% in their previous class to be eligible.
- The total family income from all sources should not exceed ₹ 8 lakh per annum. (Only applicable for EWS students)
Benefits
- Scholarship of up to ₹ 12,000 (based on actual expenses)
- Mentorship support (Session on Road Safety)
SBIF Asha Scholarship Program
The SBIF Asha Scholarship Program targets high-achieving students in India’s smaller states and union territories, where educational opportunities may be limited. With a special focus on supporting female students and those from SC/ST communities, this program recognizes academic excellence by providing financial assistance to meritorious students who maintain strong academic performance.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be studying in Class 6 to 12 in the current academic year.
- Applicants must have secured 75% marks or above in their previous academic year.
- The gross annual family income of the applicants must be up to ₹ 3,00,000.
- Applications are open for the following regions:
- States: Meghalaya, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Himachal Pradesh
- Union Territories: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Delhi, Lakshadweep, Puducherry
NOTE:
- 50% of the slots will be reserved for female applicants.
- Preference will be given to applicants belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories.
Benefits
- One-time scholarship of ₹ 15,000
Government Funded Pre-Matric Scholarships
In an effort to remove structural barriers that hinder access to quality schooling, the Government of India offers targeted pre-matric scholarships to support students facing social or economic disadvantages. These initiatives are designed not just as financial aid, but as instruments of social equity—enabling children from marginalized groups to access opportunities they might otherwise be denied.
Government-funded pre-matric scholarships are typically divided into centrally sponsored schemes, which are implemented nationwide, and state-specific programs tailored to regional needs and demographics. Together, they reflect the government’s multifaceted approach to ensuring educational access for all.
Government Funded Pre-Matric Scholarships
Scholarship | Offered By | Eligibility | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme | Department of School Education and Literacy |
NOTE: Relaxation of 5% will be given to SC/ST students |
₹ 12,000 per annum |
PM YASASVI Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education in Schools for OBC, EBC and DNT Students | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment |
|
Up to ₹ 75,000 |
NSP Financial Assistance For Education To The Wards Of Beedi/Cine/Iomc/Lsdm, Pre-Matric | Ministry of Labour and Employment |
For Mine supervisory and managerial employees and Beedi workers: not exceeding ₹10,000 per month For cine workers: not exceeding ₹8,000 per month |
Up to ₹ 2,000 per annum |
NSP Pre Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities | Ministry of Minority Affairs |
|
Up to ₹ 1,450 per annum |
Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Delhi | Department for the Welfare of SC/ST/OBC/Minority, Government of NCT of Delhi |
|
Up to ₹ 7000 per annum
(10% extra allowance will be given to disabled students) |
Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Delhi | Department for the Welfare of SC/ST/OBC/Minority, Government of NCT of Delhi |
|
₹ 4,000 per annum |
Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Class 9 & 10), Assam | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
|
Up to ₹525 per month, along with a one-time grant of up to ₹1,000 for books and other expenses.
(Disabled students also receive an additional allowance of up to ₹800 per month) |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Class 9 & 10), Assam | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India |
|
Up to ₹7,000 per annum
(10% extra allowance will be given to disabled students) |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship For SC Students Component II (Class 1 – 10), Assam | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India |
|
Day Scholars: ₹ 3,500 per annum
Hosteller: ₹ 8,000 (10% extra allowance will be given to the Disabled students) |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Assam | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India |
|
₹ 4,000 per annum |
NSP Centrally Sponsored Pre-Matric Scholarship For SC Students (Class 9 & 10), Manipur | Government of India |
|
Up to ₹7,000 per annum
(10% extra allowance will be given to disabled students) |
PM Yasasvi Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Manipur | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|
₹ 4,000 per annum |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship For ST Students (Class 9 & 10), Manipur | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
|
Up to ₹525 per month, along with a one-time grant of up to ₹1,000 for books and other expenses. |
Pre Matric Scholarship for Minority Students, Uttar Pradesh | Minority Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh |
|
The selected students will receive financial assistance under this scheme |
Pre Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Uttar Pradesh | Welfare Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh |
|
The selected students will receive financial assistance under this scheme |
Pre Matric Scholarship for SC, ST & General Students, Uttar Pradesh | Welfare Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh |
|
The selected students will receive financial assistance under this scheme |
Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana Scholarship for ST/SC/OBC/SEBC/GENERAL/EBC Communities, Odisha | Labour & ESI Department, Government of Odisha |
|
Up to ₹ 4,000 per annum
(Students scoring 90% or above in Class 10 receive a cash award of ₹10,000) |
NSP Mukhya Mantri Vidyarthi Kalyan Yojna, Himachal Pradesh | Government of Himachal Pradesh |
|
₹ 1,500 (for boys)
₹ 2,000 (for girls) |
NSP Sainik School Scholarship Scheme, Himachal Pradesh | Government of Himachal Pradesh |
|
₹ 18,000 per annum
(₹1,500 clothing allowance in the first year and ₹750 in the following years, along with a ₹10 daily dietary allowance for 295 days) |
NSP Centrally Sponsored Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students, Himachal Pradesh | Government of India |
|
Up to ₹ 7,000
(10% extra allowance will be given to disabled students) |
NSP Centrally Sponsored Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students, Himachal Pradesh | Government of India |
|
Up to ₹525 per month, along with a one-time grant of up to ₹1,000 for books and other expenses |
PM YASASVI Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC/EBC/DNT Students (Class 9 and 10), Himachal Pradesh | Government of India |
|
₹ 4,000 per annum |
NSP Opportunity Cost to Parents of SC Girl Students, Puducherry | Government of India |
|
₹ 3,000 per annum |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Class 6 to 10), Puducherry | Government of India |
|
For Class 6 to 8: ₹150 per month
For Class 9 and 10: ₹250 per month |
NSP Centrally Sponsored Scheme Of Pre-Matric Scholarship For ST Students (Class 9 & 10), Puducherry | Government of India |
|
Up to ₹350 per month, along with a one-time grant of up to ₹1,000 for books and other expenses |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minority (State Sector), Uttarakhand | Uttarakhand Minorities Commission |
|
Class 1 to 5: ₹ 50 per month
Class 6 to 8: ₹ 80 per month Class 9 to 10: ₹ 120 per month (for a maximum of up to 12 months) |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship For SC Students (State Sector), Uttarakhand | Social Welfare Department of the Uttarakhand Government |
|
Class 1 to 5: ₹ 600 per annum
Class 6 to 8: ₹ 960 per annum Class 9 to 10: Up to ₹ 6,250 per annum |
NSP Pre-Matric Disability Scholarship (State Sector), Uttarakhand | Social Welfare Department of the Uttarakhand Government |
|
Class 1 to 5: ₹ 600 per annum
Class 6 to 8: ₹ 960 per annum |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship For ST Students (State Sector), Uttarakhand | Social Welfare Department of Uttarakhand Government |
|
Class 1 to 5: ₹ 600 per annum
Class 6 to 8: ₹ 960 per annum Class 9 to 10: Up to ₹ 6,250 per annum |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Center Sector), Uttarakhand | Social Welfare Department of the Uttarakhand Government |
|
Class 1 to 5: ₹ 600 per annum
Class 6 to 8: ₹ 960 per annum Class 9 to 10: Up to ₹ 6,250 per annum |
PM Yasasvi Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC Students (Class 9 & 10), DNHDD 2025-26 | Government of India |
|
₹ 4,000 per annum |
NSP Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Class 9 & 10), Goa | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
|
Up to ₹5,250 per annum, along with a one-time grant of up to ₹1,000 for books and other expenses |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students Studying In Classes 9 and 10, Goa | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment |
|
Day Scholars: ₹ 3,500 per annum
Hosteller: ₹ 7,000 (10% extra allowance will be given to the Disabled students) |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship to the Children of those Engaged in Occupations involving Cleaning and Prone to Health Hazards, Goa | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|
₹ 8,000 per annum
(10% extra allowance will be given to disabled students) |
PM YASASVI Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC/EBC/DNT Students (Class 9 & 10), Chandigarh | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|
₹ 4,000 per annum |
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Class 9 & 10), Sikkim | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment |
|
Day Scholars: ₹ 3,500 per annum
Hosteller: ₹ 7,000 (10% extra allowance will be given to the Disabled students) |
Umbrella Scheme Pre-Matric Scholarship For ST Students (Class 9 & 10), Meghalaya | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
|
Up to ₹5,250 per annum, along with a one-time grant of up to ₹1,000 for books and other expenses |
PM Yasasvi Pre-Matric Scholarship For OBC, EBC, and DNT Students, Sikkim | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
|
₹ 4,000 per annum |
Pre-Matric Scholarships 2025 – FAQs
What is the amount of financial assistance given to students under Pre-Matric Scholarships?
The amount of assistance varies depending on the student’s current academic level and the specific scholarship scheme. Some provide monthly stipends, while others offer annual grants.
What is the difference between private and government-funded pre-matric scholarships?
Private scholarships are provided by corporate foundations and NGOs, while government scholarships are funded by the central or state governments. They differ in eligibility, benefits, and application process.
Are there specific scholarships available for students with disabilities?
Yes. Many pre-matric scholarships offer additional financial support for students with disabilities, including higher stipends or learning aid grants.
Are these scholarships renewed every year?
Some scholarships are renewable annually based on academic performance, while others are one-time grants. Always check the renewal criteria for each scheme.
What documents are usually required while applying?
Common documents include income certificate, mark sheets, bonafide certificate, caste/disability certificate (if applicable), bank details, and passport-size photo.
Where can I find a complete list of available pre-matric scholarships?
You can visit Buddy4Study.com or the official National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for updated and verified lists of pre-matric scholarships.