Prize Money Scholarships – Overview
| Scholarship Name | Prize Money Scholarship |
| Academic Year | 2026 – 27 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Awards | ₹7,000 to ₹35,000 |
| Beneficiaries | SC and ST Students of Karnataka |
| Provider | Social Welfare Department, Social Tribal Welfare Department |
Prize Money Scholarships – Eligibility Criteria
SC/ST students who have passed their Class 10 or above examinations in the first attempt with first class can apply online for the Prize Money Scholarship. To be eligible, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- The applicant must belong to the SC or ST category and be a domicile of Karnataka
- The student must have passed the Class 10/Class 12 or ITI in the first attempt
- For UG/PG courses, the student must have cleared all semesters in the first attempt without any compartment
- The course should be pursued in an institution affiliated to a state or central government-recognised university, a UGC-recognised deemed university, or a government-recognised autonomous institution
- Students studying in evening colleges are also eligible under this scheme
- Students who have completed their education through Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) are eligible
- For ITI courses, students must have joined a 3-year ITI course immediately after Class 10 (SSLC), without any gap year and must have passed with first class (minimum 60%) in the first attempt
Which Candidates are Not Eligible for Prize Money Scholarship?
- Students who have completed their degree through open universities outside Karnataka (except KSOU) are not eligible
- Students who have pursued ITI after completing Class 12 are not eligible for this scheme
- Students who have appeared for compartment/supplementary exams in any yearly or semester examination are not eligible for the incentive grant
- Students pursuing studies abroad are not eligible for benefits under this scheme
Also Read: Karnataka Scholarships 2025 – Registration Ongoing, Eligibility and Application Process
Prize Money Scholarships – Application Process
Step 1: Visit the official scholarship portal and click on “Register”
Step 2: Select the correct option based on your qualification:
- SSLC – for Class 10 pass students
- Post-Matric – for Class 12, diploma, UG, or PG students
- Top 5 Rank – for students securing top 5 ranks
Step 3: Complete Aadhaar validation through the DBT portal using OTP authentication
Step 4: The next step is to pen the application form using the official link:
- Social Welfare Department – SC students
- Tribal Welfare Department – ST students
Step 5: Enter SSLC register number, passing year, caste and name as per Aadhaar, then submit
Step 6: Complete Aadhaar authentication by entering Aadhaar details and accepting the declaration
Step 7: Fill in the online application form carefully with personal, academic, college, course, and bank details
Step 8: Submit the application and download/print the acknowledgment slip
Step 9: Get the acknowledgement signed by the college principal and attest photocopies of all documents by college authorities
Step 10: Submit the hard copies to the District Social Welfare Office (SC) or Tribal Welfare Office (ST) for verification
Note: Applications will be rejected if hard copies are not submitted to the concerned district office.
Also Read: ePASS Karnataka – Important Dates, Eligibility Criteria, Benefits, and Application Process
Prize Money Scholarships – Benefits
| Course | Amount |
| Class 12 / 3-year polytechnic diploma | ₹20,000 |
| Undergraduate courses | ₹25,000 |
| Postgraduate courses (MA, MSc, etc.) | ₹30,000 |
| Professional courses (Agriculture, Engineering, Veterinary, Medicine) | ₹35,000 |
Also Read: SSP Scholarship 2025 – Scholarship List, Application Dates, Eligibility Criteria, Benefits & More
Documents Required for Prize Money Scholarship
The applicants are required to upload the following documents to avail the Prize Money Scholarship.
- Aadhaar card
- Passport size photograph (less than 100 KB)
- Academic marksheets
- Domicile certificate
- Bank account details
- Caste certificate
- Income certificate
- Authorised disability certificate issued by the government (if applicable)
FAQs
Who can apply for the Prize Money Scholarship?
SC and ST students who are domiciled in Karnataka and have passed Class 10, PUC, diploma, undergraduate or postgraduate courses with first-class marks in the first attempt can apply for Prize Money Scholarship.
What is meant by “first attempt” in the Prize Money Scholarship?
First attempt means clearing all the examinations without any supplementary, compartment or improvement exams in the semester or academic year.
Are KSOU students eligible for the Prize Money Scholarship?
Yes, students who have completed their education through Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) are eligible under this scheme.
Is there any income limit for this scholarship?
No, there is no income limit for the Prize Money Scholarship. Selection is purely based on category eligibility and academic performance.
Can students studying outside Karnataka apply?
Yes, if the institution is government-recognised and the student is a Karnataka domicile they can apply for the scholarship. However, if students are studying outside India they are not eligible for the scholarship.