SC Scholarship 2025: A Complete Guide for Indian Students

SC Scholarship 2025 is a government initiative to support Scheduled Caste students in pursuing education from Class 1 to postgraduation, including studies abroad. It helps reduce financial barriers and ensures equal access to quality education.

Funded by the Ministry of Social Justice, Ministry of Education, UGC, and state governments, these scholarships cover various academic levels—undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses.

This guide covers types of SC scholarships, eligibility, benefits, application steps, deadlines, and FAQs to help students apply with confidence.

Key Objectives

• Financial Support: Cover tuition fees, books, and other educational expenses.
• Educational Access: Ensure students from low-income SC families can continue their studies.
• Social Upliftment: Bridge the gap between privileged and underprivileged communities through education.

Major SC Scholarship Schemes for 2025

Here are the primary SC scholarship schemes available for the academic year 2024-25, with details for 2025-26 where applicable:

1. Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students

Administered by: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India

Objective: To increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio of SC students in higher education, focusing on those from the poorest households

Eligibility:

• Must be a permanent resident of India and belong to the SC category
• Enrolled in a recognized post-matriculation or post-secondary institution after passing the matriculation or equivalent examination
• Annual family income should not exceed ₹2.5 lakh to receive full scholarship benefits
• Students must have passed the previous year’s examination

Course Level: Post-matriculation studies (after Class 10)

Benefits:

• Tuition and examination fee reimbursement
• Maintenance allowance: ₹380–₹1200/month for hostellers, ₹230–₹550/month for day scholars, depending on the course group
• Additional allowances for study tours (₹1600/year), thesis printing (₹1600/year), and book grants (₹1200/year)
• Special provisions for students with disabilities, including reader allowance (₹160–₹240/month) and escort allowance (₹160/month)

Application Deadline: Typically August–September for 2025-26; extended to January 31, 2025, for 2024-25

2. Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students

Administered By: State governments and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Objective: To support SC students in Classes 9 and 10 and prevent dropouts

Eligibility:

• Must belong to the SC category and be enrolled in Classes 9 or 10
• No income limit in some states (e.g., Madhya Pradesh); in others, the family income must be below ₹2.5 lakh
• Must be a regular student in a recognized school

Course Level: Classes 9 and 10

Benefits:

• Scholarship amount ranges from ₹200–₹1200/year, depending on the state and class
• Payments are made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student’s bank account

Application Deadline: Varies by state (e.g., June 30, 2025, in Maharashtra; May 31, 2025, in Delhi)

3. Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students

Administered By: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Objective: To promote quality education for SC students in premier institutions

Eligibility:

• Must be enrolled in a recognized college or university in India to pursue a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate degree
• Annual family income must be up to ₹8 lakh
• Must have passed Class 12 examination with a minimum of 60% marks

Course Level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Professional courses

Benefits:

• Full tuition fee and non-refundable charges: A ceiling of ₹2,00,000 per annum per student applies to private sector institutions
• Academic allowance:
  • First year: ₹86,000
  • Subsequent years: ₹41,000 per year (This allowance helps with living expenses, books & stationery, and a computer/laptop (reputable brand) with essential accessories like a UPS and printer.)

Application Deadline: 31st October 2025

4. National Overseas Scholarship for SC Students

Administered By: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment

Objective: To support low-income SC students pursuing Master’s or Ph.D. programs abroad

Eligibility:

• Must belong to one of the following categories: Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic Tribes, Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, or Traditional Artisans
• Must be below 35 years of age
• Must have secured at least 60% marks in Class 12 or an equivalent examination
• Annual family income must be below ₹8 lakh

Course Level: Master’s and Ph.D. programs abroad

Benefits:

• Financial assistance up to a maximum of 4 years for a Ph.D. degree and 3 years for a Master’s degree
• Annual Maintenance Allowance – $15,400 (USA & other countries except the UK) | $9,900 (UK)
• Contingency Allowance – $1,500 (USA & other countries except the UK) | $1,100 (UK)
• Tuition fees, maintenance allowance, and other applicable allowances are disbursed through Indian Missions abroad

Application Deadline: 30 June 2025

5. Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Scheme

• Administered By: Government of India
• Objective: To support SC students pursuing higher education and honor Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of educational empowerment
• Eligibility:
  • Must belong to the SC category
  • Must be enrolled in undergraduate, postgraduate, or professional courses in recognized institutions
  • Annual family income criteria may apply (varies by state)
• Course Level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Professional courses
• Benefits:
  • Financial assistance for tuition fees, books, and other related expenses
• Application Deadline: Varies each year

6. National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of SC Students

Administered By: University Grants Commission (UGC)

Objective: To support SC students in advanced studies and research

Eligibility:

• Must belong to the SC category
• Must be enrolled in postgraduate programs or pursuing M.Phil./Ph.D. in institutions recognized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development

Course Level: Postgraduate and Research (M.Phil. and Ph.D.)

Benefits:

• Fellowship amount and contingency grants for research work
• Covers tuition fees and other academic expenses

Application Deadline: December 2025 (tentative)

Latest Guideline

7. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students

Administered By: Ministry of Education, Government of India

Objective: To provide financial aid to meritorious SC students pursuing higher education

Eligibility:

• Must belong to the SC category
• Must be enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate courses in recognized institutions
• Must have passed Class 12 from a recognized board with a minimum score of 80% in their chosen stream
• Annual family income must not exceed ₹4.5 lakh

Course Level: Undergraduate and Postgraduate

Benefits:

• Scholarships amount of up to ₹20,000

Application Deadline: 31st October 2025

8. Post-Graduate Scholarship Scheme for SC Students

Administered By: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Objective: To support SC students pursuing advanced studies

Eligibility:

• Must belong to the SC category
• Must have completed undergraduate education and be enrolled in postgraduate programs
• Annual family income criteria may apply (varies by state)

Course Level: Postgraduate

Benefits:

• Monthly stipend to cover living and educational expenses

Application Deadline: Varies each year

9. Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship Scheme for SC Students

Administered By: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Objective: To support meritorious SC students facing financial hardship in professional or technical courses

Eligibility:

• Must be a student of Class 9
• Must have secured at least 55% of marks or equivalent grade in Class 8 examination (relaxable by 5% for SC/ST students)
• Must have secured at least 55% of marks or equivalent grade in Class 7 examination to appear for the selection test for the award of scholarship (relaxable by 5% for SC/ST)
• Have an annual family income of less than ₹1.5 lakh from all sources 

Course Level: Professional or Technical courses

Benefits:

• Scholarship of ₹12,000 annually

Application Deadline: 31st August 2025

10. State-Specific Scholarships for SC Students

Administered By: Respective state governments

Objective: To provide financial aid to SC students domiciled in specific states

Eligibility:

• Must belong to the SC category and be domiciled in the respective state
• Varies by state (e.g., Madhya Pradesh targets girl students in Classes 1–5 and all SC students in Classes 6–10)

Course Level: Varies (undergraduate, postgraduate)

Benefits:

• Covers tuition fees, maintenance allowances, and other educational expenses
• Example: Karnataka’s Prize Money Scholarship offers ₹20,000–₹35,000 for first-class achievements

Application Deadline: Varies by state (e.g., June 30, 2025, in Maharashtra; May 31, 2025, in Delhi)

11. Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child

Administered By: University Grants Commission (UGC)

Objective: To encourage higher education among single girl children from SC families

Eligibility:

• Must be a single girl child from any community
• Must be 30 years or younger at the time of admission to the first year of a PG program
• Enrolled in a regular, full-time first-year Master’s degree program at a university, college, or institution recognized by the UGC, state, or central government, or an institute of national importance

Course Level: Postgraduate

Benefits: ₹36,200 per year (₹3,100 per month) for two years, totaling ₹72,400, disbursed via DBT

Application Deadline: August to December

How to Apply for SC Scholarships 2025?

Most SC scholarships are applied through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) (scholarships.gov.in) or state-specific portals. Follow these steps:

Visit the Official Portal:

• National: scholarships.gov.in
• State-specific: e.g., scstwelfare.delhi.gov.in (Delhi), sw.kar.nic.in (Karnataka), shikshaportal.mp.gov.in (Madhya Pradesh)

Register with OTR:

• One-Time Registration (OTR) is mandatory for registration.
• Link Aadhaar with your mobile number and bank account for DBT
• Update Aadhaar details if needed via the NSP portal

Fill the Application Form:

• Enter personal details, academic records, and bank information
• Select the appropriate scholarship scheme

Upload Documents:

• Aadhaar Card
• Caste Certificate
• Income Certificate
• Previous Class Marksheet
• Bank Passbook
• Domicile Certificate
• Passport-size Photograph

Submit and Track:

• Review and submit the form
• Print the application for records
• Track status on the NSP portal using your application number

State-Specific Requirements:

• For Karnataka, submit hard copies to the District Social Welfare Office (SC students) or Tribal Welfare Office (ST students)
• For Madhya Pradesh, apply offline through school administration

Note: Ensure Aadhaar is seeded with your bank account for seamless DBT. If facing issues, open an India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) account for quick Aadhaar seeding.

SC Scholarship 2025 – Documents Required

• Caste Certificate (issued by the competent authority)
• Income Certificate (for family income verification)
• Passport-size Photograph
• Bank Account Details (for stipend disbursement)
• Academic Transcripts (marksheets and certificates)
• College/University Enrollment Proof

Recent Updates for 2025

• OTR Mandatory: One-Time Registration (OTR) is now compulsory for all NSP scholarship applications, simplifying the process.
• Aadhaar Seeding: The Bharat Aadhaar Seeding Enabler (BASE) platform facilitates Aadhaar linking for DBT. Update the UIDAI AadhaarFACERD app to avoid authentication errors.
• Extended Deadlines: Several states (e.g., Manipur, Delhi) have extended application deadlines to ensure wider participation.
• Enhanced Security: NSP 2.0 has updated Aadhaar verification processes for secure transactions.
• State-Specific Initiatives: Karnataka’s Prize Money Scholarship and Madhya Pradesh’s SC scholarship for Classes 1–10 emphasize first-class achievements and inclusivity for younger students.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Double-Check Documents: Ensure all uploaded documents are clear and updated to avoid rejection.
• Apply Early: Submit your application well in advance to avoid last-minute technical issues.
• Track Status: Regularly monitor your application status on the NSP or state portal.
• Contact Support: For issues, reach out to the respective state’s welfare department or NSP helpline.

SC Scholarship 2025 – FAQs

Can I apply for an SC Scholarship if I am studying in a private institution?

Yes, many SC scholarships are available for students studying in private institutions, provided the institution is government-recognized. However, you should check the eligibility guidelines of the specific scholarship to ensure your institution qualifies.

Can I apply for multiple SC Scholarships?

No, students generally cannot avail of multiple scholarships for the same course. However, you can apply for different scholarships at different academic levels or purposes (e.g., pre-matric for school and post-matric for college). Check specific scheme guidelines on scholarships.gov.in for clarity.

What should I do if my Aadhaar is not linked to my bank account?

For seamless DBT, link your Aadhaar to your bank account. If facing issues, open an India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) account for quick Aadhaar seeding. Update your details via the UIDAI AadhaarFACERD app or contact your bank for assistance.

How can I track my SC Scholarship application status?

Log in to the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or state-specific portals (e.g., sw.kar.nic.in for Karnataka) with your application number to track status.

What is the last date to apply for SC Scholarships?

The deadlines for SC Scholarships vary depending on the specific scholarship scheme. Typically, the application period starts in June or July and ends by October or November. Make sure to visit the official portal for the exact deadline and apply early to avoid missing out.

Can I apply for the SC Scholarship if I am pursuing a diploma or a certificate course?

Some SC scholarships are available for students pursuing diploma courses, while others may be restricted to degree programs. Be sure to check the eligibility criteria of each scholarship to determine whether diploma or certificate course students are eligible to apply.

Will I be required to renew my SC Scholarship every year?

Yes, most SC scholarships are renewable, which means you must reapply each year. You will need to meet the academic performance requirements (typically by maintaining a certain percentage) and submit updated documents to continue receiving financial support.

What happens if I do not submit my documents on time?

Failing to submit the required documents on time may result in the rejection of your application. It's important to gather all necessary documents in advance and ensure they are submitted before the deadline.

Will the SC Scholarship cover all my educational expenses?

The SC Scholarship typically covers tuition fees, maintenance allowances, books, stationery, and hostel expenses. However, the exact coverage may vary depending on the scholarship scheme and your course. It’s essential to review the scholarship details to understand what expenses are included.

Who is eligible for the National Overseas Scholarship for SC Students?

SC students under 30 years of age, with at least 60% marks in Class 12 or an equivalent qualification, and a family income below ₹8 lakh, who are pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. abroad at recognized institutions, are eligible.

Are there scholarships specifically for SC students pursuing professional courses like MBBS or Engineering?

Yes, schemes such as the Central Sector Scholarship for Top Class Education and the Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship support SC students enrolled in professional courses (e.g., MBBS, Engineering, Law) at premier institutions like IITs, NITs, and medical colleges. These scholarships provide benefits like tuition fee waivers and maintenance allowances.

How are SC Scholarship funds disbursed?

Funds are disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account. Make sure your bank account is active and correctly linked to avoid delays. Payments may be made monthly (e.g., maintenance allowance) or annually (e.g., book grants), depending on the scheme.