SC ST OBC Scholarship is run by the Government of India and the state governments to help students pursue their studies at different levels. The centrally-funded scholarships are sponsored by the Government of India and disbursed by different states while the state-funded scholarships are sponsored and disbursed by respective state governments only. An SC ST OBC Scholarship offers suitable financial assistance to SC/ST/OBC candidates at both pre-matric and post-matric levels of study.
In this article, we will summarise all the major scholarships for SC/ST/OBC category. This includes a glimpse of eligibility conditions, types of awards, application and selection process and other conditions. This article will prepare you beforehand about each SC ST OBC scholarship.
SC ST OBC Scholarship – OBC Scholarships
OBC scholarships are a distinctive type of SC ST OBC Scholarship that majorly focuses on providing financial assistance to students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC). These scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and means. Mainly, there are 6 types of OBC scholarships awarded to students namely, National Fellowship for OBC, Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas, ONGC Scholarships, Pre-matric & Post-matric OBC scholarships, and Merit Scholarships for OBC, Delhi. The following table provides information on the types of OBC scholarships, government or private aid, amount of scholarship, and application deadline.
Detailed List of OBC Scholarships
| Scholarship | Government/Private | Number of Scholarship | Tentative application period* |
| National Fellowship for OBC | Government | 300 | July-August |
| Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas | Government | 25 | July-October |
| Merit Scholarship for OBC Students in Professional and Technical Courses (Delhi) | Delhi State Government | NA | March- April |
| Dr B.R. Ambedkar State Award to SC/ST/OBC/Minorities Students, Delhi | Delhi State Government | NA | March-April |
| ONGC Scholarship | Non-Government | 500 | February-March |
| Pre-matric Scholarship | Every State Government | NA | September-December |
| Post-matric Scholarship | Every State Government | NA | September-December |
National Fellowship for OBC Students
The national fellowship is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India to financially aid OBC students and enable them to pursue higher education leading to degrees such as M.Phil. and PhD. The candidates need to visit the official website of UGC to apply for the scholarship.
OBC Central Sector Scheme of National Overseas
The national overseas scheme is for selected OBC students or professionals who wish to pursue a Master’s or PhD in a foreign university. The PhD candidates are offered a fellowship for 4 years and the master’s candidates are offered a fellowship for 3 years. The candidates can obtain the application from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
Pre-Matric OBC Scholarships
Pre-matric OBC scholarships motivate OBC students studying at the pre-matric stage in government schools or recognised private schools to pursue an education without any financial constraints. The students receive a monthly stipend up to INR 500 under this scholarship and an ad-hoc grant of INR 500 per annum. The Central Government also have a 50% contribution to this scheme.
Post-Matric OBC Scholarships
Post-matric OBC scholarships are 100% centrally sponsored schemes implemented through state government and union territories. The government has spent about INR 720 crores on this scholarship and lakhs of students have benefitted through it. Under this scholarship, the students receive a maintenance allowance of up to INR 750 per month and other benefits.
ONGC Scholarship for OBC Students
Oil and Gas Corporate Limited (ONGC) offers 500 scholarships to OBC and economically backward general students who are in their first year of graduation or post-graduation course. The students are awarded a maintenance allowance of INR 4,000 per month under this scheme. The application can be found online on the website of ONGC.
Merit Scholarship for OBC Students, Delhi
The Department of the Welfare of SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, Delhi offers merit-based scholarships for OBC students of Class 6 to 12 and professionals in colleges or technical institutes. The applicants need to visit the Delhi government portal website and fill out the form online.
Also read the scholarship article here: OBC SCHOLARSHIPS- ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
SC ST OBC Scholarship – SC Scholarship
SC scholarship is given to Scheduled Caste (SC) students to enable them to pursue their higher studies without any financial constraints. The Department of Social Welfare and Empowerment, Government of India along with its subsidiaries at the state level offer a number of SC scholarships. The following table provides information on the types of scholarships, government or private aid, amount of scholarship and application deadline.
Detailed List of SC Scholarship
| Scholarship | No. of Scholarship | Timeline for application* | Day allowance | Hosteller allowance | US awards | UK awards |
| Pre-matric scholarship for SC | NA | April | INR 225 | INR 7,50 | NA | NA |
| Post-matric scholarship for SC | NA | April | INR 1,200 | INR 550 | NA | NA |
| Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students | 1,500 |
July-November
|
Full tuition fees and other benefits | Full tuition fees and other benefits | NA | NA |
| National Overseas Scholarship for SC | 100 | May (once in an academic year) | NA | NA | USD 15,400 | GBP 9, 900 |
Post-Matric SC Scholarship
It is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented under state governments. The scheme provides financial assistance to Scheduled Caste students at post-matriculation or post-secondary stages to enable them to complete their studies.
Pre-Matric SC scholarship
It is being implemented by the state government or union territories (UT). The objective is to financially support the students of classes IX and X and reduce the student dropouts at the higher level of studies. The students should apply via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or respective state portals for the post or pre-matric SC scholarship.
Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students
The scheme is funded by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India for SC students. There are 1,500 scholarships granted to SC students per year. The fellowships are specifically for Class 12 passed SC students. Students can fill out an online application at the National Scholarship Portal.
National Overseas Scholarship for SC Students
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India offers the National Overseas Scholarship for supporting SC students/professionals who are financially constrained to be able to study abroad. The government issues 100 scholarships out of which 30% are allotted to female applicants. The applicants need to download an application form and submit it offline at the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment website.
Also check the article here: SC SCHOLARSHIP – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
SC ST OBC Scholarship – ST Scholarship
ST Scholarship is awarded to the students of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. The objective of the ST scholarship is to provide financial assistance to these students to complete their studies at both the school and college levels. Some of the most popular ST scholarships are the Pre-matric Scholarship, Post-matric Scholarship, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, and Overseas Scholarship. The following table provides information on the types of scholarships, government or private aid, amount of scholarship and application deadline.
Detailed List of ST Scholarship
| Scholarship | Tentative application time* | No of scholarships | Day Scholars allowance (up to) | Hosteller allowance (up to) | US awards | UK awards |
| Post-matric scholarship | January-February | NA | INR 1,200 | INR 550 | NA | NA |
| Pre-matric scholarship | January-February | NA | INR 1,500 | INR 3,500 | NA | NA |
| National Fellowship for ST | July-November | 750 | INR 28,000 p.m. | INR 25,000 p.a. | NA | NA |
| National Overseas Fellowship for ST | December (in an academic year) | NA | NA | NA | USD 15,400 | GBP
9, 900 |
National Overseas Scholarship for ST Students
National overseas scholarship scheme provides financial assistance to students pursuing higher studies at Master’s, PhD or Postdoctoral level research programmes abroad. There are 20 scholarships awarded to ST students out of which 30% of total scholarships are allotted to female applicants. The candidates need to download the relevant form from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs online portal and fill out the form.
Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
Pre-matric ST scholarship will help the students of classes I to X in progress to their post-matric stage of education and excel in their overall studies. This will help the financially constrained students and also reduce dropouts at this stage. This scholarship will be awarded to the students by the state government in which they are domiciled.
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
This ST scholarship is centrally funded and implemented by the state governments. Students who are pursuing studies at the post-secondary level can obtain benefits under this scheme. The students of both pre and post-matric stages have to apply online on the national scholarship portal website.
National Fellowship for ST Students
The National Fellowship scheme is funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. The scheme is open to ST students who are pursuing regular and full-time MPhil and PhD studies in Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Technology. There are 750 slots available for this fellowship. The applicant needs to make an online application on the National Scholarship Portal.
Also check the article here: ST SCHOLARSHIP- ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
SC, ST, OBC Scholarship – FAQs
What is SC, ST, and OBC scholarship?
SC, ST, and OBC scholarships are government-sponsored financial aids specifically aimed at students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) to support their education.
Who is eligible for SC, ST, and OBC scholarships?
Eligibility criteria vary depending on the specific scholarship and its guidelines. Generally, students must belong to SC, ST, or OBC categories, have valid caste certificates, and pursue studies in recognized educational institutions.
What documents are usually required for the application?
Commonly required documents include caste certificate, income certificate, educational certificates, bank account details, Aadhaar card, and passport-sized photographs.
What benefits do these scholarships offer?
The scholarships provide financial assistance for tuition fees, books, stationery, accommodation, and other educational expenses.
What is the application deadline for these scholarships?
The application deadlines differ for each scholarship. It is essential to check the official websites or notifications for specific deadlines.