Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students for Studying in India
The Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC students is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that reimburses course fees and pays a monthly maintenance allowance of Rs 160 to Rs 750 to OBC students whose family income is up to Rs 1.5 lakh a year. Students apply online on the National Scholarship Portal.
| Ministry | Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment |
|---|---|
| Benefit | Course fee reimbursement plus a monthly maintenance allowance of Rs 160 to Rs 750, by course group |
| Maximum benefit | Rs 750 per month maintenance allowance (Group A hostellers) plus fee reimbursement |
| Application mode | Online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in |
| Helpline | 0120-6619540 (National Scholarship Portal helpdesk) |
| Official website | https://scholarships.gov.in/ |
What is the Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC students?
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students for Studying in India is a scholarship run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for students belonging to Other Backward Classes. It supports study at the post-matriculation level, that is, from Class XI upwards, through to degree, postgraduate and professional courses, so that OBC students from low-income families can complete their education.
According to the scheme listing on the myScheme portal, the scholarship has two parts: reimbursement of compulsory, non-refundable course fees, and a monthly maintenance allowance that depends on the course group and on whether the student is a hosteller or a day scholar.
As a centrally sponsored scheme, it is funded jointly by the central and state governments and administered by the states and union territories, with applications routed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Key features
- Monthly maintenance allowance of Rs 160 to Rs 750 by course group and residence.
- Reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable course fees.
- Family income ceiling of Rs 1.5 lakh per year.
- Additional reader allowance for blind students of Rs 90 to Rs 175 a month.
- Applied for and renewed online on scholarships.gov.in.
How much does the OBC Post-Matric Scholarship pay?
The maintenance allowance is set by grouping courses into four categories. The monthly rates, according to the scheme listing, are:
| Course group | Hosteller | Day scholar |
|---|---|---|
| Group A; degree/PG in medicine, engineering, management, etc. | Rs 750 | Rs 350 |
| Group B; pharmacy, nursing, LLB and similar | Rs 510 | Rs 335 |
| Group C: BA / B.Sc. / B.Com. | Rs 400 | Rs 210 |
| Group D — other post-matric non-degree courses | Rs 260 | Rs 160 |
Blind scholars receive an additional reader allowance of Rs 175 a month for Groups A and B, Rs 130 for Group C and Rs 90 for Group D. The scheme also allows limited support for study tours (up to Rs 900 a year) and thesis typing/printing (up to Rs 1,000) for eligible courses. On top of the allowance, the compulsory non-refundable fees charged by the institution are reimbursed.
Who is eligible for the OBC Post-Matric Scholarship?
You can apply if:
- You are an Indian student belonging to a notified Other Backward Class, with a valid OBC caste certificate.
- You are studying full time in a recognised post-matriculation course (Class XI onwards) at a recognised institution.
- Your parents' or guardian's income from all sources does not exceed Rs 1.5 lakh per year.
- You are not already drawing another scholarship for the same course.
You cannot apply if:
- Your family income exceeds Rs 1.5 lakh a year.
- You are not from a notified OBC: Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students have their own separate post-matric scholarship schemes.
- You are already receiving another scholarship or stipend for the same stage of study.
- You are a third or further son of the same parents applying together. The scheme caps benefit at two boys per family, though there is no limit for girls.
What documents are required?
| Document | Mandatory | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OBC caste certificate | Yes | From a competent authority |
| Income certificate | Yes | Family income up to Rs 1.5 lakh a year |
| Previous year's marksheet | Yes | Proof of passing and enrolment |
| Aadhaar card | Yes | For identity and DBT |
| Bank account passbook | Yes | Student's account, Aadhaar-seeded |
| Fee receipt / admission proof | Yes | For fee reimbursement |
| Passport-size photograph | No | As required by the NSP form |
How to apply for the OBC Post-Matric Scholarship
- Go to the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in and register as a fresh applicant with your Aadhaar and mobile number.
- Log in and select the Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Fill the application form with your personal, academic, family income and bank account details.
- Upload the documents; OBC caste certificate, income certificate, previous marksheet, Aadhaar and fee receipt.
- Submit the application and note the reference number. It is then verified by your institution and the state department in turn.
- Once approved, the fee reimbursement and maintenance allowance are paid by Direct Benefit Transfer into your Aadhaar-seeded bank account. Renew the scholarship each year on the portal.
A student can re-submit an application only after 30 days if it was returned for correction, so fill the details carefully the first time.
Help and contact
- National Scholarship Portal helpdesk: 0120-6619540
- Portal: scholarships.gov.in
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: socialjustice.gov.in
The scholarship is free to apply for. No agent or middleman can secure it for you, the application is verified only by your institution and the state department, and payment reaches your bank account directly.
Documents required
Frequently asked questions
What is the Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC students?
The Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC students is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that helps Other Backward Class students study at the post-matriculation level (Class XI onwards) by reimbursing course fees and paying a monthly maintenance allowance of Rs 160 to Rs 750, depending on the course group.
How much does the OBC Post-Matric Scholarship pay?
The scholarship pays a monthly maintenance allowance ranging from Rs 750 for Group A hostellers down to Rs 160 for Group D day scholars, along with reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable course fees. Group A covers degree and postgraduate courses in medicine, engineering and management; Group D covers non-degree post-matric courses.
What is the income limit for the OBC Post-Matric Scholarship?
The parents' or guardian's income from all sources must not exceed Rs 1.5 lakh per year. A student whose family income is above this ceiling is not eligible for the scholarship.
Who is eligible for the OBC Post-Matric Scholarship?
An Indian student belonging to a notified Other Backward Class, studying full time in a recognised post-matriculation course (Class XI onwards), whose family income does not exceed Rs 1.5 lakh a year, is eligible. Students of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have their own separate post-matric schemes.
Who cannot apply for the OBC Post-Matric Scholarship?
A student whose family income exceeds Rs 1.5 lakh a year cannot apply, nor can a student who is not from a notified OBC or who is already drawing another scholarship for the same course. More than two sons of the same parents cannot draw the scholarship together, though there is no such limit for girls.
How many children in a family can get this scholarship?
The scholarship is limited to two boys per parents or guardian; there is no restriction on the number of girls. This cap applies only to sons, so daughters in the same family remain eligible regardless of how many siblings already receive it.
How do I apply for the OBC Post-Matric Scholarship?
Apply online on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Register with your Aadhaar and bank details, fill the application, upload your OBC and income certificates and previous marksheet, and submit it for verification by your institution and the state department.
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