Centrally-Sponsored Scheme Of Pre-Matric Scholarship For Scheduled Caste Students Studying In Classes 9th & 10th

What is the Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste students?

The Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste Students studying in classes 9th and 10th is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The scheme supports Scheduled Caste students at the class 9-10 stage, where the risk of dropping out before matriculation is highest, by paying an annual academic allowance directly into the student's bank account.

According to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the objective is to reduce the dropout rate among Scheduled Caste students during the transition from elementary to secondary education, so that more students complete class 10 and move on to higher study. The scheme is implemented by State Governments and Union Territory administrations, which receive central funds and disburse the scholarship to eligible students.

Key features

• Consolidated academic allowance of Rs 3,500 per year for day scholars and Rs 7,000 per year for hostellers.
• Income ceiling of Rs 2.5 lakh per year for the parent or guardian.
• Covers Scheduled Caste students studying full-time in class 9 and class 10.
• Payment is by Direct Benefit Transfer into an Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme with central and state cost-sharing, generally 60:40 for most states.

Who is eligible for the Pre-Matric SC Scholarship?

You can apply if:

• You belong to a Scheduled Caste notified for the state where you study.
• You are studying full-time in class 9 or class 10 at a government-run or government-recognised school.
• Your parent or guardian's annual income does not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh from all sources.
• You are an Indian national.

You cannot apply if:

• Your family income is above Rs 2.5 lakh a year.
• You are already receiving another pre-matric scholarship funded by the central government, only one centrally-funded pre-matric scholarship is allowed at a time.
• You are studying in a class other than 9 or 10, in which case a different scheme may apply.
• You do not belong to a Scheduled Caste, in which case parallel schemes exist for Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and children of families in unclean occupations.

Students with disabilities (Divyang) are given an additional allowance over and above the standard rate, in line with the scheme guidelines.

How much benefit does the Pre-Matric SC Scholarship provide?

The revised scheme pays a consolidated academic allowance rather than several small heads. A day scholar receives Rs 3,500 per year and a hosteller receives Rs 7,000 per year. The allowance is meant to cover the cost of books, stationery, and related expenses that push families to withdraw children from school at the secondary stage.

The scholarship is credited directly to the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer, which removes intermediaries. Because the amount depends on whether a student is a day scholar or a hosteller, the school's certification of the student's status matters at the verification stage.

What documents are required?

How to apply for the Pre-Matric SC Scholarship

1. Check whether your state accepts applications through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or through a separate state scholarship portal — the route differs by state.
2. On the National Scholarship Portal, complete the One Time Registration (OTR) using your Aadhaar number to get a registration ID.
3. Log in and select the Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC students scheme for the current academic year.
4. Fill in your personal, academic and bank details, and enter your parental income exactly as shown on the income certificate.
5. Upload the caste certificate, income certificate, enrolment proof and bank passbook, then submit the application before the notified deadline.
6. Your school (Institute Nodal Officer) verifies the application, after which the district and state authorities approve it.
7. Track the status on the portal; on approval the allowance is transferred by DBT to your Aadhaar-seeded account.

Deadlines are announced each academic year and differ by state, so check the portal notice for your state before applying. Renewal students must reapply each year with their latest result.

Help and where to check

• National Scholarship Portal helpline: 0120-6619540
• State Social Welfare / SC Welfare department for state-specific queries and the list of documents accepted locally
• School nodal officer, who verifies your application and can tell you why a submitted form was returned

There is no fee to apply. No agent can charge you to "add your name" to the scholarship list, and the school verifies applications free of cost.