Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students (PM-YASASVI)

What is the Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students?

The Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students is a centrally sponsored scholarship of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for students continuing their education after Class 10. According to the department's scheme page, it is now one of the components of PM-YASASVI. The PM Young Achievers' Scholarship Award Scheme for a Vibrant India: described there as "an umbrella Scheme formulated for OBC, EBC and DNT Students by clubbing the existing Scholarship Schemes and Hostel Scheme."

The scholarship targets three groups: Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC) and De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT). All three are covered by the same income ceiling and the same rate table.

Main features

• Covers post-matriculation study: Class 11 onwards, including diplomas, degrees and post-graduate courses.
• Combined academic allowance of Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 a year, set by course group.
• Family income ceiling of Rs 2.5 lakh a year, applied to all sources of income.
• Centrally sponsored: the Centre funds the scheme, but state governments select and pay the beneficiaries.
• Money reaches the student by Direct Benefit Transfer, not through the college.

Who is eligible for the Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students?

You are eligible if:

• You belong to the OBC, EBC or DNT category and hold a valid certificate from the competent authority in your state.
• Your parents' or guardian's annual income from all sources is up to Rs 2,50,000.
• You are studying a recognised post-matriculation course, Class 11 or 12, ITI, polytechnic, graduate, post-graduate or professional course; in a recognised institution.
• You passed the previous class or examination.
• You are a resident of the state through which you are claiming, or are studying outside it as permitted by your state's rules.

You cannot apply if:

• Your family income exceeds Rs 2.5 lakh a year.
• You do not hold a valid OBC, EBC or DNT certificate.
• You failed the preceding class or examination.
• You are already receiving another scholarship or stipend from a government source for the same course.
• You have already completed a professional course at the same level and are repeating it.

What documents are required for the OBC post-matric scholarship?

How to apply for the Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students

1. Open the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in during the application window for the academic year.
2. Complete one-time registration (OTR) with your Aadhaar number and mobile number, and note the reference number generated.
3. Log in as a student and choose Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students from the list of welfare-based schemes for your state.
4. Fill in your personal details, category, family income, institution details and course group.
5. Enter your own bank account number and IFSC — the account must be in the student's name and Aadhaar-seeded, since payment is by DBT.
6. Upload the caste certificate, income certificate, previous marksheet and bonafide certificate, and submit the application before the closing date.
7. Ask your institution to verify your application on the portal, an unverified application is not forwarded to the state.
8. Track the application on the portal until the state welfare department sanctions it and the amount is credited.

Several states run their own scholarship portals for this scheme instead of NSP, for example, state social welfare or backward classes welfare departments in Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and others. Check your state welfare department's notification first: applying on the wrong portal is the most common reason a claim is never processed.

How to apply offline through the state welfare department

1. Collect the post-matric scholarship application form from your institution or the District Social Welfare Office where your state still allows offline filing.
2. Attach attested copies of the caste certificate, income certificate, previous marksheet, bonafide certificate and bank passbook.
3. Submit the completed form to your institution, which forwards it to the district welfare office.
4. Collect the acknowledgement and follow up with the District Social Welfare Officer, who sanctions and releases the payment.

How much benefit does the scheme provide?

According to the revised rates notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and published by state welfare departments, the scholarship is a combined amount of an academic allowance and a fee component, fixed by course group:

A Press Information Bureau release on PM-YASASVI summarises the same structure as an "academic allowance from Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 awarded to students as per category of course." Students entitled to free board or lodging are paid a reduced maintenance charge, set at one-third of the hosteller rate.

Why applications are rejected

• Income certificate above Rs 2.5 lakh or issued by an authority the state does not accept.
• Caste certificate in the wrong format or in a parent's name rather than the student's.
• Bank account not in the student's name or not Aadhaar-seeded, so DBT fails.
• Institution did not verify the application before the verification deadline.
• Duplicate claim, the student is drawing another government scholarship for the same course.
• Applying on the National Scholarship Portal when the state runs its own portal, or the reverse.

Help and grievance redressal

• National Scholarship Portal helpdesk: 0120-6619540
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment scheme page: socialjustice.gov.in/schemes/101
• Your state's Social Welfare or Backward Classes Welfare Department, which sanctions and pays the scholarship

Applying is free. No agent can add your name to the sanction list, and no official will ask for the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.