Post Matric Scholarship

Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27: @scholarships.gov.in How to Apply Online

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Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27 Overview

Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27 Updates: The Post Matric Scholarship is one of India’s largest financial assistance schemes designed to support students from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds who wish to continue their education after passing Class 10 matriculation. Administered centrally through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in this scheme helps lakhs of students every year cover tuition fees maintenance allowance and other academic expenses.

Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27 Live Updates: For the academic year 2026-27 the National Scholarship Portal opened for applications on 1st June 2026. The last date for students to submit their applications is 31st October 2026 followed by institute level and department level verification until 15th November 2026. Students should note that dates can vary slightly depending on the specific state run scheme so it’s important to confirm deadlines on the relevant portal before applying.

This article covers everything you need to know about the Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27 the different schemes available eligibility criteria scholarship amount required documents and the complete step by step application process.

Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27 Quick Highlights

ParticularsDetails
Scheme NamePost Matric Scholarship (PMS)
Applicable ForStudents studying after Class 10 matriculation
Administering MinistriesMinistry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
PortalNational Scholarship Portal (NSP) scholarships.gov.in
Application Start Date1 June 2026
Last Date for Student Application31 October 2026
Institute Verification Deadline15 November 2026
Mode of ApplicationOnline
Disbursement ModeDirect Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar linked bank account

What Is Post Matric Scholarship?

Post Matric literally means after matriculation i.e. after passing Class 10. The Post Matric Scholarship is not a single scheme but a group of central and state government schemes that provide financial assistance to eligible students pursuing education from Class 11 onward including diploma graduation post graduation and professional courses. check Website: scholarships.gov.in

At the central level there are four major Post Matric Scholarship schemes run by different ministries

SchemeAdministering BodyTarget Group
Post Matric Scholarship for SC StudentsMinistry of Social Justice & EmpowermentScheduled Caste (SC) students
Post Matric Scholarship for OBC/EBC StudentsMinistry of Social Justice & EmpowermentOther Backward Classes (OBC) Economically Backward Classes (EBC) students
Post Matric Scholarship for ST StudentsMinistry of Tribal AffairsScheduled Tribe (ST) students
Post Matric Scholarship for Students with DisabilitiesDepartment of Empowerment of Persons with DisabilitiesDivyangjan (PwD) students

In addition several state governments Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and others run their own state specific Post Matric Scholarship schemes some through the NSP and others through separate state portals.

Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27 Important Dates

EventDate
NSP Portal Opens for 2026-271 June 2026
Last Date for Student Application31 October 2026
Institute Level Verification Deadline15 November 2026
State Department VerificationAfter institute verification varies by state
Disbursement of Approved AmountTypically 3–6 months after verification via DBT

Note: These dates apply to schemes running through the central National Scholarship Portal. States with their own dedicated portals such as Bihar’s PMS Online or Odisha’s PRERANA portal may have different deadlines always cross check on your respective state portal.

Also Read: UP Scholarship 2026-27: Dates, Eligibility, Amount & How to Apply

Post Matric Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

While specific conditions vary slightly by scheme and state the general eligibility criteria are as follows

Basic Eligibility

  • The student must have passed Class 10 matriculation and be studying in Class 11 or above including diploma ITI graduation post graduation or professional courses.
  • The student must be enrolled in a recognized government or private institution.
  • The student must belong to an eligible category SC, ST, OBC, EBC, Minority or Persons with Disabilities depending on the specific scheme.
  • The student should not be availing any other scholarship that already covers the full tuition fee.
  • No minimum percentage of marks is generally required for a fresh application.
  • For renewal applications students must have no academic backlogs from the previous year.

Income Eligibility Indicative

CategoryApproximate Annual Family Income Limit
SC/ST Central SchemeAs notified annually subject to revision
OBC/EBCVaries by state; often up to ₹2.5 lakh – ₹6 lakh
Minority StudentsUp to ₹2 lakh may vary by scheme
Persons with DisabilitiesAs per applicable scheme guidelines

Income is generally calculated by combining income from all sources salary agriculture business and other earnings of the family.

Note: Some states have relaxed or revised income limits for example certain state schemes allow SC male students earning between ₹2.5 lakh and ₹6 lakh per year to apply under specific conditions. Always check your state’s latest notification for exact figures.

Post Matric Scholarship Amount 2026-27

The scholarship amount is broadly divided into two components tuition fee reimbursement and a monthly maintenance allowance.

Fee Component

This covers compulsory non refundable fees including

  • Admission enrolment fee
  • Registration fee
  • Tuition fee
  • Games fee
  • Union fee
  • Library fee
  • Magazine fee
  • Medical examination fee

Note: Refundable deposits such as caution money and security deposits are not covered under the scheme.

Maintenance Allowance

ComponentAmount Range
Monthly Maintenance Allowance₹230 – ₹1,200 per month varies by course level and hostel day scholar status
Reader Allowance for visually physically challenged students₹1,200 – ₹2,400 per year additional

Indicative Overall Annual Scholarship Value State CategoryWise Examples

CategoryApproximate Annual Scholarship Value
SC/ST StudentsUp to ₹2.5 lakh/year course and fee dependent
OBC StudentsUp to ₹1.5 lakh/year
EBC StudentsUp to ₹1 lakh/year
General State Scheme Beneficiaries₹15,000 – ₹1,20,000+ year depending on course

These figures are indicative and vary significantly based on the specific scheme state course type and actual fee structure of the institution. Always refer to your scheme’s official notification for exact amounts applicable to your case.

For the 2025-26 cycle the central government’s SC scholarship component alone disbursed approximately ₹6,186.95 crore reflecting the scale of this scheme nationally.

Also Read: Azim Premji Scholarship 2026: Eligibility, ₹30,000 Annual Benefit & Complete Application Guide

Documents Required for Post Matric Scholarship

Keep the following documents ready before starting your application

  • Aadhaar Card linked to bank account
  • Caste Category Certificate SC/ST/OBC/EBC issued by Revenue Officer
  • Income Certificate issued by Revenue Officer valid as per current financial year
  • Previous academic marksheet Class 10/12 or previous year as applicable
  • Bonafide admission certificate from current institution
  • Bank account passbook Aadhaar seeded account mandatory for DBT
  • Passport-size photograph
  • Fee receipt from the institution
  • Disability certificate for PwD scholarship applicants
  • Domicile certificate for state specific schemes

How to Apply for Post Matric Scholarship Online Step by Step

  1. Visit the National Scholarship Portal scholarships.gov.in
  2. Complete One-Time Registration OTR this requires an Aadhaar linked mobile number and face authentication to generate your OTR number mandatory before applying
  3. Log in using your OTR credentials
  4. Select the relevant Post Matric Scholarship scheme applicable to your category SC/ST/OBC/EBC/Minority/PwD and state
  5. Fill in the application form with personal academic income and bank details
  6. Upload required documents caste category certificate income certificate marksheet and bank details
  7. Review and submit the online application
  8. Submit a hard copy of the application if required to your institution’s nodal officer for verification
  9. Track your application status regularly on the portal
  10. Approved scholarship amounts are credited directly via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to your Aadhaar linked bank account

Note: Some states such as Punjab require applications through a separate state portal rather than the central NSP always confirm which portal applies to your state and category before starting.

State Wise Post Matric Scholarship Portals Examples

StatePortal
Bihar BC/EBCpmsonline.bihar.gov.in
Bihar SC/STscstpmsonline.bihar.gov.in
Odishascholarship.odisha.gov.in PRERANA Portal
Central Schemes All Statesscholarships.gov.in (NSP)
Punjab, UP, Gujarat, Haryana and othersRefer to respective state welfare department websites

Each state may have its own specific eligibility tweaks income limits and deadlines so students are strongly advised to check their respective state portal in addition to the central NSP.

Common Reasons Applications Get Rejected

Many applications are rejected or marked defective due to avoidable errors. Watch out for

  • Missing or incorrect caste income certificates
  • Certificates not issued at the appropriate Revenue Officer level
  • Aadhaar not seeded with the bank account
  • Academic documents with dates outside the valid financial year window
  • Applying under the wrong scheme category
  • Uploading unclear or oversized document scans
  • Applying after the deadline or missing institute level verification

If your application is marked defect reject most schemes allow a limited number of correction chances typically up to three so review notifications on the portal promptly and resubmit corrected documents within the given window.

Fresh vs Renewal Applications

TypeKey Points
Fresh ApplicationFor first time applicants no minimum percentage typically required
Renewal ApplicationFor continuing students requires no academic backlog from the previous year renewal applications are generally processed before fresh applications when scheme slots are limited

Some state specific schemes have a fixed number of slots per year including renewals with reservations such as 50% of slots for female candidates in certain programs. Meeting eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee selection if slots are limited timely and accurate application submission improves your chances significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions FAQs

Q1. What is the last date to apply for Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27?

The last date for student applications is 31 October 2026 with institute level verification continuing until 15 November 2026.

Q2. Where can I apply for the Post Matric Scholarship?

Applications can be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Some states have separate dedicated portals.

Q3. Who is eligible for Post Matric Scholarship?

Students who have passed Class 10 and are studying in Class 11 or above including diploma ITI, graduation, or professional courses belonging to SC/ST/OBC/EBC/Minority/PwD categories and meeting the applicable income criteria.

Q4. What is the scholarship amount under Post Matric Scholarship?

The scheme covers compulsory tuition and academic fees plus a monthly maintenance allowance ranging from ₹230 to ₹1,200 depending on course and hostel status. Total annual value can range from around ₹15,000 to over ₹2.5 lakh depending on category and course.

Q5. Is Aadhaar mandatory for Post Matric Scholarship?

Yes, an Aadhaar linked mobile number is required for One Time Registration (OTR) and Aadhaar seeding with your bank account is mandatory for the scholarship amount to be disbursed via DBT.

Q6. Can I apply for both central and state scholarships together?

On the National Scholarship Portal a single login allows students to apply for both central and state scholarships and typically the higher value applicable scholarship is disbursed.

Q7. What documents are required for the Post Matric Scholarship?

Caste category certificate income certificate previous marksheet bonafide certificate Aadhaar linked bank passbook and a passport size photograph are commonly required.

Q8. Is there a minimum percentage required to apply?

No minimum percentage is generally required for fresh applications. However renewal applicants must not have academic backlogs from the previous year.

Q9. How long does it take to receive the scholarship amount?

After successful institute and department verification the approved amount is typically credited via DBT within 3 to 6 months.

Q10. What should I do if my application is marked as “defect” or “rejected”?

Review the specific reason mentioned on the portal correct the issue such as re uploading a valid certificate and resubmit within the correction window provided usually up to three chances are given.

The Post Matric Scholarship 2026-27 remains a crucial lifeline for lakhs of students from SC, ST, OBC, EBC, minority and disabled backgrounds who wish to pursue education beyond Class 10 without financial hardship. With the National Scholarship Portal open since 1st June 2026 and the application deadline set for 31st October 2026 eligible students should apply well in advance keep all required documents ready and ensure their Aadhaar is properly linked to their bank account for smooth disbursement. Always cross check both the central NSP and your respective state portal as deadlines and scheme specifics can vary.

Disclaimer: All information in this article is based on publicly available details from the National Scholarship Portal and various state scholarship portals at the time of writing. Scholarship amounts, income limits, and deadlines are subject to change. Students must verify all details from the official portal, scholarships.gov.in, or their respective state scholarship department before applying.

Author Profile

Abdul
Abdul
Abdul is the lead editor at Exam Results Updates bringing over 7 years of experience covering education news board exam results and admission updates across India. He's passionate about making exam related information fast accurate and easy to access for students and parents alike.