How to Apply for Scholarship Online — Post-Matric & Pre-Matric Scholarships in India

The Government of India offers a wide range of scholarships to support students from economically weaker and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. Whether you are in school or pursuing higher education, there are Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarship schemes designed to reduce financial barriers and encourage academic achievement.

Most central government scholarships are now processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in, making the application process standardised and accessible from anywhere. This guide walks you through the major scholarship schemes, eligibility requirements, the step-by-step application process, and how to track your disbursement.

Major Central Government Scholarship Schemes

Post-Matric Scholarships (Classes 11 and Above)

Post-Matric scholarships cover students enrolled in recognised courses after Class 10. The major schemes include:

• Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students — Administered by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Covers maintenance allowance, tuition fees, and other compulsory charges for SC students whose family income falls below the prescribed limit.
• Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students — Run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with similar coverage for Scheduled Tribe students.
• Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students — Managed by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for Other Backward Classes students meeting the income criteria.
• Post-Matric Scholarship for Minority Students — Under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, available to students belonging to notified minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi).

Note on amounts: Scholarship amounts vary by course level (Class 11–12, graduation, post-graduation, professional courses) and whether the student is a day scholar or hosteller. Exact amounts are revised periodically as per government orders. Check the NSP portal for the latest rates applicable to your scheme.

Pre-Matric Scholarships (Classes 1–10)

Pre-Matric scholarships target students in school education to prevent dropouts:

• Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC Students — Provides maintenance allowance and ad-hoc grants for students in Classes 9–10 (some states extend to earlier classes).
• Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minority Students — For students of minority communities studying in Classes 1–10, with family income below the specified threshold.

PM Scholarship Scheme for CAPF & Armed Forces

The Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) benefits wards and widows of:

• Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles personnel
• Ex-servicemen and ex-Coast Guard personnel
• State police personnel martyred during terror/naxal attacks

This scheme provides fixed annual scholarship amounts for professional degree courses like MBBS, engineering, MBA, and other approved programmes. Applications are processed through the NSP and verified by the Kendriya Sainik Board or respective CAPF departments.

AICTE Pragati & Saksham Scholarships

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) runs two notable schemes:

• Pragati Scholarship — For girl students admitted to AICTE-approved technical institutions. Provides up to ₹50,000 per annum (tuition fee waiver or reimbursement plus incidentals).
• Saksham Scholarship — For differently-abled students in AICTE-approved technical courses, with similar financial support.

Both schemes have a family income ceiling and require admission to an AICTE-approved institution. Applications are submitted through the AICTE portal or NSP.

Eligibility Criteria — General Overview

While each scheme has specific requirements, common eligibility conditions include:

Income and caste certificates are essential documents. Get your income certificate online well before the application deadline.

Documents Required

Keep these documents ready before starting your application:

1. Aadhaar card of the student
2. Bank passbook — front page showing account number, IFSC, and name (must be Aadhaar-linked)
3. Income certificate of parent/guardian (issued by a competent authority)
4. Caste/community certificate (for category-based scholarships)
5. Previous year marksheet or passing certificate
6. Current year admission receipt or bonafide certificate from the institution
7. Passport-size photograph (recent)
8. Fee receipt of the current academic year
9. Domicile/residence certificate (if required by the state)
10. Disability certificate (for Saksham and disability-specific schemes)

💡 Tip: Upload documents via DigiLocker for faster verification. Many NSP-linked institutions accept DigiLocker documents directly.

How to Apply on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

The National Scholarship Portal is the single-window platform for most central and many state scholarship schemes. Here is the step-by-step process:

Step 1: New Registration

1. Visit scholarships.gov.in
2. Click "New Registration" on the homepage
3. Read the undertaking guidelines and check the declaration boxes
4. Fill in the registration form:
   • Full name (as on Aadhaar)
   • Date of birth
   • Mobile number and email ID
   • Aadhaar number or enrolment ID
   • Bank details
5. Complete OTP verification on your mobile number
6. Your Application ID and password will be sent via SMS — save these carefully

Step 2: Login and Complete Application

1. Login using your Application ID and password
2. Navigate to "Application Form" from the dashboard
3. Fill all sections:
   • Academic details — current course, institution (select from dropdown), previous marks
   • Personal details — address, category, religion, parent/guardian information
   • Scheme selection — choose the scholarship scheme you are eligible for
   • Contact and bank details — verify pre-filled Aadhaar-linked bank account

Step 3: Upload Documents

• Upload scanned copies of all required documents in the prescribed format (usually JPEG/PDF, under 200 KB each)
• Ensure documents are clear and legible
• Cross-check names and details match across all documents

Step 4: Submit and Print

1. Review all details on the summary page
2. Click "Final Submit"
3. Print or save the completed application form for your records
4. Note down your Application Reference Number

Step 5: Institute Verification

After submission, your application goes to your institution for verification. The institute will:

• Verify your enrolment and fee details
• Confirm academic records
• Forward the application to the district/state nodal officer

Important: Follow up with your institution's scholarship coordinator to ensure timely verification. Delays at this stage are the most common reason for late disbursement.

Step 6: District/State Verification & Disbursement

The district or state nodal authority conducts a final review. Once approved, the scholarship amount is transferred directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).

State Scholarship Portals

In addition to central schemes on NSP, many states run their own scholarship portals:

• Uttar Pradesh — scholarship.up.gov.in
• Bihar — ccbnic.in
• Maharashtra — mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in
• Karnataka — ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in
• Tamil Nadu — scholarships available through TN ePass
• West Bengal — svmcm.wbhed.gov.in (Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means)

Check your respective state portal as some state-specific scholarships are not listed on NSP. You can often apply for both central and state schemes simultaneously (if rules permit).

Renewal Process

Most Post-Matric scholarships require annual renewal. The process is similar to a fresh application:

1. Login to NSP with your existing credentials
2. Select "Renewal Application" instead of fresh application
3. Update your current academic year details, marks, and fee information
4. Upload updated documents (current year marksheet, fee receipt)
5. Submit for institute verification

Key renewal conditions:

• You must have passed the previous year's exam
• Maintain minimum attendance and academic performance as prescribed
• Family income should still be within the eligible limit
• Apply within the renewal window announced on NSP

How to Track Your Scholarship Application & Disbursement

1. Login to NSP → Go to "Check Your Status" or "Track Application"
2. Enter your Application ID or reference number
3. The status will show the current stage: submitted, institute verified, district verified, sanctioned, or disbursed
4. For DBT-related queries, check your bank account or use the PFMS portal (pfms.nic.in) to track payment status

If your application is rejected, the reason will be displayed on the portal. Common rejection reasons include:

• Mismatch in Aadhaar and bank account details
• Incomplete or illegible documents
• Income exceeding the prescribed limit
• Institution not verifying within the deadline

Tips for a Successful Application

• Apply early — Don't wait for the last date. Portal traffic surges close to deadlines.
• Double-check Aadhaar seeding — Ensure your bank account is linked to your Aadhaar. Visit your bank branch if needed.
• Keep documents consistent — Name, date of birth, and other details should match across Aadhaar, marksheets, and bank records.
• Use a desktop/laptop — The NSP portal works best on a browser rather than mobile.
• Save your login details — Many students lose access to their Application ID. Store it securely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for more than one scholarship at the same time?

You can apply for multiple schemes on NSP, but generally only one central scholarship is sanctioned per academic year. However, you may be eligible for both a central and a state scholarship simultaneously, depending on the scheme rules.

What is the income limit for Post-Matric scholarships?

Income limits vary by scheme. For SC Post-Matric scholarships, the family income ceiling is ₹2.5 lakh per annum. For OBC and minority schemes, it is typically ₹2 lakh to ₹8 lakh per annum depending on the specific scheme. Always check the current NSP notification for exact figures.

My institution has not verified my application. What should I do?

Contact your institution's scholarship nodal officer or registrar's office directly. Carry a printed copy of your submitted application. If the institute consistently fails to verify, you can raise a grievance on the NSP portal.

Is Aadhaar mandatory for applying on NSP?

Yes, Aadhaar is mandatory for registration on the National Scholarship Portal. If you do not have an Aadhaar card, apply for one online before the scholarship deadline.

When are scholarship amounts disbursed?

Disbursement timelines vary, but typically scholarships are credited within 2–6 months after final verification. You can track the payment status on the NSP dashboard or through the PFMS portal at pfms.nic.in.

Can I apply for a scholarship if I am already receiving a fee waiver from my institution?

In most cases, yes — but the scholarship amount may be adjusted to avoid duplication of benefits. If your institution provides a full tuition fee waiver, you may still receive the maintenance allowance component. Check the specific scheme guidelines.

Applying for a scholarship online is straightforward once you have your documents in order. Start with registering on the National Scholarship Portal, ensure your Aadhaar and bank details are correctly linked, and submit your application well before the deadline. These scholarships can significantly ease the financial burden of education — make sure you don't miss out.