The “Award of Pre-Matric Scholarship to Other Economically Backward Class (OEBC) Students” scheme, introduced by the Directorate of School Education, Union Territory of Puducherry, aims to provide financial assistance to OEBC students from Classes 6 to 10 to reduce the risk of dropouts due to financial constraints. The scholarship ensures monetary support for students from economically weaker backgrounds, enabling them to continue their education without financial hardship.
Benefits
Rate of Scholarship
- For standards 6 to 8: ₹50 per month per student (₹500 per year).
- For standards 9 & 10: ₹75 per month per student (₹750 per year).
- Scholarships are provided for ten months in an academic year.
Mode of Disbursement
- The amount is directly credited into the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this scholarship, the applicant must:
- Be a citizen of India.
- Be a native of the Union Territory of Puducherry by birth or continuous residence for at least five years.
- Be studying in standards 6 to 10 and have been promoted to the next higher class.
- Belong to the Other Economically Backward Class (OEBC).
- Have a family income that does not exceed ₹75,000 per annum.
Application Process
Offline Application Process
- Obtain the application form (available at schools or government offices).
- Fill in the required details and attach a passport-size photograph.
- Self-attest the required documents before submission.
- Submit the completed application form along with the required documents to the Head of the Institution (School Principal).
- The school authorities will forward the applications to the Directorate of School Education through Google Forms.
Online Application Process
- Visit the official e-District portal of Puducherry.
- Register as a new user (if not already registered).
- Fill in the application form with all the necessary details.
- Upload scanned copies of the required documents.
- Submit the application online and note down the reference number for future tracking.
Documents Required
- Nativity/Citizenship/Residential Certificate (issued by a Revenue Officer not below the rank of Deputy Tahsildar).
- Income Certificate (issued by a competent authority).
- Birth Certificate.
- Stamp-sized Photograph.
- Aadhaar Card.
- Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Certificate (for Class 10 students).
- Public Information Certificate (PIC).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the scholarship rates for students in standards 6 to 8 under this scheme?
Students in Classes 6 to 8 receive ₹50 per month (₹500 per year).
Q: How is the scholarship amount disbursed to the eligible students?
The amount is directly transferred to the Aadhaar-seeded bank account of the student via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) and PFMS (Public Financial Management System).
Q: What is the duration of the scholarship benefits provided by the scheme?
The scholarship is provided for ten months per academic year.
Q: What is the specific process for registering a new membership on the e-District Portal?
Applicants need to visit the e-District portal, create an account, and complete One-Time Registration (OTR) before applying.
Q: How can applicants track the status of their scholarship application?
Applicants can track their application on the e-District portal under “Track Your Application” by entering their reference number.
Q: Is there a User Manual available for the online application process?
Yes, a detailed User Manual is available on the e-District portal for guidance.
Q: Are self-attested documents required during the application process?
Yes, all documents must be self-attested before submission.
Q: What are the specific criteria for the applicant’s residence in the Union Territory of Puducherry?
Applicants must be a native of Puducherry by birth or have lived continuously for at least five years in the Union Territory.
Q: Is there a helpline or customer support service available for applicants with queries?
Yes, applicants can contact the Directorate of School Education, Puducherry for assistance.
Q: Is there any specific provision for students with disabilities under this scholarship scheme?
There is no mention of a separate provision for students with disabilities under this scheme.