The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. The scheme offers financial support to ST students studying higher education between Class XI and Post Graduation in India.
Objectives of the Scheme
- To enable Scheduled Tribe students to access quality education from post-matriculation to post-graduation.
- To provide financial assistance to ST students to support their education.
- To ensure timely disbursement of scholarships through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Scope of the Scheme
- The scholarships are available for studies in India only.
- They are awarded by the State/Union Territory Administration to which the student belongs (i.e., where the applicant is permanently settled).
Benefits
The student will receive a monthly stipend based on their course level:
| Course Level | Hosteller (₹/Month) | Day Scholar (₹/Month) | Annual Allowance (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional courses (Degree, PG Diploma, MPhil/PhD) | 1,200 | 550 | 12,000 / 5,500 |
| Non-professional Degree courses (BA/BSc/BCom, MA/MSc/MCom) | 820 | 530 | 8,200 / 5,300 |
| Vocational courses (ITI, Polytechnic) | 570 | 300 | 5,700 / 3,000 |
| Post-matric non-degree courses (Class XI-XII) | 380 | 230 | 3,800 / 2,300 |
Additional Benefits:
- Disability Allowance:
- Hostellers: ₹800 per month (₹9,600 annually).
- Day Scholars: ₹600 per month (₹7,200 annually).
- Applicable for students with disabilities, including leprosy-cured students, and students with sickle cell anemia or thalassemia (as per the Disabilities Act).
- Full reimbursement of compulsory fees for eligible students in state-recognized institutions.
Note: Students pursuing Top Class Scholarships (National Fellowship & Scholarship for Higher Education of ST students) in 252 premier institutions are not eligible under this scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
- The student must be a citizen of India and belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
- The scholarship is applicable for students pursuing recognized post-matriculation or post-secondary courses.
- Students studying in Class XI in higher secondary schools are not eligible, unless the school course is a continuous 12-year program.
- Postgraduate students in medicine can apply only if they are not practicing during their course.
- Students studying correspondence courses (distance education) are eligible.
- Employed students must take unpaid leave for the entire duration of the course to qualify.
- All children of a family are eligible for this scholarship.
- A student can only receive one scholarship at a time.
Income Criteria:
- Parents’ annual income should not exceed ₹2,00,000/- from all sources.
Important Income Guidelines:
- If both parents are deceased, the guardian’s income will be considered.
- House rent allowance (HRA) is excluded from income calculation if it is exempted under Income Tax rules.
- Income certificate is required only once at the time of admission for multi-year courses.
Exclusions
- Students who already hold another scholarship (except Adhoc aid for books, lodging, etc.).
- Students who have completed a course in one stream and are seeking another course in a different stream (e.g., a B.Com student applying for BA/BSc).
- Students pursuing MBBS after completing B.Tech/B.E. or B.Ed. after LLB.
Application Process
Offline Application Process:
- Obtain the Application Form from the Head of Institution or designated State/UT Government Authority.
- Fill in the application form and attach all required documents.
- Submit the completed application to the Head of Institution (where the student is studying or last studied).
- The Institution forwards the application to the State Government Authority.
Documents Required
- Completed Application Form (Separate forms for fresh and renewal scholarships).
- Passport-sized Photograph (signed by the student).
- Attested copies of mark sheets, diplomas, degrees from all previous examinations.
- Caste Certificate (original) issued by a Revenue Officer (Tahsildar rank or above).
- Income Certificate:
- For self-employed parents, an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper stating income.
- For employed parents, an income certificate from their employer.
- Acknowledgment of previous year’s scholarship (for renewal students), signed by the Institution Head.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q: When will scholarship payment be made?
A: Scholarship payments begin after receiving and verifying applications and approvals from the State Government Authority. - Q: How is the scholarship paid?
A: Scholarships are credited to the student’s bank account directly using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). - Q: Can a student accept more than one scholarship?
A: No, a student cannot have more than one scholarship simultaneously. In case of being awarded another scholarship, they have to select only one. - Q: Is there any additional allowance for disabled students?
A: Yes, disabled students are given an extra allowance of ₹800/month (hosteller) or ₹600/month (day scholar). - Q: What if a student fails in an exam?
A: The student can reapply once in case of failure. Repeated failures are not suitable for further scholarships. - Q: Is the scholarship open to correspondence or distance education students?
A: Yes, correspondence or distance education students are also eligible for this scheme. - Q: Can I apply if I am employed?
A: Yes, but you should be on unpaid leave throughout your course duration. - Q: Can every sibling of the same family apply?
A: Yes, all the children of the same parents/guardians who are eligible can avail the scholarship.