The Top Class Education for Scheduled Caste Students is a scholarship scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to support Scheduled Caste (SC) students pursuing higher education beyond Class 12 in notified institutions.
- The total annual family income should be ₹8.00 lakh or less.
- The benefit is limited to a maximum of two siblings in a family.
- The scholarship continues till the completion of the course, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
- SC students who studied Class 10 in any government-aided school (excluding KVS) are automatically eligible under the scheme.
Benefits
| Scholarship Component | Financial Assistance |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee & Non-refundable Charges | Up to ₹2.00 LPA for private institutions; Up to ₹3.72 LPA for private flying clubs for Commercial Pilot Training |
| Living Expenses | ₹3,000 per month |
| Books and Stationery | ₹5,000 per annum |
| Laptop/Computer (one-time assistance) | ₹45,000 (including UPS and printer) |
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a student.
- Must be pursuing studies beyond Class 12 in a full-time course at a notified institution.
- Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
- The annual family income must be ₹8 lakh or less.
Exclusions
- Only two siblings from a family can benefit from the scheme.
Application Process
Online Application Steps
- Prepare Soft Copies of Required Documents.
- Register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP):
- Visit National Scholarship Portal and click “New Registration”.
- Read the guidelines and accept the terms. Click “Continue”.
- Complete Registration:
- Fill out the required details.
- Click “Register” to generate Application ID and Password (also sent via SMS).
- Login & Apply:
- Visit NSP Login.
- Enter Application ID & Password and complete OTP verification.
- Reset password and access the Applicant Dashboard.
- Fill Application Form & Upload Documents:
- Complete the form and upload necessary documents.
- Click “Save as Draft” to edit later or “Final Submit” to complete the process.
Documents Required
- Income Certificate
- Domicile Certificate
- Self-attested Degree/Mark Sheet of Last Qualifying Exam
- Fee Receipt of Current Course Year
- Bank Details (Student/Parent/Guardian)
- Aadhaar Number
- Bonafide Student Certificate from School/Institute
- Recent Passport-size Photograph
- Caste Certificate (issued by SDM/Tehsildar/competent authority)
- Declaration Certificate (issued by the university/institute’s HoD)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Am I eligible if two of my siblings are already availing of this scholarship?
No, the scheme benefits only two siblings per family.
Q: How will my tuition fee and non-refundable charges be paid?
The amount will be transferred directly to the institution.
Q: Is there a validity period for the scholarship?
Yes, the scholarship continues till the course is completed, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
Q: What is the mode of payment?
All payments are made directly to the student’s bank account or the institution.
Q: If there are multiple students with the same marks, how is the last slot filled?
If multiple candidates qualify for the last available slot, preference will be given based on merit and economic need.
Q: Am I eligible if I fail a semester?
No, continuation of the scholarship depends on satisfactory academic performance.
Q: Is there a reserved percentage of scholarships for girl students?
Yes, 50% of the total slots are reserved for girl students.
Q: Can I apply offline for the scholarship?
No, the application is only online through the NSP Portal.
Q: Is there an application fee?
No, the application process is free of cost.
Q: Do I need to complete the application in one sitting?
No, you can “Save as Draft” and complete it later before final submission.
Q: How can I track my application status?
You can log in to the NSP Portal and check your application status under “Track Application”.
Q: What file type and size should be used for document uploads?
- File Format: PDF, JPEG
- Max Size: 200KB per document
Q: When is a Bonafide Certificate required?
If the applicant is enrolled in a private institution, a Bonafide Certificate from the institute is mandatory.
Q: How do I know which fields in the application form are mandatory?
Fields marked with are compulsory.
Sources and References