OBC Post-Matric Scholarship 2026 — Eligibility
Central Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC students 2026 — eligibility, course coverage, amount and steps.
Last checked Jan 2026 against the official department sources linked below.
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Check eligibility now →What is it?
The Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC students is funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for non-creamy layer OBC students pursuing Class 11 to PhD. It covers tuition fee reimbursement, maintenance allowance, and study tour charges, paid through NSP via DBT to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Benefits
Maintenance allowance ₹160–₹750 per month based on course group (Group I to IV) and day-scholar/hosteller status. Full tuition fee reimbursement up to a state-fixed ceiling. Additional grants for study tour, thesis typing/printing, book allowance for students with disability, and reader allowance for visually impaired.
Eligibility criteria
- ✓Indian citizen with OBC certificate (non-creamy layer) from competent authority
- ✓Studying in Class 11 or above in a recognised institution in India
- ✓Annual family income up to ₹1.5 lakh per year
- ✓Not availing any other Government of India scholarship for the same course
- ✓Renewal: passed previous year exam with minimum required marks
- ✓Both day-scholars and hostellers are eligible (different rates)
- ✓Distance-mode learners may not be eligible for hostel allowance
Documents required
- ✓OBC non-creamy layer certificate (recent, valid)
- ✓Income certificate from competent authority
- ✓Aadhaar card
- ✓Aadhaar-linked bank passbook
- ✓Latest fee receipt and bona fide certificate
- ✓Previous year passing marksheet
- ✓Hosteller / day-scholar certificate from institution
How to apply — step by step
- Register on scholarships.gov.in if first-time applicant
- Log in, complete Student Profile section by section
- In 'Apply for Scholarship', choose 'Post-Matric Scholarship for OBCs (Centrally Sponsored)'
- Fill scheme form, upload all required documents in correct size
- Submit; the application is forwarded to your institution
- Institution verifies and forwards to state OBC welfare directorate; DBT after final approval
Important dates
NSP fresh OBC Post-Matric applications usually open July–August 2026 and close October–November 2026. Renewal window runs in parallel. Always check scheme-wise last date after login on the dashboard.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✓Using creamy-layer OBC certificate — application gets rejected
- ✓Combining with another central scholarship — leads to recovery
- ✓Income certificate older than one year
- ✓Wrong course group selection leading to wrong amount
- ✓Forgetting to submit renewal each academic year
Frequently asked questions
What is the income limit for OBC Post-Matric 2026?
Annual family income limit is ₹1.5 lakh. Income certificate must be from a competent authority and not older than one year.
Can I get this with another scholarship?
No. You cannot combine the OBC Post-Matric with any other central government scholarship for the same course.
What is the maintenance allowance?
₹160 to ₹750 per month depending on course group (I to IV) and whether you are a hosteller or day-scholar.
Is the scholarship available for distance learning?
Yes for most courses, but hostel allowance does not apply for distance/correspondence mode. Check current scheme guidelines.
How long does the amount take to credit?
After institution verification and state-level approval, DBT typically happens in 2 to 5 months. Track on the NSP dashboard.
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