Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students for studying in India
Dr. Ambedkar's Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students provides monthly financial support to Other Backward Class (OBC) students pursuing education after Class 10 in India — from senior secondary and vocational courses all the way through PhD. The monthly allowance depends on the course type and whether you live in a hostel or commute, and payments are made directly to your bank account. Apply online at the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) each academic year.
About This Scheme
Dr. Ambedkar's Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students provides monthly financial support to Other Backward Class (OBC) students pursuing education after Class 10 in India — from senior secondary and vocational courses all the way through PhD. The monthly allowance depends on the course type and whether you live in a hostel or commute, and payments are made directly to your bank account. Apply online at the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) each academic year.
Full official description
"Dr. Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships for the Other Backward Class (OBC) Students for Studying in India" is a Scholarship Scheme by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to OBC students studying at the post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education. These scholarships shall be available for studies in India only and will be awarded by the Government of State/Union Territory to which the applicant actually belongs, i.e. permanently settled.
Benefits
- Group A (Medicine, Engineering, Management, Law, MBA, PhD, CA, ICWA): Hostellers ₹750/month; Day scholars ₹350/month
- Group B (Pharmacy, Nursing, LLB, Mass Communication, Hotel Management, etc.): Hostellers ₹510/month; Day scholars ₹335/month
- Group C (General graduate degrees — BA, B.Sc., B.Com): Hostellers ₹400/month; Day scholars ₹210/month
- Group D (Class 11–12, ITI, 3-year polytechnic diplomas): Hostellers ₹260/month; Day scholars ₹160/month
- Reimbursement of all compulsory non-refundable fees (tuition, library, lab, etc.)
- Study tour charges up to ₹900/year for professional/technical courses
- Additional ₹175/month reader allowance for blind students (Groups A/B)
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must be an Indian national belonging to OBC (as notified by your state government)
- Must be enrolled in a recognized post-matriculation or post-secondary institution in India
- Family income (combined parents/guardians and your own, if employed) must not exceed ₹1.50 lakh per annum
- Must not be receiving any other scholarship simultaneously (you may choose the more beneficial one)
- Restricted to two boys from the same family; no restriction for girls
- Correspondence course students are eligible for fee reimbursement and ₹900/year book allowance only
Exclusions
- Scholarships shall not be awarded for Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Courses and other aviation-linked courses.
- Candidates who, after passing one stage of education, are studying in the same stage of education in a different subject e.g. I.Sc. after I.A or B.Com. after a B.A. or M.A. in a subject after an M.A. in another subject will not be eligible.
- Students who, after having completed their educational career in one professional line, e.g., LLB after B.T/B. Ed will not be eligible.
- Students studying in the XI Class of the Higher Secondary School courses or the XII class of the Multipurpose High School will not be eligible for it being a continuous school course. However, in cases, where the tenth class examination of such courses is treated as equivalent to Matriculation and students who after passing the tenth class join other courses, such students will be treated as post-matric students and will be eligible for the award of scholarships.
How to Apply
Step 1: Visit the National Scholarship Portal and click “New Registration”. The guidelines for Registration will appear. Scroll to the bottom. Read carefully the undertaking. Accept the Terms. Click “Continue”.
Step 2: A Registration Form will appear. (The fields marked as * are compulsory). Fill in the details and click “Register”. Your Application ID and password will be displayed. The same will also be sent as an SMS to your registered mobile number.
Step 3: Go to https://scholarships.gov.in/fresh/newstdRegfrmInstruction. Click on “Login to Apply”. Enter your Application ID and password. Type the Captcha and click “Login”. On the next screen, provide the OTP received on your registered mobile number. You will be directed to the Password Reset screen. Create a new password and confirm. Click “Submit”. You will be directed to the “Applicant’s Dashboard”.
Step 4: On the left pane, click “Application Form”. The fields marked as * are compulsory. Fill in the details and upload the documents. You can either click on “Save as Draft” to complete the application later. Else, click “Final Submit” to submit the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the scholarship program define the duration of awards, and how does this duration policy impact the recipients' education?
The scholarship is awarded from the stage at which it is given until the completion of the course. This policy provides consistent support throughout the recipient's academic journey, encouraging them to pursue their education with dedication.
What is the rationale behind transitioning to Smart Cards for the disbursal of scholarship amounts, and how does this benefit both the authorities and beneficiaries?
The move to Smart Cards is aimed at ensuring efficient and secure disbursal of scholarship amounts. It reduces administrative complexities and ensures timely payments to beneficiaries while also offering them a more convenient and secure mode of receiving funds.
Could you elaborate on the significance of providing financial support for thesis typing/printing charges to research scholars, and how this support aids in their academic pursuits?
The provision for thesis typing/printing charges assists research scholars in the final stages of their academic journey. It helps cover essential expenses related to the preparation of their research work, ensuring a smooth and successful completion.
The scholarship document mentions specific provisions regarding income calculation. Could you clarify how income is assessed when a student has one or both parents alive, and what happens if both parents have passed away?
When either of the parents (or the husband in the case of married unemployed girl students) is alive, only their income should be considered, excluding the income of other family members, even if they are earning. However, when both parents (or the husband in the case of married but unemployed girl students) have passed away, the income of the guardian who is supporting the student in their studies should be considered. In cases where a student's parent's income is affected due to the death of one earning parent and falls within the income ceiling prescribed under the scheme, they become eligible for the scholarship, provided they meet other eligibility conditions. This applies from the month in which the parent's death occurred.
Could you provide examples of situations where an applicant would be ineligible based on these exclusions?
Certainly. Applicants would be ineligible if they are studying in the same stage of education in a different subject after passing one stage of education. Additionally, they would be ineligible if they have completed their educational career in one professional line, such as pursuing LLB after B.T/B. Ed. Furthermore, if they are studying in XI class of the Higher Secondary School courses or the XII class of the Multipurpose High School, they are ineligible, unless their tenth class examination is treated as equivalent to Matriculation, and they join other courses.
I'd like to know more about the eligibility criteria for beneficiaries receiving coaching. What are the conditions that disqualify them from receiving a stipend?
Scholarship holders receiving coaching with financial assistance from the Central Government or State Government are not eligible for a stipend under the coaching schemes for the duration of the coaching program.
I'm considering pursuing correspondence courses. How does the scholarship apply to students studying through correspondence courses, and what expenses are covered?
If you're pursuing studies through correspondence courses, you are eligible for reimbursement of non-refundable fees and an annual allowance of Rs. 900 for essential and prescribed books, as applicable.
I noticed that students can accept free lodging, grants, or ad-hoc financial assistance from other sources in addition to the scholarship. Could you clarify the specific conditions for accepting these additional forms of support?
Students are allowed to accept free lodging or a grant, along with ad-hoc monetary assistance from the State Government or any other source, for the purchase of books, equipment, or meeting board and lodging expenses, in addition to the scholarship amount paid under the Scheme. There are no restrictions on accepting these forms of support in conjunction with the scholarship.
Can scholarship recipients hold other scholarships or stipends concurrently, and if not, how do they choose between them?
Scholarship recipients cannot hold multiple scholarships or stipends simultaneously under this scheme. If they are awarded more than one scholarship or stipend, they must select the one that is more beneficial to them. The process for making this selection involves informing the awarding authority through the Head of the Institution. Once a scholarship is accepted, no further scholarships can be received.
I'm curious about the eligibility for post-graduate courses in medicine. Could you elaborate on the condition related to practicing during the course?
Eligibility for pursuing post-graduate courses in medicine under this scholarship is contingent on the student not being allowed to practice during the period of their course. This condition is essential for determining their eligibility.
Can you explain the income criteria for unemployed applicants, specifically regarding their parents or guardians' income?
Unemployed applicants are eligible if their parents or guardians' income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum. This income threshold is vital in determining their eligibility for the scholarship.
I'd like to understand the financial aspects of eligibility. How is the income of employed applicants and their parents or guardians assessed?
Employed applicants and their eligibility are linked to income. They can be eligible if the combined income of both the applicant and their parents or guardians does not exceed Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum. This income assessment is a crucial factor in determining eligibility.
I'm curious about the study tour charges. What are the conditions under which study tour charges are paid, and what is the maximum amount allowed?
Study tour charges are paid to scholars studying professional and technical courses when the head of the institution certifies that the study tour is essential for the scholar to complete their course of study. The maximum amount allowed for study tour charges is up to Rs. 900 per annum, limited to the actual expenditure incurred by the student on transportation and related expenses during the study tour.
The document mentions that certain fees are covered by the scholarship. Can you provide examples of the types of fees that are considered and those that are excluded?
The scholarship covers fees such as enrolment/registration, tuition, games, union, library, magazine, medical examination, and other fees that are compulsory for the scholar to pay to the institution or University/Board. However, fees that are refundable, such as caution money and security deposit, are excluded.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- One copy of the application for the scholarship in the prescribed form (a separate application form may be prescribed by the concerned State Government/UT for a 'fresh' and 'renewal' scholarship).
- One copy of the passport-size photograph with signatures of the student thereon (for fresh scholarship)
- One attested copy of each of the certificates/diplomas/degrees etc., with respect of all examinations passed
- A certificate (in original) of income issued by an authorized Revenue Officer, not below the rank of Tehsildar.
- A receipt in acknowledgement of the scholarship in the previous year on the form attached to the application only duly countersigned by the Head of the Institution concerned, if the applicant was in receipt of a scholarship under this Scheme in the preceding year.