In shortPre Matric Scholarship offers Rs 3,500 annually to SC day scholars in classes IX-X whose parents earn under Rs 2,50,000 per year. Children of manual scavengers, tanners, and waste pickers get Rs 7,000 per year (day scholars) or Rs 8,000 per year (hostellers) in classes III-X, with no income limit. Apply via the National Scholarship Portal, which opens around mid-year.
Key facts
- Offered by
- Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
- Amount
- Component 1 (SC students, classes IX and X): Rs 3,500 per annum for day scholars. Component 2 (children of parents in unclean or hazardous occupations, classes I to X): Rs 7,000 per annum for day scholars and Rs 8,000 per annum for hostellers in classes III to X.
- Income limit
- Rs 2,50,000 per annum for the Scheduled Caste component; no income ceiling for the unclean and hazardous occupations component
- Opens
- 1 June 2026
The Pre Matric Scholarship scheme is meant to stop Scheduled Caste children from dropping out in the two years just before the board examination. Classes nine and ten are where poorer families most often pull children out of school, and a modest annual grant is intended to offset uniforms, books, travel and the informal costs of staying enrolled. The main component pays a consolidated annual amount to SC day scholars whose parents earn under the income ceiling.
A second component of the same scheme works differently and is arguably more important. It covers children of parents engaged in manual scavenging, tanning, waste picking and other hazardous cleaning occupations, from class one onwards, and it applies no income ceiling at all because the occupation itself is treated as the disadvantage. Applications go through the National Scholarship Portal, usually opening around the middle of the year, followed by verification on the state portal.
Who is eligible
- Component 1 applicants must belong to a notified Scheduled Caste
- Component 1 applicants must be studying full time in class IX or class X
- Component 2 covers children of parents engaged in manual scavenging, tanning, waste picking or hazardous cleaning, studying full time in classes I to X
- Study must be in a government or government recognised school
- Parent or guardian income within the ceiling for Component 1; no income ceiling applies to Component 2
Documents you need
- Caste certificate for Scheduled Caste applicants
- Income certificate of parent or guardian (Component 1 only)
- Occupation certificate of the parent (Component 2 only)
- School bonafide certificate and previous class mark sheet
- Aadhaar-seeded bank account details of the student or guardian
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for Pre Matric Scholarship for SC?
Full-time students from a notified Scheduled Caste, studying in class IX or X in a government or government-recognised school. Parent or guardian income must not exceed Rs 2,50,000 per annum. You need a caste certificate, income certificate, school bonafide certificate and Aadhaar-seeded bank account details.
What is the scholarship amount for SC students?
Rs 3,500 per annum for day scholars in classes IX and X. This amount is intended to cover uniforms, books, travel and other costs of staying enrolled in school.
What is the scholarship for children of manual scavengers and waste pickers?
Rs 7,000 per annum for day scholars and Rs 8,000 per annum for hostellers in classes III to X. Children of parents in manual scavenging, tanning, waste picking or hazardous cleaning occupations are eligible from class I onwards with no income ceiling.
What documents do I need to apply?
Caste certificate (for SC applicants), income certificate of parent or guardian (Component 1 only), occupation certificate of parent (Component 2 only), school bonafide certificate, previous class mark sheet, and Aadhaar-seeded bank account details of the student or guardian.
When does the application window open?
Applications usually open around the middle of the year on the National Scholarship Portal, followed by verification through the state portal. The 2026 application period begins from June 2026.
Before you apply: confirm every date, fee and eligibility rule on the official website linked on this page. Public and Policy is an independent portal, not a government body, and details change without notice.
