Students in India can get financial support for school, college, professional courses and higher education through scholarships offered by different state governments. These schemes are usually designed according to the needs of students living in a particular state and may cover tuition fees, maintenance expenses, books, hostel costs or other education-related charges.
State Wise Scholarships In India are especially useful for students from SC, ST, OBC, EWS, minority, disabled and economically weaker backgrounds. Some scholarships are also based on academic performance, while others focus mainly on family income, domicile and social category. The National Scholarship Portal also provides access to different government schemes and allows students to check available scholarships according to their eligibility.
What Are State Wise Scholarships In India?
State scholarships are financial assistance programmes managed by state departments or implemented through state scholarship portals. Unlike scholarships that are available across the country, these schemes often require the student to be a resident or domicile holder of the concerned state.
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The scholarship structure is not the same everywhere. One state may provide direct maintenance support, while another may mainly reimburse tuition or examination fees. Some states also provide separate schemes for girls, minority students, students with disabilities and specific reserved categories.
The Ministry of Education maintains a list of state and Union Territory education websites, making it easier for students to reach the official education authorities of their state.
State Wise Scholarship List for Students
Students can explore scholarship opportunities through their state’s education, social welfare, tribal welfare or direct benefit transfer portal. Some important examples are given below.
| State | Major Scholarship Platform / Scheme Area | Common Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | MahaDBT Scholarship Schemes | SC, ST, OBC, VJNT, SBC, PwD and other eligible students |
| Rajasthan | Rajasthan Scholarship / SJE Schemes | SC, ST, OBC and other eligible students |
| Uttar Pradesh | UP Scholarship & Fee Reimbursement | Pre-Matric and Post-Matric students |
| Madhya Pradesh | State Scholarship Schemes | SC, ST, OBC and other eligible students |
| Karnataka | State Scholarship Portal (SSP) | School and higher-education students |
| West Bengal | State Scholarship Schemes | School, college and university students |
| Tamil Nadu | State Scholarship Programmes | Students from eligible reserved and economically weaker groups |
| Bihar | State Scholarship Schemes | School and higher-education students |
| Gujarat | Digital Gujarat Scholarship | Students from different eligible categories |
| Kerala | State Scholarship Schemes | School and higher-education students |
The exact schemes available can change from one academic year to another. Students should therefore check the latest notification before applying rather than relying only on older scholarship lists.
Scholarship Amount Under Different State Schemes
There is no single fixed scholarship amount for every state. The payment may depend on the student’s course, category, hostel status, income and type of institution.
For example, Maharashtra’s MahaDBT portal lists several different scholarship structures. Under one post-matric scholarship for OBC girls in professional courses, maintenance support ranges from ₹90 to ₹425 per month depending on course group and whether the student is a day scholar or hosteller. Another Maharashtra post-matric scheme provides larger annual academic allowances for eligible SC students.
| Scholarship / Support | State | Scholarship Amount / Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Girls in Professional Courses | Maharashtra | ₹90-₹425 per month |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students – Group 1 | Maharashtra | ₹7,000-₹13,500 per year |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students – Group 2 | Maharashtra | ₹6,500-₹9,500 per year |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students – Group 3 | Maharashtra | ₹3,000-₹6,000 per year |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students – Group 4 | Maharashtra | ₹2,500-₹4,000 per year |
| Government of India Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students | Maharashtra | ₹230-₹1,200 per month |
| PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship | India-wide | ₹12,000 per year at UG level; ₹20,000 per year at PG level |
*The PM-USP amount is a central scholarship and is included only for comparison; it is not a state-government scholarship. The Ministry of Education lists ₹12,000 per year for the first three years of graduation and ₹20,000 per year at postgraduate level under the cited guidelines.
Which Students Can Apply for State Scholarships?
Eligibility depends on the individual scheme. A student should normally satisfy several conditions before submitting the application.
Common requirements include:
- The student must belong to the state or satisfy its domicile rules.
- The applicant should be studying in a recognised school, college or institution.
- Some schemes require a particular caste or community certificate.
- Family income must remain within the limit fixed by the scheme.
- Academic marks may be considered for merit-based scholarships.
- The student may need to maintain attendance or pass the previous academic year.
- Some professional-course scholarships require admission through an approved process.
For example, Maharashtra’s tribal post-matric scholarship specifies ST eligibility, a family-income limit of ₹2.50 lakh and minimum educational requirements.
Scholarships Based on Category, Course and Income
One useful feature of state scholarship systems is that students are not always placed into one general scholarship category. Separate assistance can be available according to social group and educational level.
A student studying in Class 10 may have a different scheme from someone pursuing a diploma or postgraduate course. Similarly, an SC student, ST student, OBC student or student with a disability may have access to a different benefit structure.
In Maharashtra, for example, the MahaDBT platform currently lists post-matric scholarships, tuition-fee reimbursement, maintenance allowances, merit scholarships and disability-related scholarships among its available programmes.
This means students should search according to state + category + course + income, rather than looking only for a general scholarship.
Documents Usually Needed for State Scholarship Applications
Most state scholarship applications require documents that prove the student’s identity, education and eligibility.
| Document | Why It May Be Required |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | Identity verification and DBT |
| Domicile Certificate | Proof of state residence |
| Caste Certificate | Category-based scholarship eligibility |
| Income Certificate | Checking family income limit |
| Previous Marksheet | Academic verification |
| Admission / Fee Receipt | Proof of current course |
| Bank Account Details | Scholarship payment |
| Passport-Size Photograph | Application identification |
| Disability Certificate | For eligible PwD schemes |
| Hostel Certificate | Where hostel benefit applies |
The exact document list is decided by the concerned state and scholarship. Students should therefore check the current application instructions before uploading anything.
Application Process for State Scholarships
The application method varies from state to state, but most online systems follow a similar sequence. Students first create an account or use an existing registration, enter personal and academic information, select the appropriate scholarship and upload supporting documents.
After submission, the application may be checked by the school, college, district authority or concerned department. Only after successful verification is the scholarship processed for payment.
For scholarships available through the National Scholarship Portal, One Time Registration is required, and the portal states that the OTR number remains applicable throughout the student’s academic career.
Why Students Should Check State Scholarships Every Year
Scholarship rules are not permanent. Governments can change income limits, payment amounts, application dates, eligible courses and document requirements.
The National Scholarship Portal is currently operating for the 2026–27 academic year, and its scheme listing separates central-sector and state-related scholarship options.
Students should therefore check the latest notification before submitting their form. This is particularly important when a student is applying for a renewal because the requirements for continuing a scholarship may differ from those for a fresh application.