The Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students 2025-26 provides tuition fee reimbursement and monthly stipends for Class 11 onwards to PhD students. Check eligibility, stipend rates, additional benefits for disabled students, income criteria, application process, deadlines, and online registration via NSP or State portals.
Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students 2025-26: Full Details, New Guidelines, Eligibility, Stipend Rates & Application Process
TheInterviewTimes.com | November 21, 2025: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, has released updated guidelines for the Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students, effective from April 1, 2022, and continuing for the academic year 2025-26. This centrally sponsored scheme is among India’s largest financial assistance programs for tribal students pursuing higher education, from Class 11 through post-graduation, professional degrees, M.Phil, and PhD courses.
The scholarship aims to reduce dropout rates among ST students by reimbursing tuition and compulsory fees and providing monthly maintenance allowance directly into the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Key Highlights of Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students 2025-26
- Income Limit: Annual family income ≤ ₹2.50 lakh
- Coverage: Class 11–12, ITI, Polytechnic, Diploma, Graduation, Post-Graduation, M.Phil, PhD, and professional courses
- Scholarship Components: 100% tuition & compulsory fees + monthly stipend for hostellers/day scholars
- Mode of Payment: DBT to Aadhaar-seeded bank account
- Application Portal: National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or respective State/UT portal
Eligibility Criteria of Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students 2025-26
Students must meet the following conditions:
- Belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) community of domicile State/UT
- Passed Class 10 (Matriculation) or higher examination
- Annual family income ≤ ₹2.50 lakh (income certificate valid for entire course)
- Aadhaar-linked bank account and mobile number required
- Not receiving any other scholarship/stipend (except Top Class Scholarship in specified 252 institutes)
- Studying in recognized Government or approved private institutions
Note: Students in the 252 Top Class Institutions under “National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students” are not eligible from 2021-22 onwards. Existing beneficiaries till 2020-21 will continue.
Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students 2025-26: Scholarship Amount & Stipend Rates
| Group | Courses Covered | Hosteller (Monthly / Annual) | Day Scholar (Monthly / Annual) |
| I | Professional Degree/PG Diploma/M.Phil/PhD (Medical, Engineering, Management, Law, etc.) | ₹1,200 / ₹12,000 | ₹550 / ₹5,500 |
| II | Other Graduate & PG courses (BA, B.Sc, B.Com, MA, M.Sc, M.Com) | ₹820 / ₹8,200 | ₹530 / ₹5,300 |
| III | 3-year Diploma, Polytechnic, ITI, Vocational courses | ₹570 / ₹5,700 | ₹300 / ₹3,000 |
| IV | Class 11 & 12 | ₹380 / ₹3,800 | ₹230 / ₹2,300 |
Additional Benefits:
- Divyangjan (PwD) students: Extra ₹800/month (Hosteller), ₹600/month (Day Scholar)
- Tuition & compulsory non-refundable fees reimbursed (State rates apply)
- Private institute ceilings: ₹2.5 lakh/year (Engineering), ₹6 lakh/year (Medical), ₹1 lakh/year (other courses)
Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students 2025-26: How to Apply Online (Step-by-Step)
- Visit NSP portal: scholarships.gov.in or State portal
- Register as Fresh or Renewal applicant
- Fill in Aadhaar, domicile, income, ST certificate, marksheets, bank details
- Upload scanned documents: photo, signature, certificates
- Submit before deadline (usually 30th September – 15th November)
Required Documents:
- Aadhaar Card
- ST Caste Certificate
- Income Certificate (valid for full course)
- Previous year marksheet
- Bonafide certificate from institute
- Bank passbook (Aadhaar-linked)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
Important Deadlines for 2025-26 (Tentative)
| Activity | Fresh Applications | Renewal Applications |
| Portal Opens | 1st April 2025 | 1st April 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 30th September 2025 | 30th September 2025 |
| Institute Verification | 30th October 2025 | 30th October 2025 |
| District/State Verification | 15th November 2025 | – |
| Final Disbursement | 31st December 2025 | 15th November 2025 |
Renewal disbursements begin immediately after verification by States.
Student-Friendly Features & Special Provisions
- Study in any Government institute across India
- Private institutes must be empanelled by domicile State
- Exam admission cannot be denied due to scholarship delay
- Income certificate required only once (at admission)
- Orphans are exempt from income criteria
- Special grievance cells & helplines in all States
Funding Pattern
- General States: 75% Centre + 25% State
- North-East & Hilly States: 90% Centre + 10% State
- UTs without legislature: 100% Central funding
Official Sources & Contact
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs: tribal.gov.in
- National Scholarship Portal: scholarships.gov.in
- DBT Tribal Portal: dbttribal.gov.in
The Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students continues to empower lakhs of tribal students every year, enabling access to higher education without financial constraints. Students are advised to apply early and keep their Aadhaar, bank account, and mobile details updated for smooth DBT credit.
For queries, contact your institute nodal officer or State Tribal Welfare Department helpline.