Overview
- Tuition and non‑refundable charges will be paid via DBT directly to students, capped at Rs 2 lakh per year for private institutions.
- Students will receive an academic allowance of Rs 86,000 in the first year and Rs 41,000 in later years for living costs, books and laptops.
- Eligibility is restricted to SC students with family income up to Rs 8 lakh who gain admission to notified premier institutes, with fresh awards limited to first‑year entrants and renewals tied to performance.
- For 2024–25 the ministry capped fresh scholarships at 4,400 within an overall 21,500‑slot envelope through 2025–26, reserving 30% of slots for eligible SC girls with unused girl slots reallocated to boys.
- Institutions must verify caste and income, maintain AISHE and NSP KYC compliance, undergo social audits and face de‑notification for violations, while beneficiaries cannot combine other government scholarships, benefits are limited to two siblings and eligibility is forfeited on institution transfer.