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Introduction
Every year, thousands of students from OBC, SC, and ST communities miss out on financial aid — not because they’re ineligible, but simply because they didn’t know the deadline had passed. If you belong to one of these communities and are currently enrolled in school or college, this article is worth your full attention.
State governments across India run dedicated scholarship schemes specifically aimed at supporting students from backward and marginalized communities. These are not loans. They are actual financial grants that help cover tuition fees, hostel charges, and sometimes even book allowances.
The state government scholarships for OBC and SC/ST students we’re covering here all have deadlines falling in August 2025. Missing these dates means waiting another full year. So let’s get into the details without wasting time.
Why State Scholarships Matter More Than You Think
Most students only know about central government schemes like the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). But state-level schemes often go unnoticed — even though they sometimes offer better amounts and fewer applicants, which means higher chances of getting selected.
Each state designs its own criteria, benefit amount, and renewal process. Some states give priority to girl students or students from certain districts. Others focus on professional courses like engineering, medicine, or ITI programs.
The key point: these state government scholarships for OBC and SC/ST students are separate from central schemes. You can sometimes apply to both, which doubles your support.
1. Maharashtra — Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST Students (Mahaswayam Portal)
Overview
Maharashtra runs one of the largest post-matric scholarship programs in the country. Administered through the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, this scheme covers students studying in Classes 11–12, graduation, and postgraduation.
Eligibility
- Belongs to SC or ST community (caste certificate required)
- Annual family income below ₹2.5 lakh for SC; ₹2 lakh for ST
- Enrolled in a recognized Maharashtra government or aided institution
- Must not be receiving any other state scholarship simultaneously
Benefit Amount
Up to ₹23,000 per year depending on course type and whether the student is a day scholar or hosteller.
August 2025 Deadline
August 31, 2025 — applications close on this date. Late submissions are not accepted.
How to Apply
Visit the Mahaswayam Scholarship Portal and register with Aadhaar-linked details. Upload income certificate, caste certificate, last marksheet, and bank passbook copy.
This is one of the most popular state government scholarships for OBC and SC/ST students in western India, and the portal gets heavily loaded near the deadline — so apply early.
2. Uttar Pradesh — Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship (Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Portal)
Overview
The UP government runs both pre-matric (Class 9–10) and post-matric (Class 11 onwards) scholarships for SC, ST, General, and OBC students. The OBC scholarship in UP is particularly well-funded and has a separate application window.
Eligibility
- Permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh
- Annual family income: below ₹1 lakh for SC/ST; below ₹2 lakh for OBC
- Enrolled in a recognized UP institution
- Must have passed the previous class/exam
Benefit Amount
Ranges from ₹4,000 to ₹12,000 per year for pre-matric; higher for professional course students at post-matric level.
August 2025 Deadline
August 20, 2025 — this is one of the earlier deadlines among all state government scholarships for OBC and SC/ST students on this list.
How to Apply
Apply at scholarship.up.gov.in. You’ll need Aadhaar, domicile certificate, school enrollment number, and caste certificate. The portal also allows renewal for continuing students.
3. Karnataka — Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship)
Overview
Karnataka’s Department of Social Welfare administers the Rajiv Gandhi Post-Matric Scholarship specifically for SC students pursuing higher education. It covers both government and private institutions recognized by the state.
Eligibility
- SC category student with valid caste certificate from Karnataka
- Annual income below ₹2.5 lakh
- Must be enrolled in degree, diploma, or ITI courses
- Fresher or renewal applicant — both are eligible
Benefit Amount
The scholarship covers full tuition fee reimbursement plus a maintenance allowance. Hostellers receive more than day scholars.
August 2025 Deadline
August 25, 2025
How to Apply
Applications go through the Karnataka Sakala portal. You can also visit your college’s scholarship desk, as many Karnataka institutions help students fill and submit forms directly.
This scheme is one of the few state government scholarships for OBC and SC/ST students that covers private engineering and medical college fees in full.
4. Tamil Nadu — Chief Minister’s Scholarship for SC/ST Students
Overview
Tamil Nadu offers a Chief Minister’s Scholarship that targets meritorious SC and ST students admitted to degree courses including arts, science, commerce, and professional programs. It is merit-based but also takes income into account.
Eligibility
- SC/ST student who scored above 60% in qualifying exam
- Family income below ₹2 lakh per year
- Enrolled in Tamil Nadu government college or government-aided institution
- Only for full-time regular courses (no correspondence or distance learning)
Benefit Amount
₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per year depending on the course and year of study.
August 2025 Deadline
August 28, 2025
How to Apply
Students must apply through their college principal’s office. Forms are available at the college level and need to be submitted with necessary documents before the institution’s internal deadline (usually 2 weeks before the state deadline).
This is one of the better-known state government scholarships for OBC and SC/ST students in South India, and Tamil Nadu consistently disburses funds on time.
5. West Bengal — Aikyashree Scholarship for Minority and OBC Students
Overview
While Aikyashree primarily covers minority students, West Bengal also runs a parallel OBC scholarship under a separate wing of the same portal. OBC students in Classes 5–12 and higher education can both apply.
This is slightly different from other state government scholarships for OBC and SC/ST students because it uses a single portal for multiple categories.
Eligibility
- OBC-A or OBC-B student as per West Bengal OBC list
- Income below ₹2.5 lakh per year
- Enrolled in West Bengal institution
- Minimum 50% marks in previous exam for renewal applicants
Benefit Amount
Pre-matric: ₹1,100 to ₹3,000 depending on class. Post-matric: up to ₹10,000.
August 2025 Deadline
August 15, 2025 — note this falls on Independence Day, but the portal remains open.
How to Apply
Apply at oasis.gov.in, the official West Bengal scholarship portal. Students must register with their Aadhaar, bank account (active), and school/college enrollment ID.
6. Rajasthan — Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/OBC Students (SJE Portal)
Overview
Rajasthan’s Social Justice and Empowerment Department runs post-matric scholarships for SC and OBC students in a combined scheme. The state covers a wide range of courses — from Class 11 to PhD level.
Eligibility
- SC or OBC students who are permanent residents of Rajasthan
- Income: below ₹2.5 lakh (SC); below ₹1 lakh (OBC)
- Enrolled in Rajasthan Board, University, or centrally recognized institutions
- Previous year’s result compulsory for renewal
Benefit Amount
Varies from ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 based on course level. Rajasthan also reimburses examination fees in some cases.
August 2025 Deadline
August 31, 2025
How to Apply
Visit sje.rajasthan.gov.in and create an SSO (Single Sign-On) Rajasthan account first. The application is then filled through the SSO dashboard. Most e-mitra centers in Rajasthan also assist students in completing the process.
Rajasthan’s scheme is considered one of the more accessible state government scholarships for OBC and SC/ST students due to the widespread SSO and e-mitra support network.
Documents You’ll Need (For Most Schemes)
Regardless of which state you’re applying in, keep these documents ready in digital format (PDF/JPG under 200KB usually):
- Caste/category certificate (issued by SDM or competent authority)
- Income certificate (recent, not older than 1 year)
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook (with IFSC and account number clearly visible)
- Last academic marksheet
- Enrollment/admission receipt from institution
- Passport-size photograph
Some states also ask for a domicile certificate or bonafide certificate from the school/college.
For more guidance on documents and application process, you can also refer to this helpful overview at the National Scholarship Portal Help Center.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Rejection
Students often get rejected not because of eligibility issues but because of small errors. Here are the most common ones:
Wrong bank account details — many students enter a parent’s account that’s not linked to Aadhaar. Most state schemes now require a student’s own Aadhaar-linked account.
Outdated income certificate — if your income certificate is more than a year old, many portals will flag it as invalid.
Mismatch in name spelling — the name on Aadhaar, caste certificate, and marksheet must match exactly. Even a middle name difference can cause rejection.
Applying after the institutional deadline — your college often has an internal cutoff 7–14 days before the state portal closes. Submitting to the portal directly without college verification doesn’t work for most schemes.
How to Track Your Application Status
After applying, most portals provide a reference or application number. Use this to check status. Common status messages include:
- Submitted to Institution — your college is yet to verify
- Forwarded to District — college approved, district office reviewing
- Sanctioned — amount approved, disbursement pending
- Rejected — reason will be mentioned; many states allow reapplication after correction
For a broader list of all active scholarships, you can also check the Government of India’s MyScheme portal which aggregates state and central schemes in one place.
You should also explore our guide on how to apply for NSP scholarships step-by-step and top central government scholarships for students in 2025 for more financial aid options.
Final Conclusion
The six state government scholarships for OBC and SC/ST students listed here — from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Rajasthan — all close their August 2025 windows between August 15 and August 31. That’s a very tight window.
The biggest mistake eligible students make is assuming someone else will remind them or that they can always apply “next time.” State scholarship funds are limited, and not all applicants get selected even when eligible. Applying early gives you better chances.
Keep your documents ready, check your state’s official portal, and if needed, ask your school or college scholarship coordinator for help. These schemes exist precisely for students like you — use them.
