Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
Application deadline
31 Oct 2026
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Overview
The Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students is run by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. It helps Scheduled Caste students who get admission into some of India's best institutions — IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIMs, AIIMS and other medical colleges, National Law Universities, NIFTs, NIDs, IHMs, agriculture and pharmacy institutes, flying academies and more.
If you are selected, the government pays your full tuition fee and non-refundable charges. For private-sector institutions this is capped at Rs. 2.00 lakh per year. On top of that you get an academic allowance of Rs. 86,000 in your first year and Rs. 41,000 in every later year, to cover living costs, books, stationery and a laptop with accessories. The money is sent straight to your bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer, and you must pay the fee to your institute within one month of receiving it.
To be eligible your total annual family income from all sources must be up to Rs. 8.00 lakh, and you must have secured admission in a full-time course at a notified institution. Only first-year students can get a fresh scholarship. 30% of the slots in each institution are reserved for SC girl students.
You apply online on the National Scholarship Portal and upload your caste certificate, income certificate, bank details, admission rank and fee details. Your institution then verifies everything.
At a glance
| Who can apply | UG, PG |
|---|---|
| Streams | Engineering, Architecture, Management, Law, Medicine, Agriculture and Allied Sciences, Fashion and Design, Hospitality, Aviation |
| Category | SC |
| Age | — |
| Income limit | Rs. 8,00,000 per year (total annual family income from all sources) |
| Gender | — |
| States | All India |
| Benefit / amount | Full tuition fee and non-refundable charges (capped at Rs. 2.00 lakh per year per student in private-sector institutions), plus an academic allowance of Rs. 86,000 in the first year and Rs. 41,000 in every later year. |
| Duration | Till the completion of the course, subject to satisfactory performance of the student |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | 31 Oct 2026 |
| Opened | — |
Documents you'll need
- Income certificate (from employer if parents/guardian are employed; from a revenue officer not below the rank of Tehsildar if self-employed)
- Caste certificate
- Bank account details
- Admission rank details
- Fee details
- Affidavit submitted to the institution stating the student is not the third sibling in the family availing this scheme
How you're selected
Only students in the 1st year of a full-time course at a notified 'Top Class' institution are considered for a fresh scholarship. Each institution gets a fixed number of slots. The institution prepares an inter-se merit list based on the entrance exam rank for that course (for example JEE Advanced for IITs, JEE Main for NITs and IIITs, CAT for IIMs, CLAT for NLUs, NEET for medical colleges). If more eligible students apply than there are slots, the top-ranked students get the scholarship; if two students have the same marks for the last slot, the one with lower family income is preferred. 30% of an institution's slots are reserved for eligible SC girl students on their own inter-se merit. The institution verifies all details before forwarding applications to the Ministry.
FAQs
Who can apply?
Scheduled Caste (SC) students whose total annual family income from all sources is up to Rs. 8.00 lakh and who have secured admission to a full-time course in one of the institutions notified under the scheme. Only 1st-year students can apply for a fresh scholarship — students in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year are not eligible for a fresh award.
How much money do I get?
You get your full tuition fee and non-refundable charges paid (for private-sector institutions there is a ceiling of Rs. 2.00 lakh per year per student). You also get an academic allowance of Rs. 86,000 in the first year of study and Rs. 41,000 in every year after that, for living expenses, books, stationery and a laptop with accessories. It is paid directly to your bank account by Direct Benefit Transfer.
What is the last date?
For the current cycle, the National Scholarship Portal shows the scheme open from 01-06-2026, with student applications open till 31-10-2026. Always check the official portal before you apply, as dates can be extended.
How do I apply?
Apply online on the National Scholarship Portal. Upload your income certificate and caste certificate and enter your bank account details, admission rank and fee details. Your institution then verifies your details and forwards your application to the Ministry.
Can I renew it?
Yes. Once awarded, the scholarship continues till you finish your course, as long as your performance is satisfactory. If you fail to get promoted to the next semester or class, the scholarship stops — but it restarts on its own once you are promoted. If you change your institute or college after selection, the scholarship is discontinued.
Can I take another scholarship at the same time?
No. A selected candidate cannot take the benefit of any other similar scholarship scheme of the Central or State Governments.
Is there anything reserved for girls?
Yes. 30% of the slots given to each institution are reserved for eligible SC girl students, as per their inter-se merit. This is separate from girl students who already qualify on the overall merit list.