New Guidelines for SC Students' Scholarship Scheme: What You Need to Know

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has announced updated guidelines for the Top Class Scholarship Scheme for SC Students for the 2024-25 academic year. This initiative aims to enhance financial support for Scheduled Caste students pursuing higher education in premier institutions across India. Key changes include direct tuition fee transfers, academic allowances, and strict eligibility criteria. With a cap on the number of scholarships and provisions for social audits, the scheme seeks to ensure accountability and support for students. Read on to learn more about the specifics of this important initiative.

By Ambika Singh Nov 26, 2025, 15:03 IST

Updated Scholarship Scheme for SC Students

New Delhi: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has unveiled new guidelines for the 'Top Class Scholarship Scheme for SC Students', enhancing financial aid and reinforcing institutional accountability for the academic year 2024–25.

This initiative is designed to facilitate access to quality higher education for Scheduled Caste students by covering their full tuition fees and providing academic allowances at India's leading institutions.

According to the updated financial regulations, the government will directly transfer the complete tuition fees and non-refundable charges to students via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), with a limit of Rs 2 lakh annually for private colleges.

Additionally, students will receive an academic allowance of Rs 86,000 in their first year and Rs 41,000 in subsequent years to assist with living costs, books, and laptops. However, beneficiaries cannot receive similar scholarships from other Central or State programs.

The scholarship is available to SC students whose family income does not exceed Rs 8 lakh annually, provided they gain admission to designated institutions, including IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NITs, National Law Universities, NIFT, NID, IHMs, and other accredited colleges. Only first-year students can apply for new awards, while renewals will be granted until course completion, contingent on academic performance.

The ministry has set a limit of 4,400 new scholarships for the 2024–25 academic year, within a total cap of 21,500 slots for the period from 2021–22 to 2025–26.

Of these slots, 30% are reserved for eligible SC female students, with institutions permitted to fill any unoccupied female slots with male candidates if there are insufficient female applicants.

Institutions are responsible for verifying caste and income certificates, promoting the scheme in their prospectuses, and monitoring students' academic performance, including providing support for those who may struggle through bridge courses or mentoring.

Institutions that fail to adhere to these guidelines may face de-notification, although current beneficiaries will continue to receive funding until they finish their courses.

The ministry has also implemented measures for social audits, enhanced oversight by a steering committee, and the removal of institutions that do not apply for three consecutive years or lack the necessary AISHE (All India Survey on Higher Education) codes or KYC compliance on the National Scholarship Portal.

The scheme restricts benefits to a maximum of two siblings from the same family, and any student who changes institutions after selection will forfeit their eligibility.