Post-Matric Scholarship Maharashtra 2025-26: VJNT Students Get 100% Fees + Allowance

Post-Matric Scholarship Maharashtra 2025-26: The Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students (पोस्ट मैट्रिक छात्रवृत्ति, VJNT विद्यार्थियों हेतु) is a financial assistance scheme run by the VJNT, OBC and SBC Welfare Department, Government of Maharashtra. This scholarship covers three major expenses for eligible students: Tuition Fees, Examination Fees, and a monthly Maintenance Allowance. The scheme is exclusively for students belonging to the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) category who are pursuing post-matric education in Maharashtra.

What makes this scholarship particularly valuable is its comprehensive coverage. Unlike many scholarships that only offer a fixed stipend, this scheme reimburses 100% of tuition fees and examination fees for students enrolled in government, government-aided, and even non-aided (private) institutions, in both professional and non-professional courses. On top of that, students receive a monthly maintenance allowance that varies depending on their course group and whether they are hostellers or day scholars. The entire benefit period runs from the date of admission until the completion of examinations, not just the academic session on paper.

Applications are accepted through the MahaDBT portal (mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in), Maharashtra’s centralized Direct Benefit Transfer platform. For the academic year 2025-26, the application window opened on 30th June 2025. The scheme operates on an academic year cycle, with separate timelines for fresh applications, renewals, and re-applications for previous years.

Scholarship Details

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Post-Matric Scholarship for VJNT students, an applicant must belong to the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) category and must be a resident of Maharashtra. The annual income of the applicant’s parents or guardians should not exceed Rs. 2.50 Lakh. The applicant must be pursuing a post-matric course (Class 11 or above) that is approved by the government.

There is an important condition related to attendance: a minimum of 75% attendance in the current academic year is mandatory. Students who fail to meet this attendance requirement will not be eligible for the scholarship benefits for that year.

The scholarship also has a sibling rule that applicants should know about. Only two children of the same parents can avail this benefit, but with an important exception: there is no limit on the number of girl applicants from the same family. This means if a family has three daughters, all three can apply. However, for boys, the maximum is two per family.

For students seeking admission in professional courses (such as Engineering, Medicine, MBA, etc.), entry through the Centralized Admission Process (CAP) round is compulsory. Students admitted outside the CAP round for professional courses will not be eligible.

Another critical rule is that no student can receive benefits under this scheme if they are already receiving a scholarship or stipend from any other source. The moment a student accepts another scholarship, the benefits under this scheme will stop from that date.

Students switching courses should also be careful. If a student moves from a non-professional course to a professional course, they remain eligible. However, switching from a professional course to a non-professional course will make them ineligible. Similarly, if a student changes their course mid-way during an academic year, they lose eligibility for further benefits.

The scholarship continues until the student completes one full academic track. For example, a student can avail benefits through Class 11, Class 12, B.A., M.A., M.Phil., and PhD. However, if a student completes B.A. and then B.Ed., and later takes admission in M.A., they will not be allowed the scholarship for M.A. because they had already completed one track. But if the same student takes admission in M.B.A. after B.Ed., they can be eligible again because M.B.A. is a professional post-graduate course.

Benefits and Maintenance Allowance

The scholarship provides 100% reimbursement of Tuition Fees and Examination Fees for all eligible VJNT students studying in government, government-aided, or non-aided institutions across both professional and non-professional courses. The maintenance allowance is paid in addition to these fees and varies based on the course group and the residential status of the student.

The maintenance allowance structure is divided into five course groups. Course Group A (typically professional degree courses like Engineering, Medicine, etc.) provides Rs. 425 per month for hostellers and Rs. 190 per month for day scholars. Course Group B provides Rs. 290 per month for hostellers and Rs. 190 per month for day scholars. Course Group C also provides Rs. 290 per month for hostellers and Rs. 190 per month for day scholars. Course Group D provides Rs. 230 per month for hostellers and Rs. 120 per month for day scholars. Course Group E (typically Class 11 and 12 level courses) provides Rs. 150 per month for hostellers and Rs. 90 per month for day scholars.

The duration of the maintenance allowance runs from the admission date until the exam completion date. There is an important rule about the start date: if the applicant takes admission on or before the 20th of any month, the maintenance allowance will be issued for that current month. If admission happens after the 20th, the allowance will start from the next month.

Students admitted to a government hostel should note that they will receive only one-third of the hosteller amount, since the government hostel itself subsidizes their accommodation costs.

For B.Ed. and D.Ed. courses specifically, students receive 100% benefits including Tuition Fees, Exam Fees, and Maintenance Allowance. For students studying in aided or un-aided institutions for these courses, the fee structure is applied as per government rates for the same course.

Renewal Policy and Failure Rules

The renewal of this scholarship is not automatic. The applicant must pass the previous year’s examination to continue receiving benefits in the next academic year. The rules around academic failure are specific to each course group and important to understand before applying.

For students in Course Group A, if an applicant fails the examination for the first time, the scholarship award may still be renewed. However, for the second and subsequent failures in any class, the applicant will have to bear all expenses on their own until they secure promotion to the next higher class.

For students in Course Groups B, C, D, and E, the rule is stricter. The applicant must secure promotion to a higher class to continue receiving benefits. For any failure (second and subsequent), the student will have to bear their own expenses until they pass and move to the next class.

There is a general provision that applies to all groups: if a student fails in a particular year, they will still receive the Tuition Fees, Exam Fees, and Maintenance Allowance for that specific academic year (the year in which they failed). However, no further benefits will be released until they successfully pass and get promoted to the next class.

In case a student cannot appear for the annual examination due to a medical condition or an unforeseeable event, the head of the institution (Principal) can certify that the student would have passed the examination had they appeared. This exception is only allowed when the head of the institution is satisfied with the medical proof or other sufficient evidence presented by the student.

Required Documents

1. Caste Certificate: This must be issued by a competent authority of the Government of Maharashtra. The caste certificate also serves as proof of residency, so a separate domicile certificate is generally not needed.

2. Income Certificate or Income Declaration: Issued by a competent authority, showing the parents’ or guardians’ annual income does not exceed Rs. 2.50 Lakh.

3. Caste Validity Certificate: This is mandatory for students enrolled in professional degree courses and professional post-graduate courses. For non-professional courses, the caste validity certificate is not mandatory.

4. HSC or SSC Marksheet or Last Examination Marksheet: The most recent marksheet showing the applicant’s academic performance.

5. Gap Certificate: Not mandatory in all cases, but if there is any gap in the applicant’s education, this certificate becomes compulsory.

6. Father’s or Guardian’s Death Certificate: Applicable only in cases where the father or guardian is deceased.

7. Ration Card: Required to identify the number of children in the family, which is relevant for the sibling rule (maximum 2 boys, unlimited girls).

8. Leaving Certificate: From the previous educational institution.

9. Declaration Certificate of Parents or Guardians: A declaration about the number of children who are beneficiaries of government scholarship schemes.

How to Apply

The entire application process is online through the MahaDBT portal. To begin, visit mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in and click on “New Applicant Registration.” The registration can be done using an Aadhaar number (with OTP or biometric verification) or without Aadhaar (using an Aadhaar Enrollment ID or alternative identity proof).

After registration, log in and complete your profile to 100%. The profile has multiple sections: Personal Information (including caste and income details), Address Information, Other Information (parent or guardian details), Course Applied (current course details), Past Qualification Information (previous academic records), and Hostel Details (whether hosteller or day scholar). The system will only suggest eligible schemes after the profile is 100% complete.

Once your profile is complete, go to “All Schemes” from the left panel and find “Post Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students” under the OBC, SEBC, VJNT & SBC Welfare Department section. Click “Apply” and upload all the required documents. After submission, your application will go through scrutiny at the institute level and then the department level. You can track the status of your application using the “My Applied Scheme” option in your dashboard.

One important note about Aadhaar seeding: your bank account must be linked to your Aadhaar number through the NPCI mapper for the scholarship amount to be credited via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). If you are facing issues with Aadhaar seeding at your bank, you can visit the nearest Post Office and open an India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) account with Aadhaar seeding. This account can be opened instantly with just a mobile number and Aadhaar number.

Apply Now on MahaDBT Official Portal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the income limit for the VJNT Post-Matric Scholarship?

The annual family income of the applicant’s parents or guardians must not exceed Rs. 2.50 Lakh. This is verified through the Income Certificate or Income Declaration issued by a competent authority.

How much maintenance allowance will I receive as a day scholar?

The maintenance allowance for day scholars (non-hostellers) depends on your course group. Group A, B, and C day scholars receive Rs. 190 per month. Group D day scholars receive Rs. 120 per month. Group E day scholars receive Rs. 90 per month. These amounts are paid from the admission date until the exam completion date.

Can I apply if I am already receiving another scholarship?

No. As per the scheme rules, no scholarship will be paid under this scheme from the date a student accepts another scholarship or stipend from any other source. You must choose one scholarship only. If you are eligible for multiple schemes on MahaDBT, you can set your scheme preference in the portal, and the disbursement will happen for only one scheme based on your chosen priority.

What happens if I fail in an exam?

If you fail in a particular year, you will still receive the Tuition Fees, Exam Fees, and Maintenance Allowance for that specific failed year. However, no further benefits will be given until you pass and get promoted to the next class. For Course Group A students, the first failure is treated leniently and the scholarship can be renewed. For Groups B to E, you must pass and move to the next class to resume benefits.

Is the Caste Validity Certificate mandatory for all applicants?

No. The Caste Validity Certificate is mandatory only for students enrolled in professional degree courses and professional post-graduate courses. For non-professional courses, it is not required.

How many children from one family can apply?

A maximum of two boy applicants from the same parents can avail this scholarship. However, there is no limit on girl applicants. Any number of daughters from the same family can apply and receive the benefit.

What should I do if my scholarship amount is not credited to my bank account?

The most common reason for non-disbursement is that your bank account is not linked (seeded) to your Aadhaar number through the NPCI mapper. Visit your bank to ensure Aadhaar seeding is done. If your bank is unable to resolve the issue, you can open an India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) account at the nearest Post Office with Aadhaar seeding done instantly. You only need a mobile number, Aadhaar number, and your scholarship application ID.

Can I apply without an Aadhaar card?

Yes. The MahaDBT portal allows registration without an Aadhaar card using an Aadhaar Enrollment ID. If you do not have an Enrollment ID either, you can still register through the non-Aadhaar registration flow by uploading an alternative identity proof. However, for DBT disbursement, Aadhaar-seeded bank account is required.