State Government Open Merit Scholarship Maharashtra 2025-26

The State Government Open Merit Scholarship is one of the oldest merit-based financial assistance programmes offered by the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Government of Maharashtra. Unlike most state scholarships that are restricted by caste or income criteria, this one is open to all students who have passed Class 12, regardless of their background, gender, or family income. The scholarship is disbursed through the MahaDBT (Maharashtra Direct Benefit Transfer) portal, which is the single-window platform for all Maharashtra government scholarships.

The monthly stipend under this scholarship is Rs. 100, which translates to Rs. 1,200 per year. It is important to be upfront here: this amount is modest by today’s standards and will not cover a significant portion of your college expenses. However, the scholarship still holds value for students, particularly because it serves as an official government merit recognition on your academic record. Many students apply for it alongside other, higher-value scholarships available on the same MahaDBT portal. Since there is no income ceiling or caste restriction, it is one of the few scholarships in Maharashtra where virtually every Class 12 passed student is eligible.

The application deadline for the 2025-26 session is March 31, 2026. Applications are accepted only through the MahaDBT portal, and the process is entirely online.

Scholarship Details

Who Is Eligible

The eligibility criteria for this scholarship are straightforward compared to most government scholarship schemes. The applicant must have passed Class 12 (Higher Secondary Certificate or equivalent) from a recognized board in Maharashtra. There is no restriction based on gender, caste, religion, or family income, which makes it one of the most accessible scholarships in the state.

The student must be a domicile of Maharashtra and should be pursuing or planning to pursue higher education at a recognized institution within the state. Students from all streams, whether Arts, Commerce, or Science, are eligible to apply. There is no minimum percentage requirement specified in the official scheme guidelines, though merit-based selection means students with higher marks may be prioritized if the number of applications exceeds the available slots.

What You Get

The scholarship provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 100, disbursed directly to the student’s bank account through the DBT mechanism. Over the course of an academic year, this amounts to Rs. 1,200. The amount is transferred after verification of documents and approval of the application by the DHE.

While the financial amount is limited, the scholarship carries practical advantages beyond the stipend itself. Having an approved government scholarship on your profile can strengthen applications for other competitive fellowships and schemes later in your academic career. It also establishes your presence on the MahaDBT platform, which hosts several other higher-value scholarships such as the Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Scholarship and the Government of India Post-Matric Scholarship, making future applications on the same portal smoother.

Documents You Need

1. Aadhaar Card: A clear scanned copy of your Aadhaar card is mandatory for identity verification and DBT linkage. Make sure your Aadhaar is linked to your active bank account, as the stipend is transferred directly via Aadhaar-based DBT.

2. Class 12 Marksheet: Upload your original Class 12 marksheet or passing certificate issued by the respective board (Maharashtra State Board, CBSE, or ICSE). Provisional marksheets are generally accepted if the final marksheet has not been issued yet.

3. Bank Passbook (First Page): A scanned copy of the first page of your bank passbook showing your name, account number, and IFSC code. The account must be in the student’s own name and linked to Aadhaar for DBT transfer.

4. Bonafide Certificate: This certificate must be issued by the educational institution where you are currently enrolled for higher education. It confirms that you are a genuine student of that institution.

5. Caste Certificate (if applicable): While this scholarship has no caste restriction, the MahaDBT portal may ask for a caste certificate as part of the general profile setup. Keep one ready if you belong to a reserved category.

6. Income Certificate (if applicable): Similar to the caste certificate, an income certificate may be requested during the portal profile completion, even though this particular scholarship does not have an income ceiling.

How to Apply on MahaDBT

Step 1: Go to the official MahaDBT portal at mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in. If you are a first-time user, click on “New Applicant Registration” and create your account using your Aadhaar number and mobile number. You will receive an OTP for verification.

Step 2: After registration, log in to your MahaDBT dashboard. Complete your profile by filling in personal details, educational qualifications, and bank account information. This profile is common across all MahaDBT scholarships, so fill it carefully.

Step 3: Once your profile is complete, navigate to the “Scholarship” section and look for the “State Government Open Merit Scholarship” under the Directorate of Higher Education schemes. You can also search for it directly.

Step 4: Click on the scholarship and fill out the application form. Most fields will auto-populate from your profile. Review all details carefully before proceeding.

Step 5: Upload all required documents as specified. Make sure the file sizes and formats match the portal’s requirements (typically JPEG or PDF, under 500 KB each).

Step 6: Submit your application before March 31, 2026. After submission, note down your application ID for future reference. You can track the status of your application from your MahaDBT dashboard.

Apply Now on the Official MahaDBT Portal

Frequently Asked Questions

Can students from CBSE or ICSE boards apply for this scholarship?

Yes, the scholarship is not restricted to Maharashtra State Board students. Any student who has passed Class 12 from a recognized board and is a resident of Maharashtra can apply, including those from CBSE, ICSE, and other recognized boards.

Is there a minimum percentage required in Class 12?

The official scheme guidelines do not specify a minimum percentage cutoff. However, since it is a merit-based scholarship, students with higher academic performance are likely to be prioritized during selection.

Can I apply for this scholarship along with other MahaDBT scholarships?

The MahaDBT portal generally allows students to apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously. However, whether you can receive benefits from more than one scheme depends on the clubbing rules of each individual scholarship. Check the specific terms of each scheme on the portal before applying.

What happens if my application is rejected?

If your application is rejected, the reason for rejection will be displayed on your MahaDBT dashboard. Common reasons include incomplete documents, mismatched Aadhaar details, or errors in bank account information. You can correct the issues and reapply within the deadline if the portal allows re-submission.

How will the scholarship amount be disbursed?

The Rs. 100 monthly stipend is transferred directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism. There is no physical cheque or cash disbursement.

Is this a one-time scholarship or does it renew annually?

Based on the current scheme details, this scholarship is provided for the academic session for which you apply. There is no automatic renewal mentioned. Students may need to reapply for subsequent academic years if the scheme continues.