1. Overview (What is this scheme?)
The Post Matric Scholarship for ST students is a landmark initiative by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, implemented in Gujarat through the Tribal Development Department. It aims to eliminate financial barriers for students from Scheduled Tribe communities who wish to pursue higher education beyond Class 10.
๐ก Expert Tip: The 'Food Bill' Bonus
ST students staying in government-recognized hostels in Gujarat are often eligible for an additional **'Food Bill' assistance** (typically โน1,200 to โน1,500 per month) under the Tribal Department's specific schemes. When you apply for Post Matric ST on Digital Gujarat, make sure to check the 'Hosteller' box and upload your hostel certificate to unlock this extra benefit. It covers almost 80% of your mess charges!
๐ Post Matric Scholarship for ST 2026 โ Quick Summary
| Scheme Name | Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) |
|---|---|
| Academic Year | 2026โ27 |
| Application Mode | Online / Digital Portal |
| Income Limit | NO INCOME LIMIT (for Govt/Grant-in-Aid) |
| Scholarship Amount | Benefits as per scheme rules, subject to verification. |
| Official Portal | digitalgujarat.gov.in |
2. Who Can Apply? (Exact Eligibility)
Eligibility criteria may differ by state and academic year.
- Target Group: Scheduled Tribe students.
- State: Must be a permanent resident of Gujarat (Domicile).
- Enrollment: Must be a regular student in a government-recognized institution.
3. Income Limit (State vs. Central Funding)
There is a critical distinction in income limits for ST students based on the funding source:
- Central (GoI) Scholarship (VKY-157): Family income must be โน2,50,000 or less. This is the primary scheme for ST students.
- State-Funded Scholarship: For students in Government and Grant-in-Aid colleges, there is NO INCOME LIMIT. Students above โน2.5 Lakh can still receive state-funded tuition relief.
- Private/Management Quota: The standard limit of โน2,50,000 strictly applies.
Note on Validity: Your digital income certificate is valid for 3 financial years as per Revenue Department orders.
4. Academic Criteria (Exact Rule)
You must have passed the previous examination (e.g., if you are in 2nd year, you must have passed 1st year). Failing a semester or year will lead to a temporary pause in benefits. No specific high percentage (like 80%) is needed; only clear passing marks are required.
Note: Failing a semester or year might lead to a temporary pause in benefits.5. Scholarship Amount (Exact Benefit)
ST students are eligible for two major benefits, defined by their course "Group":
| Category | Group I (Medical/Engg) | Group IV (Class 11/12) |
|---|---|---|
| Hostellers | Up to โน13,500 / year | Up to โน7,000 / year |
| Day Scholars | Up to โน7,000 / year | Up to โน3,500 / year |
Key Benefits:
- 100% Tuition Fee Reversal: Full refund of fees as per FRC norms.
- Academic Allowance: Paid annually (as shown above) to cover books and incidental expenses.
Funds are strictly disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to your Aadhaar-seeded bank account. Note: State-funded rates for students above โน2.5L income may vary slightly.
6. Documents Required
Additional documents may be required as per portal instructions.
Digital certificate with a valid barcode and serial number.
Valid for the 2026-27 session (Self-declaration usually required).
Mandatory proof of enrollment and fee paid to the college.
Required only if you are applying for the Hosteller allowance.
7. How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Digital Gujarat Portal.
Step 1: Register using Aadhaar and mobile OTP.
Step 2: Select 'Post Matric Scholarship for ST' from the service list.
Step 3: Enter bank details correctly (Seed with Aadhaar).
Step 4: Upload documents and hit 'Final Submit'.
8. Renewal Process
For existing beneficiaries, renewal requires logging in with previous credentials and updating your marks for the current academic year.
9. Verification Process
Applications are verified at the Institute Level first. Ensure your college office pushes your profile to the district level promptly.
10. Common Rejection Reasons
- Income certificate exceeds โน2.5 Lakh.
- Bank account is inactive or not linked to Aadhaar.
- Uploading a category certificate from another state.
๐ Official Application Resources 2026-27
Apply through the verified government portal below. Make sure to download the official guidelines for complete details.
11. Common Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is there any minimum percentage required for ST students?
No. There is no minimum percentage like 80% or 60%. As long as you have passed your previous examination and meet the income criteria, you are eligible for the scholarship.
Q2: Can ST students get the MYSY and Post Matric scholarship together?
No. You can only apply for one scholarship. Usually, for ST students, the Post Matric scheme is better because it provides 100% tuition fee reversal plus maintenance allowance, whereas MYSY has strict merit cutoffs.
Q3: What if my family income is more than โน2.5 Lakh?
If you are in a Government or Grant-in-Aid college, you are still eligible for the state-funded version of the scholarship. However, you will not qualify for the Central GoI scheme (VKY-157). If you are in a private college management seat and exceed โน2.5 Lakh, you are generally not eligible for this specific scholarship.
Q4: Do I need a digital caste certificate?
Yes. The Tribal Development Department now requires a digital caste certificate with a QR code or barcode for automated verification. Older manual certificates might lead to delays or rejections.
Q5: Is it valid for distance learning/correspondence?
Generally, the scheme is for regular students. However, some specific professional correspondence courses recognized by the government might be eligible. Check the official list on Digital Gujarat.
๐๏ธ Empowering Tribal Communities
The Post Matric ST Scholarship supports over 2.8 Lakh students in tribal belts of Gujarat (from Ambaji to Umargam), playing a crucial role in increasing the literacy and professional participation of tribal youth.