1. Overview (What is this scheme?)
A robust support system for Scheduled Caste students in Gujarat, ensuring high-quality education and professional growth. This scheme is primarily designed to provide tuition fee waivers and maintenance allowances to SC students pursuing studies after Class 10.
๐ก Founder's Note: Don't ignore 'Query' Status
Many SC students submit their form and never check back. If the district officer finds a blurry scan of your caste certificate, they will mark it as a 'Query'. You have only a limited time to fix it. I recommend logging into Digital Gujarat every 15 days until your status says 'Approved by District'.
๐ SC Scholarship Gujarat 2026 โ Quick Summary
| Scheme Name | SC Scholarship Gujarat |
|---|---|
| Academic Year | 2026โ27 |
| Application Mode | Online / Digital Portal |
| Income Limit | โน2,50,000 per annum |
| Academic Allowance | Up to โน13,500 / year (Hostellers) |
| Official Portal | digitalgujarat.gov.in |
2. Who Can Apply? (Exact Eligibility)
Eligibility criteria may differ by state and academic year.
- Target Group: SC category students studying from standard 11 to PhD level.
- State: Must be a permanent resident of Gujarat (Domicile).
- Enrollment: Must be a regular student in a government-recognized institution.
3. Income Limit (Exact Figure)
Income limits vary by state and government notification. Common central limits are around โน2,50,000 for SC/ST and similar for other categories (subject to official rules).
Income limit for the SC Post-Matric Scholarship is strictly โน2,50,000 per annum.
Note on Validity: Following the unified Gujarat Revenue Dept orders, your Digital Income Certificate is valid for 3 financial years. If your certificate was issued after April 1, 2024, it is valid for the current 2025-26 and upcoming 2026-27 cycles. You do NOT need a fresh one every year.
4. Academic Criteria (Exact Rule)
Academic criteria as per scheme rules (commonly passing marks in previous exam).
Note: Failing a semester or year might lead to a temporary pause in benefits.5. Scholarship Amount (Exact Benefit)
Benefits depend on institute category and verification as per scheme rules.
The scholarship covers **100% Tuition Fees** and an **Annual Academic Allowance** (formerly known as maintenance allowance). The rates for the 2025-26/2026-27 cycle are as follows:
| Course Group | Hosteller (Annual) | Day Scholar (Annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Group I (Engg/MBBS/Prof.) | โน13,500 | โน7,000 |
| Group II (Diploma/PG) | โน9,500 | โน6,500 |
| Group III (Graduation) | โน6,000 | โน3,000 |
| Group IV (Class 11/12) | โน7,000 | โน3,500 |
Payment is disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to your Aadhaar-linked bank account. Ensure your account is **NPCI Seeded**.
๐ก๏ธ Expert Secret: The Free Ship Card
If you are an SC student planning to join a **Private or Self-Financed (SFI)** college, the Free Ship Card is your most important document.
- Benefit: You don't have to pay tuition fees upfront during admission. The government pays the college directly.
- Eligibility: Only for SC students with family income below โน2.5 Lakh.
- How to get: Apply for the "Free Ship Card" on Digital Gujarat BEFORE you take admission.
6. Documents Required
Additional documents may be required as per portal instructions.
Mandatory for final verification.
Mandatory for final verification.
Mandatory for final verification.
Mandatory for final verification.
Mandatory for final verification.
7. How to Apply
Online via Digital Gujarat portal.
Step 1: Register on the portal using Aadhaar and Mobile OTP.
Step 2: Fill academic and family details.
Step 3: Upload scanned documents in the correct sizes.
Step 4: Submit and save the application printout.
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
- Incorrect Caste Certificate number in portal
- Bank account not active
- Income above 2.5 Lakh
- Bank account not active or not seeded with Aadhaar.
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 a fresh Income Certificate required every year?
No. Digital Income Certificates in Gujarat are valid for **3 financial years**. If yours was issued after April 1, 2024, it is valid for the 2025-26 cycle. You only need a new one if your previous 3-year certificate has expired.
Q2: What are the minimum marks required for SC Scholarship?
For standard Post-Matric scholarships, you generally only need to pass the previous year's exam. There is no high merit requirement like 80 percentile (which is for MYSY).
Q3: Can I apply if I am studying outside Gujarat?
Yes, if you are a permanent resident of Gujarat but studying in a recognized institute outside the state, you can still apply under the 'Outside State' category on the portal.
Q4: My bank account is in my father's name. Is it okay?
No. The scholarship must be paid into the student's own bank account. Joint accounts are also risky; we strongly recommend a single savings account in the student's name.
Q5: Is there any benefit for SC students in PhD?
Yes, SC students pursuing PhD receive a significant research stipend and fee reimbursement under specialized schemes hosted on the same portal.
๐ Outreach & Impact
In the 2024-25 session, the Social Justice and Empowerment Department of Gujarat helped over 2.8 Lakh SC students with educational grants totaling more than โน450 Crores.