Punjab Scholarships: The Complete Guide (2026)

Punjab's scholarship system splits mainly by caste category for its largest schemes, plus a few smaller merit-based and targeted programs. This guide covers all of them.

Post-Matric scholarships are split by category

Punjab runs separate Post-Matric scholarship forms depending on your category:

• Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students
• Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC/BC Students

These are two different applications — make sure you're applying to the one that matches your category, not assuming one form covers everyone.

Merit-based and targeted schemes worth checking

• Punjab Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme — a broader merit-based scheme, not limited to one caste category.
• Dr. Hargobind Khurana Scholarship Scheme — a merit/subject-focused scholarship, separate from the caste-based Post-Matric schemes.
• Attendance Scholarship for SC Girls — rewards regular school attendance for SC girl students, rather than exam marks.

Documents you'll almost always need

1. Aadhaar Card, linked to your mobile number and bank account.
2. Punjab Domicile / Resident Certificate.
3. Caste Certificate, for SC or OBC/BC applicants.
4. Family Income Certificate.
5. Latest marksheet, matching your current class or stage.
6. Bank passbook seeded with Aadhaar, for payment.

How to find the right scheme

1. Check your category first — SC and OBC/BC students each have their own dedicated Post-Matric form.
2. If you don't fit those categories, or want to check further options, look at the Chief Minister Scholarship Scheme and Dr. Hargobind Khurana Scholarship Scheme for merit-based eligibility.
3. If you're an SC girl student, also check the Attendance Scholarship specifically.
4. Check central schemes too — our guide to how state scholarships work explains how state and central (NSP) systems fit together.