OBC Scholarships in India: The Complete Guide (2026)

If you're an OBC student, your scholarship options split across two systems — central and state — and the terminology itself can be confusing since different states use different names for overlapping groups. This guide explains both, in plain language.

Central vs state: two separate systems for OBC students

• Central OBC schemes are funded by the national government and applied for through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The largest is PM-YASASVI, which covers Pre-Matric and Post-Matric support, plus a separate Top Class Education Scheme for OBC/EBC/DNT students at premier institutions.
• State OBC schemes are funded by your own state government and applied for on that state's own portal — separate from NSP, and only open to residents (domicile) of that state.

Most students should check both, since they're funded independently and can often be held together.

OBC, SEBC, BC, EBC — same idea, different names

This is where most confusion comes from. Different states use different terms for the same or overlapping backward-class categories:

• OBC (Other Backward Classes) — the national term, used by most states and the central government.
• SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Class) — used heavily in Odisha's own scheme names, often grouped with OBC in practice.
• BC (Backward Classes) — used by several states, sometimes split further into sub-categories like BC-A or BC-B.
• EBC (Extremely Backward Classes) — a distinct, more specific category, notably used in Bihar, separate from general OBC.

What this means for you: Don't assume a term you've seen in one state applies the same way in another. Always check your specific state's eligibility list.

Documents OBC scholarships almost always ask for

1. Aadhaar Card, linked to your bank account.
2. OBC / SEBC / BC Caste Certificate — confirm the exact certificate type your state or scheme accepts.
3. Non-Creamy Layer Certificate — many schemes require this in addition to your caste certificate, to confirm your family doesn't exceed an income/status threshold.
4. Family Income Certificate.
5. State Domicile / Residence Certificate, for any state-run scheme.
6. Latest marksheet, matching your current class or stage.
7. Bank passbook seeded with Aadhaar.

Which states have dedicated OBC schemes worth checking

Most states run a named OBC, SEBC, or BC/EBC Post-Matric scheme alongside the central PM-YASASVI program — including Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, Telangana, Gujarat, Bihar, and Kerala. If your state has a dedicated pillar guide, check it for the exact scheme name and portal.

How to actually approach this

1. Check PM-YASASVI first — it's the largest central program and applies regardless of which state you live in, as long as you meet the income and category criteria.
2. Then check your state's own OBC/SEBC/BC scheme — this is usually a separate application on a separate portal, and can often be held alongside the central scheme.
3. Confirm whether you need a Non-Creamy Layer certificate, not just a caste certificate — this trips up many otherwise-eligible applicants.
4. Don't assume terminology carries over between states — check the exact category name your state uses before assuming you don't qualify.
5. If you also meet an income-based General/EWS scheme's criteria, check that too — OBC status doesn't exclude you from unrelated income-based schemes.