Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment · All India
| Scheme Name | Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students |
| Provided By | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Eligibility Summary | Class 11-12, Graduation, Engineering (< ₹8L Income) |
About the Program
Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students covers the entire cost of education for Scheduled Caste students admitted to India's premier colleges.
Benefits & Financial Support
₹2.9 Lakh+
The scholarship covers full tuition fees and non-refundable charges, with a ceiling of ₹2,00,000 per annum per student for private institutions. Additionally, an academic allowance of ₹86,000 is provided in the first year of study and ₹41,000 in every subsequent year. This academic allowance is intended to cover living expenses, books, stationery, and a computer/laptop with essential accessories. The Central Government directly disburses the tuition fees, non-refundable charges, and academic allowance to the students through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-seeded accounts. Students are responsible for promptly depositing the fees to their institute within a month of receiving the payment.
Full fee reimbursement + stipends.
Note: For SC students admitted to IITs, IIMs, NITs, and other premier NAAC/NIRF institutions.
Eligibility Criteria & Income Limit
| Education Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Course / Stream | Relevant courses |
| Income Limit | Up to ₹8.0 Lakh/year |
| Category / Caste | SC |
| Domicile State | All India |
Mandatory Documents Checklist
- ✓Aadhaar
- ✓Caste Certificate
- ✓Income Certificate
- ✓Admission Proof
- ✓Fee Structure
Selection Process
- —
Candidates must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category and have a total annual family income from all sources not exceeding ₹8 lakh
- —
They must have secured admission in a full-time prescribed course in any of the notified 'Top Class' institutions, based on the institution's general selection criteria
- —
Only first-year students are eligible for fresh scholarships
- —
A maximum of two siblings from the same family can benefit from this scheme
- —
Thirty percent of the scholarship slots allocated to the institution are reserved for eligible SC girl students as per their inter-se merit
- —
If the number of eligible students admitted exceeds the number of slots, scholarships are awarded to the top students in the inter-se merit list.
Renewal Policy
- —
The scholarship, once awarded, will continue until the completion of the course, provided the student's performance is deemed satisfactory, and they are promoted to the next semester/class
- —
Regular monitoring of academic performance is conducted by the Head of the respective institution
- —
Students who fail to get promoted to the next class will have their scholarship terminated, but it can be released again once they are promoted
- —
Students who shift institutions after selection will lose eligibility.
How to Apply Online
Applications are submitted online via Online. Complete eKYC, upload scanned documents, and submit before the closing date.
- 1Registration
Visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) website (scholarships.gov.in) and click on 'New Registration'. Fill in all the required details, including your Aadhaar number, bank account details, and mobile number. You will receive a unique application ID and password.
- 2Login
Log in to the NSP using your application ID and password.
- 3Application Form
Fill out the scholarship application form carefully. Provide personal details, academic information (including Class 12 mark sheets and entrance exam scores if applicable), and details of admission to a notified institution.
- 4Upload Documents
Upload all necessary documents, which typically include: * Caste Certificate * Income Certificate (issued by a revenue officer not below the rank of Tehsildar) * Proof of admission to the notified institution * Fee structure of the program * Bank account details of the institution and the student * Scorecard of the entrance exam qualified (if applicable) * Class 12 marksheets * An affidavit stating that not more than two siblings are availing benefits under the scheme.
- 5Submit Application
Review all the entered information and uploaded documents. Once satisfied, submit the application.
- 6Track Status
After submission, you can track your application status on the NSP using your application ID. The application undergoes verification at the institutional, District Nodal Officer (DNO), State Nodal Officer (SNO), and Ministry Nodal Officer (MNO) levels.
Common Questions (FAQs)
What is the annual family income limit to be eligible for this scholarship?
The total annual family income from all sources for the applicant must not exceed ₹8 lakh (₹8,00,000). An income certificate issued by a revenue officer not below the rank of Tehsildar is required.
Does this scholarship cover all years of my course?
Yes, the scholarship, once awarded, will continue until the completion of your full-time prescribed course, provided you maintain satisfactory academic performance and are promoted to the next semester/class each year.
Are there any specific institutions where this scholarship is applicable?
Yes, the scholarship is applicable only for SC students who secure admission in full-time prescribed courses in institutions notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. These typically include premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NITs, National Law Universities, NIFTs, NIDs, IHMs, and other accredited colleges/universities.
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Legal Disclaimer
IndiaScholarships.in attempts to provide accurate information manually curated from official sources. Scholarship details, timelines, and eligibility can change without notice as per the provider's discretion. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee selection. Always verify all information on the official Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment website before final submission.