Central Sector Scheme for SC Students 2025[Upto Rs 86,000] Central Sector Scheme is a flagship scholarship by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment designed to support Scheduled Caste students admitted to first-year full-time programs in elite Indian institutions—including IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, NLUs, and top-ranked NAAC/NIRF bodies—with an annual family income of up to ₹8 lakh .Selected applicants will receive an academic allowance of ₹86,000 in the first year of study & ₹41,000 in every subsequent year to cover other expenses.
Contents
- Eligibility Criteria for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students 2025
- Benefits of Central Sector Scheme for SC Students 2025
- Documents Required for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students
- Last Date
- Application Process for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students
- Selection Process for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students
- Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility Criteria for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students 2025
To be eligible for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Only students officially belonging to SC category are eligible.
- The Annual family income must not exceed ₹ 8 lakh
- The applicants must have secured admission to a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course in a notified institution (e.g., IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NITs, NLUs, NIFT/NID, NAAC A+/A++, or NIRF top-100)
- The applicant must have scored a minimum of 60% marks in Class 12 and admission based on regular selection criteria like entrance exams, though this may vary slightly by institution.
- Scholarships are awarded only to first-year students; applicants in subsequent years (2nd, 3rd, etc.) are not eligible for a fresh award.
- A maximum of two siblings per family can receive benefits under the scheme.
Note: 30% of scholarships are reserved for SC female students; unfilled female slots may be reallocated to male candidates based on merit.
If the number of eligible candidates exceeds institutional slots, selection is based on inter-se merit (e.g., JEE scores), with tie-breakers decided by lower family income.
Recipients are not allowed to hold similar scholarships from central or state governments under this scheme.
Benefits of Central Sector Scheme for SC Students 2025
Selected Applicants recieve Rs 86,000 and the following mentioned benefits:
Tuition & Institutional Fees
• Covers full tuition fees up to ₹2 lakh/year for private institutions.
• Covers up to ₹3.72 lakh/year for commercial pilot training courses.
One-Time Laptop Grant
• A subsidy of up to ₹45,000 to purchase a computer or laptop along with accessories.
Academic Allowance
• ₹86,000 in the first year and ₹41,000 for each subsequent year to cover academic and allied expenses.
Note:30% reservation for SC female students, ensuring gender balance in access to higher education.
Sibling cap of two per family, broadening coverage to more households.
All funds are disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).Tuition fees paid directly to the educational institution. Allowances and stipends transferred to the student’s bank account.
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Documents Required for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students
There are a few necessary documents that the applicants must keep with them while filling the Central Sector Scheme for SC Students application form. The candidates must upload scanned copies of the following documents to complete their application process:
- Scheduled Caste Certificate
- Annual Family Income Certificate
- Aadhaar Card as Identity proof
- Bank Passbook / Cancelled Cheque(Must be Aadhaar-linked, showing the student’s name, account number, IFSC code, and photograph).
- Proof of Admission( Admission letter, fee receipt)
- Fee Receipt Of College
- Academic Mark Sheet of last qualifying examination
- Bonafide / Declaration Certificate
- Domicile Certificate
- Recent Passport-Size Photograph & Signature
- Declaration by Parents
Last Date
31st October 2025
Application Process for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students
- Click “Apply Now“
- Click on OTR and complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) using your mobile/email and Aadhaar.
- Finish OTP verification and biometric or app-based authentication.
- Log in to NSP after registration.
- Navigate to “Apply for Scholarship”, choose the Top-Class Education Scheme for SC Students, and fill in the application form.
- Provide accurate details such as personal data, admission information, family income, bank account, and institution details
- Upload scanned copies in prescribed formats (PDF/JPG ~200 KB each)
- Once submitted, the application goes to the institute for verification.
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Selection Process for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students
- The Ministry allocates a fixed number of slots to each notified institution every year
- If the number of eligible candidates exceeds available slots, institutions create an inter‑se merit list—ranked based on admission criteria like entrance exam or previous mark percentage
- If two or more students have identical merit standings, family income is used as a tie-breaker—lower income gets priority
- The shortlisted student list, along with verified documents (income, caste, rank, bank details), is forwarded by the institution to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- The Ministry formally approves selections and initiates DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to institutions (tuition fees) and students (stipends/allowances)
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is Central Sector Scheme for SC Students 2025?
The Top‑Class Education Scheme (Central Sector) is a flagship scholarship by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment designed to support Scheduled Caste students admitted to first-year full-time programs in elite Indian institutions. Selected applicants will receive an academic allowance of ₹86,000 in the first year of study & ₹41,000 in every subsequent year to cover other expenses.
2.Who is eligible for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students 2025 ?
To be eligible for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Only students officially belonging to SC category are eligible.
- The Annual family income must not exceed ₹ 8 lakh
- The applicants must have secured admission to a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course in a notified institution (e.g., IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, NITs, NLUs, NIFT/NID, NAAC A+/A++, or NIRF top-100)
- The applicant must have scored a minimum of 60% marks in Class 12 and admission based on regular selection criteria like entrance exams, though this may vary slightly by institution.
- Scholarships are awarded only to first-year students; applicants in subsequent years (2nd, 3rd, etc.) are not eligible for a fresh award.
- A maximum of two siblings per family can receive benefits under the scheme.
3.Which institutions are covered under Central Sector Scheme for SC Students 2025?
All IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, NIFT/NID, NLUs, select flying clubs (for pilot training), and other NAAC A+/A++ or NIRF top-100 / Institutes of National Importance
4.What is the income ceiling?
₹8 lakh/year, although some official sites mention ₹4.5 lakh—₹8 lakh is the widely accepted limit
5.Is it only for first-year students?
Yes, fresh selection is for first-year entrants only. Slots are later offered to higher-year students only if underutilized
6.Are gross scores required for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students 2025?
Most institutions require at least 60% in Class 12 or equivalent, and admission is based on merit/entrance criteria.
7.Is there a sibling cap?
Maximum of two siblings per family can receive this scholarship
8.Is there a reservation for girls under Central Sector Scheme for SC Students?
Yes, 30% of seats are reserved for female SC students; vacancies can shift to male candidates
9.What benefits are offered under Central Sector Scheme for SC Students?
Covers tuition fee (up to ₹2 lakh/year or ₹3.72 lakh for pilot training), plus living allowance, books, stationery, and a one-time computer grant
10.What is the living expense amount?
₹2,220/month (₹3,000/month per some sources) for living expenses
11.What about books and stationery?
₹3,000–₹5,000 per annum
12.Is there a laptop grant?
Yes—a one‑time computer allowance of ₹45,000
13.How is tuition paid?
DBT directly transfers fees to the institution
14.How are allowances disbursed?
DBT transfers to the student’s bank account
15.Does the scholarship continue till course end?
Yes, as long as the student clears exams yearly
16.What if a student fails?
Scholarship stops until the student gets promoted; then it’s resumed .
17.How are applicants selected?
Inter-se merit list within each institution; ties resolved by lower income
18.Can 2nd‑year students get a fresh award?
Yes—only if slots go unused and based on merit of previous year
19.When is the application deadline for Central Sector Scheme for SC Students?
Typically by October 30 2025
20.Is there an application fee?
No—application via NSP is completely free
21.How do I check application status of Central Sector Scheme for SC Students?
Track your application on the NSP dashboard under “Track Application” egovtschemes.com+1community.exampathfinder.com+1.
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