Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students
Full tuition fee reimbursement and academic allowance up to ₹86,000/year for SC students admitted to premier institutions like IITs, IIMs, NITs, and other notified top-class institutions.
About this scheme
The Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students is a flagship scholarship of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. It recognises and promotes quality education among students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) by providing comprehensive financial support for pursuing studies beyond Class 12 in notified premier institutions across India. The scheme covers tuition fees, non-refundable charges, academic allowance for books, stationery, laptop, and living expenses. Approximately 2,000 scholarships are awarded annually, with 30% of slots reserved for girl students based on merit. Once awarded, the scholarship continues for the full duration of the course, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
Eligibility
- Caste category: Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category with a valid SC caste certificate
- Annual family income: Total annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹8,00,000 per annum
- Academic qualification: Must be a first-year student enrolled in a full-time prescribed course at a notified top-class institution
- Institution: Must have secured admission in a notified premier institution (IITs, IIMs, NITs, IIITs, or other institutions of national importance as notified by the Ministry)
- Sibling limit: A maximum of two siblings from the same family can benefit under this scheme; an affidavit is required confirming the applicant is not the third sibling
- Gender reservation: 30% of slots in each institution are reserved for eligible SC girl students based on merit
Benefits
- Full tuition fees and non-refundable charges (up to ₹2,00,000 per annum for private institutions)
- Academic allowance of ₹86,000 in the first year (covers books, stationery, laptop, living expenses)
- Academic allowance of ₹41,000 per annum in subsequent years
- Flying club courses: tuition up to ₹3,72,000 per annum
- Scholarship continues for the full duration of the course subject to satisfactory performance
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student's bank account
Required documents
- SC Caste Certificate from competent authority
- Aadhaar Card
- Family Income Certificate (annual income below ₹8 lakh)
- Admission letter or fee receipt from notified institution
- Previous academic qualification certificates
- Bank passbook (Aadhaar-linked, in student's name)
- Affidavit confirming not the third sibling availing the benefit
- Institution verification on NSPInstitution must verify the application on NSP before forwarding to the Ministry
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