Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of those Engaged in Unclean Occupations
by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
Monthly stipend + ad-hoc grant
Centrally sponsored pre-matric scholarship for Class I to X children whose parents work as manual scavengers, tanners, flayers, waste pickers, or in hazardous cleaning.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual
Duration
Annual scholarship covering ten months of the academic year, renewable each year up to Class X
Eligibility
Open to Class I–X students in recognised schools across India whose parents/guardians work in unclean or hazardous occupations (e.g., manual scavenging, tanning, flaying, waste picking, hazardous cleaning). No income limit for most categories; income criteria apply for certain sweepers. Certification from the District Social Welfare Officer or a designated authority is required.
- Grade level
- Grade 1 to 10
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Full-time enrolment in a recognised school in Class I to X.
- Prerequisites
- Indian nationality
- Full-time enrolment in Class I to X at a recognised school
- Parent or guardian engaged in a notified unclean or hazardous occupation
- Occupation certificate from the District Social Welfare Officer or designated local body authority
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Stipend + ₹750-₹1,000 grant
Day scholars in Class I to X receive ₹110 per month for ten months along with an ad-hoc grant of ₹750 per year. Hostellers from Class III to X receive ₹700 per month for ten months along with an ad-hoc grant of ₹1,000 per year. Funds are released through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Recognition
Government of India scheme
What it covers
- Monthly maintenance allowance for ten months
- Annual ad-hoc grant of ₹750 for day scholars
- Annual ad-hoc grant of ₹1,000 for hostellers
Key dates
- Registration opened
- 1 Jun 2026
- Registration closed
- 31 Aug 2026
- Dates
- 1 Jul 2026 to 31 Mar 2027
Registration Opens
The National Scholarship Portal begins accepting applications for the 2026-27 cycle.
Registration Closes
Final deadline for students to submit their online applications on the National Scholarship Portal.
Defective Application Verification Deadline
Deadline for institutions to verify and correct defective applications submitted by students.
Institute Verification Deadline
Deadline for institutions to complete the verification of all submitted applications.
District/State/Ministry Nodal Officer Verification Deadline
Deadline for District, State, and Ministry Nodal Officers to complete their verification of applications.
Scholarship Disbursement Begins
Expected start date for the disbursement of scholarship funds to selected beneficiaries via Direct Benefit Transfer.
Online · National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
How to apply
- 1Register on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in and complete One-Time Registration
- 2Select the Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of those Engaged in Unclean Occupations under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- 3Fill in personal, school, parent occupation, and bank account details accurately
- 4Upload supporting documents including the occupation certificate from the designated authority
- 5Submit the application before the cycle deadline and track verification by the school and state nodal department
Rules and guidelines
- Awardees are selected by the State or Union Territory of permanent domicile
- Occupation certificate must be issued by the District Social Welfare Officer or a designated local body authority
- Applicants cannot simultaneously avail another central scholarship for the same purpose
- Active bank account in the student's name is required for Direct Benefit Transfer
- Renewal each year requires verification of continued enrolment and academic progress
Technology requirements
- Internet access
- Computer or mobile device for online application
About this opportunity
The Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of those Engaged in Unclean Occupations is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The scheme has been in operation since 1977-78 and supports school-going children whose parents or guardians are engaged in occupations historically considered unclean and hazardous.
The scholarship is open to students enrolled full-time in Class I to X in recognised schools across India. Eligible occupational categories cover manual scavengers as defined under the Manual Scavengers Act 2013, tanners, flayers, waste pickers, and persons engaged in hazardous cleaning. There is no family income ceiling for children of manual scavengers, tanners, flayers, and waste pickers, while a ceiling applies for sweepers having traditional links with scavenging.
Financial support includes a monthly stipend for ten months of the academic year and an annual ad-hoc grant. Day scholars receive a monthly maintenance allowance with a ₹750 ad-hoc grant per year, while hostellers from Class III onwards receive a higher monthly allowance with a ₹1,000 ad-hoc grant per year.
The scheme is implemented through State Governments and Union Territory administrations and disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer to the student's bank account. Applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in during the annual cycle, with verification handled by the institution and the state nodal department.
Frequently asked questions
Which occupational categories are covered under this pre-matric scholarship?
The scheme covers children of manual scavengers as defined under the Manual Scavengers Act 2013, tanners, flayers, waste pickers, persons engaged in hazardous cleaning, and sweepers with traditional links to scavenging.
Does the family need to meet an income limit to apply?
There is no family income ceiling for children of manual scavengers, tanners, flayers, and waste pickers. An income ceiling applies for the sweeper category, with documentation verified by the state nodal department.
What scholarship amount can students expect to receive each year?
Day scholars in Class I to X receive ₹110 per month for ten months along with a ₹750 annual ad-hoc grant. Hostellers from Class III to X receive ₹700 per month for ten months along with a ₹1,000 annual ad-hoc grant.
How is the occupation of the parent verified during the application?
Applicants must submit a certificate from the District Social Welfare Officer or an officer of a local body or civic agency designated by the State Government, confirming the parent's engagement in a notified unclean or hazardous occupation.
Where do parents and students apply for this scholarship?
Applications are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in during the annual cycle. The state nodal department and the school verify the application before disbursement through Direct Benefit Transfer.
What are the key reasons for scholarship application rejection?
Common reasons for rejection include incorrect bank account details, non-Aadhaar seeded accounts, mismatch in personal details, submission of incomplete or invalid documents, and failure to meet specific eligibility criteria. Students should ensure all information is accurate and complete.
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