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
Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of those Engaged in Unclean Occupations is a scholarship by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India for students in Grade 1 to 10, open to students across India. Registration closed 31 Aug 2026. It is free to take part.
Mode
Online
Eligibility
Grade 1 to 10
Fee
Free
Duration
Annual scholarship covering ten months of the academic year, renewable each year up to Class X
Format
Individual
Time needed
Online application through the National Scholarship Portal during the annual cycle
Key dates
- Registration opens
- 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)
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.
Eligibility
- Grade level
- Grade 1 to 10
- Location
- Nationwide
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
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.
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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
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
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
Fees & financial support
Fee details
No application fee for the scholarship.
Financial support
Scheme covers monthly maintenance allowance and an annual ad-hoc grant. Disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer to the student's bank account.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to register for Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of those Engaged in Unclean Occupations?
The registration deadline is 31 Aug 2026. Registration for this edition has closed.
Is Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of those Engaged in Unclean Occupations free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of those Engaged in Unclean Occupations?
Students in Grade 1 to 10.
What will my child gain from Pre-Matric Scholarship for Children of those Engaged in Unclean Occupations?
Monthly maintenance allowance for ten months of the academic year. ₹110 per month for day scholars in Class I to X. ₹700 per month for hostellers in Class III to X. Annual ad-hoc grant of ₹750 for day scholars. Annual ad-hoc grant of ₹1,000 for hostellers. Direct Benefit Transfer to the student's bank account. Renewable each year up to Class X. No family income ceiling for children of manual scavengers, tanners, flayers, and waste pickers.
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