Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students (Classes 9 & 10)

The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Caste Students Studying in Classes IX and X is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The scheme is implemented through State Governments and Union Territory administrations and provides financial assistance to Scheduled Caste students at the secondary stage of school education. The objective is to reduce the dropout rate among SC students at the transition between elementary and secondary education and to support continuation through Class X.

The scheme is open to Indian Scheduled Caste students studying in Class IX or Class X on a full-time basis in a recognised government, government-aided or recognised private school. The combined annual income of the parents or guardians from all sources must not exceed Rs. 2,50,000. The scheme was restructured from the academic year 2022-23 to focus exclusively on Classes IX and X, having earlier covered Classes I to X under the broader Pre-Matric scholarship for SC and Other Communities.

From 2022-23 onwards, eligible students receive a consolidated academic allowance of Rs. 3,500 per annum as day scholars and Rs. 7,000 per annum as hostellers. An additional 10 per cent allowance is provided to Divyang students with disabilities. Funds are released through the National Scholarship Portal as Direct Benefit Transfer to the student's Aadhaar-seeded bank account, with State and Union Territory nodal departments handling verification and disbursement.