Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship

The Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship is a state-funded merit award offered by the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Government of Maharashtra, to Scheduled Caste students pursuing higher secondary education. The scheme recognises strong academic performance at the Class 10 board examination and provides a supplementary monthly stipend through the schooling years that follow.

Students who belong to the Scheduled Caste category, are residents of Maharashtra, secured 75 percent or more in the SSC (Class 10) examination, and have taken admission into Class 11 in a junior college within the state are eligible. The scholarship runs for two academic years covering Class 11 and Class 12. Applications are submitted online through the MahaDBT portal at mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in, and the sanctioned amount is disbursed directly to the student bank account after verification by the institution and the district social welfare office.

The award provides Rs.300 per month for ten months in each academic year, paid in addition to any Government of India post-matric scholarship and freeship that the student may already be receiving. The intent is to encourage continued academic effort at the higher secondary stage and to reduce out-of-pocket expenses on books, stationery and travel during board preparation years. The scheme is one of several merit and post-matric scholarships routed through MahaDBT and forms part of the wider state ecosystem of educational support for SC, VJNT and SBC students.