| Who it is for | OBC, EBC, DNT students in top-performing schools, Classes 9–12 |
| Annual household income limit | Less than Rs 2,50,000 |
| Maximum scholarship per year | Rs 75,000 (Classes 9–10); Rs 1,25,000 (Classes 11–12) |
| Minimum 30% reserved for | Girls |
| Application window | 1 June 2026 to 31 August 2026 |
| Where to apply | National Scholarship Portal |
| Selection method | Merit-based, state-wise, separate lists for boys and girls |
The deadline is three months away. Here's what needs to happen first.
If you're in Class 9, 10, 11, or 12 at a top-performing school, and your family's annual income is under Rs 2,50,000, you have until 31 August 2026 to apply for PM YASASVI. The portal opens on 1 June. That's your window.
The money comes directly to your bank account. Not to the school, not in vouchers—to you. The amount depends on which class you're in: Rs 75,000 per year if you're in Class 9 or 10, and Rs 1,25,000 per year if you're in Class 11 or 12. It covers tuition, hostel fees, and other school charges.
This is a central government scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It's not a loan. It's not need-based—it's merit-based. Your marks in the previous class's final exam decide whether you get it.
First: Check if your school is on the list
Not every school qualifies. Only schools that have maintained 100% pass rates in Classes 10 and 12 are eligible. These are called Top Class Schools (TCSs). They can be government schools, government-aided schools, or private schools.
The government has already identified these schools through a selection committee chaired by the Joint Secretary (BC) in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. If your school isn't one of them, you cannot apply, no matter how good your marks are.
The National Scholarship Portal will have the full list. Check it before you do anything else. If your school isn't there, stop here.
Second: Confirm your eligibility
Income certificate
Your household's annual income must be below Rs 2,50,000. You'll need proof. The guidelines don't specify which document counts as proof—a bank statement, an income certificate from the local authority, or an affidavit. Check with your school's nodal officer (the person who handles scholarships at your school) about what they accept. Do not guess.
Caste certificate
You must belong to OBC, EBC, or DNT (Dalit Bahujan) categories. You'll need your caste certificate to prove it.
Bank account
You must have your own bank account. The scholarship is paid directly into it via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). If you don't have one, open it now. It doesn't need to be in a particular bank.
Marks from the previous class
You'll need the marks you scored in the final exam of the class you just completed. If you're applying for Class 10, you'll submit your Class 9 final exam marks. If you're applying for Class 11, you'll submit your Class 10 marks.
Merit is calculated on marks from the previous class's final exam, not on your overall performance or attendance. A student with 95% in Class 9 finals beats a student with 90%, regardless of anything else.
The application process: Step by step
- Go to the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). The portal opens on 1 June 2026.
- Create an account or log in if you already have one.
- Search for PM YASASVI or "Top Class Education in Schools for OBC, EBC and DNT Students".
- Fill in the application form with your personal details, marks from the previous class, and income information.
- Upload scans of your caste certificate and income proof. The guidelines don't specify file size or format—ask your school's nodal officer what they need.
- Submit the form.
After you submit, your application goes to your school's nodal officer for verification. They check that you actually study there and that your marks are correct. Then it goes to your state government for final confirmation.
You don't hear back with a yes or no. Instead, the state prepares a merit list. All applications are ranked by marks—separately for boys and girls. Scholarships are allocated automatically from the top of the list downward until the slots for your state and class run out.
How many slots are there?
The number of scholarships available varies by state and class. The government announces these numbers in April each year. They're based on the OBC population in each state. The guidelines don't publish the exact numbers—you'll see them on the portal when it opens.
At least 30% of all scholarships go to girls. So if your state gets 100 slots for Class 9, at least 30 go to girls and at most 70 to boys. Merit lists are prepared separately, so you're not competing against the opposite gender.
What happens after you apply
If you make the merit list and get selected, the money is released in one instalment before 15 August each year. It goes directly into your bank account.
The scholarship covers tuition fees, hostel fees, and other charges the school charges you—up to the maximum. If your school charges Rs 50,000 a year and you're in Class 9, you get Rs 50,000 (the full amount). If it charges Rs 80,000, you get Rs 75,000 (the cap for Classes 9–10). If it charges Rs 1,30,000 and you're in Class 11, you get Rs 1,25,000 (the cap for Classes 11–12).
You keep getting the scholarship every year as long as you remain in the school and stay eligible. The guidelines say the government may contact you by phone or visit to check on how the scheme is helping you. They may also stop your scholarship at any time if you no longer meet the conditions, though the documents don't detail what those conditions are beyond staying in a TCS.
One important restriction
If you're receiving PM YASASVI, you cannot get help from any other government scholarship scheme for the same expenses. For example, if your state runs a separate OBC scholarship for Classes 11–12, you can't apply for both. The scheme rules say you pick one.
What the school must have
For a school to stay eligible and for your application to work, the school must have an Aadhaar-based attendance system that can be linked to a central government portal. This is a requirement for all Top Class Schools under this scheme. If your school doesn't have this, ask the principal about it. It's not your problem to solve, but it's worth knowing whether your school meets the standard.
Timeline for 2026
| 1 June 2026 | Portal opens for applications |
| 31 August 2026 | Application deadline |
| September–October 2026 (estimated) | Nodal officers and state governments verify and confirm applications |
| October–November 2026 (estimated) | Merit lists prepared and released |
| Before 15 August 2027 | First scholarship instalment released to selected students |
The documents don't give exact dates for merit list release or result announcement. The portal will update you when these happen.
Common mistakes to avoid
Don't wait until August to check if your school is on the TCS list. Do it now. If it's not, you need to know.
Don't apply without an income certificate. The guidelines are clear: household annual income must be below Rs 2,50,000. You need proof.
Don't submit marks from the wrong exam. If you're applying for Class 10, the marks that matter are from your Class 9 final exam, not your mid-term scores or your current performance.
Don't delay opening a bank account. You need one to receive the money. Opening one takes a few days; don't leave it to August.
Don't assume you'll get the scholarship because you're eligible. Thousands of eligible students apply. You're ranked by marks. If you're in the top 30 for your state and class, you get it. If you're 35th, you don't. Merit is final.
Where to find official information
The National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) is the only place to apply. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment runs the scheme. Your school's nodal officer can answer questions about what documents they need and how to verify your application locally.
The portal will have the list of Top Class Schools, the number of slots available for your state, and your application status once you submit. Check it regularly from June onwards.
Official source:
PM YASASVI Central Sector Scheme Of Top Class Education In Schools For OBC, EBC And DNT Students - scheme guidelines (PDF)
· National Scholarship Portal
Verified against the official guidelines on 2026-08-18. Confirm current dates and amounts on the official portal before applying.