Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships: An initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the “Dr. Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships for the Economically Backward Class (EBC) Students” is a scholarship program.
The program’s goal is to enable Economically Backward Class (EBC) students enrolled in post-matriculation or post-secondary education to finish their education by giving them financial support. Only studies in India will be eligible for these scholarships, which will be given out by the government of the state or union territory where the applicant is actually a permanent resident.
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Dr. Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships
Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships: One of the main initiatives of the Indian government to encourage higher education among students from Scheduled Castes is the Ambedkar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Castes (SC). By offering financial support for post-matriculation or post-secondary education, this program is essential for empowering SC students and bridging the educational divide while advancing social justice.
Numerous social justice initiatives in India have drawn inspiration from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who was a key architect of the Indian Constitution and a formidable opponent of social discrimination. In honor of him, the Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme reflects his belief that education should be used to uplift the underprivileged in society.
Benefits
Maintenance Allowance
Group A
- M.Phil., PhD, and post-doctoral research in medicine (allopathic, Indian, and other recognized medical systems), engineering, technology, planning, architecture, design, fashion technology, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and related sciences, management, business finance/administration, and computer science/applications are among the degree and post-graduate level courses offered.
- Postgraduate Diploma programs in a range of medical and management fields.
- C.A./ I.C.W.A./ C.S./ I.C.F.A. etc.
- M. Phil., Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral Programmes (D.Litt., D.Sc. etc.).
- L.L.M
Rate of Maintenance Allowance (₹ per month): Hostellers: 750; Day Scholars: 350.
Group B
- Courses leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate in graduate/post-graduate programs in fields such as nursing (B.Nursing), pharmacy (B. Pharma), mass communication, hotel management and catering, travel/tourism/hospitality management, interior decoration, nutrition and dietetics, commercial art, and financial services (e.g., banking, insurance, taxation, etc.), with the exception of courses pertaining to aviation.
- Postgraduate programs such as MA, M.Sc., M.Com, M.Ed, M.Pharma, and so forth are not covered by Group A.
Rate of Maintenance Allowance (₹ per month): Hostellers: 510; Day Scholars: 335.
Group C
All graduate-level courses not included in Groups A and B, such as BA, B.Sc., and B.Com.
Rate of Maintenance Allowance (₹ per month): Hostellers: 400; Day Scholars: 210.
Group D
Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships: All non-degree post-matriculation courses that require a high school diploma (Class X) for admission, such as senior secondary certificates (Class XI and XII); courses in the general and vocational streams; ITI courses; three-year diploma programs in polytechnics, etc.
Rate of Maintenance Allowance (₹ per month): Hostellers: 260; Day Scholars: 160.
NOTE: Maintenance charges equal to one-third of the hostellers’ rate will be paid to scholars who are eligible for free boarding and/or lodging.
Reader Charges for Blind Students (Blind Scholars)
The blind scholars will be given an additional amount as ‘Readers Charges’ as mentioned below:
Group: A & B; Reader Allowance (₹ per month): 175
Group: C; Reader Allowance (₹ per month): 130
Group: D; Reader Allowance (₹ per month): 90
Fees:
Enrollment/registration, tuition, games, union, library, magazine, medical examination, and any other fees that the scholar is required to pay to the university or board will all be covered for scholars. However, refundable deposits such as security deposits and caution money will not be accepted.
Study Tours:
Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships: Scholars enrolled in professional and technical courses will receive study tour fees up to a maximum of Rs. 900/-per year, limited to the actual amount spent by the student on transportation costs, etc., as long as the institution’s head certifies that the study tour is necessary for the scholar to finish his or her course of study.
Thesis Typing/ Printing Charges
On the Head of the Institution’s recommendation, research scholars will receive reimbursement for the cost of typing and printing their theses up to a maximum of Rs. 1000.
Mode of Disbursal
Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships: To guarantee prompt payment of the scholarship amount to the recipients, the State Government/UT administrations are asked to refrain from paying the scholarship amount in cash. Instead, they must instruct all parties involved that the beneficiaries should receive the scholarship directly from the scholarship provider through their bank or post office accounts, with a gradual transition to Smart Cards.
Duration of Awards
Once granted, the award will be tenable for the duration of the course, provided that good behavior and consistent attendance are maintained.
Renewal of Awards
Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships: It will be extended annually if the student successfully advances to the next higher class during a course that lasts for a number of years, regardless of whether the institution or a university administers the exams.
Eligibility
- Indian citizens who fall under the General Category (apart from Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe, and Other Backward Classes) are eligible to apply for the scholarships.
- All approved post-matriculation or post-secondary courses taken at government institutions are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
- If they are not permitted to practice medicine during the duration of their course, students pursuing post-graduate medical education will still be eligible.
- Scholarships will be given, if qualified, to students who enroll in any accredited professional or technical certificate, diploma, or degree program after failing or passing their undergraduate or post-graduate exams in arts, science, or commerce. With the exception of classes in Group “A,” no further failures will be excused, and no modifications to the course will be permitted.
- Students who use correspondence courses to further their education may be eligible for reimbursement of a non-refundable tuition. Distance and ongoing education are included in the term correspondence. In addition to receiving their non-refundable fees back, these students will be qualified for an annual book allowance of Rs. 900/-for required or necessary books, as appropriate.
- There will only be two boys who share the same parents/guardians who are eligible for scholarships. However, girls will be exempt from this limitation. As a result, girls who receive scholarships from the same parents or guardians will not have a negative impact on their eligibility to receive scholarships for up to two boys who have the same parents or guardians.
- A recipient of a scholarship under this scheme is not eligible to receive any other funding or stipend. In the event that the student receives another scholarship or stipend, they may exercise their option for any of the two, depending on which is more advantageous to them. They must notify the awarding authority of their decision through the Head of the Institution. Students under this scheme will not receive any scholarships after they accept another scholarship or stipend. However, in addition to the scholarship amount awarded under this scheme, the student may accept free housing, a grant, or ad hoc financial assistance from the State Government or any other source for the purchase of books and equipment or to cover board and lodging costs.
- For the term of the coaching program, scholarship holders who are receiving coaching in any of the pre-examination training centers with funding from the federal or state governments are not eligible for a stipend under the coaching schemes.
- Students who are employed and whose annual income, when combined with that of their parents or guardians, does not surpass ₹1,00,000 are eligible for post-matric scholarships, which cover the full cost of all mandatory, non-refundable fees.
- Students without employment whose parents’ or guardians’ total annual income does not surpass ₹1,00,000 are eligible for the scholarship under the scheme.
Exclusions
- Scholarships for courses leading to a commercial pilot license (CPL) or other aviation-related courses are not to be given out.
- Applicants who are enrolled in the same educational stage in a different subject after passing one level, such as an M.A. in one subject after an M.A. in another, or an I.Sc. after an I.A. or B.Com. after a B.A., will not be eligible.
- Students who have finished their education in a single professional field—for example, earning an LLB after earning a B.T. or B. Ed.—will not be qualified.
- Students enrolled in the Multipurpose High School’s XII class or the Higher Secondary School’s XI class are not eligible to take the course as a continuous education option. However, in situations where the examination for the tenth class in such courses is regarded as equivalent to matriculation and students enroll in other courses after passing the tenth class, they will be considered post-matric students and will be eligible to receive scholarships.
Application Process
Step 1: Click “New Registration” after visiting the National Scholarship Portal. The registration guidelines will show up. Go to the bottom by scrolling. Examine the project thoroughly. Agree to the Terms. Select “Continue.”
Step 2: A form for registration will show up. (Fields with an asterisk (*) are required. After completing the information, click “Register.” It will show your password and Application ID. Your registered mobile number will also receive an SMS with the same information.
Step 3: Access Scholarships.Gov.in/fresh/newstdRegfrmInstruction by clicking on this link. Select “Login to Apply.” Put in your password and Application ID. After entering the Captcha, select “Login.” Enter the OTP that you received on your registered mobile number on the following screen. After that, the Password Reset screen will appear. Make a fresh password and double-check it. Press “Submit.” After that, you will be taken to the “Applicant’s Dashboard.”
Step 4: Select “Application Form” from the left pane. The fields with an asterisk (*) are required. Complete the fields and attach the files. Alternatively, you can select “Save as Draft” to finish the application at a later time. If not, click “Final Submit” to send the form in.
Documents Required
- One copy of the scholarship application in the format required (the relevant State Government or UT may prescribe a different application form for a “fresh” and “renewal” scholarship).
- One copy of the student’s passport-sized photo with their signature on it (for new scholarship)
- One certified copy of each certificate, diploma, degree, etc., for all exams successfully completed
- An income certificate (in original) from a revenue officer with authorization who holds a position higher than Tehsildar.
- If the applicant received a scholarship under this scheme the year before, they must provide a receipt in acknowledgment of the scholarship on the form that is attached to the application and is properly countersigned by the head of the institution in question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is the scholarship paid during the internship or practical training in certain courses?
A. No, scholarships are not paid during internships in MBBS courses or during practical training in other courses if the student receives remuneration or an allowance.
Q. Are students expected to purchase textbooks with their maintenance allowance?
A. Yes, students are expected to purchase textbooks, stationery, etc., out of their maintenance allowance.
Q. What if a student secures admission after the 20th day of a month?
A. If a student secures admission after the 20th day of a month, the scholarship amount will be paid from the following month.
Q. What is the payment schedule for maintenance charges?
A. Maintenance charges are payable from 1st April or the month of admission, whichever is later, to the month when examinations are completed.
Q. Can students switch courses and still receive the scholarship?
A. If a student is promoted to the next higher class, they will be entitled to the scholarship for the promoted class, provided they are otherwise eligible.
Q. Is there any provision for scholars who can’t appear in an annual exam due to illness or unforeseen events?
A. Yes, if a scholar cannot appear in an annual exam due to illness or unforeseen events, the scholarship may be renewed for the next academic year with the submission of required proofs.
Q. How is the scholarship duration determined?
A. Scholarships are tenable from the stage at which they are awarded until the completion of the course, provided the scholar maintains good conduct and regular attendance.
Q. Are students studying in another state eligible for scholarships?
A. Yes, students belonging to one state but studying in another state are eligible and will receive scholarships from the state to which they belong.
Q. How much are thesis typing/printing charges covered by the scholarship?
A. Thesis typing/printing charges are covered up to a maximum of Rs. 1000, based on the recommendation of the Head of the Institution.
Q. What expenses are covered by the study tour charges?
A. Study tour charges cover transportation expenses, up to a maximum of Rs. 900 per annum.
Q. Are refundable deposits like caution money included in the scholarship?
A. No, refundable deposits like caution money are excluded from the scholarship coverage.
Q. What fees are covered by the scholarship?
A. The scholarship covers enrolment/registration, tuition, games, union, library, magazine, and medical examination fees.
Q. Is there any additional allowance for blind students?
A. Yes, blind scholars receive reader charges in addition to their maintenance allowance.
Q. Is house rent allowance included in the calculation of income?
A. House rent allowance received by the parents of a student is exempt from income calculation if allowed for Income Tax purposes.
Conclusion
Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships: A key element of India’s social justice system is the Ambedkar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships for Scheduled Castes. The program tackles some of the main obstacles to educational equity by giving SC students financial support for pursuing higher education. It advances social inclusion, strengthens marginalized communities, and advances the country’s larger development objectives.
Even though the program has significantly increased SC students’ access to higher education, there is still opportunity for improvement, especially in the areas of administrative effectiveness, awareness, and the applicability of eligibility requirements. The government’s ongoing efforts to improve and broaden the programme have the potential to significantly alter the educational and social environment for Scheduled Castes in India, giving them the means and chances to forge better futures for themselves and their communities. Ambedakar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarships