Scholarship for Karnataka Students 2026 – Complete List (SC/ST/OBC/Minority)
1. Introduction – Importance of Scholarships for Karnataka Students in 2026
Education is one of the strongest tools for social and economic growth. In Karnataka, thousands of talented students come from financially weak backgrounds and depend on scholarships to continue their studies. Rising education costs, hostel fees, books, coaching expenses, and digital learning requirements make scholarships more important than ever in 2026.
The Karnataka Government, along with the Central Government, offers multiple pre-matric, post-matric, merit-based, income-based, and category-specific scholarships for students belonging to SC, ST, OBC, Minority, and General categories. These scholarships aim to ensure that no deserving student drops out due to lack of money.
This detailed guide explains the complete list of scholarships for Karnataka students 2026, eligibility criteria, application process, documents required, scholarship amount, and practical tips to get approval successfully.
2. Overview of Karnataka Government Scholarship System
Karnataka has one of the most structured scholarship systems in India. Most state scholarships are managed through the SSP (State Scholarship Portal), while many central schemes are applied via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Key Features of Karnataka Scholarship System:
Online application and tracking
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to bank accounts
Category-wise and department-wise schemes
Transparent verification by colleges and departments
Renewal facility for continuing students
The system mainly focuses on:
Social justice
Higher education access
Dropout reduction
Support for minority and backward communities
3. Complete List of Scholarships for Karnataka Students 2026
Below is a category-wise overview of major scholarships available in Karnataka.
SC Scholarships (Scheduled Caste)
SC scholarships are mainly handled by the Social Welfare Department.
Popular SC Scholarships 2026:
Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students
Fee Reimbursement Scheme
Vidyasiri Food & Accommodation Scheme (for eligible students)
Overseas Scholarship for SC Students (Higher Studies)
Key Benefits:
Tuition fee reimbursement
Maintenance allowance
Hostel and mess support
ST Scholarships (Scheduled Tribe)
ST scholarships are managed by the Tribal Welfare Department.
Major ST Scholarships:
Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
Fee Reimbursement
Overseas Education Assistance for ST Students
Focus Areas:
Tribal students in remote areas
Higher education and professional courses
OBC Scholarships (Other Backward Classes)
These scholarships are handled by the Backward Classes Welfare Department.
Important OBC Scholarships:
Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students
Fee Concession Schemes
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship
Applicable For:
Category 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B students
Minority Scholarships (Muslim, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi)
Minority scholarships are managed by the Minority Welfare Department and Central Government.
Popular Minority Scholarships:
Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minority Students
Post-Matric Scholarship for Minority Students
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship
Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship (for girls)
4. Pre-Matric Scholarships (Class 1–10)
Pre-matric scholarships support students from Class 1 to Class 10.
Key Features:
For SC, ST, OBC, and Minority students
Income-based eligibility
Helps with school fees, books, and uniforms
Benefits:
Annual financial assistance
Encourages early education continuity
Reduces dropout rates
5. Post-Matric Scholarships (PUC, ITI, Diploma, UG, PG)
Post-matric scholarships are the most popular schemes in Karnataka.
Covered Courses:
PUC (Class 11–12)
ITI and Polytechnic
Diploma courses
Undergraduate (BA, BSc, BCom, BE, BTech)
Postgraduate (MA, MSc, MCom, MBA, MCA)
Professional courses (Medical, Engineering, Law)
Benefits:
Full or partial fee reimbursement
Maintenance allowance
Hostel support (where applicable)
6. Merit-based Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships reward academic excellence.
Common Criteria:
Minimum percentage in previous exam (usually 60%+)
Regular attendance
Good academic record
Examples:
National Merit Scholarship
State Merit Scholarship
College-specific merit awards
7. Income-based Scholarships
Income-based scholarships support students from economically weaker sections.
Income Limits (Approximate):
SC/ST: Up to ₹2.5 lakh per year
OBC: ₹1–2.5 lakh per year
Minority: ₹2 lakh per year (varies by scheme)
Income certificate is a mandatory document.
8. Department-wise Scholarships
Social Welfare Department
SC Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Scholarships
Fee Reimbursement
Hostel Assistance
Tribal Welfare Department
ST Scholarships
Residential school support
Overseas education aid
Backward Classes Welfare Department
OBC Scholarships
Fee concession schemes
Merit-cum-means assistance
Minority Welfare Department
Minority scholarships
Coaching and skill development support
Hostel facilities
9. Central Government Scholarships Applicable in Karnataka
Some important central schemes include:
NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship
NSP Post-Matric Scholarship
Merit-cum-Means Scholarship
Top Class Education Scheme for SC/ST
AICTE and UGC Scholarships
These are applied through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
10. Eligibility Criteria (Caste, Income, Education, Domicile)
Common Eligibility Conditions:
Student must be a permanent resident of Karnataka
Belong to eligible category (SC/ST/OBC/Minority)
Enrolled in a recognized institution
Family income within prescribed limits
Aadhaar-linked bank account
11. Required Documents for Karnataka Scholarships 2026
Essential Documents:
Aadhaar Card
Caste Certificate
Income Certificate
Domicile/Residence Certificate
Previous year marks card
Fee receipt
Bank passbook
Passport-size photograph
College ID or admission letter
12. Step-by-Step Application Process
A. SSP Portal (State Scholarships)
Visit SSP portal
Register using Aadhaar
Complete student profile
Select eligible scholarship
Upload documents
Submit application
Track status online
B. National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
Register on NSP
Login and fill application form
Choose scholarship scheme
Upload documents
Final submission
Verification by institution and department
13. Important Dates for Scholarship 2026
| Activity | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start | July–August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | October–November 2026 |
| Verification | November–December 2026 |
| Scholarship Payment | January–March 2027 |
Dates may vary by scheme.
14. Scholarship Amount / Benefits (with Table)
| Category | Level | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| SC/ST | Post-Matric | ₹20,000 – ₹40,000/year |
| OBC | Post-Matric | ₹10,000 – ₹25,000/year |
| Minority | Merit-cum-Means | ₹20,000 – ₹30,000/year |
| Pre-Matric | School Level | ₹1,000 – ₹5,000/year |
15. Common Reasons for Scholarship Rejection
Incorrect documents
Income exceeding limit
Aadhaar not linked with bank
Mismatch in college details
Late submission
Not renewing on time
16. Renewal Process
Students must renew scholarships every year.
Renewal Steps:
Login to SSP/NSP
Select renewal option
Update academic details
Upload marks card
Submit application
17. FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I apply for multiple scholarships?
Yes, but you can receive only one major scholarship at a time.
Q2. Is Aadhaar mandatory?
Yes, for most scholarships.
Q3. Can private college students apply?
Yes, if the college is recognized.
Q4. What if income certificate expires?
You must upload a valid certificate.
Q5. Are scholarships taxable?
No, educational scholarships are tax-free.
Q6. Is hostel compulsory?
No, depends on the scheme.
Q7. Can first-year students apply?
Yes, after admission confirmation.
Q8. What is DBT?
Direct transfer of money to bank account.
Q9. Can I edit application after submission?
Only before final verification.
Q10. Where to check status?
On SSP or NSP portal dashboard.
18. Conclusion – Tips to Get Scholarship Successfully
Scholarships play a vital role in shaping the future of Karnataka students in 2026. With proper planning, accurate documents, and timely application, students can easily benefit from these schemes.
Final Tips:
Apply early
Double-check documents
Maintain good academic record
Renew on time
Track application status regularly
With the right guidance, no deserving student should miss out on education due to financial constraints. Contact to https://piersedu.com/contact-us/