Assam Government Pre-Matric Scholarship for Other Backward Classes Students 2025-26

The Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Assam 2025-26 is an initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, designed to provide financial assistance to students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community. This scheme specifically targets students studying in Class 9 and 10 in government schools within the state of Assam. The scholarship is aimed at encouraging education among OBC students by offering a consolidated academic allowance of ₹4,000 per annum. By easing financial barriers, the scheme seeks to ensure that eligible students can continue their studies without disruption, thereby reducing dropout rates and promoting equitable access to education for all.

The scholarship also plays an important role in supporting disadvantaged students from economically weaker backgrounds and enhancing overall educational outcomes in the state. By focusing on pre-matric education, the Government of India ensures that students receive timely financial aid during critical years of their secondary education, preparing them for higher education and professional opportunities in the future.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: 30 September 2025
• Renewal and Verification Period: As per institutional notification and academic calendar
• Disbursement of Scholarship: Upon verification of eligibility and submission of required documents

Objectives of the Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students

The scheme has been introduced with the following objectives:

1. Promotion of Education Among OBC Students: To encourage and facilitate access to secondary education for students from the Other Backward Classes community in Assam.
2. Financial Assistance: To provide timely monetary support to students to cover educational expenses such as tuition fees, books, and other academic needs.
3. Reduction in Dropout Rates: To ensure that financial constraints do not prevent OBC students from continuing their studies, thereby decreasing the dropout rate at the secondary education level.
4. Equal Opportunity: To provide an equal platform for students from economically weaker sections to pursue quality education.
5. Support for Disadvantaged Communities: To enhance social equity and empowerment by supporting OBC students financially during their pre-matric education.
6. Encouragement for Female Education: To promote the education of girl students from OBC backgrounds through specific reservation policies.

Key Features of the Scheme

The Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students in Assam is structured to address the financial and social barriers faced by students. Its key features include:

1. Target Beneficiaries: The scholarship is exclusively for students from the OBC community studying in Class 9 and 10 in government schools.
2. Annual Scholarship Amount: Each selected student receives a consolidated ₹4,000 per year, which is credited directly to their bank account linked with Aadhaar.
3. Eligibility Requirements: The scheme specifies income limits, domicile criteria, and other conditions to ensure that benefits reach those most in need.
4. Reservation Policy: 30% of scholarships are reserved for female students, and at least 5% of the scholarships are allocated for students with disabilities.
5. Duration: The scholarship is provided for a period covering one academic year (10 months), with provisions for renewal in case of illness or exceptional circumstances.
6. Conditional Renewal: Continuation of scholarship depends on good academic performance, regular attendance, and submission of necessary documentation.
7. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Payments are made directly to the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account for transparency and efficiency.
8. Monitoring and Compliance: Students must maintain at least 75% attendance in the previous academic year and adhere to academic and institutional requirements.
9. Limit on Family Benefits: A maximum of two male students per family can avail of the scholarship; this limit does not apply to female students.
10. Provisions Against Misuse: Any student providing false information will face severe penalties, including scholarship cancellation, repayment obligations, and blacklisting from future schemes.

Scholarship Amount

The financial assistance provided under this scheme is designed to cover basic educational expenses and encourage students to continue their studies. The key details are:

• Amount per Student: ₹4,000 per annum (consolidated academic allowance)
• Mode of Payment: Directly credited to the student’s bank account linked with Aadhaar
• Purpose: To assist in meeting expenses such as tuition fees, books, stationary, and other academic requirements.
• Renewal Conditions: In cases of illness or other exceptional situations, the scholarship can be renewed for the academic year, subject to institutional verification.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure that the scholarship reaches the deserving students, the eligibility criteria are strictly defined:

1. Nationality: The student must be an Indian citizen.
2. Domicile: The student must be a resident of Assam.
3. Community: Must belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
4. Academic Level: Should be a full-time student enrolled in Class 9 or 10 in a government school.
5. Income Limit: The annual family income from all sources should not exceed ₹2,50,000.
6. Attendance Requirement: Must have maintained at least 75% attendance in the previous academic year.
7. Aadhaar-Linked Bank Account: The student must possess a bank account linked with Aadhaar for disbursement of funds.
8. Restrictions on Repeating Students: The scholarship is not available for students repeating a class, except under specific provisions for renewal due to illness or exceptional circumstances.
9. Previous Scholarship Benefits: Students cannot receive this scholarship in conjunction with any other pre-matric scholarship.

Reservation Policy

The scholarship incorporates reservation policies to promote inclusivity:

• 30% Seats for Female Students: Encouraging education for girls in the OBC community.
• 5% Seats for Students with Disabilities: Ensuring equitable access for differently-abled students.
• Family Limitation: Only two male students per family can avail of the scholarship. Female students are exempt from this restriction.

Distribution of Scholarships

The process for distributing scholarships is designed to be transparent, efficient, and accountable:

1. Verification of Documents: Required documents including domicile, caste certificate, bank account details, and income certificate are verified by the competent authority.
2. Direct Bank Transfer: Scholarship amount is disbursed directly into the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
3. Monitoring: Institutions maintain records of attendance and academic performance to ensure compliance.
4. Renewal Process: Renewal is granted upon submission of relevant certificates in cases of illness or failure to appear in exams, subject to acceptance by the institution.

Required Documents

Students must submit the following documents during the application process:

1. Domicile Certificate
2. Valid OBC Caste Certificate issued by the competent authority
3. Academic Transcripts: Marksheets for Class 8, 9, and 10 as applicable
4. Annual Income Certificate of parent(s)/guardian(s)
5. Bank Passbook: First page to verify account details
6. Disability Certificate (if applicable)
7. Aadhaar Card for identity verification
8. Medical Certificate (if applying for renewal due to illness)

Application Process (Step by Step)

The application process is conducted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), ensuring a centralized, online submission system:

1. Registration:
   • Students must register on the NSP if they have not done so previously.
   • Provide details such as mobile number, email, and personal information.
2. One-Time Registration (OTR):
   • Complete OTR to generate a temporary registration number.
   • Face authentication may be required through the mobile application.
3. Application Form:
   • After registration, log in and select the Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Assam.
   • Fill in all required details accurately.
   • Upload scanned copies of all necessary documents.
4. Submission:
   • Review all entered details carefully before submitting.
   • Multiple submissions are not allowed; incorrect entries may lead to disqualification.
5. Verification:
   • Documents are verified by the school or competent authority.
   • Selected students are informed about scholarship approval.
6. Fund Transfer:
   • Once verified, scholarship funds are transferred to the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the student.

Renewal Policy

Scholarship renewal is possible under specific conditions:

• Good Academic Standing: Students must maintain at least 75% attendance.
• Medical Exceptions: In case of illness, students must submit a medical certificate from a recognized authority for renewal.
• Promotion: Students promoted to the next class may continue receiving the scholarship if all other conditions are met, even if they did not pass the previous year, subject to approval by the school/institution.
• Repeating a Class: The scholarship may continue for one additional year or the duration of the repeated class, whichever is less.

Withdrawals and Restrictions

• Students must maintain academic and attendance criteria; failure to do so may result in withdrawal of the scholarship.
• Provision of false information leads to immediate cancellation and repayment of funds.
• Students cannot avail themselves of any other pre-matric scholarship simultaneously.
• Scholarship rules are subject to change at the discretion of the Government of India.