Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme (2025–26): Financial Support for Talented Students in Rajasthan

Education is the cornerstone of personal development, social progress, and economic growth. Recognizing the importance of higher education and the financial challenges faced by students from low-income families, the Government of Rajasthan, through its Higher Education Department, launched the Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to talented students who have excelled academically in the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, Ajmer’s Higher Secondary Examination, but come from families with limited income. By targeting economically disadvantaged students, the scheme ensures that financial constraints do not hinder academic aspirations. Additionally, special provisions have been made for students with disabilities to ensure inclusive education. The scheme not only supports higher education enrollment but also promotes academic excellence, encouraging students to pursue their educational goals with determination and focus.

Important Dates

• Application Start Date: 23rd September 2025
• Application End Date: 31st October 2025

These dates are relevant for the academic session 2025–26, and all applications must be submitted within this period for consideration.

Objectives of the Scheme

The Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme has been launched with the following key objectives:

1. Provide Financial Support: To offer economic assistance to students from low-income families, ensuring that financial limitations do not impede access to higher education.
2. Encourage Academic Excellence: By providing scholarships to students who rank within the top one lakh in the board merit list, the scheme motivates students to perform well in their examinations.
3. Support Continuity in Higher Education: Students who have previously benefited from the scheme and continue regular studies in higher education institutions are eligible for continued financial support.
4. Promote Inclusive Education: By offering higher financial assistance to students with disabilities, the scheme ensures that every deserving student has an opportunity to pursue higher education without discrimination.
5. Alleviate Economic Disparities: The scheme helps bridge the gap between students from affluent and low-income families, promoting social equity through education.

Key Features of the Scheme

The key features of the Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme make it an essential support system for students from low-income backgrounds:

1. Targeted Beneficiaries: Students whose families have an annual income of up to ₹2,50,000/- and who are not receiving any other government scholarship or financial assistance.
2. Merit-Based Selection: Students are selected based on their performance in the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, Ajmer’s Higher Secondary Examination, specifically within the top one lakh merit list.
3. Support for Disabled Students: Students with disabilities of 40% or more, certified by a medical board constituted by the Medical Department, receive higher financial assistance.
4. Regular Students: The scheme applies only to students who are enrolled regularly in higher or technical education institutions in Rajasthan.
5. Duration of Benefits: Eligible students can receive the scholarship for a maximum of five years, provided they continue their studies regularly in recognized institutions.
6. Online Application Process: The application and verification process is conducted entirely online, ensuring transparency and ease of access.
7. Document Verification: College authorities and district nodal officers verify the authenticity of submitted documents before approving scholarships.
8. Inclusive and Transparent: The scheme ensures that economically disadvantaged, talented students from all backgrounds are provided equal opportunities for financial support.

Scholarship Amount

The financial assistance under the Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme is structured as follows:

1. For General Students:
   • ₹500/- per month for a maximum of 10 months, totaling ₹5,000/- annually.
2. For Students With Disabilities (≥40% disability):
   • ₹1,000/- per month for a maximum of 10 months, totaling ₹10,000/- annually.

The scholarship amount is provided directly to the student’s bank account after verification and ensures that students can focus on their studies without financial distractions.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure that the scheme benefits the deserving students, the eligibility criteria are carefully defined:

1. Academic Performance:
   • The student must have passed the 12th class examination of the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education, Ajmer, in the current year with a minimum of 60% marks.
   • The student must be placed within the top one lakh in the merit list.
2. Family Income:
   • The total annual income of the applicant’s parents or guardians must not exceed ₹2,50,000/-.
3. Residency:
   • The student must be a native of Rajasthan.
4. Enrollment:
   • The student must be enrolled as a regular student in a government or recognized non-government higher or technical educational institution in Rajasthan.
5. Non-Overlap:
   • Students must not be receiving any other scholarship or equivalent financial support from the State Government or Central Government.
6. Bank Account:
   • The student must have a savings account in a nationalized bank for receiving scholarship funds.
7. Identity Documents:
   • Aadhaar Card and Jan Aadhaar/Bhamashah Card are mandatory for applying.
8. Disability Certificate:
   • Disabled students must provide a self-attested copy of the disability certificate issued by the Medical Board constituting 40% or more disability.

By adhering to these criteria, the scheme ensures that assistance reaches students who are academically capable and economically disadvantaged.

Reservation Policy

The Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme is merit and income-based, rather than caste-based. It prioritizes students who are economically disadvantaged and academically talented, with special emphasis on students with disabilities. This ensures inclusivity and equity across all socio-economic backgrounds.

Distribution of Scholarships

The distribution process under the scheme is methodical and ensures transparency:

1. Verification by Institution Authorities:
   • College principals verify the submitted documents against the original copies.
   • They validate academic performance, income certificates, and residency documents.
2. Forwarding to District Nodal Officer:
   • Verified applications are forwarded online by the college to the district nodal officer before the specified deadline.
3. Final Approval and Disbursement:
   • The district nodal officer verifies the application again before sending it to the Higher Education Department for final approval.
   • Upon approval, the scholarship amount is transferred to the student’s bank account.
4. Duration and Continuity:
   • Students enrolled in higher education institutions may continue receiving benefits for up to five years, subject to maintaining regular enrollment.

This multi-level verification ensures accuracy, prevents fraud, and guarantees that the scholarship reaches deserving students.

Application Process (Step by Step)

The application process for the Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme is completely online, making it accessible and efficient:

Step 1: Registration

• Visit the official Higher Education Department portal.
• Click on ‘Register’ under the Citizen tab.
• Enter your Jan Aadhaar Number to complete registration.
• Receive your SSO ID and Password, which will be used to log in and track the application status.

Step 2: Login

• Use your SSO ID and Password to log into the portal.
• Update your profile with accurate personal, academic, and contact information.

Step 3: Select Scholarship Scheme

• Choose the Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme from the list of available schemes.

Step 4: Fill Application Form

• Complete the online application form with required details.
• Ensure that academic performance, income, and disability (if applicable) information is correctly entered.

Step 5: Upload Required Documents

Applicants must upload self-attested copies of the following documents:

1. Aadhaar Card or Aadhaar registration number
2. Passport-size photograph
3. Jan Aadhaar/Bhamashah Card or registration receipt
4. Domicile Certificate of Rajasthan
5. Proof of Age
6. Educational Qualification Certificates/Marksheet
7. Residence Proof
8. Income Certificate
9. Disability Certificate (if applicable)
10. Bank Passbook/Account Details

Step 6: Submit Application

• Submit and save the application form.
• The institution principal verifies the documents and forwards the application to the district nodal officer online.

Step 7: Verification and Scholarship Disbursement

• The district nodal officer conducts final verification.
• Approved applications are forwarded to the Higher Education Department for disbursement.
• The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student’s bank account.

Impact of the Scheme

The Chief Minister Higher Education Scholarship Scheme has significant positive impacts on students, families, and society:

1. Empowering Economically Disadvantaged Students: Financial assistance ensures that students from low-income families can pursue higher education without monetary constraints.
2. Encouraging Academic Excellence: By rewarding the top one lakh students, the scheme motivates students to achieve higher marks and perform better academically.
3. Inclusive Education: Special provisions for disabled students promote accessibility and equity in education.
4. Continuity in Higher Education: Students can continue their education without interruption, helping them achieve long-term career goals.
5. Reducing Dropout Rates: Financial support decreases the likelihood of students discontinuing studies due to economic hardship.
6. Promoting Merit-Based Selection: The scheme fosters a culture of excellence by linking scholarships to academic merit and regular enrollment.