PM-YASASVI – Top Class Education in Schools for OBC, EBC & DNT Students (2025–26)

Education is one of the most powerful tools for social transformation, especially in a country like India, where marginalized and economically weaker sections often face barriers to accessing quality education. In this direction, the Government of India, under the guidance of the Honourable Prime Minister, has launched the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Young Achievers in India (PM-YASASVI). One of the flagship components of this initiative is the Top Class Education in Schools for OBC, EBC & DNT Students, which provides financial assistance to deserving students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT) for pursuing education in top schools across the country.

This scheme aims to provide equal educational opportunities for all and empower students from disadvantaged communities to excel in academics and professional fields. Through this scheme, the government seeks to bridge the educational gap and promote inclusivity, social mobility, and empowerment of youth who represent the nation’s backbone.

The program is being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and students can apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). For the academic year 2025–26, the last date for submission of applications.

Dates and Objectives of the Scheme

Launch and Implementation

The PM-YASASVI Top Class Education in Schools Scheme is part of the broader PM-YASASVI initiative, launched to support meritorious students from OBC, EBC, and DNT categories. The scheme is implemented annually, with scholarships disbursed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

For the academic year 2025–26, the application process has officially opened, and students are invited to submit their applications.

Objectives

The main objectives of this scheme are:

1. Educational Empowerment – To promote and ensure access to high-quality education for students from socially and economically disadvantaged groups.
2. Equal Opportunity – To reduce inequality by providing financial support to talented students from OBC, EBC, and DNT communities.
3. Encouraging Academic Excellence – To motivate students to pursue higher education in reputed institutions and schools across India.
4. Economic Inclusion – To ensure that economic hardship does not hinder a child’s educational progress.
5. Social Upliftment – To empower marginalized families through education, enabling them to achieve sustainable livelihoods and dignity.

Key Features of the Scheme

The PM-YASASVI Top Class Education in Schools Scheme has several distinctive and student-centric features that make it a vital part of India’s social welfare and education framework:

1. Beneficiary Group:
   • Students belonging to the OBC, EBC, and DNT categories.
   • Special focus on economically weaker families within these groups.
2. Financial Support for Top Schools:
   • The scheme provides complete financial assistance for students studying in Top Class Schools shortlisted under the scheme.
   • These schools are selected based on their academic standards, infrastructure, and commitment to quality education.
3. Tuition Fee Coverage:
   • The government covers the tuition fees, hostel charges, and other essential educational expenses for eligible students.
4. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):
   • The scholarship amount is directly credited to the student’s or institution’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
5. Annual Income Limit:
   • The annual family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹2.50 lakh from all sources.
6. Mode of Application:
   • Applications are accepted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), which simplifies the process and ensures uniformity across states.
7. Renewal Option:
   • Students who availed of the scheme in the previous academic year can renew their scholarship by selecting “Renewal Application” on the NSP portal.
8. Transparency and Fairness:
   • The system ensures that scholarships are granted purely based on eligibility and merit, verified electronically through Aadhaar-linked data and institutional validation.
9. Nationwide Coverage:
   • Students from all states and union territories, including Tamil Nadu, are eligible to apply, ensuring nationwide inclusivity.

Scholarship Amount

The PM-YASASVI Top Class Education in Schools Scheme provides comprehensive financial coverage for educational expenses. The amount and coverage depend on the course, institution, and actual fees, but generally include the following components:

1. Tuition Fees – Full coverage of the tuition fees charged by the institution.
2. Hostel Fees – Expenses for hostel accommodation, food, and related charges are covered.
3. Books and Stationery – A fixed annual allowance for books, study materials, and stationery is provided.
4. Uniform and Other Essentials – Students also receive funds to purchase uniforms and necessary school equipment.
5. One-Time Assistance – Certain students may receive additional support for computer/laptop purchase or educational aids as per norms.

This ensures that the student’s educational journey is fully supported without placing any financial burden on their family.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the PM-YASASVI – Top Class Education in Schools for OBC, EBC & DNT Students (2025–26), applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Community Criteria:
   • The applicant must belong to one of the following communities:
     • Other Backward Class (OBC)
     • Economically Backward Class (EBC)
     • De-Notified, Nomadic, or Semi-Nomadic Tribe (DNT)
2. Residency:
   • The applicant must be a resident of India, and in this context, students from Tamil Nadu are also eligible.
3. Educational Level:
   • The student must be studying in Class 9 or Class 11 in one of the schools listed under the Top Class Schools category.
4. Income Limit:
   • The annual income of the parents/guardians should not exceed ₹2.50 lakh from all sources.
5. Admission Criteria:
   • The student must have secured admission in one of the Top Class Schools identified by the Ministry.
6. Renewal Eligibility:
   • Students who have already availed of this scholarship in the previous academic year can apply under the Renewal category for 2025–26 by logging in through their One Time Registration (OTR) Number.

Reservation Policy

The PM-YASASVI Top Class Education Scheme follows the Government of India’s reservation principles to ensure balanced representation of all eligible communities:

1. OBC Students: A significant portion of the scholarships is reserved for OBC candidates.
2. EBC Students: Specific slots are reserved for students belonging to the Economically Backward Class.
3. DNT Students: Special consideration is given to students from De-Notified and Nomadic Tribes, recognizing their historical and social disadvantage.
4. Gender Balance: Efforts are made to ensure equitable representation of both male and female students, promoting gender equality in education.

This reservation approach ensures that every deserving group gets fair access to the educational benefits offered under the scheme.

Distribution of Scholarships

The distribution of scholarships under the PM-YASASVI Top Class Education in Schools Scheme is executed through a transparent, technology-driven, and merit-based system.

Process of Distribution

1. Selection of Institutions:
   • Only those schools recognized as Top Class Schools under the scheme are eligible to enroll students under this scholarship.
2. Verification of Applications:
   • Applications submitted online through NSP are verified by the school authorities and respective state welfare departments.
3. Approval:
   • The verified applications are then forwarded to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for final approval.
4. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT):
   • Once approved, the scholarship amount is disbursed directly into the bank accounts of students or institutions through the DBT system.
5. Monitoring and Review:
   • The performance and continuation of the scholarship are reviewed annually based on students’ academic progress and attendance.

This ensures accountability, fairness, and smooth functioning of the scholarship distribution process.

Application Process (Step by Step)

Students can apply for the PM-YASASVI – Top Class Education in Schools Scheme (2025–26) online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The application process differs slightly for new and renewal candidates.

A. For New Applicants (Fresh Application)

1. Registration:
   • Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
   • Click on the “New Registration” option.
   • Enter your mobile number and Aadhaar details.
   • You will receive an OTP (One-Time Password) on your registered mobile number.
   • Use this OTP to generate your One Time Registration (OTR) Number and Password.
2. Login:
   • Log in to the portal using the OTR credentials.
   • Select the scheme – PM-YASASVI Top Class Education in Schools for OBC, EBC, and DNT Students (2025–26).
3. Filling the Application Form:
   • Enter your personal details, educational qualifications, and school information.
   • Choose the correct school name from the list of Top Class Schools available on the portal.
4. Upload Documents:
   • Upload scanned copies of:
     • Aadhaar Card
     • Caste Certificate
     • Income Certificate
     • Recent Passport-size Photograph
     • Previous Year’s Marksheet
     • Admission Proof (from the school)
5. Final Submission:
   • Review all entered information carefully.
   • Click “Submit” to finalize the application.
   • Download and save the acknowledgment form for reference.

B. For Renewal Applicants

Students who received the scholarship in the previous academic year can renew their application using the following steps:

1. Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
2. Click on “Login for Renewal”.
3. Enter your OTR Number (One Time Registration) and Password.
4. Select the scheme – PM-YASASVI Top Class Education in Schools (2025–26).
5. Update any necessary details and upload the required documents.

Documents Required

Applicants must upload the following documents at the time of application:

1. Aadhaar Card of the student
2. Caste Certificate (OBC/EBC/DNT)
3. Income Certificate of parents/guardians
4. Recent Passport-size Photograph
5. Proof of Admission (for Class 9 or 11)
6. Previous Year Marksheet
7. Domicile Certificate (if required by the state)