Rajasthan Sahariya Tribe Students Higher Education Financial Assistance Scheme 2025–26

The Government of Rajasthan has consistently taken proactive steps to ensure that every segment of society—especially the most marginalized—has access to quality education and higher learning opportunities. Continuing its mission of social justice and inclusive development, the Department of College Education, Rajasthan, has launched the Sahariya Tribe Students Higher Education Financial Assistance Scheme (2025–26).

This scheme aims to empower students belonging to the Sahariya tribal community of Baran district, one of the most economically and socially backward tribal groups in Rajasthan. Due to financial hardships, high educational expenses, and the cost of living in urban areas, many Sahariya families are unable to send their children to colleges for higher education. To bridge this educational gap and promote equitable access to higher education, the Rajasthan Government has initiated this 100% state-funded financial assistance program for Sahariya students pursuing regular degree courses in recognized colleges.

Scheme Name and Key Dates

• Scheme Name: Rajasthan Sahariya Tribe Students Higher Education Financial Assistance Scheme
• Academic Year: 2025–26
• Implementing Department: Commissionerate, College Education Department, Rajasthan, Jaipur
• Notification Date: December 12, 2023
• Application Start Date: September 23, 2025
• Application Last Date: October 31, 2025
• Funding Source: 100% funded by the Government of Rajasthan

Objectives of the Scheme

The primary objective of the Sahariya Tribe Students Financial Assistance Scheme is to promote higher education among students belonging to the Sahariya community of Baran district by providing direct financial aid.

Detailed Objectives:

1. Encourage enrollment in higher education: To motivate Sahariya youth to pursue college-level studies and reduce dropout rates after school education.
2. Provide economic relief: To financially assist families who cannot afford college fees, stationery, accommodation, and food expenses.
3. Bridge urban-rural divide: To support students who need to move to urban areas for pursuing higher education by compensating for their hostel or rental costs.
4. Promote equality: To ensure educational equality by offering financial assistance comparable to students from other communities.
5. Empower tribal communities: To uplift Sahariya students through education, helping them achieve self-reliance and better livelihood opportunities.

Key Features of the Scheme

The Rajasthan Sahariya Tribe Higher Education Assistance Scheme 2025–26 includes several features that ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and easy accessibility for all eligible students.

Main Highlights:

• 100% State-Funded: The entire cost of the scheme is borne by the Government of Rajasthan without any contribution from the central government.
• Implemented by the College Education Department: The scheme is operated directly through the Commissionerate of College Education, ensuring smooth coordination between colleges and students.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Financial aid is directly transferred into the beneficiary’s Jan Aadhaar-linked bank account to ensure transparency and eliminate middlemen.
• Online Application Process: Students can easily apply through an online system without any application fee.
• Regular Students Only: The assistance is provided exclusively to students enrolled as regular students in recognized colleges.
• Financial Assistance for Essential Needs: Covers college fees, stationery, rent, food, and other living expenses.
• Applicable for All College Years: Students in the first, second, and third years of graduation (B.A., B.Sc., B.Com, etc.) are eligible for annual support.
• KYC-Verified Accounts: Students must ensure their bank accounts are KYC-compliant and linked with Jan Aadhaar.

Scholarship Amount

Under the Rajasthan Sahariya Tribe Students Higher Education Financial Assistance Scheme, each eligible student receives comprehensive financial support for educational and living expenses.

Detailed Scholarship Distribution:

Each eligible Sahariya student receives ₹20,000 per academic year.
The grant is provided annually for each year of study as follows:

• B.A./B.Sc./B.Com./Equivalent Courses – 1st Year: ₹20,000
• B.A./B.Sc./B.Com./Equivalent Courses – 2nd Year: ₹20,000
• B.A./B.Sc./B.Com./Equivalent Courses – 3rd Year: ₹20,000

Thus, over the course of a three-year degree, a student may receive up to ₹60,000 in total financial assistance.

Eligibility Criteria

To ensure that the assistance reaches genuinely deserving students, the Rajasthan Government has established specific eligibility criteria.

The applicant must meet all the following conditions:

1. Community: The student must belong to the Sahariya tribal community of Baran district, Rajasthan.
2. Residency: The applicant must be a permanent resident of Rajasthan.
3. Educational Status: The student must be regularly enrolled in a recognized college in Rajasthan under an approved undergraduate or postgraduate program.
4. Non-Taxpayer Family: The parents, guardians, or protectors of the applicant must not be income tax payers.
5. Hostel Residency: Students residing in government-operated hostels are not eligible for this scheme.
6. Identification Documents: The applicant must possess a valid Jan Aadhaar Card and Aadhaar Card.
7. Academic Continuity: Only those students who are continuing their education without interruption are eligible for financial aid.
8. Single Benefit Policy: Students already receiving financial aid from this specific scheme are not required to apply for additional government housing benefits.

Reservation Policy

This scheme is exclusively reserved for students belonging to the Sahariya Tribe.

• The Sahariya community is recognized as one of the most vulnerable tribal groups (MVTGs) in Rajasthan, primarily concentrated in the Baran district.
• Hence, 100% reservation under this scheme is provided to students of this community.
• The Government of Rajasthan bears the entire cost (100% share) of financial assistance under this program.

Distribution of Scholarships

The distribution of financial assistance is executed through a fully digital and transparent system under the supervision of the College Education Department, ensuring accuracy and accountability.

Distribution Procedure:

1. Verification by College Authorities: All applications are first verified by the respective college principal or authorized officer.
2. District-Level Nodal Colleges: Each district has designated nodal colleges responsible for reviewing and approving eligible applications.
3. Approval by Competent Authorities: Verified applications are digitally approved by the designated approving officer.
4. Online Bill Preparation: Once approved, the college prepares an online bill for disbursal.
5. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The sanctioned amount is transferred directly to the student’s Jan Aadhaar-linked bank account through the state treasury.
6. KYC Requirement: Payments are made only if the student’s KYC is complete and the account is active.
7. Fallback Account: If the student’s personal bank account is inactive, the payment is made to the head of the family’s account linked with Jan Aadhaar.

Application Process (Step-by-Step)

To simplify the process, the Rajasthan Government has implemented a fully online application system for the Sahariya Tribe Students Assistance Scheme.

Step 1: Visit the Official Portal

• Students must visit the official online scholarship or education portal designated by the Department of College Education, Rajasthan.
• The application link becomes active from September 23, 2025.

Step 2: Registration

• If the student is applying for the first time, they must register using their Jan Aadhaar number and Aadhaar details.
• Existing users can log in using their SSOID (Single Sign-On ID) and password.

Step 3: Fill Out the Application Form

• After logging in, fill in all required details, including:
  • Personal Information (Name, Address, Caste, etc.)
  • Academic Information (College Name, Course, Year)
  • Bank Account Details (Jan Aadhaar-linked and KYC verified)
  • Income and Family Details

Step 4: Upload Required Documents

Attach the following documents in digital format:

1. Self-declaration certificate stating that the parents/guardians are not income tax payers, verified by the competent authority.
2. Marksheet of the previous class (last qualifying examination).
3. Fee receipt from the institution where the student is currently enrolled.
4. Jan Aadhaar Card (mandatory).
5. Aadhaar Card.
6. Domicile Certificate (if required).

Step 5: Submit Application

• Review all entered details carefully and submit the form online.
• Once submitted, print or save the acknowledgment slip for future reference.

Step 6: College-Level Verification

• The concerned college principal or authorized staff member verifies the uploaded documents against the original copies.
• Verified applications are then forwarded to the district nodal college.

Step 7: District-Level Approval

• The nodal college reviews all applications received from affiliated colleges and approves those fulfilling all eligibility conditions.
• Any incomplete or incorrect applications are reverted (sent back) for correction or rejection.

Step 8: Fund Disbursement

• Once approved, the College Education Department prepares an online bill.
• The State Treasury Department releases funds directly to the beneficiary’s Jan Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

Important Notes for Applicants

1. Incomplete Applications: If the application is incomplete or contains incorrect information, it will be rejected automatically, and the responsibility lies solely with the student.
2. KYC Compliance: Ensure your bank account is active and KYC-compliant before applying.
3. Account Verification: The account must be linked to your Jan Aadhaar. If not, the payment may be transferred to the family head’s account.
4. No Application Fee: Applying for this scheme is completely free of cost.
5. Documents Verification: Only verified and complete documents will be accepted by the nodal authorities.
6. Residential Proof: Only residents of Baran district (Sahariya Tribe) are eligible.

Benefits of the Scheme

The Sahariya Tribe Financial Assistance Scheme brings multiple benefits beyond monetary aid:

• Encourages Higher Education: By providing financial assistance, the government motivates Sahariya students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
• Reduces Financial Stress: Covers tuition fees, stationery costs, rent, and daily living expenses.
• Empowers Tribal Youth: Promotes self-reliance among the Sahariya community through education.
• Promotes Digital Inclusion: Online processes ensure accessibility and transparency.
• Enhances Gender Equity: Both male and female students from the Sahariya community are equally eligible for the scheme.
• Prevents Dropouts: Reduces dropout rates due to financial constraints.
• Social Upliftment: Helps integrate marginalized tribal youth into mainstream educational and employment systems.