NSP for OBC: Several ministries and departments of the government of India run scholarship programs to provide financial assistance to Other Backward Class (OBC) categories. Here we have integrated all schemes with their eligibility, distribution, income ceiling, etc details in this article below.
Getting an education is very important for both individual growth and for societies to move forward. The Indian government recognizes this and understands that many families, especially those from disadvantaged communities, struggle to afford education costs.
The main purpose of NSP is to provide financial support to deserving students from various backgrounds, including Other Backward Classes (OBC), so they can continue their studies.
The program aims to remove financial barriers and make quality education accessible to talented students regardless of their family’s financial situation. By investing in education for all, NSP helps create opportunities and drives positive change in society.
What is NSP?
The Indian government has introduced the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), an online platform aimed at simplifying and improving the scholarship application process for students. This digital portal serves as a centralized hub that brings together various scholarship programs offered by both the central and state governments.
Its primary goal is to make it easier for students to apply for and access different financial aid schemes through a single, user-friendly interface. The NSP streamlines the entire process, making it more efficient and ensuring that deserving students can easily navigate and benefit from a range of scholarship opportunities.
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NSP for OBC
Below we have provided all available scholarship schemes for the OBC category. It includes all the scholarship details run by central government ministries and other departments. The details include eligibility, income ceiling, selection process, etc.
Scheme Under Ministry of Minority Affairs for OBC
Let’s understand the scholarship available under the Ministry of minority affairs for OBC categories.
Scheme of ‘Pre-Matric Scholarship’ for OBC Students
The Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities announced in June 2006 highlighted the implementation of a Pre-Matric scholarship scheme for meritorious students from minority communities including OBCs.
Scope
The scholarship applies to studies in India from Class I to Class X in government or private schools, including eligible residential government and private institutes notified transparently by the State Government and Union Territory Administration.
Eligibility
- Students securing at least 50% marks in the previous final examination.
- Annual parental income not exceeding Rs. 1.00 lakh from all sources.
Distribution
The scholarship targets thirty (30) lakh scholarships as ‘Fresh’ scholarships along with Renewal scholarships, distributed among minority communities based on population census data.
Earmarking
- 30% of the scholarship is reserved for girls from each minority community in a State/UT, transferable to male students if female students are unavailable.
- Unutilized community quotas are redistributed based on merit without disturbing the national ratio.
Selection Procedure
- Fresh scholarships consider poverty as a priority over marks, giving weightage to income. In cases of similar income, preference is given to the senior applicant based on date of birth.
- Renewal cases are approved if the student secures 50% in the previous year’s examinations.
Rate of Scholarship
Admission + Tuition Fee (Class VI to X)
- Admission Fee: Rs. 500/- per annum (subject to actuals for both Hosteller & Day Scholar)
- Tuition Fee: Rs. 350/- per month (subject to actuals for both Hosteller & Day Scholar)
Maintenance Allowance
- For Class I to V: Rs. 100/- per month for Day Scholar
- For Class VI to X: Rs. 600/- per month for Hosteller and Rs. 100/- per month for Day Scholar
Conditions for Scholarship
Criteria include attendance, residence, disciplinary adherence, and prevention of dual benefits from other scholarships.
Scheme of ‘Post-Matric Scholarship’ for OBC Students
The scheme aims to award scholarships to economically weaker meritorious students from minority communities, providing enhanced opportunities for higher education, elevating their higher education attainment rates, and improving their employability.
Scope
This scholarship applies to higher secondary schools/colleges/universities, including residential institutes, government or eligible private institutions for courses including technical and vocational ones, excluding courses of less than a year’s duration or certificate courses.
Eligibility
- Students securing at least 50% marks or equivalent grade in the previous final examination.
- Annual parental/guardian income not exceeding Rs. 2.00 lakh from all sources.
Distribution
Five (05) lakh scholarships are targeted for distribution as ‘Fresh’ scholarships, along with Renewal scholarships, among minority communities based on population census data.
Earmarking
- 30% scholarship reserved for girls of each minority community in a State/UT, transferrable to male students if females are unavailable.
- Unused quotas redistributed based on merit without disturbing the national ratio.
Selection Procedure
- Preference given to poverty over marks in Fresh scholarships, considering income certificates. In case of similar income, seniority based on date of birth is preferred.
- Renewal cases approved if students secure 50% in the previous year’s examinations.
Rate of Scholarship
Admission + Tuition Fee
- Class XI & XII: Rs. 7,000/- per annum (subject to actuals for both Hosteller & Day Scholar)
- Technical and vocational courses of XI and XII level (Courses of one or more year of duration): Rs. 10,000/- per annum (subject to actuals for both Hosteller & Day Scholar)
- UG & PG level: Rs. 3,000/- per annum (subject to actuals for both Hosteller & Day Scholar)
Maintenance Allowance
- For Class XI & XII including Tech. & Voc. Course:
- Rs. 380/- per month for Hosteller
- Rs. 230/- per month for Day Scholar
Duration
Scholarships cover the entire academic year, providing a fixed lump sum amount as maintenance allowance.
Renewal of Scholarship
Renewal granted based on securing 50% marks in the previous year’s examination, provided the student continues the same course and institution.
Scheme of ‘Merit Cum Means Based Scholarship’ for OBC Students
The scheme aims to provide financial aid to poor and meritorious students from minority communities pursuing professional and technical courses.
Scope
Scholarships cover technical and professional undergraduate and postgraduate courses in India at government or private institutions selected by the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration.
Eligibility
- Students securing at least 50% marks or equivalent grade in the previous final examination.
- Annual parental/guardian income not exceeding Rs. 2.50 lakh from all sources.
Distribution
60,000 scholarships are targeted for distribution as ‘Fresh’ Scholarships, along with Renewal scholarships, among minority communities based on population census data.
Earmarking
- 30% scholarship reserved for girls students of each minority community, transferrable to male students if females are unavailable.
- Unused quotas redistributed based on merit without disturbing the national ratio.
Selection Procedure
- Fresh scholarships allocated based on community-wise minority population, prioritizing students from listed institutions, followed by merit criteria.
- Renewal scholarships approved for applicants securing 50% in the previous year’s examinations.
Duration
Scholarships provided for the entire academic year/course, along with maintenance allowances.
Rates of Scholarship
- Course fee: Rs. 20,000/- per annum subject to actuals or full course fee reimbursement for 85 listed institutes.
- Maintenance Allowance: Rs. 1,000/- per month* for Hosteller and Rs. 500/- per month* for Day Scholar (*for 10 months in an academic year).
OBC Scholarship Under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Let’s understand the scholarship available under the Ministry of social justice and empowerment for OBC categories.
Prime Minister’s YASASVI Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education in Schools for OBC
The objective of this scholarship scheme is to provide premium education to meritorious students from OBC, EBC, and DNT categories. It is funding education from Class 9 through Class 12.
Scope and Coverage
- Eligibility: OBC, EBC, and DNT students with an annual household income of less than Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
- Allocation of slots for each state based on OBC population data.
- Slots announced yearly in April.
- 30% of scholarships reserved for girls.
Modalities
- Selection of Top Class Schools (TCSs) based on consistently high pass percentages (10th & 12th).
- TCSs can be public, aided, or private schools.
- Online application and verification process through the National Scholarship Portal.
- State-wise merit list based on previous exam marks for allocation of scholarships.
Institutions Eligible and Assistance Quantum
Grants for tuition, hostel fees, and other charges up to Rs. 75,000 per annum (Class 9-10) and Rs. 1,25,000 per annum (Class 11-12).
Department of School Education & Literacy OBC Scholarship
Here are the important points regarding the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme for students from economically weaker sections:
Scheme Overview
- Implemented since 2008 to award scholarships to economically weaker but meritorious students from Class IX to XII.
- 100,000 fresh scholarships @ Rs. 12,000/- per annum awarded every year at Class IX level, renewable up to Class XII.
- The scheme has been extended for another 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Revised Provisions
- Parental income ceiling raised to Rs. 3.50 lakh per annum.
- Revised renewal criteria: Minimum 60% marks in Class X for continuation of scholarship.
- Enhancement of reimbursement cost for NMMSS examination from Rs. 50 to Rs. 100 per student.
- Fixed number of scholarships for five years irrespective of census changes.
- Annual evaluation study of the scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
- 100,000 scholarships for students with parental income not exceeding Rs. 3,50,000/- per annum.
- State/UT-wise fixed quota for Class VII and VIII students.
- Reservations based on State/UT norms.
Scholarship Details
- Rs. 12,000/- per annum, disbursed monthly at Rs. 1,000 per month.
- Applicable to regular students entering Class IX in Government, Government-aided, or local body schools.
- Not available for Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, residential schools, or private schools.
Selection Procedure
- State/UT conducts exams comprising Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for Class VIII students.
- Minimum 55% marks in Class VII examination for appearing in the selection test.
- Both tests are of 90 minutes duration.
Results Declaration
- Awardees must pass MAT and SAT with at least 40% marks in aggregate (32% for SC/ST).
- Minimum 55% marks in Class VIII examination (5% relaxation for SC/ST).
Disbursement of Scholarships
- Awardees can avail of only one Central Government Scholarship scheme.
- Awardees must have a bank account for fund disbursement via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Scholarship renewal in Class X and XII requires a minimum 60% marks (relaxable by 5% for SC/ST).
Application Process
- Eligible students apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), verified by State Governments/UTs.
- Funds sanctioned from Annual Budget Provision and disbursed through DBT.
The scheme aims to support economically weaker but academically gifted students through financial assistance for their secondary education, focusing on stringent selection criteria and transparency in fund disbursement.
Department of Higher Education for OBC Scholarship
Let’s understand the scholarship available under the Department of Higher Education for OBC categories.
Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM-USP)
The objective of the scheme is to provide financial aid to meritorious students from low-income families pursuing higher studies.
Scope
82,000 fresh scholarships annually for graduate/postgraduate studies in colleges, universities, and professional courses (e.g., Medical, Engineering).
Allocation of Scholarship
- Distributed among State Education Boards based on the State’s population in the age group of 18-25.
- 50% scholarships earmarked for girls.
- Specific earmarking for Ladakh students.
- Allocation among Humanities, Science, and Commerce streams (3:3:1 ratio).
- Flexibility in slot allocation based on category, gender, and State Quota.
Eligibility for Scholarship
- Candidates above 80th percentile in Class XII from respective Boards.
- Regular degree courses in recognized colleges/institutions.
- No concurrent benefit from other scholarship/fee waiver schemes.
- Parental/family income up to Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum.
- Renewal allowed on course and institution change if valid AISHE Code exists.
- Conditions for academic performance, attendance, and disciplinary behavior apply.
- Application through National Scholarships Portal (NSP) mandatory.
Reservation
- Central Reservation Policy applicable (SC – 15%, ST – 7.5%, OBC – 27%, PwDs – 5%).
- Unfilled reserved slots can be allocated to other categories within the overall ceiling.
Rate and Duration of Scholarship
At Graduation Level:
- Rs. 12,000/- per annum for the first three years of College and University courses.
- Rs. 20,000/- per annum at Post-Graduation level.
- For professional courses with a duration of five (5) years or Integrated courses: Rs. 20,000/- per annum in the 4th and 5th year.
For Technical Courses (e.g., B.Tech, B.Engg):
- Scholarship up to graduation level:
- Rs. 12,000/- per annum for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year.
- Rs. 20,000/- in the 4th year.
Payment of Scholarship
- Disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into students’ bank accounts.
- Payment tracking available through PFMS portal.
For Colleges/Universities
- Institutes must inform students about the scheme during admissions.
- Aadhaar-based authentication mandatory for Institute/State Nodal Officers (INO/SNO).
NSP OBC Scholarship Amount
NSP OBC scholarship amounts of all the schemes run by different ministries of the Central Government are provided below in a tabular format.
| Ministry | Scholarship Scheme | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Minority Affairs | Pre-Matric Scholarship | Admission + Tuition Fee (Class VI to X)
Maintenance Allowance
|
| Ministry of Minority Affairs | Post-Matric Scholarship | Admission + Tuition Fee
Maintenance Allowance
|
| Ministry of Minority Affairs | Merit Cum Means Based Scholarship |
|
| Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | PM’s YASASVI Central Sector Scheme | Grants for tuition, hostel fees, and other charges: Up to Rs. 75,000 per annum (Class 9-10) and Rs. 1,25,000 per annum (Class 11-12) |
| Department of School Education & Literacy | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme | Rs. 12,000/- per annum, disbursed monthly |
| Department of Higher Education | PM Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana | At Graduation Level:
For Technical Courses (e.g., B.Tech, B.Engg):
|
NSP scholarship details for OBC
Detailed table showing all the important NSP scholarship details for OBC.
| Scheme Name | Eligibility Criteria | Selection Procedure | Duration & Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship |
|
Fresh scholarships prioritize poverty over marks. Renewals require securing 50% in previous year’s exams. | Covers Class I to X studies with maintenance allowance. |
| Post-Matric Scholarship |
|
Fresh scholarships prioritize poverty over marks. Renewals need 50% in previous year’s exams. | Covers higher secondary to university studies. |
| Merit Cum Means Based Scholarship |
|
Fresh scholarships prioritize students from listed institutions. Renewals require 50% in previous year’s exams. | Covers technical and professional courses. |
| Prime Minister’s YASASVI Central Sector Scheme |
|
Selection based on Top Class Schools with high pass percentages. State-wise merit list allocation. | Covers education from Class 9 to Class 12. |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme |
|
State/UT exams for Class VIII students. Selection based on test scores and marks in Class VIII exams. | Applicable from Class IX to XII with monthly disbursement. |
| Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan Yojana |
|
Application through NSP. Renewal allowed on valid AISHE Code. Criteria for academic performance apply. | Offers scholarships for graduate/postgraduate studies. |
Scholarships for Other Backward Classes (OBC) on NSP
Several scholarships specifically target students belonging to the Other Backward Classes category. These scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance at different educational levels, including pre-matric, post-matric, and higher education.
- Pre-Matric Scholarships for OBC Students: This scholarship aims to support OBC students studying in classes 1 to 10 by providing financial assistance for their education. It covers various expenses such as tuition fees, maintenance, books, and other educational costs.
- Post-Matric Scholarships for OBC Students: Geared towards OBC students pursuing education at the post-matriculation level, this scholarship covers a broader spectrum of courses, including technical and professional courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It aids in tuition fees, maintenance, and other incidental expenses.
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses: This scholarship caters to OBC students pursuing professional and technical courses at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. It aims to support students with both merit and financial constraints, covering tuition fees and other related expenses.
Importance and Impact
The NSP for OBC students plays a pivotal role in promoting educational inclusivity and empowerment. By offering financial assistance, it reduces the financial burden on students from marginalized communities, enabling them to access quality education and pursue their academic goals. This initiative not only supports individual aspirations but also contributes to the overall social and economic development of the nation by fostering a more educated and skilled workforce.
Conclusion
The National Scholarship Portal serves as a beacon of hope for students belonging to the Other Backward Classes, facilitating their educational journey by providing financial aid and opportunities for academic growth. It stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to promoting equity and access to education, ensuring that no deserving student is deprived of education due to financial constraints.
FAQs
1. What is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), and how does it assist OBC students?
The NSP is an online platform initiated by the Government of India, providing a centralized system for various central and state government scholarships. For OBC students, it streamlines access to scholarships, making it easier to apply and receive financial aid.
2. What scholarships are available for OBC students under NSP, and how do they differ?
OBC students have access to multiple scholarships, including Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means scholarships. These differ in eligibility criteria, covered educational levels, and financial assistance provided.
3. How can OBC students apply for NSP scholarships?
Students can apply for NSP scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in), where they need to create an account, fill in the necessary details, and apply for the scholarships they qualify for.
4. What are the eligibility criteria for NSP scholarships for OBC students?
Eligibility criteria vary for different scholarships but generally include criteria such as securing a certain percentage in previous exams and meeting specific income ceilings.
5. What expenses do these scholarships cover for OBC students?
Scholarships typically cover a range of expenses, including tuition fees, maintenance allowances, hostel fees, and other educational costs, catering to different levels of education from pre-matric to higher education.
6. What types of expenses do the NSP scholarships for OBC students typically cover?
The scholarships offered through NSP for OBC students often cover a range of expenses, including tuition fees, admission fees, maintenance allowances, hostel fees, and other educational costs depending on the specific scholarship scheme and the level of education.
7. How does NSP ensure the timely disbursement of scholarship amounts to eligible OBC students?
NSP operates through a streamlined process that includes the verification of student details, approval, and direct disbursement to the beneficiary’s bank account via the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) method. This ensures swift and direct receipt of scholarship amounts.