Centrally-Sponsored Scheme Of Pre-Matric Scholarship For Scheduled Caste Students Studying In Classes 9th & 10th

Description
A scholarship scheme by Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for regular, full-time students from Scheduled Castes studying in Class 9th and 10th in a Govt. School / a School recognized by Govt. / CBSE / State Board of Secondary Education. The Total Annual income of parents/guardians of the applicant from all sources must not exceed ₹ 2.50 Lakh per Annum. The scholarship for studying in any class will be available for only one year. The scholarship will be available for studying in India only. The scholarship will be awarded by the govt. of the state/UT to which the applicant belongs domiciled . ALL eligible Scheduled Caste candidates will be given scholarships as prescribed in this Scheme.

Exclusions
• If a student has to repeat a class, she / he would not get scholarship for that class for a second (or subsequent) year.
• If a student is found to have obtained a scholarship by false statements.

Definitions
Disability
The disability as defined under the Persons with disabilities (equal
opportunities, Protection of rights and full participation Act, 1995) Act. The person with disability (PwD) needs to be certified by competent medical authority of the State Govt./UT Administration.
(Source: https://legislative.gov.in/sites/default/files/A2016-49_1.pdf)

Scheduled Caste
as mentioned in The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 C.O.19
(Source: http://socialjustice.gov.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Compendium-2016.pdf)

Severely Disabled
a person with 80% or higher disability.
(Source: https://scholarships.gov.in/public/schemeGuidelines/Assam_PRE_Matric_Scholarship_Guideline.pdf)

Benefits
• Scholarship (₹ per month) (for 10 months in an academic year): ₹ 225 for Day Scholars, ₹ 525 for Hostellers.
• Books and Ad hoc Grant (₹ per annum): ₹ 750 for Day Scholars, ₹ 1000 for Hostellers.
• Additional Monthly Allowances for Person with Disability (PwD) studying in private unaided Schools -
• Reader Allowance (for Blind students) – ₹ 160
• Transport Allowance (if the students do not reside in the hostel which is within the premises of the Educational Institution) – ₹ 160
• Escort Allowance (only for Severely Disabled Day Scholars / Students with low extremity disability) – ₹ 160
• Helper Allowance (admissible to any of the hostel willing to extend help to a severely orthopaedically handicapped student residing in the hostel of an Educational Institution who may need the assistance of a helper) – ₹ 160
• Coaching Allowance to Mentally Retarded and Mentally ill Students – ₹ 240

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant must be a student.
2. The applicant must be studying in Class 9th or Class 10th.
3. The applicant must be from Scheduled Caste.
4. The Total Income of parents/guardian of the applicant must be less than or equal to ₹ 2.5 lakh per annum.

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: The application form (as prescribed by the State Govt. and made available on the website of the state govt.) complete in all respects should be submitted by the student to the Head of the Institution/School by 30th November of the academic…
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Step 1: The application form (as prescribed by the State Govt. and made available on the website of the state govt.) complete in all respects should be submitted by the student to the Head of the Institution/School by 30th November of the academic year.

Step 2: Step 2: The duly filled application forms received from the students shall be forwarded by the Head of Institution, after scrutiny and with his recommendation, to the Block / District level authorities.
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Step 2: The duly filled application forms received from the students shall be forwarded by the Head of Institution, after scrutiny and with his recommendation, to the Block / District level authorities.

Step 3: Step 3: State Governments/UT Administrations will delegate powers to sanction scholarships under the scheme to appropriate District / Block level authorities/ Heads of Institutions, as appropriate.
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NOTE: Ensure that the application is submitted within the prescribed period, if any.

Required Documents
• Aadhaar Number.
• One copy of the application for scholarship in the prescribed form.
• One passport size photograph with signature of the student thereon (for fresh scholarship).
• One self-attested copy of certificates, diploma, degree etc. in respect of all examinations passed.
• A certificate of Caste duly signed by an authorized Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar.
• Income declaration of the self-employed parents/guardian in the form of a certificate issued by Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar.
• Income Certificate of the employed parents/guardian issued by their employer.
• A consolidated certificate of income of the employed parents/guardian from the Revenue Officer (only in case of any other additional source of income).

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are there any allowances for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs)?
A: Yes, there are monthly allowances depending on the type and extent of disability. There is Reader Allowance, Transport Allowance, Escort Allowance, Helper Allowance and Coaching Allowance.

Q: By when shall the scholarship become payable?
A: The scholarship will become payable from 1st April or from the month of admission, whichever is later, and will paid for for 10 months of the academic year.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of scholarships?
A: No. All eligible students from Scheduled Castes will be given scholarships as prescribed in this scheme.

Q: Is there a validity to the scheme benefits?
A: The scholarship will be provided for ten months of the academic year.

Q: Will I be eligible for the scholarship if I have to repeat a class?
A: No. The scholarship will be terminated in that case.

Q: I am already availing the benefits of a Centrally-funded Scholarship scheme. Am I eligible for this scheme?
A: The applicant availing the benefits of National Means-cum-Merit scholarship scheme (Ministry of Education) can also avail the benefits of this scheme.

Q: Is there any application fee?
A: No. The entire application process is completely free of cost.

Q: In what condition would the income of the guardian needs to be mentioned?
A: The income of the guardian needs to be mentioned in a case where both the parents of the student are dead.

Q: Do I need to attached a copy of my Aadhaar Card while submitting the application to the Head of the Institution/School?
A: Yes, you are required to submit the same with your application.

Q: How do I know if a field in the application form is mandatory?
A: The mandatory fields have a red asterisk (*) mark at the end.