Department
Social Justice & Special Assistance Dept, Maharashtra.
About
It provides financial assistance for education beyond class 10. It aims to reduce dropout (“education leakage”) and promote higher education. It Ensures transparency and speed in disbursing benefits. It will help covers your tuition fees, exam fees, and maintenance allowance for eligible SC / Neo-Buddhist students.
Last Date
– For AY 2024-25, fresh/renewal applications continue until 30 November 2025.
– The “Re-apply” provision for AY 2023-24 is extended until 30 November 2025.
Benefits
– Maintenance Allowance (for up to 10 months, from admission to exam)
• Day scholars:
Group I: ₹ 550 / month
Group II: ₹ 530
Group III: ₹ 300
Group IV: ₹ 230
• Hostellers:
Group I: ₹ 1,200
Group II: ₹ 820
Group III: ₹ 570
Group IV: ₹ 380
– Additional Allowances for Disability: Depending on type of disability. Eg: for blindness/low vision – Group I & II: +₹ 150; Group III: +₹ 125; Group IV: +₹ 100.
– Tuition fees, exam fees, and other compulsory fees are covered under this scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
1. Parent’s / guardian’s annual income ≤ ₹ 2,50,000.
2. Student must belong to Scheduled Caste (SC) or Neo-Buddhist category.
3. The student should be a resident of Maharashtra.
4. Must have passed SSC (or equivalent matric).
5. Academic failure rule: If a student fails for the first time in a class, they can still get exam fee + maintenance allowance. If they fail a second time in the same class, they lose the allowance; but after two “drops” (I think two failed years), once they pass and move to the next class, they become eligible again.
6. Only 2 professional courses allowed under this scholarship.
7. If the student is studying outside Maharashtra, the same rules apply as per the Government of India.
Documents Required
- Income Certificate (from Tahsildar)
– Caste Certificate
– Mark sheet of the last exam appeared
– SSC / HSC mark sheet
– Father’s death certificate (if applicable)
– Gap & self-declaration (if there is a study gap)
– Hostel certificate (if needed)
– If the student is a married girl: husband’s income certificate.
Selection Process
- Applicants apply online via MahaDBT portal.
– After submission, the application goes for scrutiny by the institute / department.
– In the applicant dashboard, there is an “Under Scrutiny” tab, “Approved Applications” tab, “Rejected Applications” tab.
– The system also shows tentative benefit calculation, based on profile data.
– There is a mechanism for “Right to Give Up” (i.e., to withdraw) application via the institute’s principal login, until a certain date (30 June 2025 in this case)
Notes
The amount is disbursed via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to the student’s bank account.
– Aadhaar seeding is required for the bank account to receive DBT benefits.
– If a student’s Aadhaar is not seeded or there are issues, they are advised to open an India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) account with Aadhaar seeding.
– There are “Guidelines on Undisbursed Benefit”: if disbursement fails (account closed, KYC pending, account not seeded, etc.), the student needs to take corrective steps (e.g., updating bank details) to receive the payment.
Official website:
Application link:
https://mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in/Login/Login
Contact details:
Helpline Number 022-49150800
Chief Minister Helpline: 24×7 (Toll Free) No.: 1800 120 8040