The Top Class Scholarship for SC Students is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that funds the full cost of study for Scheduled Caste students after Class 12. Under the scheme guidelines, a selected student gets the full tuition fee and non-refundable charges and an academic allowance of Rs 86,000 in the first year and Rs 41,000 in every subsequent year.
For the 2026-27 academic session the scheme is open on the National Scholarship Portal. The portal lists the student application as open till 31 October 2026, with institute verification closing on 15 November 2026.
This page gives the scholarship amount, the income and eligibility rules, the documents needed and the exact 2026-27 dates, all taken from the scheme’s own official guideline document and the National Scholarship Portal’s official scheme listing.
Top Class Scholarship for SC Students 2026-27: quick facts
Quick facts2026-27
| Scholarship from | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India |
| Scholarship value | Full tuition fee and non-refundable charges (ceiling Rs 2 lakh a year per student for private institutions), plus an academic allowance of Rs 86,000 in the first year and Rs 41,000 in each following year |
| Who can apply | Scheduled Caste (SC) students who have secured admission to a full-time prescribed course in a notified institution for study beyond Class 12 |
| Income limit | Total annual family income from all sources up to Rs 8 lakh |
| Last date to apply | 31 October 2026 (scheme open on the National Scholarship Portal from 1 June 2026) |
| Official website | scholarships.gov.in – National Scholarship Portal scheme list |
What is the Top Class Scholarship for SC Students?
The scheme aims at recognising and promoting quality education among students belonging to Scheduled Castes by giving financial support for study beyond Class 12. It operates in institutions notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Once the scholarship is awarded it continues till the completion of the course, subject to the student’s satisfactory performance.
The scheme is funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the scholarship becomes payable immediately after the student secures admission and starts attending classes. The tuition fee, other non-refundable charges and the academic allowance are paid directly to the student or the institution through the Direct Benefit Transfer route.
How much money does the Top Class Scholarship for SC Students pay?
- Tuition fee: the full tuition fee and non-refundable charges are covered, with a ceiling of Rs 2 lakh per annum per student for private sector institutions.
- Academic allowance: Rs 86,000 in the first year of study and Rs 41,000 in every subsequent year.
- The academic allowance is meant to take care of living expenses, books and stationery, and a computer or laptop of a reputed brand with accessories such as a UPS and a printer.
There is no separate hostel or medical grant on top of these amounts – the academic allowance is the single annual amount for maintenance-linked costs.
Eligibility for the Top Class Scholarship for SC Students
As per the scheme guidelines, you are eligible if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You belong to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community.
- Your total annual family income from all sources is up to Rs 8 lakh.
- You have secured admission to a full-time prescribed course in an institution notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- You are studying beyond Class 12 – that is, an undergraduate or postgraduate level course that is part of the notified list.
- You satisfy the general selection criteria prescribed by the concerned institution, because seats are allotted to the institution for each course.
The number of scholarships is limited to the slots allocated to each institution for each course, so admission into a notified institution does not by itself guarantee the scholarship.
Documents needed for the Top Class Scholarship
- Income certificate – self-employed parents or guardians need a certificate issued by a revenue officer not below the rank of Tehsildar; employed parents need a certificate from their employer (and a consolidated revenue-officer certificate for any other income).
- Caste certificate confirming SC status.
- Bank account details in the student’s own name, with the account seeded and KYC-compliant for Direct Benefit Transfer.
- Admission or fee receipt and the institution’s details, including its AISHE code and NSP KYC.
How to apply for the Top Class Scholarship for SC Students
Applications are made only online on the National Scholarship Portal, and the income and caste certificates have to be uploaded on the portal along with bank account details.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal if you have not done it already.
- Log in at scholarships.gov.in and select the Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students.
- Fill in your personal, academic, bank and category details and upload the income certificate, caste certificate and bank details.
- Submit the online application before 31 October 2026.
- Your institution verifies your application on the portal; institute verification closes on 15 November 2026 and the DNO/SNO/MNO level verification closes on 30 November 2026.
Important dates for the Top Class Scholarship 2026-27
- Scheme opened on the National Scholarship Portal: 1 June 2026
- Last date for students to submit the application: 31 October 2026
- Defective application and institute verification close: 15 November 2026
- DNO / SNO / MNO verification closes: 30 November 2026
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The scheme covers the full tuition fee and non-refundable charges, with a ceiling of Rs 2 lakh per annum per student for private institutions, and pays an academic allowance of Rs 86,000 in the first year and Rs 41,000 in every subsequent year of study.
The National Scholarship Portal lists the student application as open till 31 October 2026. Institute verification closes on 15 November 2026 and the DNO/SNO/MNO verification on 30 November 2026.
Scheduled Caste students with a total annual family income up to Rs 8 lakh who have secured admission to a full-time prescribed course, beyond Class 12, in an institution notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The total annual family income from all sources must be up to Rs 8 lakh. Self-employed parents need an income certificate from a revenue officer not below the rank of Tehsildar.
No. The scheme operates only in institutions notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the number of scholarships is limited to the slots allocated to each institution for each course.
You apply online on the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. You must upload your income certificate and caste certificate on the portal along with your bank account details.
No. There is no separate hostel or medical grant. The academic allowance – Rs 86,000 in the first year and Rs 41,000 in each following year – covers living expenses, books, stationery and a computer or laptop.
Official links
Related reading: National Scholarship Portal – official scheme list (All-Scholarships)
Scheme Guidelines – Top Class Scholarship for SC Students (PDF)
National Scholarship Portal – home
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
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