“The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a ₹200 crore scholarship initiative for 2025-26, targeting economically disadvantaged students across SC, ST, OBC, General, and Minority categories. The scheme supports pre-matric and post-matric education, with applications open until October 30, 2025. Over 17 lakh students benefited last year, with funds disbursed via DBT.”
Uttar Pradesh Rolls Out ₹200 Crore Scholarship Scheme for 2025-26
The Uttar Pradesh government has unveiled a massive ₹200 crore scholarship program for the 2025-26 academic year, aimed at empowering economically weaker students. Administered through the Social Welfare Department, the initiative targets students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), General, and Minority communities. The scheme covers pre-matric (Classes 9-10) and post-matric (Classes 11-12, undergraduate, diploma) education, ensuring financial aid reaches those pursuing studies in government, aided, or private institutions registered on the UP Scholarship portal.
Applications for the UP Scholarship 2025-26 opened on July 2, 2025, and will close on October 30, 2025, for pre-matric and post-matric schemes, with a separate deadline of December 20, 2025, for Dashmottar (undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma) scholarships. Students can apply via the official portal, scholarship.up.gov.in, with a streamlined process requiring One-Time Registration (OTR) linked to Aadhaar. The portal mandates no application fees, ensuring accessibility for all eligible candidates.
Eligibility criteria include permanent residency in Uttar Pradesh and enrollment in a recognized institution. For pre-matric scholarships, the annual family income cap is ₹1 lakh, while for post-matric, it is ₹2 lakh for General, OBC, and Minority categories, and ₹2.5 lakh for SC/ST students. Applicants must have secured at least 50% marks in their previous academic year to qualify for fresh or renewal applications. The scheme also supports students studying outside Uttar Pradesh under the Post-Matric (Other State) category.
Last year, the UP Scholarship portal disbursed ₹351 crore to 17,80,595 students across 72,000 registered institutions, showcasing the program’s extensive reach. Funds are transferred directly to students’ bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring transparency and efficiency. A correction window will open post-application to allow modifications, addressing common issues like incomplete forms or missing documents, which often lead to rejections.
The initiative has drawn praise for its inclusivity but faces challenges like delays in verification and occasional technical glitches on the portal. The government has also blacklisted certain institutes to protect students from fraudulent entities, ensuring scholarships are awarded only to those enrolled in legitimate institutions. Students are advised to verify their institute’s status on the portal before applying.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from official sources, including scholarship.up.gov.in and related government announcements. Data is accurate as of September 2, 2025, and subject to change. Readers are advised to verify details on the official portal before applying. All India Press is not responsible for decisions based on this report.