The Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students is a merit-based scholarship scheme designed to support SC students pursuing full-time courses at notified top-class institutions. The scheme provides financial assistance towards tuition fees and other non-refundable charges, along with an academic allowance to support students during their studies.
For the 2026-27 academic cycle, the scholarship scheme opened on June 1, 2026. Eligible students can submit their applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) until October 31, 2026.
Top Class Education Scholarship 2026: Important Dates
| Particulars | Date |
|---|---|
| Scheme Opens | June 1, 2026 |
| Student Application Deadline | October 31, 2026 |
| Defective Application Verification | November 15, 2026 |
| Institute Verification | November 15, 2026 |
| DNO/SNO/MNO Verification | November 30, 2026 |
Students are advised to complete their applications and the required verification within the prescribed timelines.
Who Can Apply for the Top Class Education Scholarship?
The scholarship is available to SC students who have secured admission to a full-time prescribed course at one of the institutions notified under the scheme.
To be eligible, students must meet the following conditions:
- The total annual family income from all sources must be up to ₹8 lakh.
- The student must have secured admission to a full-time prescribed course in a notified institution.
- Selection is subject to the number of scholarship slots allocated to the institution and the prescribed merit criteria.
- Fresh scholarships are available only to first-year students.
- Students already studying in the second, third or fourth year are not eligible for fresh selection.
- The benefit cannot be availed by more than two siblings from the same family.
- Students receiving the scholarship cannot simultaneously avail themselves of another similar scholarship scheme of the Central or State Government.
For self-employed parents or guardians, the income declaration must be supported by a certificate issued by a Revenue Officer not below the rank of Tehsildar. Employed parents or guardians are required to obtain an income certificate from their employer and a consolidated certificate from the Revenue Officer for any additional source of income.
How are Students Selected?
The number of eligible students admitted to a notified institution may exceed the scholarship slots available. In such cases, scholarships are awarded to the top students according to the inter-se merit list, based on the admission criteria prescribed for the particular course.
If students have equal marks for the last available scholarship slot, preference is given to the student with the lower family income.
SC students who are admitted to the institution but do not receive a Top Class scholarship may be eligible for the Post-Matric Scholarship, subject to the eligibility conditions of that scheme.
30% Scholarship Slots Reserved for SC Girl Students
The scheme provides a specific provision for SC girl students. Thirty per cent of the scholarship slots allotted to an institution are reserved for eligible SC girl students according to their inter-se merit.
If there are not enough eligible girl students to fill these slots, the vacant slots may be transferred to eligible SC boy students based on their inter-se merit.
The 30% provision does not include girl students who are already selected through the overall merit list of SC students at the institution.
Which Institutions are Covered Under the Scheme?
The scheme covers notified ‘Top Class’ institutions. The eligible categories include institutions such as:
- Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)
- Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)
- Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs)
- All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
- National Institutes of Technology (NITs)
- National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFTs)
- National Institutes of Design (NIDs)
- Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs)
- National Law Universities (NLUs)
- Other eligible Central Government institutions
Other institutions may also be included if they meet the prescribed criteria, including being among NAAC A++ or A+ accredited institutions, Top 100 NIRF institutions, or Institutions of National Importance, subject to the scheme's applicable conditions.
The list of notified Top Class institutions and the number of scholarship slots are issued by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Top Class Education Scholarship 2026: Benefits
The scholarship provides financial assistance to selected SC students to meet the cost of education and other academic requirements.
The benefits include:
| Benefit | Amount/Support |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fee and Non-refundable Charges | Full support, subject to a ₹2 lakh per annum ceiling for private institutions |
| Academic Allowance – First Year | ₹86,000 |
| Academic Allowance – Subsequent Years | ₹41,000 per year |
The academic allowance is intended to cover expenses related to living costs, books and stationery, computer/laptop and accessories, among other educational requirements.
The scholarship becomes payable after the student secures admission and starts attending classes.
How is the Scholarship Amount Paid?
The scholarship is funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Tuition fees, non-refundable charges and the academic allowance are transferred directly to selected students through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
Students are required to deposit the applicable fee with their institution after receiving the scholarship payment and, in any case, within one month of receiving the payment.
What Happens if a Student Changes Their Institution?
Students who change their institute or college after being selected under the scheme will have their scholarship discontinued. They will not be eligible to continue receiving the Top Class Education Scholarship under the scheme after changing the institution.
The scholarship may also be terminated if a student fails to get promoted to the next semester or class. However, once the student is promoted to the next class, the scholarship will be released as per the scheme provisions.
Top Class Education Scholarship 2026: Key Points
The Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students provides financial support to eligible SC students admitted to notified institutions. For the 2026-27 cycle, applications are open until October 31, 2026, followed by defective application and institute verification until November 15 and DNO/SNO/MNO verification until November 30, 2026.
Eligible students should ensure that they meet the income, admission, merit and other conditions before applying through the prescribed scholarship portal.
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