We all have dreams of pursuing higher studies and set on a path to build an established future. The Indian education sector offers a wide range of degrees to pursue, and students are completely free to choose which field they want to study and achieve their dreams. However, there is one hurdle that stops students from fulfilling their dreams – Financial constraints. Especially for OBC/SC/ST students, it becomes quite difficult to pursue higher studies given their family’s financial conditions. To counter the issues and offer a fair chance to education to every student, several public and private organizations and institutions offer scholarships. In this blog, we will explore some of the best OBC/SC/ST Scholarships in India.
1. Central Sector Scholarships for National Overseas
The Central Sector Scholarships for National Overseas is meant for OBC students or professionals wishing to pursue a Master’s degree or PhD in a foreign university. The scheme offered in the fields of engineering, management, agriculture, science, and medicine, apart from scholarship prizes, offers other allowances, including incidence journey allowance, visa fees, poll tax, medical insurance, airfare, local travel allowance and other benefits.
Under the National Overseas scholorship, 25 scholarships are provided per subject per year, and 30% are allotted to female applicants.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only Masters and PhD candidates can apply.
- The candidates must have secured 60% marks in their previous course.
- Applicants must be below the age of 35 years, and annual income should not exceed ₹ 3 lakhs per annum.
2. Post Graduate Scholarship for Professional Courses for SC/ST
The Post Graduate Scholarship for Professional Courses for SC/ST, offered by the University Grant Commission (UGC), Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD), is meant for SC/ST students applying to pursue professional courses at the postgraduate level.
The scholarship is offered to provide financial assistance to postgraduate students belonging to the SC/ST category.
Eligibility Criteria
- The candidate applying must belong to the SC/ST category.
- Students must be in the first year of the professional course at the postgraduate level.
- The applicant must be studying in any of the following universities/colleges/institutes of India:
- Universities/colleges/institutes come under sections 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act.
- Deemed to be universities that are included under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 and are eligible to receive grants-in-aid from UGC.
- The institutions funded by the Central/State Government.
- Institutions of National Importance.
3. Merit Scholarship for OBC, Delhi
The Merit Scholarship for OBC, offered by The Department of the Welfare of SC/ST/OBC/Minorities, Delhi, is a merit-based scholarship for OBC students of class 6th to 12th and professionals in colleges and technical institutes.
The scholarship is divided into 3 categories: Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-Cum-Means.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only OBC students in 6th to 12th with 55% and above are eligible to apply.
- Candidates in technical institutes or colleges need 60% in 12th or equivalent to apply.
- The candidate’s annual family income should not exceed ₹ 2 lakhs per annum.
4. Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses CS (Minorities)
The Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses CS (Minorities) is offered by the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the minority students pursuing professional and technical courses.
The scholarship, offered at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, is aimed at providing financial assistance to meritorious and underprivileged students.
Eligibility Criteria
- The applicants must belong to the minority communities.
- The applicant must be pursuing a professional or technical course at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.
- The candidate must have secured at least 50% marks or an equivalent grade in the previous final examination.
- Applicant’s annual family income from all sources should not exceed ₹ 2.50 lakhs.
- The candidate must have been admitted on the basis of the competitive entrance exam or must have scored at least 50% in class 12th or graduation (For direct admission).
5. ONGC Scholarship
The Oil and Gas Corporate Limited (ONGC) Scholarship is offered to 1000 OBC and economically backward general students in their first year of graduation or post-graduation course.
The ONGC scholarship is offered for courses like Engineering, MBBS, MBA, and Masters in Geology/Geophysics.
Eligibility Criteria
- Only students in their 1st year of graduation can apply.
- The candidates must be pursuing the courses mentioned above recognized by AICTE.
- The candidates should have secured 60% marks in class 12th.
- The candidates should not be more than 30 years of age, and their annual family income of the candidates should be less than ₹ 2 lakh per annum.
Conclusion
The above-discussed scholarships are meant for OBC/SC/ST candidates planning to pursue graduate and postgraduate level degrees.
For more details, visit the official websites of the institutions offering the scholarships. If you want to study business administration and are looking for a top MBA College in Delhi NCR, visit IIMT Rohtak.
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