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Regulations governing the ward of scholarships – (Effective from 01-07-2010)

I. Object:

The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe students studying at Post-Matriculation or Post-Secondary stage to enable them to complete their education.

II. Scope:

These scholarships are available for studies in India only and are awarded by the Government of the State/Union Territory to which the applicant actually belongs i.e. permanently settled.

III. Conditions of Eligibility:

1. The scholarships are open to nationals of India.
2. These scholarships will be given for the study of all recognized post-matriculation or post-secondary courses pursued in recognized institutions with the following exceptions:-“Scholarships are not awarded for training courses like Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s Courses and Private Pilot, License Courses, Courses at Training Ship Dufferen (Now Rajendra) courses of training at the Military College, Dehradun, Courses at Pre-Examination Training Centres of all India and State levels and Trade Courses at the Industrial Training Institute”
3. Only those candidates who belong to Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes so specified in relation to the State/Union Territory to which the applicant actually belongs i.e. permanently settled and who have passed the Matriculation or Higher Secondary or any higher examination of a recognized University or Board of Secondary Education will be eligible.
4. Candidates who after passing one stage of education are studying in the same stage of education in different subjects i.e. I.Sc. after I.A or B.Com after B.A. or M.A. in one subject after M.A. in other subject will not be eligible.
5. Candidates who, after having completed their educational career in one professional line continue professional studies in a different line e.g. LLB. After B.T./B.Ed. will not be eligible. From the academic year 1980-81, studies in two professional courses allowed (Authority: F.No.11017/37/79-SC&BCD.III dated 20.06.1980.
6. Students studying in Class XI of the Higher Secondary School courses or the XII class of the Multipurpose High School will not be eligible for it being a continuous school courses, However, in cases, where 10th Class Examination of such courses is treated as equivalent to matriculation and students who after passing 10th Class join other courses, such students will be treated as post-matric student and will be eligible for award of scholarships.
7. Students pursuing post-graduate courses in medicine will be eligible if they are not allowed to practice during the period of their course.
8. Candidates who after failing or passing the under graduate/graduate/post graduate examinations in Arts/Science/Commerce join any recognized professional or Technical Certificate/Diploma/Degree Courses will be awarded scholarships if otherwise eligible. No subsequent failure will be condoned (except Medical and Engineering courses) and no further change in the course will be allowed.
9. Candidates who pursue their studies through correspondence courses are also eligible. The term correspondence course includes distant and continuing education.
10. Students who are in full-time employment will not be eligible. However, employed students who take leave without entire duration of the course and study as full time students will be eligible for scholarships. From the academic year 1980-81, employed students whose income combined with the income of their parents/guardians does not exceed the maximum prescribed income ceiling are made eligible to post-matric scholarships to the extent reimbursement of all compulsorily payable non-refundable fees.
11. Students pursuing part-time courses will not be eligible
12. All children of the same parents/guardians will be entitled to receive benefits of the scholarships scheme.
13. A scholarship holder under this scheme will not hold any other scholarship/stipend. If awarded any other scholarship/ a stipend, the students can exercise his option for either of the two scholarships/stipends, whichever is more beneficial to him and should inform the awarding authority through the Head of the Institution about the option made. No scholarship will be paid to the student under this scheme from the dates he/she accepted another scholarship/stipend. The student can however, accept free lodging or a grant or Adhoc monetary help from the State Government or any other source for the purchase of books, equipment or for meeting the expenses on board and lodging in addition to the scholarship amount paid under this scheme. (Authority 11017/4/77-SCD.IV dated 05.09.1979)
14. Students who have already received coaching in any of the pre-examination training centres with financial assistance from the Government will not eligible.

IV. Means Test

• Scholarships are paid to students whose parents’/guardians’ income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum. (as per the last revision of the scheme has been made w.e.f.. 01.04.2013. for ST)

Note 1: So long as either of the parents (or husband in the case of married unemployed girl student) is alive, only income of the parents/husband, as the case may be, from all sources has to be taken into account only and of no other member even though they may be earning. In the form of income declaration, income is to be declared on this basis. Only in the case where both the parents (or husband in the case of married but unemployed girl student) have died, the income of the guardian who is supporting the student in his/her studies has to be taken. Such students whose parent's income is affected due to unfortunate death of one of earning parents and resultantly comes within the income ceiling prescribed under the scheme, shall become eligible for scholarship, subject to their fulfilling other conditions of eligibility, from the month in which such sad incidence takes place. Applications for scholarships from such students can be considered even after lapse of last date of receipt of applications, on compassionate grounds.

Note 2: House rent allowance received by the parents of a student shall be exempted from the computation of 'income' if the same has been permitted to be exempted for the purpose of Income tax.

Note 3: Income certificate is required to be taken once only i.e. at the time of admission to courses which are continuing for more than one year.

Note 4: The revised income ceiling has been further upgraded, after taking into account Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers upto October 2009. Income Ceiling would be revised once in every two years linking it with Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers for the month of October of the year, preceding the year of revision and will be made effective from April.

V. Value of Scholarship

The value of scholarship includes :

1. Maintenance allowance,
2. Provision for student with disabilities,
3. Reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees,
4. Study Tour charges,
5. Typing/Printing of thesis and
6. Book allowance for students pursuing correspondence courses, for complete duration of the course.

The details are given below:-

(i) Maintenance Allowance:-

Group	Courses	Rate of Maintenance Allowance (Rs per month)
		Hosteller	Day Scholars
Group I	Degree and Post Graduate level courses including M.Phil., Ph.D. and Post Doctoral research in Medicine (Allopathic, Indian and other recognized systems of medicines), Engineering, Technology, Planning, Architecture, Design, Fashion Technology, Agriculture, Veterinary & Allied Sciences, Management, Business Finance /Administration, Computer Science/ Applications. Commercial Pilot License (including helicopter pilot and multiengine rating) course. Post Graduate Diploma courses in various branches of management & medicine. C.A./I.C.W.A./C.S./I.C.F.A. etc. M.Phil., Ph.D. and Post Doctoral Programmes (D. Litt., D.Sc. etc.) – (a) In existing Group II courses (b) In existing Group III courses L.L.M.	1200	550
Group II	Graduate/ Post Graduate courses leading to Degree, Diploma, Certificate in areas like Pharmacy (B Pharma), Nursing (B Nursing), LLB, BFS, other para-medical branches like rehabilitation, diagnostics etc., Mass Communication, Hotel Management & Catering, Travel/Tourism/Hospitality Management, Interior Decoration, Nutrition & Dietetics, Commercial Art, Financial Services (e.g. Banking, Insurance, Taxation etc.) for which entrance qualification is minimum Sr. Secondary (10+2). Post Graduate courses not covered under Group-I e.g. M.A./M.Sc./M.Com./M.Ed./M.Pharma etc.	820	530
Group III	All other courses leading to a graduate degree not covered under Group I & II eg. BA/B Sc/B Com etc.	570	300
Group III	All post-matriculation level non-degree courses for which entrance qualification is High School (Class X), e.g. senior secondary certificate (class XI and XII); both general and vocational stream, ITI courses, 3 year diploma courses in Polytechnics, etc.	380	230

Note 1: Commercial Pilot License Course (CPL)

(CPL) course would include Commercial Helicopter Pilot License (CHPL) and multi-engine rating training on A-320 and similar aircrafts even after the candidate has got scholarship for multi-engine rating training with the (CPL) course. (CPL) course is covered under Group 'I'. The number of awards for (CPL) will be 50 per annum. Consequent upon receiving applications from concerned students, concerned State Governments/UT Admns. should scrutinize them for determining their eligibility under the scheme and thereafter recommend the number of eligible applicants for (CPL) training (with their names) each financial year to the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (their applications need not be sent to the Ministry). Upon receipt of such information, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment will give clearance to the concerned States/UTs on the first-come-first served basis upto 50 awards for the country as a whole. Selected candidates are provided a maintenance allowance at the rates applicable to Group 'I' courses i.e. Rs.1200 per month for hostlers and Rs.550 per month for day scholars. In addition all compulsory fees, including flight charges are to be provided as fee.

Note 2: M.Phil and Ph.D courses are PG courses. Scholarship to such students may be paid at the rates of maintenance for Group I or II depending on the course under these groups

Note 3: Normally the term 'Hostel' is applicable to a common residential building and a common mess for the students run under the supervision of the educational institution authorities. In case the college authorities are unable to provide accommodation in the college Hostel, an approved place of residence can also be treated as Hostel for the purpose of this scheme. The place will be approved by the Head of the Institution after due inspection and keeping in view the rules and regulations laid down by the University, if any. In such case, a certificate to the effect that the student is residing in an approved place of residence, as he is unable to get accommodation in the college hostel should be furnished by the Head of the Institution.

It is further clarified that such deemed hostels should consist of such accommodation as is hired at least by a group of 5(five) students living together, usually with common mess arrangements.

Note 4: Scholars who are entitled to free board and/or lodging will be paid maintenance charge at 1/3rd at Hostellers' rate.

(ii) Additional Provision for ST/SC students with disabilities:-

1. Reader Allowance for Blind Scholars

Level of Course	Reader Allowance (Rs per month)
Group I, II	240
Group III	200
Group IV	160

2. Provision of transport allowance upto Rs.160/- per month for disabled students, if such students do not reside in the hostel, which is within the premises of educational institution. The disability as per the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 is defined as blindness, low-vision, leprosy-cured, hearing impairment, locomotor disability, mental retardation and mental illness.
3. Escort Allowance of Rs.160/- per month for severally handicapped day scholar students with low extremity disability.
4. Special Pay of Rs.160/- per month is admissible to any employee of the hostel willing to extend help to a severely orthopaedically handicapped student residing in hostel of an educational institution, who may need the assistance of a helper.
5. Allowance of Rs.240/- per month towards extra coaching to mentally retarded and mentally ill students.

The provisions in (B) to (D) will also apply to such leprosy-cured students.

Note 1: The disabled students belonging to Scheduled Castes covered under the Scheme can also get such additional benefits from other Schemes, which are not covered under the scheme.

Note 2: The disability as defined under the said Act has to be certified by competent medical authority of the State Govt./UT Administration

(iii) Fees:

Scholars will be paid enrolment/registration, tuition, games, Union, Library, Magazine, Medical Examination and such other fees compulsory payable by the Scholar to the Institution or University/Board. Refundable deposit like caution money, security deposit will, however, be excluded.

(iv) Study Tours:

Scholar tour upto a maximum of Rs. 1600/- p.a. limited to the actual expenditure incurred by the student on transportation charges etc. Will be paid to the scholars studying professional and technical courses, provided that the Head of the Institution certifies that the study tour is essential for the scholar for the completion of his/her course of study.

(v) Thesis Typing/Printing Charges:

Thesis typing/printing charges upto a maximum of Rs. 1600/- will also be paid to Research Scholars on the recommendation of the Head of the Institution.

(vi) Correspondence courses including distance and continuing education:

The student pursuing such courses are also eligible for an annual allowance of Rs. 1200/- for essential/prescribed books, besides reimbursement of course fees.

VI. Selection of Candidates

1. All the eligible Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes candidates will be given scholarships subject to the application of Means Test prescribed in Regulation .

2. Candidates belonging to one State but studying in another State will be awarded scholarships by the State to which they belong and will submit their applications to the competent authorities in that State. In the matter of exemption from fees or other concessions also they will be treated as if they were studying in their own State.

VII. Duration and Renewal of Awards:

1. The award once made will be tenable from the stage at which it is given to the completion of course subject to good conduct and regularly in attendance. It will be renewed from year to year provided that within a course which is continuous for a number of years, the scholar secures promotion to the next higher class irrespective of the fact whether such examinations are conducted by a University or the Institutions.

2. If a Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe scholar pursuing Medical and Engineering Courses fails in the examination for the first time, the award may be renewed. For second and subsequent failure in any class the student shall bear his/her own expenses until he/she secures promotion to the next higher class.

3. If a scholar is unable to appear in the annual examination owing to illness and or on account of any unforeseeable event; the award may be renewed for the next academic year on submission of medical certificate and/or sufficient proof to the satisfaction of Head of the institution and his/her certifying that the scholar would have passed had he appeared in the examination.

4. If according to the regulations of a University/Institution, a student is promoted to the next higher class even though he/she may not have actually passed in lower class and is required to take examination of the junior class again after sometime, he/she will be entitled to scholarship for the class to which he/she is promoted if the student is otherwise eligible for scholarship.

VIII. Payment:

1. Maintenance charges are payable from 1st April or from the month of admission, whichever is later, to the month in which the examinations are completed at the end of the academic year (including maintenance during holidays) provided that if the scholar secures admission after the 20th day of a month, the amount will be made from the month following the month of admission.

2. In case of renewal of scholarships awarded in the previous years maintenance charges will be paid from the month following the month up to which scholarship was paid in the previous year, if the course of study is continuous. (e.g. intermediate Junior Intermediate, Senior Class.)

3. The scholarship money will be paid to the selected students by the Govt. of the State/Union Territory’s Administration to which they belong in accordance with the procedure laid down by them in this regard.

4. Scholarships will not be paid for the period of internship/houseman-ship in the M.B.B.S. courses or for a practical training in other courses if the student is in receipt of some remuneration during the internship period of some allowance/stipend during the practical training in other courses.

IX. Other Conditions for the Award:

1. The scholarship is dependent on the satisfactory progress and conduct of the scholar. If it is reported by the Head of the Institution at any time that a scholar has by reasons of his/her own act or default failed to make satisfactory progress or has been guilty of misconduct such as resorting to or participating strikes, irregularity in attendance without the permission of the authorities concerned, etc. the authority sanctioning the scholarship may either cancel the scholarships or stop or withhold further payment for such period as it may think fit.
2. If a candidate is found to have obtained a scholarship by false statements, his/her scholarship will be cancelled forthwith and the amount of the scholarship paid will be recovered, at the discretion of the concerned State Government. The student concerned will be black listed and debarred fro scholarship in any scheme forever.
3. A scholarship awarded may be cancelled if the scholar changes the subject of the course of study for which the scholarships were originally awarded or changes the Institution of study, without prior approval of the State Government. The Head of the institution shall report such cases to them and stop payment of the scholarship money. The amount already paid may also be recovered at the discretion of the State Government.
4. A scholar is liable to refund the scholarship amount at the discretion of the State Government if during the course of the year, the studies for which the scholarship has been awarded, is discontinued by him/her.
5. The Regulations can be changed at any time at the discretion of the Government of India.

X. Announcement of the Scheme

All the State Government will announce in May-June the details of the scheme and invite applications by issuing an advertisement in the leading newspapers of the State. All request for application forms and other particulars should be addressed to the Government of State/Union Territory Administration to which the scholars actually belong. The applicant should submit the completed application to the prescribed authority before the last date prescribed for receipt of applications.

XI. Procedure for applying:

1. An application for scholarship should comprise:
   1. One copy of the application for scholarship in the prescribed form (separate application forms have been prescribed for ‘Fresh’ and renewal scholarship)
   2. One copy of the passport size photograph with signature of the student thereon (for fresh scholarship).
   3. One attested copy of certificates, diploma, degree etc., in respect of all examinations passed.
   4. A certificate (in original) of Caste duly signed by an authorized Revenue Officer no below the rank of Tehsildar.
   5. An income declaration by the self-employed parents/guardians, stating definite income from all sources by way of an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper. Employed parents/guardians are required to obtain income certificate from their employer and for any additional income from other sources, they would furnish declaration by way of an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper.
   6. A receipt in acknowledgement of the scholarship in the previous year on the form attached to the application only duly countersigned by the Head of the Institution concerned. If the applicant was in receipt of a scholarship under this scheme in the preceding year.
2. Application complete in all respects shall be submitted to the Head of the Institution being attended or last attended by the candidate and shall be addressed to an Officer specified for this purpose by the Government of State/Union Territory to which the student belong in accordance with the instructions issued by them from time to time.
   
3. Incomplete application or applications received after the prescribed dated will not be considered.

XII. Funding Pattern of the Scheme:

The Scheme is implemented by the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, which receive 100% central assistance from Government of India for the total expenditure under the scheme, over and above their respective Committed Liability. The level of Committed Liability of respective State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations for a year is equivalent to the level of actual expenditure incurred by them under the Scheme during the terminal year of the last Five Year Plan Period and is required to be borne by them for which they are required to make required provision in their own budget. The North Eastern States have, however, been exempted from making their own budgetary provisions towards Committee Liability from Ninth Plan Period (1997-2002) onwards and the entire expenditure under the Scheme in respect of them will be borne by Government of India.

NOTE : Additional committed liability on account of the revision of the Scheme w.e.f. 01.07.2010 shall be passed on to State Govts/U.T. Administrations at the end of the XII Five - Year period (w.e.f. 1.4.2017), and not after the XI Plan period.

All the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations implementing the scheme will:

1. furnish data of beneficiaries and expenditure under the scheme, to Government of India, regularly in the Quarterly Reports prescribed for this purpose. Financial assistance given under the scheme shall not be utilized for any other purpose.
2. designate Grievance Redressal Officers (GROs) at the State and District levels to redress students' scholarship-related grievances.