Last updated: 16 October 2026. Amounts are shown in INR with approximate USD in brackets, converted at about INR 96.5 per USD (mid-market rate, July 2026).
A scholarship for 10th passed students in Maharashtra is a financial aid scheme that supports a student’s education after the SSC (Class 10) exam. The state government, welfare boards and NGOs fund these schemes. They cover Class 11, diploma and other post-matric courses. Eligibility depends on three factors: caste category, family income and Class 10 marks.
This guide compares ten schemes, explains who should and should not apply, and walks through the MahaDBT application process step by step. It also explains each required document, the selection process, common mistakes and deadline trends from previous years.
Key facts
Where to apply: Most government schemes use the MahaDBT portal. NGO schemes use their own portals.
Who qualifies: Students with Maharashtra domicile who passed Class 10 and meet a scheme’s category, income or marks rule.
Biggest benefits: Tuition fee reimbursement, exam fee reimbursement and maintenance allowance. Merit stipends are small.
Status on 16 October 2026: Vidyadhan Maharashtra closed on 10 August 2026. MahaDBT windows differ by scheme, so check your scheme’s live status on the portal today.
Golden rule: Two government scholarships for the same course generally cannot be combined.
Scholarships Available After 10th in Maharashtra (Quick Overview)
Which scholarships can a student get after passing Class 10 in Maharashtra? A student can apply for category-based post-matric schemes, merit scholarships, welfare-board assistance or NGO scholarships. The right scheme depends on caste category, family income, Class 10 marks and the parent’s occupation.
Government schemes
Scheme
Funder
Who it is for
Benefit
Main condition
Post-Matric Scholarship (SC)
Social Justice and Special Assistance Dept
SC students, Class 11 to PG
Fee reimbursement plus maintenance allowance up to INR 1,200 per month (about USD 12)
Family income up to INR 2.5 lakh (about USD 2,590)
Post-Matric Scholarship (ST)
Tribal Development Dept
ST students
Maintenance allowance and other grants as set in the scheme resolution
Maharashtra domicile; Class 10 pass
Tuition and exam fee freeship
VJNT, OBC and SBC Welfare Dept
OBC, VJNT and SBC students
Tuition and exam fee reimbursement
Income cap differs between sources; confirm in the latest resolution
INR 300 per month for 10 months (about USD 3 per month)
75% or more in Class 10
Open Merit Scholarship (Junior College)
School Education and Sports Dept
Class 11 and 12 students
INR 50 per month for 10 months (about USD 0.50 per month)
Maharashtra domicile; recognised junior college
Government Vidyaniketan Scholarship
Directorate of Higher Education
Class 10 pass-outs of Government Vidyaniketan schools
INR 100 per month (about USD 1)
Reported cutoff of 60% in Class 10
Educational Assistance, 10th to 12th
Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board
Children of registered construction workers
INR 10,000 one time (about USD 104)
50% or more in Class 10 or 12
Private and NGO schemes
Scheme
Funder
Who it is for
Benefit
Main condition
Vidyadhan Maharashtra (Class 11 and 12)
Sarojini Damodaran Foundation
High-scoring students from low-income families
INR 10,000 per year (about USD 104)
Reported cutoff of 85% in Class 10 (75% for students with disabilities)
LIC HFL Vidyadhan
LIC Housing Finance
Class 11 and 12 students
Up to INR 15,000 per year (about USD 155)
Family income up to INR 3.6 lakh (about USD 3,730)
Note: Third-party sites report different income limits and deadlines for the same scheme. Treat every figure here as a guide and confirm it in the current government resolution (GR) or on the official portal before you apply.
Which Scholarship Fits You?
How do you find the right scholarship quickly? Start with your caste category. Then check family income. Then check your Class 10 percentage. These three checks remove most schemes from your list in a few minutes.
SC and ST students
SC and ST students have the strongest support. The Post-Matric Scholarship reimburses fees and pays a maintenance allowance. SC students should check the INR 2.5 lakh (about USD 2,590) income cap. ST students apply through the Tribal Development Department scheme on MahaDBT.
OBC, VJNT and SBC students
OBC, VJNT and SBC students can apply for tuition and exam fee freeship. VJNT and SBC students in Class 11 or 12 can also apply for the Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship if they scored 75% or more in Class 10. Confirm the income cap in the latest GR, because sources disagree.
EBC and open-category students
The EBC scheme reimburses 50% of tuition and exam fees for families within the INR 8 lakh (about USD 8,290) income cap. Open-category students can also apply for Open Merit, Vidyadhan and welfare-board schemes.
Merit-focused students
Students with high Class 10 marks should look at Vidyadhan, the Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship and Vidyaniketan. Merit stipends from the government are small, from INR 50 to INR 300 per month (about USD 0.50 to USD 3). Vidyadhan pays more but has a higher marks cutoff.
Children of construction workers
The Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board pays INR 10,000 (about USD 104) to children who score 50% or more in Class 10 or 12. The parent must hold valid registration with the board.
Students heading to diploma, polytechnic or ITI
Post-matric means any course after Class 10. Diploma and polytechnic students can apply to post-matric schemes if the institute is recognised. ITI students should confirm that their trade appears on the scheme list on MahaDBT.
Who Should Apply and Who Should Not Apply
Who should apply for a Maharashtra scholarship after 10th? Students who meet the scheme’s domicile, category, income and marks rules should apply, and students who study at a recognised institute in Maharashtra.
Apply if you…
hold Maharashtra domicile
passed Class 10 (SSC, CBSE or ICSE) and have the marksheet
have admission in Class 11, diploma or another post-matric course at a recognised institute
meet the income cap of your scheme and hold a valid income certificate
hold a caste certificate where your scheme needs one
own a bank account linked to Aadhaar in your name
Do not apply if you…
lack Maharashtra domicile, because most state schemes require it
already receive another government scholarship for the same course
study at an unrecognised institute
exceed the income cap, because the form will be rejected
cannot produce the required category or income proof before the deadline
Can you combine scholarships?
Combination
Usually allowed?
What to do
Two government scholarships, same course
No
Choose the scheme with the higher benefit
Government scholarship plus private NGO scholarship
Depends on the NGO
Read both sets of terms and declare existing awards
Fresh application plus renewal in the same year
Not applicable
Apply as fresh in Class 11, then renew in Class 12
Scheme Profiles
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC and ST students
The SC scheme reimburses fees and pays a maintenance allowance up to INR 1,200 per month (about USD 12). Its reported income cap is INR 2.5 lakh. The scheme is renewable and applies from Class 11 to postgraduate level. The ST scheme runs through the Tribal Development Department and pays maintenance allowance and other grants. Both schemes use the MahaDBT form.
Tuition fee freeship for OBC, VJNT and SBC students
This scheme reimburses tuition and examination fees. The VJNT, OBC and SBC Welfare Department runs it. Applicants need a caste certificate, an income certificate and an admission receipt. Always read the latest GR for the exact income cap.
The EBC scheme gives 50% tuition and exam fee concession in recognised colleges. Family income must stay within INR 8 lakh (about USD 8,290). The student’s bank account must be linked to Aadhaar. Read our Maharashtra EBC scholarship guide for a deeper look.
Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship, Open Merit and Vidyaniketan
These three schemes pay monthly stipends. The Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship pays INR 300 for 10 months to VJNT and SBC students with 75% or more. Open Merit pays INR 50 for 10 months to Class 11 and 12 students. Vidyaniketan pays INR 100 per month to Class 10 pass-outs of Government Vidyaniketan schools. The amounts are small, but they cost only one MahaDBT form.
Educational Assistance for construction workers’ children
The welfare board pays INR 10,000 (about USD 104) once to children who score 50% or more in Class 10 or 12. Parents need valid registration with the board. Check the board’s current notification for the application window.
Vidyadhan Maharashtra and LIC HFL Vidyadhan
Vidyadhan is a foundation-funded scholarship of INR 10,000 per year (about USD 104). Applicants register on the Vidyadhan portal, pass a screening test and then wait for selection. The 2026 deadline was 10 August and the screening test took place on 23 August 2026. LIC HFL Vidyadhan pays up to INR 15,000 per year (about USD 155) to Class 11 and 12 students with family income up to INR 3.6 lakh, and a third-party listing shows a deadline of 31 December 2026.
Step-by-Step Application Guide (MahaDBT)
How do you apply for a government scholarship after 10th in Maharashtra? You register on MahaDBT, complete your profile, select your scheme, upload documents, submit the form and wait for college verification. Our MahaDBT scholarship application guide shows each screen.
Before you start
Keep these items ready: Aadhaar, mobile number linked to Aadhaar, Class 10 marksheet, admission receipt, income certificate, caste certificate if needed, and bank passbook.
The eight steps
Register. Open MahaDBT, choose new user registration and create a username and password.
Log in and complete your profile. Fill in personal, address, bank, education and income details. Keep the details identical to your documents.
Select the scholarship section. Open the scholarship tab and view the schemes that match your profile.
Choose your scheme. Pick the scheme for your category and course. Do not select two schemes for the same course.
Fill in the application. Enter course, institute, year and fee details.
Upload documents. Upload clear, readable scans in the requested format.
Finalise and submit. Review every field and submit. A form that stays in draft is rejected on the last date.
Track the status. Your college verifies the form. The department then sanctions the scholarship. DBT sends the money to your Aadhaar-seeded account.
Applying for Vidyadhan
Vidyadhan uses its own portal. Create an account, select the Maharashtra Class 11 programme, upload your Class 10 marksheet and submit the form. Shortlisted students take a screening test. The next application window usually follows the SSC result, so prepare your documents in advance.
Required Documents Explained
Which documents do Maharashtra scholarship applications need? Most schemes need identity, residence, marks, category, income, admission and bank documents.
Document
Issued by
Why it matters
Common error
Class 10 marksheet
Maharashtra State Board, CBSE or ICSE
Proves the pass and the percentage
Blurred or cropped scan
Aadhaar card
UIDAI
Identity and DBT linking
Name differs from the bank account
Domicile certificate
Revenue authority
Proves Maharashtra residence
Expired or incomplete
Caste certificate
Competent authority
Proves category for category schemes
Wrong category or wrong issuer
Caste validity certificate
Caste Scrutiny Committee
Required at certain stages
Applying for it too late
Income certificate
Tahsildar or competent revenue officer
Checks the income cap
Certificate in the wrong person’s name
Bonafide certificate or admission receipt
College
Proves current enrolment
Missing course or year detail
Bank passbook
Bank
Receives DBT money
Account not linked to Aadhaar
Disability certificate
Medical board
Lowers marks cutoffs in some schemes
Not uploaded when eligible
Certificates that take time
Request your income, caste and domicile certificates from the Aaple Sarkar certificate portal or your local service centre as soon as the SSC result arrives. A guide to the income certificate in Maharashtra and a guide to the caste validity certificate explain the process in detail. Caste validity rules differ by scheme, course and year, so read the current GR for your scheme.
Income certificate rule
The income certificate must come from a competent revenue officer and carry the parent or guardian’s name. Self-declarations and employer letters are not accepted.
Bank account rule
The student’s bank account must be linked to Aadhaar for DBT payment. Ask your bank to confirm Aadhaar seeding before you submit the form.
Selection Process Explained
How does Maharashtra select scholarship students? Selection depends on the scheme type. Means-based schemes check category and income. Merit-based schemes rank students by Class 10 marks. NGO schemes add a screening test.
Means-based selection
Category schemes such as SC, ST, OBC, VJNT, SBC and EBC check eligibility against rules, not competition. A student who meets the category, income and course conditions and submits correct documents qualifies.
Merit-based selection
Merit schemes shortlist students by Class 10 percentage. Vidyaniketan, Open Merit and the Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship use marks cutoffs. Vidyadhan adds a screening test after the application.
Verification and payout
Verification has two levels. The college checks your documents first. The department checks the form next. One third-party source reports that college verification continues for 15 to 30 days after the deadline. After sanction, DBT sends money to your bank account.
Common Mistakes Applicants Make
Mistake
Consequence
How to avoid it
Leaving the form in draft
Auto-rejection on the last date
Finalise and submit at least one week early
Name or date of birth mismatch across documents
Verification failure
Match every document to the Aadhaar spelling
Wrong or expired income certificate
Rejection for income
Use a fresh certificate in the parent’s name
Bank account not linked to Aadhaar
Payment fails
Confirm Aadhaar seeding with the bank
Applying for two government schemes for the same course
Rejection or recovery of money
Choose one scheme
Ignoring the college verification step
The form stays pending
Meet the scholarship cell after submission
Missing a returned-form alert
Window closes
Check the dashboard weekly
Trusting unofficial dates
Missed deadline
Read the notice on the portal itself
Previous Years’ Trends
Do Maharashtra scholarship deadlines stay the same every year? No. Deadlines shift between years, between schemes and between sources. The table below shows the pattern.
Item
Earlier cycle
2026-27 cycle
Pattern
Vidyadhan Maharashtra deadline
10 August 2025
10 August 2026 (screening test 23 August 2026)
Stable August deadline
Vidyadhan marks cutoff
85% reported (75% with disability)
85% on one listing; another source reports 80%
Sources disagree
MahaDBT post-matric window
2025-26 cycle reportedly closed on 30 November 2025
Sources report a window from August to between 30 September and 30 November 2026
Window opens mid-year and runs into autumn
EBC scheme window
Typically opens in June
Reported closing 30 September 2026
Early close compared with other schemes
Class 11 admissions (FYJC)
May to June
May to June 2026
Scholarship forms follow admission
What the pattern means for you. First, apply as early as the portal allows. Second, do not rely on last year’s date. Third, if your scheme’s window looks closed today, ask your college scholarship cell about extensions and prepare for the next cycle.
Our Research Notes
We compared official-style listings, aggregator pages and NGO pages for this guide. These notes show what we found.
The same scheme often shows different numbers. OBC and SBC income limits appear as INR 1.5 lakh (about USD 1,554) on some pages and INR 8 lakh (about USD 8,290) on others. Vidyaniketan deadlines also appear with two different dates on one page.
Fee-reimbursement schemes are worth far more than merit stipends. A monthly stipend of INR 50 or INR 100 equals about USD 0.50 to USD 1. Tuition reimbursement can cover the cost of a year in college. Prioritise the scheme that reimburses fees.
Most rejections come from paperwork, not eligibility. Name mismatches, draft forms and unlinked bank accounts cause avoidable losses.
Certificates are the real bottleneck. The income and caste documents take longer than the form itself.
Trust hierarchy for dates and amounts. Use the government resolution first, the MahaDBT notice second, the NGO’s own site third and aggregator pages last.
Suggested timeline for a 10th pass student
When
Action
SSC result week
Request income, domicile and caste certificates; apply for caste validity
May to June
Complete FYJC or diploma admission and collect the admission receipt
June to August
Check the Vidyadhan portal for the next window; prepare the marksheet scan
After admission
Register on MahaDBT and complete your profile
Within the first weeks of the window
Submit your scheme application
After submission
Track college verification and DBT status
What to Do After You Apply
Track your application every week. Contact your college scholarship cell if the form stays pending. In Class 12, file a renewal application. After Class 12, apply for degree-level aid. Our guide to scholarships for 12th passed students in Maharashtra explains the next stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which scholarship can I get after passing 10th in Maharashtra?
Your options depend on category, income and marks. SC, ST, OBC, VJNT, SBC and EBC students can apply for post-matric or fee-reimbursement schemes on MahaDBT. Merit students can apply for Open Merit or Vidyaniketan scholarships, and high scorers from low-income families can apply for Vidyadhan. Check each scheme’s income cap before applying.
Is there a scholarship for open-category students after 10th?
Open-category students have fewer options. The EBC scheme offers a 50% tuition and exam fee concession for families under the income cap. Merit scholarships such as Open Merit and Vidyadhan also accept open-category students. Welfare-board schemes, such as the construction workers’ assistance, help children of registered workers.
What is the income limit for Maharashtra scholarships?
Income limits differ by scheme. Sources report INR 2.5 lakh (about USD 2,590) for SC post-matric and INR 8 lakh (about USD 8,290) for the EBC scheme. Reported limits for OBC, VJNT and SBC freeship vary between sources, so confirm the figure in the current government resolution before you apply.
What is the last date for the MahaDBT scholarship 2026-27?
The closing date differs by scheme and by source, with reported dates from 30 September to 30 November 2026. Vidyadhan Maharashtra closed on 10 August 2026. Open MahaDBT, select your scheme and read the notice there, because only the portal shows your scheme’s live window.
Can I get two scholarships at the same time?
Government rules generally do not allow two government scholarships for the same course at the same time. A government scholarship combined with a private scholarship may be possible, but each provider sets its own terms. Read both sets of conditions and declare existing awards honestly on the form.
Is caste validity compulsory for fresh applicants?
Caste validity rules vary by scheme, course and year. Many category schemes ask for a caste certificate, and some stages ask for the validity certificate as well. Apply for validity at the same time as your Class 11 admission, and read the current government resolution for your scheme.
How long does the scholarship money take to arrive?
Payout is not instant. After you submit, your college verifies the form, which one source reports as taking 15 to 30 days after the deadline. The department then sanctions the award, and DBT transfers the money to your Aadhaar-linked bank account. Delays often come from returned or pending forms.
Why do MahaDBT applications get rejected?
Common reasons include unfinalised drafts, mismatched names across documents, expired income certificates, a bank account without Aadhaar seeding and missing college verification. Check every document before you submit. Fix any form that the college returns quickly, because the window may close soon after.
Can CBSE or ICSE Class 10 students apply?
Yes, in most schemes. The key requirements are Maharashtra domicile, a Class 10 pass from a recognised board and study at a recognised institute in Maharashtra. Merit schemes set marks cutoffs, so upload your official marksheet. Check board wording on each scheme’s page, because some NGO schemes state their own conditions.
Is there a scholarship for 10th pass students going to diploma or ITI?
Yes for diploma and polytechnic courses. Post-matric schemes cover courses after Class 10 at recognised institutes, as long as you meet category and income conditions. For ITI, check whether your trade appears on the MahaDBT scheme list, because coverage depends on the scheme.
How do I check my MahaDBT scholarship status?
Log in to MahaDBT with your username and password, open the scholarship dashboard and select your application. The stage shows whether your college has verified it, whether the department has sanctioned it or whether it was returned to you. Keep your application ID and bank details ready for follow-up.
Is there a scholarship for 10th pass girls in Maharashtra?
Girls qualify for every category and merit scheme in this guide. Third-party sites mention a Maharashtra Girls Merit Scholarship with an INR 6 lakh income cap (about USD 6,220), but this guide could not confirm it on an official portal. Read our guide on scholarships for girls in Maharashtra for updates.
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