The Government of Odisha runs the Odisha Pre Matric Scholarship 2026 scheme to support school students from weaker financial backgrounds. The ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department manages this financial assistance initiative. It helps students studying in Class 9 and Class 10 complete their school education without facing financial hardship.
Through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal (scholarship.odisha.gov.in), students from ST, SC, OBC, SEBC, and EBC categories can register and submit their applications online. The government directly transfers the scholarship money into the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Key Highlights of Odisha Pre Matric Scholarship 2026
The table below presents the essential facts regarding the Odisha Pre Matric Scholarship 2026:
| Feature | Details |
| Scholarship Name | Odisha Pre Matric Scholarship 2026 |
| State | Odisha |
| Managing Department | ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department |
| Target Classes | Class 9 and Class 10 |
| Eligible Categories | ST, SC, OBC, SEBC, and EBC |
| Mode of Application | Online through State Scholarship Portal |
| Mode of Payment | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Bank Account |
| Official Portal | scholarship.odisha.gov.in |
Category-Wise Scheme Breakdown
The Odisha Government offers pre-matric scholarships tailored for different social categories to ensure equal educational access.
1. Pre Matric Scholarship for ST Students
Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in Class 9 and Class 10 receive financial support under this wing. The scheme covers maintenance allowances for both day scholars and boarders residing in hostels.
2. Pre Matric Scholarship for SC Students
Scheduled Caste (SC) students studying in Class 9 and 10 can access financial assistance to cover school-related expenses. The government aims to stop dropouts at the secondary level through this initiative.
3. Pre Matric Scholarship for OBC and SEBC Students
Students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) receive scholarship allowances to continue their school studies smoothly.
4. Pre Matric Scholarship for EBC Students
Economically Backward Class (EBC) students who do not fall under SC, ST, or OBC categories can benefit from this financial aid scheme.
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Eligibility Criteria for Odisha Pre Matric Scholarship 2026
Students must fulfill specific conditions before filling out the online application form on the portal.
- Domicile Requirement: The applicant must hold permanent domicile status in the state of Odisha.
- Category Requirement: The student must belong to ST, SC, OBC, SEBC, or EBC communities.
- Class Requirement: The applicant must study in Class 9 or Class 10.
- School Recognition: The student must attend a Government school or a private school recognized by the Government of Odisha or CBSE/ICSE boards.
- Annual Family Income Limit: The total family income from all sources must not exceed Rs. 2,50,000 (2.5 Lakh) per annum.
- Academic Performance: Students must maintain regular attendance and clear their previous class exams.
- Single Scholarship Rule: The student must not hold any other scholarship from the Central or State Government for the same academic year.
- Bank Account: The applicant must possess an active savings bank account linked with their Aadhaar number and mobile phone.
Scholarship Allowances and Financial Support
The scheme provides different allowance amounts based on whether the student lives in a hostel or commutes daily.
- Hostellers / Boarders: Hostellers receive higher monthly maintenance support to pay for hostel accommodation and mess meals.
- Day Scholars: Day scholars receive an annual stipend to purchase books, uniforms, and essential study materials.
The department sends the funds directly to the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account through the DBT channel.
Atul Maheshwari Scholarship 2026
Required Documents Checklist
Applicants must keep digital copies of the following documents ready before starting the online application:
- Aadhaar Card: Valid Aadhaar card of the student.
- Income Certificate: Recent income certificate issued by a Revenue Officer or Tehsildar.
- Caste Certificate: Valid ST, SC, OBC, or SEBC certificate issued by a competent authority (Not mandatory for general EBC category).
- Educational Certificate: Marksheet or report card of the previous class passed.
- Bank Passbook: Copy of the first page showing account number, bank name, and IFSC code (must be linked to Aadhaar).
- School Bonafide Certificate: Enrollment document or student ID card from the school.
- Hostel Certificate: Certificate from the hostel warden (if applying under the hosteller category).
- Passport-Size Photo: Recent digital photograph of the student.
How to Apply Online for Odisha Pre Matric Scholarship 2026
Follow these straightforward steps to submit your application on the official state portal:
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Open your web browser and navigate to the official website: scholarship.odisha.gov.in.
Step 2: Register as a New User
Click on the “Registration” button on the home page. Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and mobile number. Enter the One Time Password (OTP) sent to your mobile phone to complete verification. Create a password to generate your login credentials.
Step 3: Login to Your Student Profile
Click on “Student Login”. Enter your registered User ID/Aadhaar number and password.
Step 4: Complete the Application Form
Select the Pre Matric Scholarship scheme corresponding to your caste category (ST, SC, OBC, SEBC, or EBC). Fill in your personal details, parentage, school details, class enrollment details, and bank account information carefully.
Step 5: Upload Scanned Documents
Upload all required documents (Aadhaar, Caste Certificate, Income Certificate, Photo, and Bank Details) in PDF or JPEG format within the specified file size limit.
Step 6: Review and Submit
Verify every field on the summary screen to avoid errors. Click the “Submit” button to send your application. Save a digital copy and print out the application acknowledgment for future reference.
Scholarship Renewal Process
Students promoted from Class 9 to Class 10 must renew their scholarship to continue receiving benefits.
- Visit scholarship.odisha.gov.in and click on Student Login.
- Enter your existing credentials.
- Select the Renewal Application option for the current academic session.
- Update your current class details and upload your Class 9 mark sheet along with a fresh income certificate if requested.
- Submit the renewal form online.
Important Dates Table
Students must track these key schedule dates to ensure timely application submission:
| Event | Schedule Date (Tentative) |
| Notification Release Date | August 2025 |
| Online Application Start Date | September 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | January 31, 2026 |
| Institute Verification Last Date | February 2026 |
| Disbursement of Funds (DBT) | March – April 2026 |
Helpline Number Table
If you encounter technical issues or payment queries, contact the official support team through the following helpdesk numbers:
| Support Channel | Contact Details |
| Toll-Free Helpline Number | 155335 / 1800-345-6770 |
| Official Email ID | scholarshipscstster@gmail.com |
| Official Portal URL | scholarship.odisha.gov.in |
| Working Hours | 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (On Working Days) |
Government Official References Table
Refer directly to these official PDF guidelines for exact regulatory directives issued by the Government of Odisha:
| Category Scheme Reference | Official Reference URL |
| Pre-Matric ST Scheme PDF | View ST Guidelines |
| Pre-Matric SC Scheme PDF | View SC Guidelines |
| Pre-Matric OBC / EBC Scheme PDF | View OBC/EBC Guidelines |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is eligible for the Odisha Pre Matric Scholarship 2026?
Students permanently residing in Odisha, studying in Class 9 or 10 in recognized schools, belonging to ST, SC, OBC, SEBC, or EBC categories, with a family income up to Rs. 2.5 Lakh per year can apply.
Can Class 8 students apply for this scholarship?
No, the Odisha Pre Matric Scholarship specifically covers students enrolled in Class 9 and Class 10.
Is an Aadhaar card mandatory for the application?
Yes, you must possess a valid Aadhaar card. You must also link your bank account to your Aadhaar number to receive direct scholarship transfers.
How do I check my scholarship payment status?
Log in to your profile on scholarship.odisha.gov.in and click on the “Know Your Status” option to track your application and fund disbursement progress.