Top Scholarships for Class 1 to 10 Students 2025-26: Pre-Matric Schemes in India
Job Description
Top Scholarships for Class 1 to 10 (Pre-Matric) 2025-26
Important pre-matric scholarships that support school students (Class 1–10) from weaker sections with fees, books, uniforms and other study costs.
Pre-Matric · Class 1–10 · All-India & State Schemes
Table of Contents
Overview of Pre-Matric Scholarships
Pre-matric scholarships focus on students from Class 1 to 10, aiming to reduce dropouts and help children from low-income, SC/ST/OBC, minority and worker families continue schooling.
These schemes are funded by the central government, state governments and corporate CSR programs, and are discoverable collectively through scholarship search platforms.
Many pre-matric schemes are renewed every year if the student is promoted to the next class and continues in a recognised school.
Top Central Pre-Matric Scholarship Schemes
| Scheme | Target Group | Classes | Indicative Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Central) | SC students in government/recognised schools | Class 1–10 (often split as 1–8 and 9–10) | Monthly stipend for 10 months plus annual ad-hoc grant for books and stationery (amount varies by class and day scholar/hosteller). |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST/OBC Students (Central/State-shared) | ST/OBC students from low-income families | Class 1–10 | Tuition and maintenance allowance to support continuation of schooling. |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities | Minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi) | Class 1–10 | Admission and tuition fee reimbursement (for higher classes) plus maintenance allowance per month for 10 months. |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | Meritorious students from government/aided schools | From Class 9 onward (after Class 8 exam) | Annual scholarship (around ₹12,000 per year) up to Class 12, subject to passing criteria and income ceiling. |
Major State-Level School Scholarships (Examples)
States run their own pre-matric schemes for SC/ST/OBC, minorities and economically weaker students, often in addition to central co-funded programs.
| State Type | Example Coverage | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|
| SC/ST Pre-Matric | Extra allowances for uniforms, books, transport and hostel for SC/ST schoolchildren. | SC/ST students in class 1–10 government or recognised schools. |
| Minority Pre-Matric (State Sector) | Top-up support over central minority schemes; state-specific rates and eligibility. | Minority students domiciled in that state from Class 1–10. |
| Labour/Welfare Board Schemes | Education assistance for children of construction workers, mine workers, etc. | School children whose parents are registered workers under state welfare boards. |
Key Private & CSR School Scholarships
| Scholarship | For | Basic Criteria | Indicative Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship | Class 6–12 students | Low family income and minimum marks requirement, school-going children nationwide. | Monthly/annual scholarship to cover tuition and learning-related expenses. |
| Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship (School Category) | Class 6–12 students in private/government schools | Family income often ≤ ₹2.5–3 lakh and minimum academic performance. | Scholarship that covers a sizable portion of school fees and related costs. |
| Kind Circle Scholarship for Meritorious Students | School students from Class 1 upwards | Merit plus financial need; open to multiple boards. | Fixed annual amount for books, fees and other school necessities. |
| Other CSR School Scholarships (ECSS-type) | Class 1–10 in various boards | Low-income families, basic marks criteria and active school enrollment. | Fee reimbursement or direct benefit transfer to parents for school education. |
Typical Eligibility & Benefits for Class 1–10 Scholarships
Common Eligibility Patterns
- Indian citizenship and regular attendance in a recognised school (government, aided or approved private).
- Family income ceiling, usually between ₹1 lakh and ₹2.5 lakh per year for government pre-matric schemes.
- Category requirements for specific schemes (SC/ST/OBC, minority, children of workers, girl child, etc.).
- Minimum academic performance or promotion to the next class for renewal in many scholarships.
What These Scholarships Usually Cover
- Monthly or yearly maintenance allowance to support stationery, transport and other school-related expenses.
- Reimbursement of admission and tuition fees, especially for higher classes within 1–10 in recognised schools.
- Additional fixed grants for uniforms, books, bags and sometimes exam fees or coaching in special schemes.
How to Apply for Class 1–10 Scholarships
- Identify relevant schemes through scholarship search platforms or official portals like NSP and state scholarship websites using filters for “Class 1–10 / School / Pre-Matric”.
- Check eligibility: class, category, income limit, domicile and school type; read the official notification for documents needed.
- Collect documents: student’s Aadhaar or ID, income certificate, caste/minority certificate (if applicable), bank details, last exam marksheet and school bonafide letter.
- Register and fill the application form online on the respective portal (NSP or state portal) or submit offline if the scheme requires school/institution forwarding.
- Track application status periodically and ensure the school or institute approves/forwards the form within the given timeline.
Parents can use a single email and mobile number to manage applications for more than one child, but each student must have a separate scholarship registration ID.
