If you’ve just completed SSLC, 2nd PUC, diploma, degree, engineering, medical, or a postgraduate course in Karnataka with good marks, there’s one scheme you should definitely check: the Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2026.
I’ve seen students confuse this with the regular SSP Post-Matric Scholarship. They’re not exactly the same thing. The Prize Money scheme is basically an incentive for eligible SC/ST students who successfully complete specified courses with the required academic performance, rather than a normal yearly scholarship for ongoing study.
In this guide, I’ll explain the Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2026 eligibility, course-wise amount, documents required, application process, and some common mistakes to avoid.
Quick note: Scholarship rules, application dates and department instructions can change. Please verify the latest details on the official Karnataka Social Welfare/Tribal Welfare Department portal before submitting your application.
Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2026 Overview
The Prize Money scheme is a Karnataka government educational incentive aimed at encouraging students from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities to successfully complete important stages of education.
Government material describes Prize Money as an award for eligible SC/ST students passing in first class in the first attempt at levels including SSLC, 2nd PUC and degree/post-matric and professional courses.
For the 2026-27 cycle, online applications for SC students have been reported as open through the Karnataka Social Welfare Department’s Prize Money system.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme | Karnataka Prize Money / Post-Matric Incentive |
| State | Karnataka |
| Beneficiaries | Eligible SC/ST students |
| SC Department | Social Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka |
| Application | Online |
| Academic condition | First class in first attempt, subject to scheme/course rules |
| Courses | SSLC, PUC, Diploma, Degree, PG and specified professional courses |
| Benefit | One-time prize money based on qualification |
| Payment | To eligible student’s bank account as per department process |
Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship Amount 2026
This is probably the first thing most students want to know.
A Karnataka government district Social Welfare Department page lists the following Prize Money incentives for SC/ST students passing first class in the first attempt:
| Qualification | Prize Money |
|---|---|
| SSLC | ₹7,000 / ₹15,000 depending on marks category |
| 2nd PUC | ₹20,000 |
| Diploma | ₹20,000 |
| Degree | ₹25,000 |
| Postgraduate courses | ₹30,000 |
| Engineering / Medical and specified professional courses | ₹35,000 |
For SSLC specifically, the government page currently describes ₹7,000 for the lower eligible marks band and ₹15,000 for above 75%.
Example
Suppose you belong to the eligible category and completed your B.Com, B.Sc, BA or another eligible degree in the first attempt with first-class marks.
Subject to verification and approval of your application, the listed incentive for the degree category is ₹25,000.
Similarly, eligible 2nd PUC/Diploma students fall under the ₹20,000 category, while eligible PG students fall under the ₹30,000 category.
Please verify the amount shown against your exact qualification on the application portal before applying, because scheme classifications and government orders can be revised.
Who Is Eligible for Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2026?
The most important condition is academic performance.
Government information describes the scheme as Prize Money for SC/ST students who pass first class in their first attempt.
Broadly, applicants should check the following conditions:
- You should belong to the eligible Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe category, depending on the department through which you are applying.
- You should satisfy Karnataka’s applicable residence/category requirements.
- You should have completed an eligible qualification.
- You should have passed according to the scheme’s first-attempt requirement.
- You should have obtained the required first-class marks for your course/category.
- Your institution/course should be recognized and available for verification by the concerned department.
- Your Aadhaar, caste details, academic records and bank information should be valid and consistent.
What Does “First Attempt” Mean?
This point causes a lot of confusion.
The scheme specifically rewards students who complete the eligible examination/course in the first attempt.
So if you failed one or more subjects and later cleared them through a supplementary/repeat examination, you should not automatically assume you’re eligible.
Check how your university or board records your result and how the department applies the first-attempt condition to your course before submitting the form.
Is 60% Required for Prize Money Scholarship?
“First class” is the important phrase used in government scheme descriptions.
For many Karnataka boards and universities, first class commonly corresponds to 60% or above, and current 2026 scholarship information also describes the post-matric requirement as first class/around 60% or equivalent.
However, don’t blindly use a universal 60% rule for every board or university.
If your result is issued as CGPA/OGPA, the department may need the equivalent percentage according to the rules of your university. Current guidance also notes that clarification from the concerned university/college may be used when determining percentage from CGPA/OGPA.
Check the current portal instructions for your qualification.
Is There an Income Limit for Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship?
Be careful here because this is where many websites mix up two different schemes.
The regular SSP Post-Matric Scholarship has its own income-related eligibility rules. The Prize Money incentive is a separate benefit with its own conditions.
Because income requirements can vary by scheme, category and current government order, I wouldn’t recommend copying an income limit from an old scholarship article and assuming it applies to Prize Money in 2026.
Keep your valid caste and income certificate ready where requested, and verify the current income requirement shown by the concerned department/application portal.
Courses Eligible for Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship
Based on government information and current scheme guidance, eligible qualifications can include:
- SSLC
- 2nd PUC
- Polytechnic Diploma
- BA
- B.Com
- B.Sc
- Other eligible undergraduate degrees
- MA
- M.Com
- M.Sc
- Other eligible postgraduate courses
- Engineering
- Medical
- Agriculture
- Veterinary and other specified professional/allied courses
The exact classification matters because your Prize Money amount depends on the course category.
For example, a regular degree and an engineering professional degree may not receive the same incentive.
Documents Required for Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2026
I always recommend keeping your documents ready before opening any government scholarship portal. It saves a lot of frustration when the site asks for a certificate number or academic document halfway through the form.
You may need:
- Aadhaar Card
- Caste Certificate
- Income Certificate, where required
- SSLC marks card
- 2nd PUC/Diploma marks card, if applicable
- Degree/semester marks cards, where applicable
- PG marks cards, where applicable
- Bank passbook/account details
- Active mobile number
- Course and college/university details
- Any additional certificate requested by the department
The standard Karnataka scholarship documentation also commonly includes Aadhaar, caste/income records, previous marks cards and Aadhaar-linked bank information.
Check Your Aadhaar-Bank Link Before Applying
Don’t ignore this.
Current scholarship guidance emphasizes having the student’s bank account correctly seeded/mapped with Aadhaar for DBT.
Your name should also be consistent across important records wherever possible:
Aadhaar → Marks Card → Caste Certificate → Bank Account
Even a small mismatch can create unnecessary verification problems.
How to Apply for Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2026
For SC students, the current Prize Money application is associated with the Karnataka Social Welfare Department’s SWD Services portal. Current 2026 reports point applicants to the department’s Prize Money application system.
Karnataka Social Welfare Department Prize Money Portal
Step 1: Open the Official Portal
Visit the Karnataka Social Welfare Department Prize Money portal.
Avoid filling your Aadhaar or bank information on random scholarship websites. Third-party sites can be useful for reading instructions, but the actual application should be submitted through the relevant government portal.
Step 2: Choose the Relevant Application
Select the appropriate application option for your qualification, such as SSLC or the applicable post-matric Prize Money category.
Step 3: Complete Aadhaar Authentication
Enter the Aadhaar-related details requested on the portal and complete the authentication process.
Make sure you’re entering the student’s details — not a parent’s bank/Aadhaar details unless the portal specifically instructs otherwise.
Step 4: Enter Your Academic Details
Fill in information such as:
- Board/university
- Registration number
- Passing year
- Course
- College/institution
- Marks or grade details
Enter these exactly as they appear on your academic records.
Step 5: Enter Certificate Details
Provide the caste/income certificate details requested by the application.
Double-check the RD/certificate number before proceeding.
Step 6: Provide Bank Details
Make sure the bank account is active and suitable for receiving government DBT payments.
Your Aadhaar-bank mapping should also be correct.
Step 7: Upload/Provide Required Documents
Upload or provide the academic and supporting documents requested for your course.
Degree and PG students should pay extra attention here because verification may involve multiple semester/result records.
Step 8: Review the Application
Before pressing the final submit button, check:
- Student name
- Aadhaar details
- Registration number
- Passing year
- Marks
- Course
- College/university
- Caste certificate details
- Bank information
Don’t rush this part.
Step 9: Submit and Save the Acknowledgement
After successful submission, save the application/acknowledgement number and download or print the acknowledgement if the portal provides one.
You’ll need this when checking your application later or contacting the department.
Prize Money Scholarship for ST Students
This needs a separate mention.
Although Karnataka government material describes Prize Money incentives for SC/ST students, SC welfare and ST welfare administration may be handled through different departmental systems. The 2026 online application evidence I found is particularly clear for Scheduled Caste students through the Social Welfare Department portal.
So, if you’re an ST student, don’t simply submit information through an SC-specific application because an article says “SC/ST.”
Verify the currently active application route with the Karnataka Tribal Welfare Department or your District Tribal Welfare Office before applying.
That small check can save you from using the wrong portal.
Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2026 Last Date
Applications for the 2026-27 SC Prize Money cycle have been reported as opened during May 2026, but sources are inconsistent about the final closing date.
Because the final date is something I don’t want students taking a risk with, I recommend checking the application page directly rather than relying on an old screenshot, YouTube video or forwarded WhatsApp message.
Check the Prize Money application portal
Please verify the latest deadline on the official department portal before applying.
How to Check Karnataka Prize Money Application Status
Once you’ve applied, keep your acknowledgement/application details safely.
The Prize Money portal has historically provided facilities connected with application processing and acknowledgement/reprint functions. Check the current portal for the available status option.
If your application remains pending for a long time, contact the concerned District Social Welfare Office or Tribal Welfare Office, depending on your category and application.
Common Mistakes That Can Delay Your Application
From what I’ve seen with Karnataka scholarship portals in general, many problems are caused by small data mismatches rather than eligibility itself.
Watch out for these:
- Entering a wrong Aadhaar number
- Bank account not properly mapped with Aadhaar for DBT
- Name mismatch between Aadhaar and academic documents
- Wrong course or university selection
- Incorrect caste/income certificate number
- Entering marks incorrectly
- Missing semester marks cards where required
- Assuming supplementary/repeat passing counts as first attempt
- Applying through the wrong department
- Forgetting to save the final acknowledgement
Spend five extra minutes checking the form before submission. It’s much easier than trying to correct a submitted government application later.
Prize Money Scholarship vs SSP Scholarship — Are They the Same?
No. Students often use the words interchangeably, but they shouldn’t.
The SSP Post-Matric Scholarship is a broader scholarship system for eligible students pursuing post-matric education and can involve fee reimbursement/maintenance benefits depending on the applicable scheme.
The Prize Money scheme, on the other hand, is an academic incentive awarded after successfully completing specified educational stages according to the Prize Money eligibility conditions.
So being eligible for SSP doesn’t automatically mean every Prize Money rule is the same — and vice versa.
FAQs About Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2026
Who can apply for Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship?
Eligible SC/ST students who satisfy the department’s category, academic, first-attempt and other applicable conditions can apply through the concerned welfare department.
How much is the Prize Money for degree students in Karnataka?
Government Social Welfare information lists ₹25,000 for eligible degree students under the Prize Money scheme.
How much is the Prize Money for 2nd PUC students?
The listed Prize Money incentive for eligible 2nd PUC students is ₹20,000.
How much do engineering students get?
Eligible students in engineering/medical and specified professional categories are listed for ₹35,000, subject to current scheme classification and approval.
Can I apply if I passed after a supplementary exam?
The scheme is described as an incentive for students passing in the first attempt. If you cleared failed subjects through a later supplementary attempt, you should check your eligibility with the department before applying.
Final Words
If you’ve recently completed SSLC, PUC, diploma, degree or a professional course with first-class marks, don’t assume your college will automatically apply for this benefit on your behalf.
Check the Prize Money portal yourself.
And one thing I’d especially suggest: sort out your Aadhaar-bank mapping and certificate details before you start the application. Government scholarship portals become much easier to deal with when your Aadhaar, marks card, caste certificate and bank details all match correctly.
For SC students, the 2026-27 application process is currently associated with the Karnataka Social Welfare Department Prize Money portal. ST students should verify their current Tribal Welfare application route separately.
Most importantly, please verify the latest eligibility rules, application deadline and course-wise amount on the concerned Karnataka government portal before submitting your form, because scholarship instructions can be revised during an academic cycle.
Hi
Gangadhar
To Diploma lateral entry student avoilable or not mam
Lateral entry diploma students available or not
Hy
Hyyy I am very poor
86%
86%