If you are a student in Karnataka, there is a good chance you qualify for at least one government scholarship. Yet most families never claim this money simply because they do not know which scheme applies to them, or where to apply.
This guide brings together every major Karnataka Scholarship 2026 scheme in one place. We cover the SSP portal, Vidyasiri, Sanchi Honnamma, and the minority scholarships run by the Directorate of Minorities, along with eligibility, benefits, amounts, dates, and the exact steps to apply.
We have written this as a working reference. Bookmark it, because you will likely need to come back to it more than once during the academic year.
A quick note before we begin: scholarship rules, income limits, and closing dates are decided by individual state departments and can change from year to year. We have used the most recent information available at the time of writing. Wherever an official date or figure has not been announced yet, we have said so clearly instead of guessing.
Karnataka Scholarship 2026 Overview
| Scholarship | Department | Who It Is For | Amount (Approx.) | Apply Through |
| SSP Pre-Matric Scholarship | Social Welfare / Backward Classes / Tribal Welfare / Minority Welfare | Classes 1 to 10 (SC/ST/OBC/Minority) | Varies by class and category | SSP Portal |
| SSP Post-Matric Scholarship | Same departments as above | PUC, ITI, Diploma, Degree, PG, Professional courses | Fee reimbursement + maintenance allowance | SSP Portal |
| Vidyasiri (Food & Accommodation) Scholarship | Backward Classes Welfare Department | OBC/BC post-matric students without hostel seats | ₹1,500/month for 10 months (₹15,000/year) | SSP Portal |
| Sanchi Honnamma Scholarship | Department of Collegiate Education | Girl students in BA/B.Com/B.Sc from government-school background | ₹2,000 per year | SSP Portal |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities | Directorate of Minorities | Minority students, Classes 1–8 | Based on GOI norms | SSP Portal |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities (PMS/MCM) | Directorate of Minorities | Minority students, Class 11 onwards | Fee + maintenance allowance | NSP Portal + SSP Portal |
| National Overseas Scholarship for Minorities | Directorate of Minorities | PG/PhD study abroad | Up to a fixed ceiling amount (check official notification) | Directorate of Minorities |
| Incentive for SSLC & 2nd PUC (Minorities) | Directorate of Minorities | Minority students scoring well in SSLC/PUC | One-time incentive amount | SSP Portal |
This table is a quick summary. Full details on each scheme are given in the sections below.
What Is the SSP Portal, and Why Does It Matter?
The State Scholarship Portal (SSP), run by the Government of Karnataka’s e-Governance department, is the single online platform where most state scholarships are applied for, tracked, and paid out. Instead of visiting different government offices for different schemes, students now use one login for almost everything.
The SSP portal has two separate sections:
- Pre-Matric SSP (ssp.karnataka.gov.in/ssppre) — for students in Classes 1 to 10.
- Post-Matric SSP (ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in) — for students from PUC/Class 11 onward, including diploma, degree, engineering, medicine, and postgraduate courses.
For the 2026–27 academic year, applications on both sections are open. Departments such as the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Social Welfare Department, and Tribal Welfare Department each have their own scholarship schemes running through this portal, with separate closing dates.
Most schemes disburse money through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This means your bank account must be Aadhaar-seeded and NPCI-mapped, or the scholarship amount simply will not reach you, even if your application is approved.
Who Can Apply for Karnataka Scholarship 2026?
Broadly, Karnataka’s government scholarships are designed for:
- SC (Scheduled Caste) students — through the Social Welfare Department.
- ST (Scheduled Tribe) students — through the Tribal Welfare Department.
- OBC/Backward Class students — through the Backward Classes Welfare Department.
- Minority community students (Muslim, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsi) — through the Directorate of Minorities.
- Girl students — through special schemes like Sanchi Honnamma.
- General category and economically weaker students — through select income-based and merit schemes.
You do not need to belong to a “special” category to benefit from this guide. Even general category students, especially girls and those from low-income families, have at least one or two schemes they can apply for.
Major Karnataka Scholarship 2026 — Detailed Guide
1. SSP Pre-Matric Scholarship (Classes 1–10)
Purpose: To support school-going children from SC, ST, OBC, and minority families, so that financial difficulty does not force them to drop out before Class 10.
Eligibility:
- Must be a permanent resident of Karnataka.
- Enrolled in Classes 1 to 10 in a recognised school.
- Family income limits differ by class and funding source. For Classes 1–8 (state-funded), the family income limit is generally up to ₹6 lakh. For Classes 9–10 (centrally-funded schemes), the limit is around ₹2.5 lakh for SC students; limits vary slightly for other categories.
- Minority Pre-Matric scholarships cover only Classes 1 to 8, with a stricter income limit of around ₹1 lakh.
Benefits: Small annual cash support along with, in some cases, uniform, textbook, or hostel-related assistance, depending on the specific scheme within Pre-Matric.
Amount: Pre-matric scholarships typically range from around ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per year, depending on class and department. Exact slab-wise figures are notified separately by each department and can change year to year, so always confirm the latest figure on the SSP dashboard for your category.
How to Apply: Through the SSP Pre-Matric portal, using the student’s SATS ID (Student Achievement Tracking System ID, available on the SSLC/school marksheet).
Official Portal: ssp.karnataka.gov.in (Pre-Matric section)
2. SSP Post-Matric Scholarship (PUC and Above)
Purpose: To support students financially once they move beyond Class 10, when course fees and living costs rise sharply.
Eligibility:
- Karnataka domicile, studying in PUC, ITI, Diploma, Polytechnic, Graduation, Post-Graduation, or professional courses like Engineering and Medicine.
- Belongs to SC, ST, OBC, or minority category (separate general schemes exist for other groups, covered later in this article).
- Family income within the limit set by the respective department (this varies: for example, some categories fall under ₹2.5 lakh, others differ; the exact figure depends on the specific scheme and department).
- Must complete One-Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) before applying on SSP — this is compulsory for OBC, SC, and ST post-matric applicants.
Benefits:
- Fee reimbursement: Based on fees actually paid to the institution, calculated in line with Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) norms.
- Maintenance allowance: A monthly or annual stipend for day-scholars who are not staying in a government hostel.
- Additional support for hostellers and professional course students, where applicable.
Amount: Fee reimbursement can go up to ₹1,00,000 or more for professional courses like Engineering and Medicine for SC/ST categories, though the exact figure depends on the course, institution fee structure, and category. Maintenance allowances are smaller and vary by department.
Important Dates (2026–27):
- Post-Matric applications for Backward Classes Welfare Department and Tribal Welfare Department: last date August 31, 2026.
- Post-Matric applications under Social Welfare Department: last date January 31, 2027.
- Pre-Matric applications under the Department of Minorities: last date September 30, 2026.
Dates for individual departments can be extended. Always check the SSP portal notice board before assuming a deadline has passed.
How to Apply: Create an account on the Post-Matric SSP portal, complete Aadhaar e-KYC, fill in course and college details, upload documents, and submit.
Official Portal: ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in
3. Vidyasiri Scholarship (Food and Accommodation Scheme)
Purpose: Many backward-class students who study away from home do not get a seat in a government or departmental hostel. Vidyasiri exists to cover their food and rent costs so this does not become a reason to discontinue studies.
Eligibility:
- Permanent resident of Karnataka, belonging to Backward Classes (Category 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B).
- Enrolled in a post-matric course at a government, aided, or recognised private institution affiliated with a Karnataka statutory university.
- Not currently staying in any government or departmental hostel.
- Family income limit: up to ₹2.5 lakh for Category 1 (and SC/ST, where applicable), and up to ₹1 lakh for Categories 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B.
- Home village or town must be at least 5 km away from the college.
- Minimum marks in the previous annual exam: around 55% for Category 1 students and 65% for Categories 2A, 3A, 3B (these criteria can be revised, so check current notifications).
- Only two sons from the same family are eligible; there is no such restriction for daughters.
Benefits: A monthly stipend of ₹1,500, paid for 10 months of the academic year, adding up to ₹15,000 per year, credited directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.
How to Apply: There is no separate application form anymore. Vidyasiri benefits are granted automatically to eligible students who submit their regular Post-Matric SSP application for the current academic year and meet the criteria. Make sure to fill in accurate details on hostel status and distance from college, since these determine your eligibility.
Important Dates: For 2026–27, application activity under this scheme generally follows the Backward Classes Welfare Department’s post-matric deadline of August 31, 2026. Confirm this on the official page before the deadline nears.
Official Website: bcwd.karnataka.gov.in (Backward Classes Welfare Department) and the SSP Post-Matric portal
4. Sanchi Honnamma Scholarship
Purpose: A long-running state scheme (started in 2003–04) to encourage girl students to complete their undergraduate education in Arts, Commerce, and Science.
Eligibility:
- Must be a girl student enrolled in a Government or Private Aided First Grade College, studying BA, B.Com, or B.Sc.
- Must have studied in a government school from Class 1 to Class 7.
- Must have passed the previous year’s exam in the first attempt.
- Minimum marks required: around 50% for general category students, and 45% for SC/ST students.
- For renewal in the second and third year of the degree, the student must clear every semester exam in the first attempt.
Benefits: A yearly financial award of ₹2,000, continuing through the duration of the degree course as long as the student keeps passing on the first attempt.
How to Apply: Through the SSP portal, under schemes managed by the Department of Collegiate Education. Some colleges may also guide students to apply through the college scholarship cell.
Official Website: Department of Collegiate Education, Government of Karnataka (dce.karnataka.gov.in), and SSP portal
5. Minority Scholarships (Directorate of Minorities, GOKDOM Schemes)
The Directorate of Minorities, Government of Karnataka, runs a set of scholarships collectively referred to by portals as GOKDOM Scholarships, meant for students from Muslim, Christian, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, and Parsi communities.
a) Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities
- Eligibility: Classes 1 to 8 only (unlike SC/ST/OBC Pre-Matric, which goes up to Class 10). Family income limit is around ₹1 lakh.
- Benefit: Covers a portion of educational costs for school-going children; all eligible applicants who apply are generally covered.
- Apply through: SSP Portal. NSP registration is not required for this particular scheme.
- Last Date (2026–27): September 30, 2026.
b) Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities (PMS and MCM)
- Eligibility: Class 11 onwards, including PUC, ITI, Diploma, general Degree, and Professional/Technical courses.
- Two components exist:
- PMS (Post-Matric Scholarship) for general courses, with an income limit of around ₹2 lakh.
- MCM (Merit-Cum-Means Scholarship) for professional and technical courses, with an income limit of around ₹2.5 lakh.
- Important process point: Minority students must first register and apply on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to get an NSP Application ID, and only then complete the application on the SSP portal, quoting that NSP ID. Skipping the NSP step will block your SSP application.
- Benefit: Covers admission fee, tuition fee, and a maintenance allowance, transferred through DBT.
c) National Overseas Scholarship for Minority Community Students
- Eligibility: Graduates, postgraduates, and PhD scholars belonging to a minority community, domiciled in Karnataka, applying for Master’s or higher research programmes abroad. There is generally an upper age limit (commonly cited around 38 years, though applicants should confirm the current notification).
- Benefit: Substantial financial support toward tuition and living costs abroad; the exact ceiling amount is fixed in the official notification for each cycle, so check the latest circular before assuming a figure.
- Apply through: Directorate of Minorities, Government of Karnataka.
d) Incentive for SSLC and 2nd PUC Students (Minorities)
- Purpose: A one-time cash incentive to reward minority students who perform well in their SSLC (Class 10) or 2nd PUC (Class 12) board examinations.
- Apply through: SSP Portal, following the announcement from the Directorate of Minorities.
Official Website: dom.karnataka.gov.in (Directorate of Minorities) and scholarships.gov.in (National Scholarship Portal)
6. Other Notable Karnataka Scholarship 2026 Worth Knowing
Beyond the schemes above, a few other state programmes are worth being aware of, even though full details for 2026–27 may not yet be published:
- CM Raita Vidya Nidhi Scholarship — Run by the Agriculture Department for children of registered farmers in Karnataka, covering both pre-matric and post-matric students. Amount varies by course and category; check the Agriculture Department’s notification for the current year.
- Prathibha Puraskar — A merit-based award for SSLC and Second PUC toppers from Backward Classes, administered by the Backward Classes Welfare Department.
- Kittur Rani Chennamma Puraskar — Reimburses the CET (Common Entrance Test) fee for a limited number of BPL-card-holding girl students in each district who go on to pursue professional courses.
- Sir C.V. Raman Scholarship — For meritorious undergraduate students pursuing science education, administered by the Department of Collegiate Education.
- National Overseas Scholarship for SC/ST students — For SC/ST students pursuing UG, PG, or PhD studies abroad, run by the Social Welfare Department.
Official amounts and 2026–27 deadlines for several of these smaller schemes have not been separately announced at the time of writing. We recommend checking the SSP portal or the relevant department’s website closer to the admission season.
Eligibility Criteria — Common Requirements Across Schemes
While each scholarship has its own specific conditions, most Karnataka government scholarships share these baseline requirements:
- You must be a permanent resident (domicile) of Karnataka.
- You must be enrolled in a recognised school, college, or university.
- Your family income must fall within the limit set for your category and scheme (this varies widely — from around ₹1 lakh to ₹6 lakh depending on the scheme).
- You need valid caste, income, and (where applicable) minority community certificates.
- Your Aadhaar must be linked and seeded with your bank account for DBT payments.
- You generally cannot receive two major scholarships at the same time for the same course, though this can vary by scheme, so check individual scheme rules.
Benefits of Karnataka Scholarship 2026
Taken together, these scholarships can offer:
- Full or partial tuition fee reimbursement.
- Maintenance allowance for day-scholars.
- Hostel and food support for students without a hostel seat (Vidyasiri).
- One-time merit incentives for good exam performance.
- Support for professional courses like Engineering, Medicine, and postgraduate study.
- Overseas study support for select minority and SC/ST scholars.
Scholarship Amount at a Glance
| Scheme | Approximate Amount |
| SSP Pre-Matric (Classes 1–10) | ₹1,000 – ₹5,000 per year (varies by class/department) |
| SSP Post-Matric (fee reimbursement) | Varies by course fee, up to ₹1,00,000+ for professional courses (SC/ST) |
| Vidyasiri Scholarship | ₹1,500/month × 10 months = ₹15,000/year |
| Sanchi Honnamma Scholarship | ₹2,000/year |
| Pre-Matric Minority Scholarship | As per GOI/state norms for Classes 1–8 |
| Post-Matric Minority Scholarship (PMS/MCM) | Fee + maintenance allowance, amount varies |
| National Overseas Scholarship (Minority) | Fixed ceiling per official notification |
Exact rupee figures for several schemes are revised periodically by the respective departments. Treat the figures above as a general guide and confirm the latest number on the official scheme page before you plan your finances around it.
Important Dates for 2026–27
| Scheme | Last Date |
| SSP Post-Matric — Backward Classes Welfare Dept | August 31, 2026 |
| SSP Post-Matric — Tribal Welfare Dept | August 31, 2026 |
| SSP Post-Matric — Social Welfare Dept | January 31, 2027 |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities | September 30, 2026 |
| Vidyasiri Scholarship (via SSP application) | Aligned with BC Welfare Dept post-matric deadline, August 31, 2026 |
| Sanchi Honnamma Scholarship | Not officially announced separately yet — apply along with SSP post-matric cycle |
| National Overseas Scholarship (Minority) | Not yet announced for 2026–27 |
Several departments extend deadlines more than once during the year. If you have missed a date mentioned here, still check the SSP dashboard — a fresh notification may have reopened the window.
Required Documents
Keep the following documents ready, in scanned digital format, before you start your application:
- Aadhaar card (student and parent/guardian)
- SATS ID (for school students) or University Seat Number/Registration Number (for college students)
- Passport-size photograph
- Previous year’s marks card
- Bonafide certificate or admission proof from your institution
- Caste certificate (RD number)
- Income certificate (RD number)
- Bank passbook, Aadhaar-linked
- Domicile certificate
- Minority community certificate (for minority scheme applicants)
- Disability certificate/UDID card, if applicable
- Fee receipt from the institution (for post-matric fee reimbursement)
How to Apply — Step-by-Step
For SC/ST/OBC Students (Pre-Matric or Post-Matric via SSP)
- Visit the official SSP website: ssp.karnataka.gov.in (Pre-Matric) or ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in (Post-Matric).
- Click “Create New Account” and enter your Aadhaar number, name (exactly as on Aadhaar), and mobile number.
- Verify with the OTP sent to your phone, and set a strong password.
- Note the User ID (SSP ID) sent to your registered mobile number.
- Log in, and complete Aadhaar e-KYC from your dashboard.
- Click “Apply for Scholarship,” select the correct scheme for your class and category.
- Fill in personal, academic, caste, income, and bank details carefully.
- Upload all required documents in the specified format.
- Preview the complete application before submitting.
- Submit, and download the Acknowledgement Slip for your records.
- Track your application anytime using “Track Scholarship Status” on your dashboard.
For Minority Students (Post-Matric PMS/MCM)
- First, register and apply on the National Scholarship Portal: scholarships.gov.in. Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) if you haven’t already.
- Select the relevant Post-Matric scheme, choose Karnataka as your state, and fill in your details.
- Submit the NSP application and note your NSP Application ID.
- Now visit ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in and create/log in to your SSP account.
- Select “Minority Welfare Department” under scholarship options.
- Enter your NSP Application ID (this field is mandatory).
- Complete the rest of the SSP form and upload documents again as required.
- Submit and save your acknowledgement.
For Pre-Matric Minority scholarships (Classes 1–8), NSP registration is not required — you can apply directly through the SSP portal.
Selection Process
Selection for most Karnataka scholarships is not based on a competitive exam. Instead, it follows this general pattern:
- Eligibility screening — the portal automatically checks your caste, income, and domicile details against government databases.
- Institute-level verification (L1) — your college or school verifies your academic and enrolment details.
- Department-level verification (L2) — the concerned department (Social Welfare, Backward Classes, Tribal Welfare, or Minority Welfare) does a final check.
- Approval and DBT disbursement — once verified, the amount is credited to your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Merit-based schemes like Sanchi Honnamma and Prathibha Puraskar additionally require you to meet a minimum marks cut-off in your previous exam.
Renewal Process
Most post-matric scholarships (SSP, Vidyasiri, Sanchi Honnamma, Minority PMS/MCM) are not automatically renewed forever. You generally need to:
- Submit a fresh application every academic year, even if you received the scholarship last year.
- Provide proof of promotion to the next class or year.
- Continue meeting the minimum marks and attendance requirements (for example, Sanchi Honnamma requires passing every semester in the first attempt; Vidyasiri and SSP require maintaining minimum academic performance).
- Keep your Aadhaar-bank linkage active, since a break in linkage can stop your renewal payment even if your application is approved.
Important Instructions
Always apply well before the last date. Portal traffic increases sharply in the final week before a deadline, which can cause login and upload delays.
- Double-check that your name on Aadhaar exactly matches your school/college records — mismatches are one of the most common reasons for application rejection.
- SSP passwords must be reset periodically (roughly every 3 months); keep your login details updated.
- For minority post-matric scholarships, always complete the NSP step first — SSP applications without a valid NSP ID will not go through.
- Get your documents e-attested through the official e-attestation portal wherever the scheme demands it.
- The SSP and NSP portals do not charge any fee for registration or application. Do not pay any third party or agent claiming to speed up your scholarship.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying on the wrong portal (using Pre-Matric login when you should be using Post-Matric, or vice versa).
- Forgetting to link Aadhaar with your bank account, which blocks DBT payment even after approval.
- Skipping NSP registration before applying for minority post-matric schemes.
- Entering caste or income certificate RD numbers incorrectly, which prevents automatic verification.
- Missing the renewal application in the second or later year, assuming the scholarship continues automatically.
- Applying for Vidyasiri separately when you are already covered by your regular SSP post-matric application (a separate form is no longer needed).
- Ignoring the 75% minimum attendance requirement that several post-matric schemes enforce.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
| SSP Pre-Matric Portal | ssp.karnataka.gov.in/ssppre |
| SSP Post-Matric Portal | ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in |
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) | scholarships.gov.in |
| Backward Classes Welfare Department (Vidyasiri) | bcwd.karnataka.gov.in |
| Directorate of Minorities, Karnataka | dom.karnataka.gov.in |
| Department of Collegiate Education (Sanchi Honnamma) | dce.karnataka.gov.in |
| KAR ePASS Portal | karepass.cgg.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the SSP Scholarship Portal in Karnataka? SSP (State Scholarship Portal) is the Government of Karnataka’s unified online platform where students apply for most pre-matric and post-matric scholarships across departments like Social Welfare, Backward Classes Welfare, Tribal Welfare, and Minority Welfare.
2. Who is eligible for Karnataka Scholarship 2026? Eligibility depends on the specific scheme, but broadly covers SC, ST, OBC, and minority community students, along with special categories like girl students under Sanchi Honnamma. Domicile of Karnataka and family income limits apply to almost every scheme.
3. Is Aadhaar mandatory for Karnataka scholarships? Yes. Aadhaar linked to your bank account is compulsory for almost all schemes, since payment is made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
4. What is the Vidyasiri Scholarship amount? Eligible students receive ₹1,500 per month for 10 months, totalling ₹15,000 per academic year, for food and accommodation support.
5. Do I need to apply separately for the Vidyasiri Scholarship? No. There is no separate application. Vidyasiri benefits are granted based on your regular SSP Post-Matric application, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
6. What is the Sanchi Honnamma Scholarship amount? Eligible girl students receive ₹2,000 per year, continuing through the duration of their BA/B.Com/B.Sc degree, as long as they pass each year’s exams in the first attempt.
7. Do minority students need to register on NSP before applying on SSP? For Post-Matric scholarships, yes — NSP One-Time Registration and application are mandatory before applying on SSP. For Pre-Matric (Classes 1–8), NSP registration is not required.
8. What is the last date for Karnataka SSP Post-Matric Scholarship 2026-27? The Backward Classes Welfare Department and Tribal Welfare Department deadline is August 31, 2026, while the Social Welfare Department deadline is January 31, 2027. Always confirm on the official SSP portal, as extensions are common.
9. Can I apply for more than one Karnataka scholarship at the same time? Generally, you cannot receive two major scholarships for the same course simultaneously. However, some schemes allow limited overlap, so check the specific scheme’s rules before assuming.
10. What documents are required for most Karnataka scholarships? Aadhaar card, SATS ID or registration number, caste and income certificates, previous year’s marks card, bank passbook, and passport-size photograph are required for nearly all schemes.
11. How do I check my Karnataka scholarship application status? Log in to your SSP dashboard and click “Track Scholarship Status,” where you can view both current and previous year’s payment details.
12. Is there any application fee for SSP or NSP scholarships? No. Registration and application on both SSP and NSP portals are completely free. Never pay any agent or third party claiming to process your scholarship faster.
Conclusion
Karnataka’s scholarship system covers students at almost every stage — from Class 1 to PhD, and from school-going children to those heading abroad for higher studies. The challenge is rarely the lack of a scheme; it is usually not knowing which one applies to you, or missing the application window.
Take a few minutes today to check which of these scholarships fit your situation, gather your documents in advance, and apply well before the deadline. A little preparation now can genuinely reduce the financial pressure on your education in the year ahead.
If this guide helped you, please bookmark this page and share it with classmates, juniors, or anyone in your circle who might benefit. We will keep updating this article as the Government of Karnataka releases new notifications for 2026–27.
Read : How to Apply for 2nd PUC Revaluation 2026 Karnataka
Last Updated: 16 July 2026
Reviewed by: Karnataka Academic Editorial Team