Are you a student from the SC/ST community in Karnataka dreaming of studying abroad? The Prabhuddha Overseas Scholarship 2025 could be your golden opportunity. Designed to support academic aspirations, this government-backed scheme offers financial assistance to eligible students for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral (PhD) programs at top overseas universities. In this guide, we cover eligibility, benefits, application process, documents required, and everything else you need to apply successfully.
What is the Prabhuddha Overseas Scholarship?
The Prabhuddha Overseas Scholarship is a financial aid scheme launched by the Government of Karnataka to empower students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) who want to pursue higher education abroad. The scheme supports a wide range of study fields and ensures inclusivity through income-based aid and reservation for women and candidates with physical disabilities.
Scholarship Benefits
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100% Financial Aid for students from families with annual income below ₹8 lakh
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50% Scholarship for families earning ₹8–15 lakh
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33% Scholarship for families earning above ₹15 lakh
Reservation Quotas:
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33% reserved for women candidates
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5% reserved for physically handicapped students
The scholarship covers:
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Tuition Fees
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Maintenance Allowance (as quoted by the university)
Eligible Fields of Study
The scholarship is available for full-time degree programs in the following streams:
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Engineering & Management
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Pure and Applied Sciences
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Agricultural Sciences & Medicine
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International Commerce, Economics, Finance, Accounting
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Humanities & Social Sciences
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Fine Arts & Law
Eligibility Criteria (Updated 2025)
To apply for this scholarship, you must:
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Be a permanent resident of Karnataka
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Belong to the SC/ST community
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Hold a valid passport
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Meet the age criteria:
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Undergraduate: Up to 21 years
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Postgraduate & PhD: Up to 35 years
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Have cleared standardized tests like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, or IELTS with minimum qualifying scores
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Have secured admission to a full-time degree program in a foreign university
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Meet minimum academic qualifications:
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UG applicants: 80% in PUC/12th
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PG/PhD applicants: 55% in the qualifying degree
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Documents Required
Before applying, prepare the following documents:
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Aadhaar Card
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Caste Certificate (SC/ST)
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Latest Income Certificate (Both Parents)
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IT Returns (Last 2 Years)
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Degree/Convocation Certificate
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All Semester Marks Cards
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Offer Letter from University
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Copy of Valid Passport
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University-issued Tuition & Maintenance Fee Details
Who is Not Eligible?
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Non-SC/ST candidates
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Students from states other than Karnataka
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Those without valid university admission abroad
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Applicants who haven’t passed standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS)
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Students with incomplete documentation
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Those seeking to defer or transfer the scholarship
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Students failing to meet academic or code of conduct requirements
Application Process – Step-by-Step Guide
🔹 Step 1: Check Eligibility
Ensure you meet all the residency, academic, income, and test score requirements.
🔹 Step 2: Choose Your University Abroad
Select universities offering full-time programs in your desired field and secure admission.
🔹 Step 3: Take Standardized Exams
Appear and pass the required exams like GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, or IELTS.
🔹 Step 4: Gather Documents
Collect all necessary documents mentioned above.
🔹 Step 5: Apply Online
Visit the official scholarship portal and fill in your details accurately. Upload all required documents.
🔹 Step 6: Wait for Selection Results
Once submitted, applications go through a merit-based evaluation. Selected students will be notified via email or official communication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who can apply for the Prabhuddha Overseas Scholarship?
Only SC/ST students from Karnataka who have secured admission to full-time degree programs abroad.
Q2. What % of scholarships are reserved for women?
33% of the total scholarships are reserved for female candidates.
Q3. Is there a reservation for differently-abled students?
Yes, 5% of the scholarships are reserved for physically handicapped applicants.
Q4. Does the scheme cover visa and travel costs?
No. Visa, travel, and personal expenses are not covered under this scheme.
Q5. What is the income eligibility for a 100% scholarship?
Your family’s annual income should be below ₹8 lakh to receive full funding.
Q6. Where can I apply for the scholarship?
The official application portal will be linked on the Department of Social Welfare, Karnataka, or the designated scholarship site.
Q7. How to get a Caste or Income Certificate?
Apply through your local Nadakacheri office or use Karnataka’s online portal for document services.
The Prabhuddha Overseas Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for bright students from Karnataka’s SC/ST communities. It not only supports overseas education financially but also promotes academic equality, inclusiveness, and empowerment. If you meet the eligibility, don’t miss this chance to take your education global.