Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students

The Top Class Education Scheme 2025 is a flagship scholarship program by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. It aims to promote educational excellence among Scheduled Caste (SC) students by covering the entire tuition fee, living expenses, books, and even a laptop for those pursuing post-secondary education at top institutions in India. This scheme ensures that meritorious SC students are not held back due to financial constraints.

Scheme Key Highlights (Short Summary)

• Launched by: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
• Target Group: SC students pursuing education beyond Class 12
• Income Limit: Annual family income must be ≤ ₹8,00,000
• Limit: Maximum 2 siblings per family can benefit
• Institutions Covered: Only Notified Institutions across India
• Application Mode: Online via National Scholarship Portal

Benefits

All benefits are transferred directly to the student’s bank account via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must be a Scheduled Caste (SC) student.
• Must be pursuing full-time studies beyond Class 12 in a notified institution.
• Total family income must not exceed ₹8,00,000 per annum.
• The benefit is limited to two siblings per family.
• Students who completed Class X from government or government-aided schools (except KVS) are automatically eligible.

Exclusions

• If two siblings from the same family are already availing the scheme, a third sibling cannot apply.
• The scholarship is not available for students admitted to non-notified institutions.
• Poor academic performance or failure to get promoted to the next year can lead to termination of the scholarship.

Application Process (Online)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit the National Scholarship Portal

2. Click on “New Registration”, read the terms, and accept the undertaking.

3. Fill the registration form and receive Application ID and password via SMS/email.

4. Login with the credentials, enter OTP, and set a new password.

5. Complete the “Application Form” and upload the required documents.

6. Save as Draft or Final Submit the application for processing.

Note: Ensure that the application is verified by the Head of Department/Institute before submission.

Documents Required

• Caste Certificate (issued by SDM/Tehsildar)
• Income Certificate (for income ≤ ₹8 lakh/year)
• Bonafide Certificate from the institution
• Mark sheet of last qualifying exam
• Fee receipt of current academic year
• Declaration Certificate (issued by Head of Department)
• Bank passbook copy (with IFSC & account number)
• Aadhaar card
• Domicile Certificate
• Recent passport-size photograph

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Am I eligible for this scholarship if two of my siblings are availing the benefits of this scheme?
  No. You won’t be eligible in this case.
• How will my tuition fee and non-refundable charges be paid?
  The payment will be made directly to the institution.
• Is there a validity to the scheme benefits?
  The benefits are provided till the complete duration of the course.
• What would be the mode of payment of the scholarship?
  The payment of the scholarship will be through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• What if there are more than one student with equal marks for the last available slot in an institution?
  In such cases, preference will be given to the student with lower family income.
• Will I be eligible for the scholarship if I fail to get promoted to the next semester?
  No. The scholarship will be terminated in that case.
• Is there a percentage of slots reserved for girl students?
  Yes, 30% of the total slots are reserved for girl students.
• Can I apply offline for the scholarship?
  No. You need to visit https://scholarships.gov.in/ to apply.
• Is there any application fee?
  No. The entire application process is completely free of cost.
• Do I need to complete the application in one sitting?
  No. You can save the application as draft and continue at a later time before the deadline.
• How do I track the status of my application?
  You can check the same anytime by visiting the Applicant Dashboard and clicking “Track Status” in the left pane.
• What should be the type and size of the documents to be uploaded?
  The format should be.pdf or .jpeg. The size of each document should not be greater than 200 kb.
• In what cases a Bonafide Certificate from the institute is needed?
  It is needed if the institute is located in a State/UT different from domicile State/UT of the applicant.
• How do I know if a field in the application form is mandatory?
  The mandatory fields have a red asterisk (*) mark at the end.

Sources and References

• Scheme Guidelines