MahaDBT Assistance to Meritorious Students Scholarship (Junior Level) 2026 – Eligibility & Cut-Off, Amount (Complete Guide)

Introduction / Overview

The MahaDBT Assistance to Meritorious Students Scholarship (Junior Level) 2026 is a targeted financial support program designed by the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Maharashtra, and implemented through the MahaDBT portal. It aims to encourage academic excellence among students who have achieved outstanding results at the junior college level (HSC / Standard 12) and are continuing higher education. This scholarship supports tuition and related academic costs, rewarding merit and reducing financial burden for eligible students in Maharashtra.

This guide explains the eligibility criteria, income rules, expected cut-offs, scholarship amount, required documents, step-by-step application process, renewal guidelines, and common queries.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

To qualify for the MahaDBT Assistance to Meritorious Students Scholarship (Junior Level) 2026, students must meet the following conditions:

1. Domicile Requirement

• Must be a resident of Maharashtra and have a valid domicile certificate.

• Aadhaar details must match Maharashtra residency.

2. Academic Eligibility

• Passed HSC (Std. 12) in the previous academic year from a recognized Maharashtra board.

• Must have secured high academic marks (exact cut-off varies yearly).

3. Course Level

• Must be enrolled in first year of undergraduate program — whether general degree (BA, BSc, BCom) or professional degree (BBA, BCA, BTech, BDS, MBBS, etc.).

4. Minimum Marks / Expected Cut-Off

• While exact cut-offs are released yearly after application data is collected, historically students with 85%+ marks in HSC standard excel in selection.

• This scheme is merit-centric, so higher marks increase chances of award.

In most years, expected cut-off ranges between 85–95% for general merit students. Reserved category/higher cut-offs may differ. — Based on trend analysis of similar scholarship data and official portal patterns.

5. Income Limit

Family annual income must be below ₹8,00,000 to qualify for full benefit.(Income certificates are verified by the government authority.)

Scholarship Amount & Benefits

The Assistance to Meritorious Students Scholarship (Junior Level) 2026 provides:

Academic Support

• Financial support for tuition fees and/or examination fees (amount may vary).

• Support may be credited directly via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Amount Expected

• Scholarship amount is typically graded based on merit and income group.

• Students with exceptionally high marks historically receive higher tier amounts.

• Exact amounts are announced on MahaDBT after application window closes but range from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000 per year depending on eligibility.

Documents Required for Application

Before applying, students should keep the following ready (all in digital format):

• Aadhaar Card

• HSC Marksheet (Std. 12 final marks)

• Domicile Certificate (Maharashtra)

• Family Income Certificate (Tehsildar)

• First Year College Admission Proof / CAP admission letter

• Bank Passbook (Aadhaar-linked account)

• Passport-size photograph

• Caste certificate (if applicable)

How to Apply on MahaDBT – Step-by-Step Process

1. Visit the MahaDBT Portal:Go to https://mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in and register or log in with Aadhaar details.

2. Complete Profile:Enter personal, academic, and bank details accurately.

3. Select Department:Choose Directorate of Higher Education (DHE).

4. Select Scheme:Choose Assistance to Meritorious Students Scholarship (Junior Level) 2026.

5. Fill Application Form:Enter all details, upload required documents in prescribed formats.

6. Submit & Save Reference:After submission, save the application ID and confirmation for future tracking.

7. Track Application:Use the MahaDBT dashboard to monitor verification and sanction status.

Important Dates & Timeline (Expected 2026)

• Application Opens: Around July–August 2026

• Last Date to Apply: Typically by 31st March 2026

• Document Verification: August–April 2026

• Scholarship Disbursement: May–July 2026

(Actual dates are published on MahaDBT each year; check notifications regularly.)

Renewal Process (If Applicable)

If this scholarship is renewable annually, students should:

• Maintain a minimum passing performance in the first year.

• Submit renewal application in the next cycle with updated marks and income certificates.

• Ensure all profile details and documents are up to date.

Missing renewal deadlines usually results in non-disbursement for the subsequent year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who is eligible for the MahaDBT Assistance to Meritorious Students Scholarship (Junior Level)?

Maharashtra domicile students who have passed Std. 12 with high marks and are enrolled in the first year of an undergraduate course. Income should be below ₹8,00,000.

Q2: What is the expected cut-off for this scholarship?

While cut-offs vary, students with ~85%+ marks have historically higher chances. Exact data is announced after applications end.

Q3: Does this scholarship cover tuition fees fully?

Scholarship benefits are aimed at tuition/exam fee support and vary by performance category. Funds are given via DBT.

Q4: Can students apply if they study outside Maharashtra?

Typically, only Maharashtra college admissions are considered unless otherwise stated in official notifications.

Q5: How is the scholarship amount disbursed?

Through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the Aadhaar-linked bank account provided during application.

Conclusion / Final Advice

The MahaDBT Assistance to Meritorious Students Scholarship (Junior Level) 2026 is an excellent opportunity for academically outstanding students in Maharashtra to reduce the financial burden of higher education. Those with high HSC marks should apply early with accurate documents, monitor deadlines, and track their application status regularly via the MahaDBT portal.