Social Justice & Special Assistance Department Post-Matric Scholarships 2026 – Complete Guide
- Aryan Jadhav
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
About the Social Justice & Special Assistance Department
The Social Justice & Special Assistance Department of Maharashtra focuses on ensuring educational equality and financial inclusion for students belonging to Scheduled Castes and other eligible categories. The department implements both Central Government and State Government scholarship schemes to reduce dropout rates and promote higher education among underrepresented communities.
These scholarships are implemented through the MahaDBT (Maharashtra Direct Benefit Transfer) portal, ensuring transparency and direct transfer of benefits to students’ bank accounts.
List of Post-Matric Scholarships Under This Department
The following scholarships are covered under the Social Justice & Special Assistance Department Post-Matric Scholarships category:
1. Government of India Post-Matric Scholarship
A centrally sponsored scheme providing tuition fee reimbursement and maintenance allowance to eligible students pursuing post-matric education.
2. Post-Matric Tuition Fee and Examination Fee (Freeship)
A state-level scheme that covers tuition and exam fees for eligible students who do not qualify for the Government of India Post-Matric Scholarship.
3. Maintenance Allowance for Students Studying in Professional Courses
Financial assistance for daily living expenses for students enrolled in professional programs such as Engineering, Medical, Management, and other recognized courses.
4. Rajarshri Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship
A merit-based scholarship awarded to academically strong students from eligible categories to encourage excellence in higher education.
5. Post-Matric Scholarship for Persons with Disability
A dedicated scholarship for students with benchmark disabilities pursuing post-matric education.
6. Vocational Training Fee Reimbursement for SC Students
A fee reimbursement scheme for Scheduled Caste students enrolled in vocational, skill development, and training programs.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
Eligibility for Social Justice & Special Assistance Department Post-Matric Scholarships generally depends on the specific scheme, but common conditions include:
Student must be studying after Class 10 (Post-Matric level)
Must belong to an eligible category (primarily Scheduled Caste; some schemes include disability criteria)
Must be a domicile of Maharashtra
Annual family income should be within the prescribed limit of the selected scholarship
Student must be admitted to a recognized institution
Satisfactory academic progress and attendance may be required
Scholarship Benefits & Amount
The Social Justice & Special Assistance Department Post-Matric Scholarships provide different types of financial support:
Tuition Fee Reimbursement (full or partial)
Examination Fee Coverage
Maintenance Allowance for hostellers and day scholars
Merit-based financial rewards under specific schemes
Benefits are transferred directly to the student’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Amounts may vary based on:
Course type
Category
Hosteller or day scholar status
Type of scholarship selected
Required Documents for Application
Applicants must keep the following documents ready while applying:
Caste Certificate
Income Certificate
Domicile Certificate
College Bonafide Certificate
Aadhaar Card
Bank Account Details (Aadhaar-linked)
Previous Year Marksheet
Passport Size Photograph
Uploading correct and valid documents is essential to avoid rejection or delays.
How to Apply on MahaDBT (Step-by-Step Process)
Students can apply for Social Justice & Special Assistance Department Post-Matric Scholarships through the MahaDBT portal by following these steps:
Register on the MahaDBT portal using Aadhaar
Complete profile creation
Select the Post-Matric Scholarship section
Choose the appropriate scholarship under the Social Justice Department
Fill in academic, personal, and income details
Upload required documents
Submit the application
Track application status online
Important Dates & Application Timeline
Application start date: Usually July–August
Last date to apply: October–November (tentative)
Document verification: Ongoing after submission
Scholarship disbursement: After verification and approval
Students are advised to apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Selection Process & Verification
Applications are verified at multiple levels:
Institute verification
Department-level scrutiny
Eligibility and document validation
Selection is primarily eligibility-based, while merit scholarships follow academic performance criteria. Applications may be delayed or rejected due to incorrect documents, income mismatch, or wrong scheme selection.
Renewal Process (If Applicable)
Students receiving scholarships in previous years must apply for renewal:
Maintain required academic performance
Update documents if needed
Submit renewal application within deadline
Renewal differs from fresh application in documentation requirements
Common Problems & Solutions
Some common issues faced by students include:
Application stuck at verification
Payment not credited
Document rejection
Incorrect scholarship selection
Most issues can be resolved by correcting documents, contacting the institute, or raising a grievance through the MahaDBT portal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can private college students apply?
Yes, if the institution is recognized.
Is Aadhaar mandatory?
Yes, Aadhaar is required for DBT.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
No, students can avail only one post-matric scholarship at a time.
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