PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026-27: Eligibility and How to Apply
Government Scheme · Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment · Updated for the 2026-27 academic year
PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026-27 supports OBC, EBC and DNT students through the National Scholarship Portal. The school-level window (Classes 9 to 12) closed on 31 August 2026, while the college-level window stays open until 31 October 2026. There is no entrance test this year, selection runs purely on marks from the previous qualifying class.
Quick Facts: PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026-27
| Scheme name | PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI) |
|---|---|
| Implementing ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India |
| Eligible categories | OBC, EBC, DNT students |
| Income limit | Up to Rs 2,50,000 per year (family income) |
| Components | Top Class School Education (Classes 9-12), Top Class College Education |
| School application status | Closed on 31 August 2026 |
| College application status | Open till 31 October 2026 |
| Selection method | Merit based on previous class marks, no entrance test |
| Official portal | scholarships.gov.in (National Scholarship Portal) |
What is the PM YASASVI Scholarship?
PM YASASVI is an umbrella scholarship scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for students from Other Backward Classes, Economically Backward Classes and De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes. For 2026-27, two components are active on the National Scholarship Portal: Top Class School Education for students in Classes 9 to 12 at notified Top Class Schools, and Top Class College Education for students pursuing full-time courses after Class 12 at notified institutions. Each component has its own eligibility conditions, benefit amount and deadline, so students should confirm which one applies to them before starting an application.
The most significant change for this cycle is that the YASASVI Entrance Test, earlier conducted by the National Testing Agency, has been discontinued. Selection for the school component is now based entirely on marks scored in the previous qualifying class exam, which removes the extra exam-prep burden students faced in past years.
Who can apply? Eligibility criteria
Top Class School Education (Classes 9-12)
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Category | OBC, EBC or DNT |
| Entry class | Class 9 or Class 11 |
| Family income | Not more than Rs 2.5 lakh a year |
| School | Must be an identified or notified Top Class School |
| Merit | Minimum marks in the previous class examination, as per NSP guidelines |
| Reservation | At least 30 percent of seats reserved for girl students |
Top Class College Education (after Class 12)
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Category | OBC, EBC or DNT |
| Course | Full-time course at a notified Top Class institution |
| Family income | Not more than Rs 2.5 lakh a year |
| Admission | Secured through the institution's own prescribed admission process, such as JEE Main rank for NITs |
| Renewal | Fresh applications accepted only in the first year; subsequent years need renewal with satisfactory academic performance |
Students who are already receiving another Central or State scholarship for the same purpose are generally not eligible to claim PM YASASVI for those same items, and the scholarship is not extended to more than two siblings from one family.
Scholarship amount and benefits
PM YASASVI Scholarship Amount 2026-27
| Level | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Class 9 and 10 | Up to Rs 75,000 per year for tuition, hostel and school charges |
| Class 11 and 12 | Up to Rs 1,25,000 per year for tuition, hostel and school charges |
| College tuition | Actual fees, up to Rs 2 lakh a year for private institutions, and up to Rs 3.72 lakh a year for select courses like commercial pilot training |
| College living allowance | Rs 3,000 per month |
| Books and stationery | Rs 5,000 per year |
| Laptop assistance | One-time payment up to Rs 45,000 |
All amounts are transferred directly to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer, except college tuition fees, which usually go straight to the institution.
Important dates for 2026-27
Current status as of today: the Top Class School application window closed on 31 August 2026. If you are a school student who has not yet applied, check the NSP portal directly for any extension notice before assuming the window has fully shut. The Top Class College window remains open until 31 October 2026.
NSP timeline for PM YASASVI 2026-27
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NSP portal opened for AY 2026-27 | 1 June 2026 |
| Top Class School application deadline | 31 August 2026 (closed) |
| Top Class College application deadline | 31 October 2026 |
| Defective application correction window | Up to 15 November 2026 |
| Institute verification deadline | 15 November 2026 |
These dates reflect what NSP currently displays for the scheme; they have not all been confirmed through a single consolidated official notification, so students should verify their exact component and deadline on the portal before assuming eligibility to apply.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card, linked to an active bank account
- OBC, EBC or DNT category certificate issued by a competent authority
- Family income certificate showing annual income under Rs 2.5 lakh
- Marksheet of the previous qualifying class or exam
- Bonafide certificate or admission proof from the current school or institution
- Bank passbook in the student's own name
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Domicile or residence certificate, where the scheme requires it
How to apply for PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026-27
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR). Visit scholarships.gov.in and register using your Aadhaar and mobile number. OTR is mandatory and generates a 14-digit number valid for your entire academic career.
- Log in with your OTR credentials. Returning applicants use their existing OTR number and password.
- Select the correct PM YASASVI component. Choose Top Class School Education or Top Class College Education, and pick Fresh or Renewal as applicable.
- Fill in personal, academic and bank details. Enter category, income, current school or institution, and Aadhaar-linked bank account information carefully.
- Upload the required documents. Check the file size and format limits shown on the portal before uploading.
- Review and submit. Once submitted, changes are not allowed, so review every field. Download the application slip for your records.
- Track institute verification. Your school or institution must verify the application on NSP within the verification window for it to move forward.
Selection process
School-level selection There is no entrance exam for 2026-27. The process runs through application submission, school-level verification, then district, state and ministry nodal officer review, followed by a published merit list. Scholarship amounts are then disbursed by Direct Benefit Transfer. At least 30 percent of the seats are reserved for girl students, and in case of a tie at the last available slot, preference goes to the applicant with lower family income.
College-level selection For the college component, selection follows the student's admission to an eligible institution through that institution's own process, such as a JEE Main rank for NIT admissions. The ministry verifies these institutional allotments before releasing funds.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying under the wrong component. School and college PM YASASVI applications have separate forms, deadlines and eligibility rules.
- Mismatched details across documents. Names, category and income figures should match exactly across Aadhaar, category certificate and income certificate.
- Missing the institute verification step. An unverified application does not move forward even after submission.
- Assuming last year's deadline applies. Confirm the current year's dates on NSP rather than relying on old screenshots or forwarded messages.
- Ignoring the bank account requirement. The account must be Aadhaar-seeded, or the DBT transfer will fail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026-27? The Top Class School component closed on 31 August 2026. The Top Class College component stays open until 31 October 2026 on the National Scholarship Portal, subject to any official extension.
Who is eligible for PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026-27? OBC, EBC and DNT students with annual family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh, studying at a notified Top Class School or College and meeting the merit requirement for their level.
Is there an entrance test for PM YASASVI 2026-27? No. The YASASVI Entrance Test has been discontinued from this cycle. Selection is now based on marks from the previous qualifying class.
How much scholarship does PM YASASVI provide? Up to Rs 75,000 a year for Classes 9 and 10, and up to Rs 1,25,000 a year for Classes 11 and 12. College students get tuition reimbursement plus a monthly allowance, book allowance and one-time laptop assistance.
What documents are required for PM YASASVI Scholarship? Aadhaar card, OBC or EBC or DNT category certificate, income certificate, previous class marksheet, bonafide or admission proof, bank passbook and a passport-size photograph.
Where can I check application status or get help with my application? Status can be checked on the National Scholarship Portal after logging in with your OTR credentials. For help preparing documents or a Statement of Purpose, students can use Scholarlify Mentorship, and track saved scholarships from the Scholarlify dashboard.
Final takeaway
PM YASASVI remains one of the largest merit-based scholarships for OBC, EBC and DNT students in India, and the removal of the entrance test makes 2026-27 a simpler cycle to apply in. School applicants should check the NSP portal immediately for any extension beyond 31 August, and college applicants have until 31 October 2026 to complete their forms. Given the reservation for girl students under this scheme, eligible applicants can also review Scholarlify's guide for girl students for additional funding options. To explore other central and state scholarships you may qualify for, visit the Scholarlify scholarship list. Learn more about the platform on the Scholarlify About page.