Karnataka ePASS Scholarship 2026-27: Eligibility and How to Apply
State-Wise Scholarship · Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka · Updated for the 2026-27 academic year
Karnataka ePASS Scholarship 2026-27 supports SC, ST, OBC and other backward class students through the state's Backward Classes Welfare Department. Post-matric applications closed on 31 August 2026, but pre-matric scholarships for school students stay open until 30 September 2026 on the State Scholarship Portal. Students apply once every year through SSP, and the erstwhile ePASS brand now runs as a module inside that unified system.
Quick Facts: Karnataka ePASS Scholarship 2026-27
| Scheme name | ePASS (Electronic Payment and Application System of Scholarships), Karnataka |
|---|---|
| Implementing department | Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka |
| Eligible categories | SC, ST, OBC and other notified backward classes, resident in Karnataka |
| Income limit | Up to Rs 2.5 lakh (Category 1); up to Rs 1 lakh (Categories 2A, 3A, 3B) |
| Post-matric application status | Closed on 31 August 2026 |
| Pre-matric application status | Open till 30 September 2026 |
| Application mode | Online through the State Scholarship Portal (SSP) |
| Official portal | ssp.karnataka.gov.in and ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in |
What is the Karnataka ePASS Scholarship?
ePASS, short for Electronic Payment and Application System of Scholarships, is the online disbursement system the Backward Classes Welfare Department of Karnataka uses to route scholarship funds to students from SC, ST, OBC and other notified backward classes. It links school and college records, caste and income verification, and bank details so that scholarship money reaches a student's Aadhaar-linked account without manual paperwork at every stage.
For the 2026-27 cycle, the state has moved application intake to a unified State Scholarship Portal covering multiple departments, so ePASS now functions as a scheme module inside SSP rather than a fully separate site. The older karepass.cgg.gov.in address still works for checking application and hostel status for existing beneficiaries.
Who can apply? Eligibility criteria
Karnataka ePASS Eligibility 2026-27
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Residency | Permanent resident of Karnataka |
| Category | Caste listed under SC, ST, OBC or other notified backward classes by the Central or State Government |
| Education level | Post-matric courses at government, aided or recognised private institutions affiliated to Karnataka statutory universities; separate pre-matric track for school students |
| Income limit, Category 1 | Family income not more than Rs 2.5 lakh a year |
| Income limit, Categories 2A, 3A, 3B | Family income not more than Rs 1 lakh a year |
| Academic record | Minimum marks as specified for the applicable scheme, generally around 50 percent in the previous exam |
Students who are already receiving a similar central or state scholarship for the same course are generally not permitted to claim ePASS benefits for the same purpose. Government-quota students in recognised institutions form the core beneficiary group under the post-matric scheme.
Scholarship amount and benefits
Karnataka ePASS Benefits 2026-27
| Component | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Tuition fee reimbursement | Full or partial reimbursement depending on category and course, disbursed to the institution or student account |
| Maintenance allowance | Monthly allowance for hostel or day-scholar students, amount varies by course level |
| Vidyasiri scheme | Food and accommodation allowance for eligible students not in a government hostel |
| Pre-matric scholarship | Annual support for school-going students from backward classes, disbursed directly to bank accounts |
All amounts are transferred by Direct Benefit Transfer to an Aadhaar-seeded bank account, so students should confirm their Aadhaar and bank linkage before applying.
Important dates for 2026-27
Current status as of today: post-matric scholarships from the Backward Classes Welfare Department closed on 31 August 2026. Pre-matric scholarships for school-going students remain open until 30 September 2026, which is only a few days away, so eligible school students should complete their application now rather than waiting.
Deadlines differ by department on the unified SSP system. Minority Welfare Department schemes and some others follow their own timelines, so students should always confirm the exact date for their specific scheme on the portal rather than assuming a single common last date applies across all of Karnataka's scholarships.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card of the student, linked to an active bank account
- Caste certificate confirming SC, ST, OBC or the applicable backward class category
- Income certificate showing the family's annual income
- SSLC certificate or equivalent marksheet
- Bonafide certificate or admission proof from the current school or college
- Residential certificate confirming Karnataka domicile
- Bank passbook in the student's name
- Transfer certificate, where applicable for a change of institution
How to apply for Karnataka ePASS Scholarship 2026-27
- Visit the correct SSP portal. Use ssp.karnataka.gov.in for pre-matric scholarships or ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in for post-matric schemes, since the two run as separate application tracks.
- Register using your details. New applicants create an account with SATS ID or the required student and Aadhaar details, and complete e-KYC where mandatory.
- Select the ePASS or Backward Classes Welfare Department scheme. Choose the correct scheme card matching your category and education level.
- Fill in academic, category and bank details. Enter your SSLC number, institution details, caste category and Aadhaar-linked bank account information accurately.
- Upload scanned documents. Follow the file size and format guidelines shown on the portal for each document.
- Submit and note your application number. Take a printout or screenshot of the confirmation page for future reference.
- Track institutional verification. Your school or college needs to verify the application on the portal before it proceeds to department-level approval.
Selection process
Applications move through institutional verification, followed by review at the department level under the Backward Classes Welfare Department or the relevant state department. Once verified, eligible students are added to a sanctioned list and the scholarship amount is released through Direct Benefit Transfer to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account. Renewal students must reapply each year and maintain the minimum academic performance required for their scheme to continue receiving support.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying on the wrong SSP portal. Pre-matric and post-matric schemes use separate application links.
- Skipping Aadhaar e-KYC. Many 2026-27 applications require completed e-KYC before submission is accepted.
- Mismatched category or income documents. Details on the caste and income certificates should match exactly what is entered in the form.
- Assuming one deadline applies to every department. Post-matric, pre-matric and minority welfare schemes each carry their own last date.
- Not tracking institutional verification. An application that is not verified by the school or college does not move forward for disbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for Karnataka ePASS Scholarship 2026-27? Post-matric scholarships from the Backward Classes Welfare Department closed on 31 August 2026. Pre-matric scholarships remain open until 30 September 2026 for most departments.
Who is eligible for Karnataka ePASS Scholarship? Permanent residents of Karnataka from SC, ST, OBC and other notified backward classes, with family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh for Category 1 or up to Rs 1 lakh for Categories 2A, 3A and 3B.
Where do I apply for Karnataka ePASS Scholarship now? Through the State Scholarship Portal, using ssp.karnataka.gov.in for pre-matric and ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in for post-matric schemes. ePASS now runs as a module inside this system, while karepass.cgg.gov.in remains available for status checks.
What documents are required for Karnataka ePASS Scholarship? Aadhaar card, caste certificate, income certificate, SSLC certificate, bonafide certificate, residential certificate and a bank passbook in the student's name.
What is the Vidyasiri scheme under Karnataka ePASS? Vidyasiri is a food and accommodation allowance for eligible backward class students who are not staying in a government hostel, paid alongside the regular scholarship.
Final takeaway
Karnataka's ePASS system continues to be one of the state's main channels for scholarship support to SC, ST, OBC and other backward class students, even as the application process has moved into the unified SSP portal. Post-matric students who missed the 31 August deadline should watch the portal for any late window, while school students still have until 30 September 2026 to apply for the pre-matric scholarship. For guidance while preparing documents, students can use Scholarlify Mentorship, and track saved opportunities through the Scholarlify dashboard. Girl students can also check Scholarlify's guide for girl students for schemes like Manaswini that run alongside ePASS. To explore other central and state scholarships you may qualify for, visit the Scholarlify scholarship list, or learn more about the platform on the Scholarlify About page.