UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 (Class 1-10) – Eligibility, Amount & Apply

UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 is the Uttar Pradesh government’s flagship financial aid scheme for students in Class 1 to Class 10 from General, SC, and ST categories. Every year, over 2.5 crore UP students receive scholarship support ranging from Rs.1,000 to Rs.3,500 per year directly in their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts via DBT. If you are a student or parent in Uttar Pradesh wondering how to apply, what amount to expect, and whether your family qualifies — this complete 2026 guide covers everything from income limits to step-by-step application instructions on the official Saksham portal.

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This guide is for students currently enrolled in Class 1 to Class 10 in a recognized government or private school in Uttar Pradesh, and for their parents. It covers General category, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) applicants under the Social Welfare Department’s Pre-Matric scheme. You will find eligibility criteria, scholarship amounts by class, income limits, required documents, step-by-step online application instructions, and important deadlines for the 2026-27 session.

📋 Table of Contents

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• What Is UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?
• Who Should Apply for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship?
• Scholarship Amount — Category & Class-Wise Details
• Eligibility Criteria for General, SC & ST Students
• How to Apply for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 — Step by Step
• UP Pre-Matric vs Central NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship
• Advantages and Disadvantages of UP Pre-Matric Scholarship
• Important Terms Related to UP Pre-Matric Scholarship
• Important Dates & Timeline 2026-27
• Important Links
• Conclusion
• Key Takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?

UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 is a state-funded financial assistance programme run by the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Department to prevent school dropout and support students from economically weaker families in Class 1 through Class 10. The scheme provides a direct annual grant covering maintenance allowance and non-refundable school fees, paid entirely into the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account — with no middleman involved.

Uttar Pradesh runs the largest state-level scholarship programme in India, with approximately 2.5 crore students benefiting annually, backed by a combined budget of over Rs.5,000 crore (UP Budget 2026-27 allocation including Rs.977 crore for SC, Rs.950 crore for General, and Rs.3,060.50 crore for OBC categories). The Pre-Matric scheme specifically focuses on keeping children enrolled during the most dropout-prone years — Classes 1 to 10.

The scheme is managed under the Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Online System portal (scholarship.up.gov.in), now renamed the Saksham Portal for 2026-27. Three government departments handle separate categories: the Social Welfare Department manages General and SC/ST students, the Backward Classes Welfare Department manages OBC students, and the Minority Welfare Department handles Minority students.

Who Should Apply for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?

The UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 is designed for a specific group of students. If you fit any of the profiles below, you should apply before the September 21, 2026 deadline:

• 🎓 Class 9 or Class 10 students enrolled in a recognized government or private school in UP who have not yet applied for the current session
• 💰 Students from low-income General category families with annual household income below Rs.2,00,000 who need financial support for fees and books
• 🏛️ SC (Scheduled Caste) students in Classes 1-10 whose family income does not exceed Rs.2,50,000 per year from all sources
• 🌿 ST (Scheduled Tribe) students in Classes 1-10 whose family income does not exceed Rs.2,50,000 per year and who study in a UP-recognized institution
• 🔄 Class 10 students who already received the scholarship in Class 9 and are eligible for annual renewal
• 🏠 Both day scholars and hostellers — the amount varies slightly by residential status
• 👧 Girl students — are strongly encouraged to apply as 50% of allocations in several linked central schemes are reserved for girls
• 📄 Students who have completed OTR (One Time Registration) on the Saksham portal this session and have their Aadhaar, income certificate, and school enrollment ready

UP Pre-Matric Scholarship Amount 2026 — Category & Class-Wise Details

The scholarship amount under the UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 varies by class level and residential status (day scholar or hosteller). Under the state scheme for Class 9 and 10 students, the combined maintenance allowance and non-refundable fee support ranges from Rs.1,000 to Rs.3,500 per academic year. SC/ST students may additionally benefit from the centrally-sponsored Pre-Matric scheme via NSP which covers Class 1-10 with maintenance allowance of Rs.350-Rs.1,000 per month.

Note: Amounts reflect data from official UP Budget 2026-27 announcements and NSP scheme rate cards updated as of May 2026. Always verify the exact disbursable amount on scholarship.up.gov.in before submitting your application, as government rates are subject to revision.

Eligibility Criteria for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 — General, SC & ST

Before you apply, verify that you meet all of the following eligibility conditions. The scholarship application is rejected at the district verification stage if any requirement is not satisfied:

• ✅ Domicile: Must be a permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh (UP domicile certificate required)
• ✅ Class: Currently enrolled in Class 9 or Class 10 in a recognized school in UP (for state scheme); Class 1-10 for the central NSP SC/ST scheme
• ✅ Category: Must belong to General, SC, or ST category as per UP government notification
• ✅ Academic Performance: Minimum 50% marks in the previous class’s annual examination (General/OBC); SC/ST students may apply without this restriction under the central scheme
• ✅ Income Limit (General): Annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs.2,00,000 (Rs.2 lakh)
• ✅ Income Limit (SC/ST): Annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs.2,50,000 (Rs.2.5 lakh)
• ✅ Single Scholarship: A student can avail only one scholarship at a time — those already receiving any other central or state scholarship are not eligible
• ✅ Bank Account: Must have an active Aadhaar-seeded bank account enabled for DBT/NPCI
• ✅ OTR: One Time Registration must be completed on the Saksham portal before submitting the application

Application Fee Table:

How to Apply for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 — Step-by-Step Process

The entire application process for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 is online via the Saksham portal. Follow these numbered steps exactly — skipping Step 1 (OTR) will prevent you from accessing the application form:

1. Complete OTR (One Time Registration): Visit scholarship.up.gov.in → click “OTR Registration” → select your caste category → enter mobile number → generate OTP → complete Aadhaar e-KYC via DigiLocker. Save your unique OTR number — you will need it for every future session.
2. Login to the Portal: After OTR is complete, log in using your OTR number and password. Select your scholarship category (Pre-Matric — General/SC/ST) from the dashboard.
3. Fill the Application Form: Enter all personal details, school/institution details, previous year marks, and parental income. Ensure all details exactly match your Aadhaar and school records.
4. Upload Required Documents: Scan and upload — Aadhaar card, income certificate (by Tehsildar/SDM), caste certificate (for SC/ST), current year fee receipt from school, and previous year marksheet. Files must be in JPG/PDF format under 100KB each.
5. Submit the Form Online: Review all entered data carefully. Once satisfied, click “Final Submit.” You cannot edit after final submission.
6. Print Application Hard Copy: Generate and print the final application printout by September 30, 2026. This printed copy must be signed by you and your parent/guardian.
7. Submit Hard Copy to School: Hand over the signed printout along with photocopies of all uploaded documents to your school principal or scholarship coordinator by October 5, 2026 for institutional verification.
8. Track Application Status: After school verification, monitor your application status at scholarship.up.gov.in using your OTR number. Scholarship amounts for approved applications are disbursed via PFMS between December 2026 and March 2027.

UP Pre-Matric Scholarship vs Central NSP Pre-Matric Scholarship — Comparison

Many UP students are confused about whether to apply on the state portal (scholarship.up.gov.in) or the central National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). Here is a clear comparison to help you decide:

Advantages and Disadvantages of UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026

Advantages (Pros):

• ✅ Completely free to apply — no application fee for any category
• ✅ Direct bank transfer — money goes straight to the student’s Aadhaar-linked account with no middleman
• ✅ Covers all boards — UP Board, CBSE, ICSE, and Madrasa students in recognized UP schools are all eligible
• ✅ Open to General category — unlike many scholarships that restrict support to reserved categories only
• ✅ Annual renewal — students do not need to reapply from scratch every year; renewal is a simpler process

Disadvantages (Cons):

• ❌ Limited to Class 9-10 under the UP state scheme — Class 1-8 students must apply via the separate NSP central scheme
• ❌ Minimum marks rule — General category students with below 50% in the previous class cannot apply
• ❌ Portal congestion — the Saksham portal faces heavy traffic near deadlines, causing submission failures if you wait till the last week
• ❌ No overlap allowed — students receiving any other scholarship are disqualified, even if the other scholarship amount is very small

Important Terms Related to UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026

Understanding these key terms will help you navigate the application process and maximize your scholarship benefit:

• OTR (One Time Registration): A mandatory single registration process introduced in 2026-27 on the Saksham portal that creates a unique student identity using Aadhaar e-KYC. One OTR per student — valid for all future sessions.
• DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer): The government’s system to send scholarship money directly to the student’s bank account without any intermediary. Ensures 100% funds reach the beneficiary.
• PFMS (Public Financial Management System): The central payment platform used to disburse all UP scholarship amounts. Students can track their payment at pfms.nic.in using bank account details.
• Saksham Portal: The new name for the UP Scholarship online portal at scholarship.up.gov.in, revamped in 2026-27 with OTR and DigiLocker integration for faster, fraud-proof applications.
• Maintenance Allowance: The monthly stipend component of the scholarship paid to cover day-to-day educational expenses such as stationery, transport, and meals.
• Non-Refundable Fees: School fees paid annually that cannot be claimed back — such as tuition, examination fees, and library charges — which the scholarship reimburses on verified basis.
• Income Certificate: A document issued by a Tehsildar or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) certifying the annual family income. Must be issued in the current academic year (2025-26 or 2026).
• Institutional Verification: The process by which the school principal confirms the student’s enrollment, attendance, and academic details on the Saksham portal before the DWO can approve the scholarship.
• DWO (District Welfare Officer): The government officer in each UP district who gives final approval for scholarship disbursement after institutional verification is complete.
• Social Welfare Department UP: The nodal government department responsible for Pre-Matric scholarships for General and SC/ST students in Uttar Pradesh. Official contact and circulars available at socialwelfare.up.gov.in.

Important Dates & Timeline — UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026-27

Important Links — UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026

Conclusion

The UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 is one of the most accessible and impactful financial aid schemes for students in Class 1 to Class 10 in Uttar Pradesh — covering General, SC, and ST categories with annual grants of Rs.1,000 to Rs.3,500 paid directly to your bank account. The entire process is online, free of cost, and managed by the UP Social Welfare Department through the Saksham portal. With fresh applications open until September 21, 2026, students who complete OTR now and apply early will face fewer technical hurdles and have the best chance of timely verification and disbursement.

Complete your OTR registration at scholarship.up.gov.in immediately and gather all required documents — Aadhaar, income certificate, caste certificate, fee receipt, and marksheet — before starting the form. Bookmark this page for deadline updates as the UP government occasionally extends dates; we update this guide whenever official changes are announced.

Frequently Asked Questions About UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026

What is the last date to apply for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?

The last date to submit a fresh application for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 (for Class 9 and 10 students) is September 21, 2026. The deadline to generate and print the application hard copy is September 30, 2026, and the hard copy must be submitted to the school by October 5, 2026 for institutional verification. Renewal applicants in Class 10 must apply by the earlier deadline of August 25, 2026.

How much scholarship is given under UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for SC/ST students?

Under the UP state Pre-Matric scheme, SC and ST students in Class 9-10 receive Rs.1,000 to Rs.3,500 per year depending on their class and day scholar/hosteller status. SC/ST students in Class 1-8 may additionally benefit from the centrally-sponsored NSP Pre-Matric scheme which provides a maintenance allowance of Rs.350 to Rs.1,000 per month plus a book allowance — applied separately at scholarships.gov.in.

Can a General category student apply for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship?

Yes. General category students are fully eligible to apply for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026, provided their annual family income from all sources does not exceed Rs.2,00,000 (Rs.2 lakh). They must also have scored at least 50% marks in their previous class’s examination. General category applicants apply under the Social Welfare Department through the same Saksham portal at scholarship.up.gov.in.

What is OTR in UP Scholarship 2026 and is it mandatory?

OTR stands for One Time Registration — a new mandatory process introduced for the 2026-27 session on the Saksham portal. It creates a unique student identity using your Aadhaar e-KYC and mobile number verification via DigiLocker. No student can fill or submit the scholarship application form without completing OTR first. Each student gets only one OTR number, which is used for all future scholarship sessions. Creating multiple OTRs leads to debarment.

What documents are required for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?

The following documents are required to apply for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026: (1) Aadhaar card of the student, (2) Income certificate issued by Tehsildar/SDM for the current year showing family income, (3) Caste certificate for SC/ST applicants issued by a competent authority, (4) Current year fee receipt from the school, (5) Previous year marksheet showing promotion to current class, (6) Active bank passbook (Aadhaar-seeded and DBT-enabled) in the student’s name, and (7) School enrollment proof. All documents must be scanned in JPG/PDF format under 100KB for upload.

Can a Class 1 to Class 8 student apply on the UP Scholarship portal?

The UP state scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in) primarily manages Pre-Matric scholarships for Class 9 and Class 10 students under the state scheme. Students in Class 1 to Class 8 from SC or ST categories should apply on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) under the Centrally Sponsored Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme for SC/ST students, which specifically covers all classes from 1 to 10 with monthly maintenance allowances and book grants.

When will UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 amount be credited?

After successful online submission, institutional verification by the school, and DWO (District Welfare Officer) approval, scholarship amounts are typically disbursed in two installments via PFMS. Based on 2025-26 payment patterns, the first installment is expected in December 2026–January 2027 and the second installment by March 2027. Students can track payment status at pfms.nic.in or on the Saksham portal using their OTR number or application reference.

What is the income limit for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?

The annual family income limit for the UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 depends on the applicant’s category. For General category students, the income from all sources combined must not exceed Rs.2,00,000 (Rs.2 lakh) per year. For SC and ST category students, the income ceiling is higher at Rs.2,50,000 (Rs.2.5 lakh) per year. The income certificate must be issued by a Tehsildar or SDM for the current academic year and must reflect total household income from all members.

Can a student apply for UP Scholarship if studying in a private school?

Yes. Students enrolled in government, government-aided, or recognized private schools in Uttar Pradesh are all eligible to apply for the UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026. However, the school must be registered on the Saksham portal for institutional verification to proceed. If your school is not listed on the portal, request the school management to register immediately. Students in unrecognized or unaffiliated institutions cannot apply.

Is it mandatory to submit a hard copy for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?

Yes. After submitting the online application on the Saksham portal, students must generate and print the final application hard copy, sign it, and submit it along with photocopies of all uploaded documents to their school principal or scholarship coordinator by October 5, 2026. This hard copy is required for the school-level (institutional) verification step. Applications where the online form has been submitted but the hard copy has not been delivered to the school will remain stuck at the verification stage and will not proceed for disbursement.

📅 Last Updated: September 2026 — This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy based on official UP Scholarship notifications. Bookmark this page for the latest information on UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026-27 deadlines and payment dates.

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