UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for OBC Students – Apply Online

UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for OBC Students is the Uttar Pradesh government’s dedicated financial aid programme for Other Backward Classes students in Class 9 and Class 10, managed exclusively by the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Every eligible OBC student can receive up to Rs.3,500 per year directly in their Aadhaar-linked bank account — covering maintenance allowance and non-refundable school fees via Direct Benefit Transfer. This guide is for OBC students and their families in Uttar Pradesh who want to know exactly how to apply, what documents are needed, and what amount to expect for the 2026-27 session.

J.N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship 2026 – Rs.20 Lakh Study Abroad Guide

Fresh applications for Class 9 and Class 10 OBC students are open from August 11 to September 21, 2026 at scholarship.up.gov.in (Saksham Portal). Renewal applicants in Class 10 must apply by August 25, 2026. Read this complete 2026 guide covering eligibility, amount, OTR registration, step-by-step application process, required documents, and important dates.

• What Is UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for OBC Students?
• Who Should Apply for This OBC Scholarship?
• Scholarship Amount for OBC Students — Class-Wise Breakdown
• Eligibility Criteria for OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026
• Documents Required for UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship
• How to Apply for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 — OBC Step by Step
• OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship vs General/SC/ST Scholarship — Comparison
• Advantages and Disadvantages of UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship
• Important Terms Every OBC Student Must Know
• Important Dates 2026-27 — All Deadlines in One Table
• Important Links for OBC Scholarship Applicants
• Conclusion
• Key Takeaways
• Frequently Asked Questions About UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 OBC

What Is UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for OBC Students?

UP Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students is a state-funded financial assistance scheme run by the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, specifically for Other Backward Classes students studying in Class 9 and Class 10. The scheme provides direct financial support to prevent dropout during the secondary school years — the most critical phase for OBC students from economically weaker families.

Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship 2026 – Up to Rs.18,000 for Class 11-12, UG & Diploma

The Uttar Pradesh Budget 2026-27 has allocated a dedicated Rs.3,060.50 crore for OBC Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships — making this the highest-funded OBC scholarship programme in any Indian state. This means every eligible OBC student who applies correctly and on time has a very high probability of receiving the scholarship amount in their bank account. Applications are submitted online at the Saksham Portal (scholarship.up.gov.in) and the scholarship is disbursed via PFMS directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Unlike the General/SC/ST Pre-Matric scheme (managed by the Social Welfare Department), the OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship is governed by a separate department — the Backward Classes Welfare Department. This means OBC students must select the correct department/category during registration on the Saksham Portal. Selecting the wrong category (e.g., Social Welfare instead of Backward Classes) will result in application rejection at the district verification stage.

Who Should Apply for UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?

The UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for OBC students targets a specific group. If you match any of the profiles below, apply immediately — the September 21, 2026 deadline is firm:

• 📚 Class 9 OBC students (fresh applicants) enrolled in a recognized UP school in 2026-27 who have not previously received this scholarship
• 🔄 Class 10 OBC students (renewal applicants) who received this scholarship in Class 9 and wish to continue — renewal window closes August 25, 2026
• 💰 OBC families with annual income below Rs.2 lakh from all sources combined, including agriculture, labour, business, or government jobs
• 🏫 Students in recognized government, aided, or private schools registered on the UP Saksham portal with a valid institutional code
• ✅ Students who scored 50% or above in their Class 8 or Class 9 final examinations (minimum marks mandatory for OBC/General category)
• 🏠 Both day scholars and hostellers — hostellers receive a higher monthly maintenance allowance (up to Rs.700/month) compared to day scholars (Rs.400-500/month)
• 📱 Students with Aadhaar-linked bank accounts enabled for NPCI/DBT — scholarship payment will not reach accounts without Aadhaar seeding
• 🏷️ Students with a valid UP-issued OBC caste certificate that is online-verifiable — expired or non-verifiable certificates lead to rejection

UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship Amount 2026 — Class-Wise and Status-Wise Breakdown

The scholarship amount for OBC students under the UP Pre-Matric scheme includes two components — a maintenance allowance (monthly) and non-refundable fee reimbursement (annual). The combined annual benefit can be up to Rs.3,500 per year for Class 9-10 students under the UP state OBC scheme, with monthly rates varying by class and residential status.

Note: The UP state OBC Pre-Matric scheme for Class 9-10 provides an annual grant of approximately Rs.2,250 as a direct cash benefit, in addition to tuition fee reimbursement making the effective total benefit up to Rs.3,500. Rates may be revised — always check scholarship.up.gov.in for the latest officially notified amount before applying.

Eligibility Criteria for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 — OBC Students

UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for OBC students is governed by the Backward Classes Welfare Department, which sets the following eligibility conditions. Every point below is verified during the DWO (District Welfare Officer) approval stage — failing even one condition leads to rejection:

• ✅ Domicile: Must be a permanent resident of Uttar Pradesh. UP domicile/residence certificate required.
• ✅ OBC Category: Must belong to the OBC (Other Backward Classes) category as listed in the UP state OBC list. A valid OBC caste certificate issued by a competent authority (Tehsildar/SDM) is mandatory. Central List OBC certificates from other states are not accepted.
• ✅ Class of Enrollment: Must be enrolled in Class 9 or Class 10 in a government, government-aided, or recognized private school registered on the Saksham portal.
• ✅ Academic Performance: Minimum 50% marks in the previous class’s annual examination (Class 8 final for Class 9 applicants; Class 9 for Class 10 renewal applicants). No rounding up — 49.9% does not qualify.
• ✅ Family Income (OBC): Annual income from all sources must not exceed Rs.2,00,000 (Rs.2 lakh). This is lower than the SC/ST limit of Rs.2.5 lakh. Income certificate issued by Tehsildar/SDM for the current academic year is required.
• ✅ Single Scholarship Rule: A student receiving any other government scholarship at the same time is NOT eligible. You must surrender or not apply for any parallel scholarship (state or central).
• ✅ Attendance: Must have minimum 75% attendance in the current academic year at the enrolled school. Schools verify this during institutional verification.
• ✅ Aadhaar-Linked Bank Account: Must have a bank account seeded with Aadhaar and enabled for NPCI/DBT. Payments made only to such accounts — joint accounts or non-DBT accounts are not accepted.
• ✅ OTR Completion: One Time Registration on the Saksham portal must be completed using Aadhaar e-KYC before the application form can be accessed.
• ✅ Non-Blacklisted Institution: The school must not be on the UP Scholarship portal’s blacklisted institution list — check before applying.

Documents Required for UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026

Gather all documents listed below before starting your online application. Missing or incorrect documents are the most common reason for application rejection. Scan all documents in JPG/PDF format under 100KB before uploading:

1. Aadhaar Card of the student — must be linked to mobile number for OTP verification during OTR and linked to bank account for DBT payment
2. OBC Caste Certificate — issued by Tehsildar, SDM, or Block Development Officer (BDO) of Uttar Pradesh; must be in the student’s or father’s name; must be online-verifiable on the UP government portal
3. Income Certificate — issued by Tehsildar/SDM for current year (2025-26 or 2026-27); total family income from all sources must be clearly stated and must not exceed Rs.2,00,000
4. Previous Year Marksheet — Class 8 final marksheet for Class 9 fresh applicants; Class 9 marksheet for Class 10 renewal applicants; must show minimum 50% marks
5. Current Year School Fee Receipt — issued by school for 2026-27 session; includes tuition, admission, and other non-refundable fees paid
6. Bank Passbook (First Page) — showing account number, IFSC code, student’s name, and branch details; account must be Aadhaar-seeded and NPCI-enabled for DBT
7. Passport-Size Photograph — recent colour photograph, white background, JPG format, under 50KB
8. School Enrollment Certificate or ID Card — confirming current Class 9 or Class 10 enrollment in the Saksham-registered school

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

The UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for OBC students is applied for entirely online at the Saksham portal. Follow all 9 steps in sequence — skipping any step or selecting the wrong category will result in rejection at the departmental verification stage:

1. Visit the Saksham Portal: Open scholarship.up.gov.in on a desktop or laptop browser. On the homepage, look for the “Student” section. Under it, identify the “OBC/Backward Classes” registration box — do not click the Social Welfare or Minority box, as those are for different categories.
2. Complete OTR (One Time Registration): If you have never registered before, click “New OTR Registration.” Enter your mobile number, Aadhaar number, and complete Aadhaar e-KYC authentication via OTP. Your unique OTR number is generated and sent via SMS. Save it permanently — it is used for all future sessions.
3. Login Using OTR ID: Use your OTR number and the password you set during registration to log into the Saksham portal. Select “Pre-Matric — OBC” from the available scholarship category options on your student dashboard.
4. Fill the Application Form: Enter all personal details (name as on Aadhaar, date of birth, gender, Aadhaar number), school details (school name, district, DISE code), class and session, and parental information including annual income. Ensure every field matches your official documents exactly.
5. Enter Academic Details: Provide your previous year marks (minimum 50% required). For Class 9 fresh applicants, enter Class 8 marks. For Class 10 renewal, enter Class 9 marks. The system will check this automatically — under 50% will block submission.
6. Upload Required Documents: Upload each document in the prescribed format — OBC caste certificate (JPG/PDF, under 100KB), income certificate, fee receipt, marksheet, Aadhaar, bank passbook first page, and photograph. File size compliance is strictly checked by the system.
7. Enter Bank Account Details: Provide your Aadhaar-linked savings bank account number and IFSC code accurately. Cross-check against your bank passbook before entering. An incorrect account number means the scholarship payment bounces and requires a correction process that can delay disbursement by months.
8. Final Submit and Take Printout: Review all entered data one final time. Click “Final Submit.” You cannot edit after this step. Generate the printout of the application immediately. The printout deadline is September 30, 2026.
9. Submit Hard Copy to School: Sign the printed application along with your parent/guardian. Attach photocopies of all uploaded documents. Submit the complete hard copy packet to your school’s scholarship coordinator or principal by October 5, 2026. This institutional verification step is mandatory — without it, the DWO cannot process your application for payment.

UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship vs General/SC/ST Pre-Matric Scholarship — Key Differences

Many UP students and parents are confused about which department’s scholarship to apply for. The following comparison clarifies the key differences between the OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship and the General/SC/ST scheme — choosing the wrong one at registration means guaranteed rejection:

Advantages and Disadvantages of UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026

Advantages (Pros):

• ✅ Dedicated OBC budget of Rs.3,060.50 crore — highest among all UP scholarship categories, ensuring high approval rates for eligible applicants
• ✅ No application fee — completely free to apply for OBC students across all classes and income levels within the eligibility bracket
• ✅ Direct bank transfer — DBT via PFMS ensures 100% of the scholarship reaches the student’s Aadhaar-linked account with no deduction
• ✅ OTR reusable — the One Time Registration number created this session is used for all future UP Scholarship sessions; no re-registration needed next year
• ✅ Dedicated helpline — OBC-specific toll-free helpline (18001805131) for scholarship-related queries and grievance resolution

Disadvantages (Cons):

• ❌ Lower income limit than SC/ST — OBC income cap is Rs.2 lakh/year vs Rs.2.5 lakh/year for SC/ST students, excluding some OBC families from borderline income brackets
• ❌ Strict 50% marks requirement — OBC students who scored below 50% in the previous class are ineligible, regardless of their financial need
• ❌ Portal congestion near deadline — the Saksham portal experiences severe traffic in the last 5 days before September 21, 2026; server downtime and login failures are common
• ❌ Hard copy submission mandatory — despite the online application, a physical hard copy must still be submitted to the school by October 5, 2026, adding an extra logistical step

Important Terms Every OBC Student Must Know — UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026

Knowing these terms will help you navigate the Saksham portal, understand your application status, and track your scholarship payment correctly:

• OTR (One Time Registration): A unique one-time Aadhaar-based registration on the Saksham portal that creates a permanent student identity. Mandatory for all 2026-27 UP Scholarship applications. Each student gets exactly one OTR number — creating duplicates causes automatic disqualification.
• DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer): The government payment system that transfers scholarship money directly from the treasury to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account via PFMS. Ensures zero leakage and full transparency.
• PFMS (Public Financial Management System): The central digital payment platform through which all UP scholarship disbursements are routed. Students can check payment status at pfms.nic.in using their bank account details or application reference number.
• Saksham Portal: The renamed URL for the UP Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Online System at scholarship.up.gov.in. Upgraded in 2026-27 with OTR and DigiLocker integration for faster, fraud-resistant applications.
• Backward Classes Welfare Department: The UP government department that manages the OBC Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarship schemes. Separate from the Social Welfare Department (which handles General/SC/ST). Official portal: backwardwelfare.up.gov.in.
• DWO (District Welfare Officer): The district-level government official responsible for final approval of OBC scholarship applications after institutional verification by the school. DWO approval is the last step before payment release via PFMS.
• Income Certificate: An official document issued by a Tehsildar (Uttar Pradesh Revenue Department) or Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) certifying the total annual family income from all sources. Must be issued in the current financial year (FY 2025-26 or 2026).
• OBC Caste Certificate: A government-issued certificate confirming the student’s OBC status as per the UP state OBC list. Must be issued by a competent authority and must be online-verifiable at edistrict.up.gov.in.
• Maintenance Allowance: The monthly stipend component paid to students to cover day-to-day educational expenses such as stationery, transport, and food. For OBC day scholars in Class 6-10, this is Rs.400-500 per month.
• Institutional Verification: The process by which the school principal logs into the Saksham portal and verifies the student’s enrollment, attendance, and documents before the application reaches the DWO for final approval. Without this step, no payment is released.

Important Dates 2026-27 — UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship All Deadlines

Important Links for UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 Applicants

Conclusion — Final Thoughts on UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 OBC

The UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for OBC Students is a well-funded, accessible, and fully online scholarship scheme that gives Class 9 and Class 10 OBC students in Uttar Pradesh a real financial advantage — with up to Rs.3,500 per year deposited directly in their bank accounts by the Backward Classes Welfare Department. The UP government has set aside Rs.3,060.50 crore for OBC scholarships in 2026-27, making this one of the most generously funded state scholarship programmes in India. Every OBC student who applies correctly and on time has a strong chance of receiving the benefit.

Start by completing your OTR at scholarship.up.gov.in and gathering all documents — especially your OBC caste certificate and income certificate — well before the September 21, 2026 deadline. Apply early to avoid portal congestion, submit your hard copy to school by October 5, 2026, and track your payment at pfms.nic.in. Bookmark this page — we update it whenever the UP government releases new notifications or extends deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions About UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 OBC

What is the UP Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC students 2026?

UP Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC students is a state government financial aid scheme managed by the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Uttar Pradesh. It provides up to Rs.3,500 per year to OBC students studying in Class 9 and Class 10 in recognized UP schools. The scholarship covers maintenance allowance and non-refundable school fees, paid directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT. Applications are submitted online at scholarship.up.gov.in. The 2026-27 state budget for OBC scholarships is Rs.3,060.50 crore.

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

The annual family income limit for OBC students under the UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 is Rs.2,00,000 (Rs.2 lakh) per year from all sources combined — including agriculture income, wages, business, rental income, and any government salary. This is lower than the SC/ST income limit of Rs.2.5 lakh. An income certificate issued by a Tehsildar or SDM for the current year is required. Students with family income above Rs.2 lakh are not eligible, regardless of other factors.

How much scholarship do OBC students get under UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?

OBC students in Class 9 and Class 10 can receive up to Rs.3,500 per year under the UP state Pre-Matric scheme, which includes a maintenance allowance and non-refundable fee reimbursement. Additionally, under the broader OBC maintenance allowance structure, day scholar students in Class 6-10 receive Rs.400-500 per month, while hostellers receive up to Rs.700 per month. The annual grant specifically for OBC Class 9-10 students under the state scheme is approximately Rs.2,250 as base cash support, with additional fee reimbursement making the total up to Rs.3,500.

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

The last date to submit a fresh application for UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 for OBC students is September 21, 2026. Class 10 renewal applicants have an earlier deadline of August 25, 2026. The final application printout must be generated by September 30, 2026, and the signed hard copy with document photocopies must be submitted to the school by October 5, 2026. Applications not verified at the school level will not proceed for DWO approval and disbursement.

Can a Class 10 OBC student renew the UP Pre-Matric Scholarship?

Yes. Class 10 OBC students who received the UP Pre-Matric Scholarship in Class 9 can apply for renewal. The renewal window for Class 10 OBC students is open from August 11 to August 25, 2026 — earlier than the fresh application deadline. To renew, the student must log into the Saksham portal using their existing OTR number, submit the renewal application with the updated Class 9 marksheet and current year documents, and submit the hard copy to school within the prescribed date. Maintaining continuous enrollment and 75% attendance is mandatory for renewal eligibility.

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

The documents required for UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 are: (1) Aadhaar card of the student, (2) OBC caste certificate issued by Tehsildar/SDM (UP) — online-verifiable, (3) Income certificate (family income under Rs.2 lakh, issued by Tehsildar/SDM for current year), (4) Previous year marksheet showing minimum 50% marks, (5) Current year school fee receipt, (6) Aadhaar-linked bank passbook (first page) with account number and IFSC, (7) Passport-size photograph (JPG, under 50KB), and (8) School enrollment proof. All documents must be in JPG/PDF format under 100KB for upload on the Saksham portal.

Is OTR mandatory for UP OBC Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026?

Yes. OTR (One Time Registration) is mandatory for all UP Scholarship applications in 2026-27, including the OBC Pre-Matric scheme. Without completing OTR on the Saksham portal (scholarship.up.gov.in), the scholarship application form cannot be accessed. OTR uses Aadhaar e-KYC for authentication and generates a unique student ID number. This OTR number is permanent and reused in every future scholarship session — so once created, you never need to re-register. Create only one OTR — duplicate registrations are flagged and lead to disqualification.

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

After online submission, school-level institutional verification, and DWO (District Welfare Officer) approval, the scholarship amount is disbursed via PFMS to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account. Based on previous session payment patterns, the first disbursement is expected between December 2026 and January 2027. A second installment may follow in March 2027 for students in need-based payment cycles. Students can track payment status at pfms.nic.in using their bank account number, or check the status on the Saksham portal using their OTR/application number.

Can OBC students apply for both UP state scholarship and PM YASASVI?

No. Students can avail only one scholarship at a time — applying for both UP Pre-Matric OBC Scholarship and PM YASASVI Scholarship simultaneously is not permitted. If selected for PM YASASVI (which provides a higher Rs.75,000/year for Class 9-10), the student should withdraw from the UP state OBC scholarship. PM YASASVI requires a higher minimum marks threshold of 60% (vs 50% for UP state scheme) and a slightly higher income limit of Rs.2.5 lakh. OBC students scoring above 60% with income under Rs.2.5 lakh should evaluate PM YASASVI first due to its significantly higher benefit amount. Read our complete PM YASASVI Scholarship 2026 guide for full details.

What should OBC students do if their application shows “Pending at Institute”?

“Pending at Institute” means your online application has been submitted successfully, but your school has not yet verified or forwarded it to the DWO on the Saksham portal. This is the most common status issue for OBC students. To resolve it: (1) Visit your school’s scholarship coordinator or principal and request immediate institutional verification, (2) Confirm the school’s Saksham portal login is active and the scholarship in-charge has the necessary access, (3) If unresolved, contact the Backward Classes Welfare Helpline at 18001805131, and (4) If still stuck, file a formal complaint on the UP Jansunwai Portal (jansunwai.up.nic.in). School verification must be completed before the DWO’s deadline — typically November 2026.

📅 Last Updated: September 2026 — This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy based on official UP Scholarship portal notifications, UP Budget 2026-27, and Backward Classes Welfare Department circulars. Bookmark this page for the latest UP Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 OBC deadlines and payment updates.

SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship 2026 – Rs.15 Lakh for Class 9 to PG, IIT, IIM, Medical

LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship 2026 – UG & Diploma, Rs.15,000–Rs.50,000 Apply Now