Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna 2026 – Rs.1.5 Lakh Scholarship, Apply Now

Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna 2026 covers up to 100% of tuition and exam fees — worth Rs.1.5 lakh or more — for economically weaker students in Maharashtra’s government and aided colleges. This guide is for Maharashtra domicile students in Diploma, UG, or PG courses under the General or SEBC category whose family income is below Rs.8 lakh and who want financial relief on their college fees. You will find here the complete eligibility criteria, benefits table, step-by-step application process on MahaDBT, required documents, important dates, and 10 answered FAQs — everything you need to apply before the September 30, 2026 deadline.

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📋 Table of Contents

What Is Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna 2026?

The Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna is a state government scholarship offered by the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE), Government of Maharashtra. It reimburses tuition fees and examination fees — up to 100% in eligible categories — for economically weaker students enrolled in government and government-aided colleges, making higher education financially accessible across Maharashtra.

Named after Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj (1874–1922), the visionary ruler of Kolhapur who championed reservation and free education for backward classes, this scheme carries forward his legacy of inclusive education. The scheme operates under Maharashtra’s DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) infrastructure, meaning scholarship amounts are credited directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account — no middlemen, no delays.

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The scheme was established via Government Resolution dated October 7, 2017, and has been expanded through subsequent GRs in 2018 and 2019. For 2026-27, applications opened on June 1, 2026, and close on September 30, 2026. Students from both professional courses (Engineering, Medical, Law, MBA) and non-professional courses (BA, B.Com, BSc, MA) are covered, with different reimbursement percentages applying based on institution type and family income.

Who Should Apply for the Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Scholarship?

This scholarship is specifically designed for a defined set of students. You are the right candidate if you match any of the profiles below:

• 🎓 Engineering students admitted to B.E./B.Tech through CAP with family income below Rs.8 lakh — eligible for up to 50%–100% tuition fee reimbursement
• 🏥 Medical & Pharmacy students pursuing MBBS, BDS, BAMS, B.Pharm, or similar professional courses through government-aided institutions
• 📚 Arts, Commerce & Science graduates (BA, B.Com, BSc) enrolled in non-professional programs at government or aided colleges — eligible for 100% fee reimbursement
• 💻 Diploma holders in technical or vocational streams under AICTE-approved institutions seeking fee relief
• 🎓 Postgraduate students pursuing MA, M.Com, M.Sc, MBA, or MCA at eligible universities in Maharashtra
• 🤝 Students from the Maharashtra-Karnataka border area who are domicile of Maharashtra but study near the border
• 💰 Families with annual income between Rs.2.5 lakh and Rs.8 lakh who do not qualify for SC/ST/OBC scholarships but still need financial support
• 👤 First-generation college students from economically backward families whose parents never accessed higher education

Benefits & Scholarship Amount — Up to Rs.1.5 Lakh Per Year

The Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna 2026 provides direct fee reimbursement — not a one-time grant — covering both tuition fees and examination fees every academic year. The exact amount varies based on your family income and institution type.

Tuition Fee Reimbursement Table

Examination Fee Reimbursement

In practical terms, a student enrolled in a government engineering college (professional course) with a family income of Rs.2 lakh can receive 100% tuition fee reimbursement plus 50% exam fee reimbursement — totalling Rs.80,000 to Rs.1.5 lakh or more per academic year depending on the college fee structure. For non-professional courses like BA or B.Com at government colleges, the reimbursement reaches 100% of both tuition and exam fees regardless of income (up to the Rs.8 lakh limit).

Eligibility Criteria for Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shishyavrutti Yojna 2026-27

Every applicant must satisfy all of the following conditions to receive this scholarship. Missing even one criterion leads to automatic rejection during verification.

• Maharashtra Domicile: You must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra. Applicants from the Maharashtra-Karnataka border area are also eligible.
• Course Enrollment: Enrolled in a professional or non-professional course approved by DHE at a government, government-aided, partially aided-unaided, or permanent unaided college (excluding private and self-financed private universities).
• Admission Category: Admission must be under the General category or SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Classes) category.
• Annual Family Income: Total annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs.8,00,000.
• CAP Admission: Admission must be through the Centralised Admission Process (CAP). Students with direct admission or management quota seats are not eligible.
• Full-Time Courses Only: Part-time, distance education, and virtual learning courses are not covered.
• No Other Scholarship: You must not be receiving any other government scholarship or stipend simultaneously.
• No Gap Year (More Than 2 Years): No gap of more than 2 years during the course duration is permitted.
• Examination Attempts: You must have appeared in all annual or semester examinations — students with any backlog year may face scrutiny.
• Two-Child Family Rule: Only the first two children in a family are eligible — a family declaration certificate is mandatory.
• Approved Courses: Courses must be approved by the government, universities, AICTE, PCI, COA, MCI, NCTE, or other recognized bodies.

How to Apply Online for Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship 2026 — Step-by-Step Guide

The application is fully online through the Aaple Sarkar DBT Portal (MahaDBT). Follow these 7 steps carefully to complete your application before the September 30, 2026 deadline.

1. Visit the Official Portal: Open mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in in your browser. This is the only official MahaDBT scholarship portal — avoid third-party websites.
2. Register / Login with Aadhaar: Click “New Applicant Registration” and enter your Aadhaar number. Verify via OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. If already registered, log in with your username and password.
3. Complete Student Profile: Update your full profile — personal details, academic details, previous marks, domicile, and parent/guardian income details. All fields are mandatory. Ensure your bank account is Aadhaar-seeded for DBT disbursement.
4. Select the Scheme: Navigate to “Scholarships and Fellowships” → Choose the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) → Select “Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna” from the dropdown.
5. Fill the Application Form: Enter your college details, course name, admission year, CAP allotment letter number, and fee structure. Cross-verify all amounts with your college fee receipt.
6. Upload Required Documents: Scan and upload all mandatory documents (listed in the next section) in the prescribed format. File size and type restrictions apply — JPG/PDF under 200 KB typically.
7. Submit and Track: Click “Submit” to finalize your application. Note down your Application ID. Regularly log in to track your application status through institute verification, district approval, and final DBT disbursement stages.

Documents Required for Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Scholarship 2026

Keep all documents scanned and ready before starting your online application. Uploading incorrect or expired documents is the most common reason for rejection.

• 📄 Domicile Certificate — issued by an authorized Tahsildar or revenue authority of Maharashtra
• 💰 Annual Income Certificate — for the previous financial year, issued by an authorized official (Tahsildar level or above). Must show income below Rs.8 lakh.
• 🎓 CAP Allotment Letter — proof of admission through the Centralised Admission Process (mandatory for B.Ed., Law, M.P.Ed., B.P.Ed., engineering, medical, and all professional courses)
• 📑 Previous Year Marksheet — for renewal applications; first-year students submit Class 12 or previous qualifying marksheet
• 📅 Attendance Certificate — issued by your college, confirming attendance in the current academic year
• 👪 Family Declaration Certificate (Two Children) — a self-declaration that you are one of the first two children in the family
• 📃 Gap Year Document — if there is a gap in your education, provide a gap declaration affidavit
• 💳 Aadhaar Card — linked to your registered mobile number for OTP verification
• 🏦 Bank Passbook (First Page) — showing IFSC code, account number, and your name; account must be Aadhaar-seeded

Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship vs Other Maharashtra Scholarships — Comparison

Choosing the right scholarship is critical — applying for the wrong one wastes time and may disqualify you from the correct scheme. Here is how this scheme compares to the other major Maharashtra state scholarships:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship 2026

✅ Advantages (Pros)

• High Income Ceiling: With a Rs.8 lakh annual income limit, far more families qualify than under SC/ST schemes (capped at Rs.2.5 lakh) — covering a large middle-income segment that other scholarships miss
• 100% Fee Reimbursement for Non-Professional Courses: BA, B.Com, BSc, MA, M.Com, and MSc students at any institution type (government, aided, or unaided) receive full tuition and exam fee reimbursement
• Direct Benefit Transfer: Scholarship amount is credited directly to the student’s bank account — no cash handling, no delays through intermediaries
• Annually Renewable: Students who clear all exams can renew every academic year throughout their course duration without reapplying from scratch
• Broad Course Coverage: Covers engineering, medical, pharmacy, law, agriculture, arts, commerce, science, and virtually all DHE-approved courses

❌ Disadvantages (Cons)

• CAP Mandatory for Professional Courses: Students who secured admission outside CAP (management quota, NRI quota, lateral entry in some cases) are not eligible even if they meet all other criteria
• Private and Deemed Universities Excluded: Students at self-financed private universities, deemed universities, or institutes outside the DHE framework cannot apply — a major limitation for students in popular private colleges
• Only First Two Children per Family: If you are the third child in the family, you are ineligible regardless of income or academic performance

Important Terms Related to Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Scholarship 2026

Understanding key terms helps you navigate the application and avoid common errors:

• EBC (Economically Backward Classes): Citizens above the SC/ST/OBC categories but below Rs.8 lakh annual income — the primary target group for this scheme. EBC is also called EWS (Economically Weaker Section) in central government schemes.
• SEBC (Socially and Educationally Backward Classes): Category introduced by Maharashtra government through the Maharashtra State Reservation (SEBC) Act — includes Maratha and other communities receiving reservation in Maharashtra.
• MahaDBT Portal: The Maharashtra government’s centralized Direct Benefit Transfer portal (mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in) through which all state scholarships are applied and disbursed.
• CAP (Centralised Admission Process): Maharashtra’s centralized system for UG/PG admissions to engineering, medical, pharmacy, law, and other professional courses — run by DTE, DHE, and other bodies. CAP admission is mandatory to claim this scholarship.
• DHE (Directorate of Higher Education): The Maharashtra state body under the Higher and Technical Education Department that administers this scholarship and oversees arts, commerce, and science colleges.
• DTE (Directorate of Technical Education): Runs the EBC variant of this scheme for engineering, polytechnic, and technical education students — separate from DHE’s version.
• DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer): The central government framework for transferring subsidy and scholarship amounts directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Amount is disbursed in two instalments per academic year.
• Non-Professional Course: General degree courses — BA, B.Com, BSc, MA, M.Com, MSc — where 100% fee reimbursement is available to all eligible students regardless of institution type.
• Professional Course: Technical or specialized degree courses — B.E., B.Tech, MBBS, BDS, MBA, LLB, B.Pharm — with tiered reimbursement based on income and institution type.
• Tuition Fee Reimbursement: Refund of tuition fees paid to the institution, credited to the student’s account through DBT after institute-level verification.

Important Dates & Timeline — Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship 2026-27

Important Links — Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Scholarship

Conclusion — Apply for Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna Before September 30, 2026

The Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna 2026 is one of Maharashtra’s most impactful scholarship schemes for General and SEBC category students — covering up to Rs.1.5 lakh in annual fee reimbursement for those studying in government and aided colleges. If you are a domicile of Maharashtra with annual family income below Rs.8 lakh, enrolled in an eligible full-time course through CAP, and not availing any other scholarship, you must apply immediately through mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in. Do not wait — the September 30, 2026 deadline is firm, and the portal gets overloaded in the final days. Bookmark this page for any updates to the scheme notification.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna 2026

What is the Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna?

The Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna is a state government scholarship by the Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Maharashtra, that reimburses tuition and examination fees for economically backward students in government and aided colleges. It covers professional and non-professional courses at the diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, with benefits of up to 100% of fees — equivalent to Rs.1.5 lakh or more per academic year in some cases.

What is the maximum scholarship amount under this scheme in 2026?

The maximum benefit is up to 100% of tuition fees plus 100% of examination fees, which can total Rs.1.5 lakh or higher per academic year depending on the college fee structure. For professional course students with family income above Rs.2.5 lakh, the reimbursement is 50% of tuition fees and 50% of exam fees. For non-professional course students (BA, B.Com, BSc) with income below Rs.8 lakh, 100% of both tuition and exam fees are reimbursed across all institution types.

What is the income limit to apply for this scholarship?

The annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs.8,00,000 (Rs.8 lakh). This is one of the highest income limits among Maharashtra state scholarships, making it accessible to a large number of middle-class families. Income proof must be a certificate issued by an authorized Tahsildar or revenue official for the previous financial year.

What is the last date to apply for the Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Scholarship 2026-27?

The last date to submit applications — both new and renewal — for academic year 2026-27 is September 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted online through the MahaDBT portal at mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in. The portal has been open since June 1, 2026. Students are strongly advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid technical difficulties near the closing date.

Can I apply if I am enrolled in a private engineering or medical college?

This depends on the type of private college. Students in government-aided, partially aided, or permanent unaided non-minority colleges are eligible for the scholarship. However, students enrolled in self-financed private universities or deemed universities are explicitly excluded from this scheme. If your college is affiliated to a government university and is approved under the DHE framework, you are likely eligible — check the MahaDBT portal’s college list to confirm.

Is this scholarship renewable every year?

Yes, the scholarship is renewable for each academic year of your course duration. To renew, log in to your MahaDBT account, select the renewal option, upload the current year’s documents (income certificate, marksheet, attendance certificate), and submit before September 30. Students must have cleared all previous examinations and must not have any gap exceeding 2 years to remain eligible for renewal.

Can diploma course students apply for this scholarship?

Yes, diploma students are eligible if their course is recognized by bodies such as AICTE, MCI, PCI, or another approved regulatory authority, and the institution is covered under the DHE framework. The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) also runs its own variant of this scheme for diploma and engineering students — DTE Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna (EBC) — which is applied through the same MahaDBT portal.

How will I receive the scholarship money?

The scholarship amount is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account, typically in two instalments during the academic year. The first instalment is usually released between October and November, and the second between March and April. Ensure your bank account is active, Aadhaar-seeded, and the details match exactly what is registered on the MahaDBT portal to avoid payment failure.

What happens if I already receive another scholarship?

You are not eligible for the Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna if you are already availing benefits from any other government scholarship or stipend. The scheme explicitly bars double benefits. Students who are receiving TFWS (Tuition Fee Waiver Scheme), SC/ST scholarships, or any central government scholarship must choose one scheme — dual application is considered fraudulent and can lead to scholarship recovery with penalties.

Is there any merit or percentage requirement to apply?

No minimum percentage or merit score is required to apply for this scholarship — it is purely income-based and eligibility-based. However, you must have appeared in all previous semester or annual examinations. Students with arrears or backlogs are permitted to apply but may face scrutiny during institute-level verification. The selection is based entirely on fulfillment of the eligibility criteria, not academic rank or percentage.

What should I do if my application is rejected?

If your application is rejected or flagged during verification, log in to your MahaDBT account to check the exact reason. Common reasons include incorrect income certificate, mismatched Aadhaar details, missing CAP allotment letter, or college not being in the approved list. Contact your college’s Nodal Officer (scholarship in-charge) first — they can guide corrections. For portal issues, contact the MahaDBT helpline at 022-49150800 or email support@mahadbt.gov.in. Reapply only after correcting all flagged errors.

Last Updated: October 2026 | Source: mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in (Official MahaDBT Portal) and Directorate of Higher Education, Government of Maharashtra. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest information on the Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Yojna.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Scholarship eligibility criteria, benefit amounts, and deadlines are subject to change at the discretion of the Government of Maharashtra. Always refer to the official MahaDBT portal at mahadbt2.maharashtra.gov.in for the latest official notification before applying.

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