Vidyasiri Scholarship 2026 – Rs.1,500/Month for OBC Students, Apply Now

Vidyasiri Scholarship Karnataka 2026 gives eligible OBC students Rs.1,500 every month for 10 months — that is Rs.15,000 per year directly to your bank account — to cover food and accommodation costs when you study away from home. This guide is for Karnataka OBC students (Category 1, 2A, 3A, 3B) aged 18–28 pursuing post-matric courses who need boarding assistance and have not secured a government hostel seat. Below you will find the complete eligibility criteria, benefit breakdown, step-by-step SSP application process, required documents, and the key deadline of September 30, 2026.

NMMS Scholarship Karnataka 2026 – Rs.12,000/Year, Apply by Oct 30

What Is the Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation Scholarship?

The Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation Scholarship is a state government welfare scheme run by the Department of Backward Classes Welfare (BCWD), Government of Karnataka. It provides monthly financial assistance to OBC post-matric students who live in private hostels or paying-guest accommodations because they could not secure a seat in a government-run or government-aided hostel.

Every year, thousands of Karnataka’s backward-class students travel far from their home villages to study in colleges in district headquarters or major cities. Without a government hostel seat, these students must rent private PG rooms, often spending Rs.3,000–Rs.6,000 per month on food and rent — a major burden on families earning less than Rs.2.5 lakh per year. The Vidyasiri Scholarship directly addresses this gap by transferring Rs.1,500 per month into the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account for 10 months of the academic year.

Karnataka Post-Matric Scholarship 2026 – SC, ST, OBC & Minority Complete Guide

The scheme is part of Karnataka’s broader ePASS (Electronic Payment and Application System for Scholarships) framework under the State Scholarship Portal (SSP). It is distinct from the post-matric tuition fee scholarship and operates specifically for boarding and lodging assistance. An additional annual book grant of Rs.1,200 is provided to collegiate students under the same scheme, making the total annual benefit Rs.16,200 per student.

Who Should Apply for Vidyasiri Scholarship 2026?

This scholarship is designed for a specific profile of student. Check the list below to confirm this scheme is right for you before beginning your application.

• 🎓 OBC college students from rural Karnataka who are studying in a city or town at least 5 km from their home village and renting a private PG or hostel room
• 🏠 Students who were not allotted a government hostel seat for the current academic year despite applying — Vidyasiri is built exactly for this situation
• 💰 Students from low-income families — Category 1 students with family income below Rs.2.50 lakh and Category 2A, 3A, 3B students with family income below Rs.1.00 lakh annually
• 📚 Post-matric course students (11th, 12th, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate) in any stream at government, aided, or recognised unaided private institutions under Karnataka Statutory Universities
• 👧 Girl students without restriction on sibling count — while only two sons per family are eligible, there is no cap on daughters, making this especially beneficial for families with multiple daughters in college
• 🏦 Students with an active Aadhaar-seeded bank account — DBT payment requires your bank account to be mapped with Aadhaar on NPCI; if not done, your application will be rejected automatically
• 📋 First-year and renewal students — fresh applicants need 40% (Cat 1) or 50% (Cat 2A, 3A, 3B) in previous exam; renewal students need 50% (Cat 1) or 60% (Cat 2A, 3A, 3B)
• 🧾 Students with a valid caste certificate and income certificate bearing an RD (Revenue Department) number from the Karnataka government

Scholarship Benefits — Monthly Stipend and Book Grant Details

The Vidyasiri Scholarship provides two distinct financial benefits in the 2026-27 academic year. The primary benefit is a monthly food and accommodation stipend of Rs.1,500 for 10 months, totalling Rs.15,000 per year. In addition, collegiate students receive an annual book and stationery grant of Rs.1,200, making the combined annual benefit Rs.16,200 per student.

All payments are transferred exclusively through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). There is no cash disbursement. Your bank account must be active, Aadhaar-seeded, and mapped on the NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) portal before you apply. Students who do not complete this bank-Aadhaar seeding will have their applications automatically rejected by the system, regardless of eligibility.

The stipend is not paid in advance. Grants are allocated after the Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer verifies the student’s attendance (minimum 75% required) and the District Backward Classes Welfare Officer confirms eligibility. Students should therefore not expect payment in the first month of the academic year — the process typically takes 2–3 months from application submission to first disbursement.

Vidyasiri Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2026

The Vidyasiri Scholarship 2026 eligibility rules are strict and non-negotiable. All conditions below must be met simultaneously — partial eligibility is not accepted. Read each point carefully before applying.

Who Is Eligible?

• Citizenship and Domicile: Must be a citizen of India and a permanent resident of Karnataka state
• Caste Category: Must belong to OBC (Other Backward Classes) as notified by the Government of India or the Karnataka state government — Categories 1, 2A, 3A, and 3B are covered
• Course Type: Must be pursuing post-matric courses (Class 11 onward) in government, local body, aided, or recognised unaided private institutions under Karnataka Statutory Universities
• Institution Recognition: College must be recognised and affiliated to a Karnataka Statutory University
• Distance Rule: Student’s home/permanent residence must be at least 5 km from the college of study. Urban students attending a college in a different city/town also qualify.
• Private Hostel Residence: Student must be staying in a private PG or hostel — not in any government-run or government-aided hostel or residential college
• Minimum Academic Marks: See table below
• Minimum Attendance: 75% attendance in current academic year (verified by college principal)

Who Is NOT Eligible?

• Students who have changed their course of study more than once
• Students pursuing postgraduate or medical courses while simultaneously practising medicine
• Students pursuing an equivalent course for a second time (e.g., B.Com after already completing a BA degree)
• Students already residing in a government or government-aided hostel or residential college
• Third or subsequent sons from the same family — only two sons per family are eligible; no such restriction applies to daughters
• Students whose Aadhaar is not linked to their active bank account in the NPCI mapper
• Students already receiving food/accommodation allowance from any other government source

How to Apply for Vidyasiri Scholarship 2026 — Step-by-Step Process

The application for Vidyasiri Scholarship 2026 is entirely online through the Karnataka State Scholarship Portal (SSP) at ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in. There is no offline application mode. First-time users must create an account before applying. Follow the numbered steps below exactly.

Step 1: Register a New SSP Account (First-Time Applicants)

Visit ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in and click “Click Here to Create New Account.” Enter your Aadhaar number and confirm it. Fill in your full name exactly as printed on your Aadhaar card, your gender, email address, and registered mobile number linked to Aadhaar. On successful registration, you will receive your User ID via SMS on your registered mobile number.

Step 2: Log In to Your SSP Student Account

Return to the SSP portal homepage and click “Click Here to Login to SSP Student Account.” Enter your User ID, password (set during registration), and the on-screen CAPTCHA code. Complete Aadhaar e-KYC authentication using the OTP sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number if prompted.

Step 3: Select the Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation Scheme

After login, click “Apply for Post-Matric Scholarship.” From the list of available schemes, select Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation Scholarship Scheme. Read all instructions on the screen carefully before proceeding. Ensure you have all required documents scanned and ready in the specified formats (PDF/JPG, under the file size limits shown on the portal).

Step 4: Fill in Your Application Details

Complete all required sections of the application form: personal details, study details (course, college, year), caste details (category, RD number from income/caste certificate), college details (institution name, affiliation, location), e-attestation details, and hostel details (private PG name, address, rental amount, warden contact). Double-check every field before moving to the next section.

Step 5: Upload Required Documents

Upload scanned copies of: Aadhaar card, caste certificate (with RD number), income certificate (with RD number), previous year mark sheet, college bonafide certificate, PG/hostel rental certificate or warden verification letter, bank passbook/cancelled cheque (showing Aadhaar-seeded account details), and SSLC registration number proof. File sizes and formats are specified on the upload page — follow them exactly or the form will not submit.

Step 6: Submit Application and Print Acknowledgement

After reviewing all entries, click “Submit.” Download and print the completed application form from the portal immediately after submission. Take this printout along with physical copies of all documents to your college for principal verification and signature.

Step 7: College Verification and Taluk Welfare Officer Review

Your college principal verifies attendance (minimum 75%) and forwards the application to the Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer. The Taluk Officer then confirms eligibility details, and the District Backward Classes Welfare Officer makes the final eligibility check before grant allocation.

Step 8: DBT Payment to Your Bank Account

Once approved, the stipend of Rs.1,500 per month and the book grant of Rs.1,200 are credited directly to your Aadhaar-seeded bank account via DBT. Track your application status anytime at the SSP portal under “Student Services @ Vidyasiri Application Status.”

Vidyasiri Scholarship vs Government Hostel — Which Is Better?

Many Karnataka OBC students ask whether to apply for a government hostel seat or for the Vidyasiri Scholarship. The two are mutually exclusive — you cannot receive Vidyasiri if you are already in a government hostel. Here is a detailed comparison to help you decide which option suits your situation.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Vidyasiri Scholarship

Advantages

• Direct cash benefit: Rs.1,500/month transferred directly to your bank account via DBT — no intermediary, no deductions
• Annual book grant included: Rs.1,200 for books and stationery helps with academic expenses beyond food and rent
• Freedom of accommodation: Choose any private PG or hostel near your college — you are not tied to a specific hostel location
• No application fee: The scheme is completely free to apply through the SSP portal — never pay any agent or consultant
• Gender equality provision: Unlimited daughters per family can benefit — the two-son restriction does not apply to girl students, making this especially valuable in families with multiple daughters in college
• Renewable annually: Eligible students can renew each year as long as they meet the marks and attendance requirements

Disadvantages

• Limited monthly amount: Rs.1,500 per month does not cover the full cost of private PG accommodation in larger Karnataka cities, where rent alone can be Rs.3,000–Rs.5,000/month
• Delayed disbursement: Verification through college, Taluk, and District levels means payment typically arrives 2–3 months after the academic year begins — students must arrange funds in the interim
• Strict NPCI Aadhaar seeding requirement: Applications are automatically rejected if the bank account is not Aadhaar-mapped on NPCI — a technical step many rural students are unaware of
• Marks requirement increases for renewals: Students need higher marks each year for renewal (50% for Cat 1, 60% for Cat 2A/3A/3B), creating pressure on academically weaker students

Important Terms Related to Vidyasiri Scholarship

Understanding the following terms will help you navigate the Vidyasiri application process and the broader Karnataka scholarship system without confusion.

• SSP (State Scholarship Portal): The Karnataka government’s unified online portal (ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in) for all post-matric scholarship applications. All Vidyasiri applications are submitted here.
• DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer): Government payment system that transfers scholarship money directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account, eliminating middlemen and ensuring full amount receipt.
• BCWD (Backward Classes Welfare Department): The Karnataka state department responsible for administering the Vidyasiri scheme and other OBC welfare programmes.
• NPCI Aadhaar Seeding: The mandatory process of linking your Aadhaar number to your bank account on the National Payments Corporation of India portal to receive DBT payments. Without this, all government scholarship money is rejected by the banking system.
• ePASS: Electronic Payment and Application System for Scholarships — the technology framework powering the SSP portal for Karnataka’s post-matric scholarships.
• RD Number (Revenue Department Number): A unique number printed on Karnataka income certificates and caste certificates issued by the Revenue Department. The SSP portal validates this number — applications without a valid RD number are rejected.
• SATS (Student Achievement Tracking System): Karnataka’s academic database that the SSP portal uses to verify student academic records, marks, and enrollment. Your SATS ID must be correctly linked for successful application processing.
• Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer: The local government officer who reviews and verifies Vidyasiri applications at the taluk level before forwarding to the district officer.
• Post-Matric Course: Any course pursued after completing Class 10 (SSLC) — includes PUC (11th and 12th), diploma, undergraduate degrees (BA, B.Sc., B.Com., B.E., etc.), and postgraduate degrees.
• Bonafide Certificate: An official document issued by your college confirming that you are currently enrolled as a student in the stated course and year — mandatory for the Vidyasiri application.

Important Dates and Timeline 2026-27

Important Links

Conclusion — Final Thoughts on Vidyasiri Scholarship Karnataka 2026

The Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation Scholarship 2026 is one of the most accessible and practical welfare schemes for OBC post-matric students in Karnataka, delivering Rs.16,200 per year directly to eligible students who study away from home. If you meet the OBC category requirement, the 5 km distance rule, the income limit, and the academic marks criteria, you should apply before the extended deadline of September 30, 2026.

Your next step is clear: visit ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in today, register or log in, and complete your Vidyasiri application. Ensure your Aadhaar is seeded to your bank account before you submit — this is the most common rejection reason. Bookmark this page, as we update it every time official data changes on the BCWD portal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vidyasiri Scholarship Karnataka OBC 2026

What is the Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation Scholarship?

The Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation Scholarship is a state government scheme by the Department of Backward Classes Welfare, Government of Karnataka. It provides Rs.1,500 per month for 10 months (Rs.15,000/year) plus a Rs.1,200 annual book grant to OBC post-matric students who are not admitted in government hostels and study at least 5 km from their home. Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are open until September 30, 2026.

How much money does Vidyasiri Scholarship give per month?

The Vidyasiri Scholarship provides Rs.1,500 per month for 10 months in an academic year, totalling Rs.15,000. In addition, a separate book and stationery grant of Rs.1,200 is credited once per academic year, making the total annual financial benefit Rs.16,200. All payments are made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

What is the last date to apply for Vidyasiri Scholarship 2026?

The last date to apply for Vidyasiri Scholarship 2026-27 is September 30, 2026. The original deadline was August 31, 2026, but it was officially extended to September 30, 2026, to give more students an opportunity to apply. Applications must be submitted through the SSP portal at ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in before the deadline. No offline applications are accepted.

Which OBC categories are eligible for Vidyasiri Scholarship?

Karnataka OBC students in Category 1, 2A, 3A, and 3B are eligible for the Vidyasiri Scholarship. The income limit differs by category: Category 1 students must have annual family income below Rs.2.50 lakh, while students in Categories 2A, 3A, and 3B must have annual family income below Rs.1.00 lakh. Caste and income certificates bearing a Revenue Department (RD) number from Karnataka are required as proof.

Can I apply for Vidyasiri if I am staying in a government hostel?

No. The Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation Scholarship is strictly for students staying in private PG accommodations or private hostels. Students already admitted in a government, government-aided, or departmental residential hostel are explicitly excluded from this scheme. The two schemes are mutually exclusive — you cannot claim both government hostel benefits and the Vidyasiri stipend at the same time.

What is the minimum marks requirement for Vidyasiri Scholarship 2026?

The minimum marks requirement depends on your OBC category and whether you are a fresh or renewal applicant. For fresh applications: Category 1 students need 40%, and Categories 2A, 3A, 3B students need 50% in the previous year’s annual examination. For renewal applications: Category 1 students need 50%, and Categories 2A, 3A, 3B students need 60% in the previous year’s examination. Minimum 75% attendance in the current year is also required.

What documents are required for Vidyasiri Scholarship application?

The key documents required are: Aadhaar card, caste certificate with RD number, income certificate with RD number, previous year’s mark sheet, college bonafide certificate, PG or private hostel rental certificate or warden verification letter, bank passbook or cancelled cheque showing Aadhaar-seeded account details, SSLC registration number, registered mobile number, and email address. UDID number is additionally required for students with disabilities.

How do I check my Vidyasiri Scholarship application status?

You can track your Vidyasiri Scholarship application status by logging into the SSP portal at ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in with your User ID and password, then navigating to “Student Services @ Vidyasiri Application Status.” The portal shows whether your application is pending at the college, Taluk Officer, or District Officer level. If you face issues, contact your Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer directly.

Can students from other states apply for Vidyasiri Scholarship?

No. The Vidyasiri Food and Accommodation Scholarship is exclusively available to permanent residents of Karnataka. Students from other states studying in Karnataka are not eligible, even if they belong to OBC categories. Proof of permanent Karnataka residency — through Aadhaar address or a nativity certificate — is mandatory during the verification process.

Is there a limit on how many children from one family can get Vidyasiri?

Yes, but only for male students. A maximum of two sons from the same family can avail the Vidyasiri Scholarship. There is no such restriction for daughters — any number of girl children from the same family can independently apply for and receive this scholarship. This provision makes the Vidyasiri Scholarship particularly valuable for rural Karnataka families with multiple daughters pursuing higher education simultaneously.

Why might my Vidyasiri Scholarship application be rejected?

The most common reasons for Vidyasiri application rejection include: Aadhaar not seeded to the bank account on NPCI mapper, incorrect or mismatched name between Aadhaar and bank account, invalid or missing RD number on caste or income certificate, student staying in a government hostel while applying, having changed course of study more than once, not meeting the minimum marks requirement, college distance from home being less than 5 km, and submitting incomplete or unreadable scanned documents. Ensure all these points are addressed before submitting.

Last Updated: September 2026 | This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest Vidyasiri Scholarship information. Always verify final details on the official BCWD Karnataka portal at bcwd.karnataka.gov.in before submitting your application.

Karnataka Pre-Matric Scholarship 2026 – Rs.5,000/Year for SC ST OBC Minority Students Class 1-10

SSP Scholarship Karnataka 2026 – Class 1 to PhD Complete Guide