J&K Umbrella Scheme For Education Of ST Students > (Class IX & X), Eligibility Requirements, Benefits & Application form

The Umbrella Scheme For Education Of ST Students – Pre Matric Scholarship Class IX & X For ST Students-Jammu And Kashmir is a centrally sponsored scholarship scheme that is launched to support educational continuity among Scheduled Tribe students in the Union Territory. This scheme is operated under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs by Government of India and implemented locally through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to ensure transparent delivery of benefits. The scholarship is targeted at economically disadvantaged ST students who are enrolled in Class IX and Class X in government or government-recognized schools. It aims to reduce the dropout rate between middle and secondary levels of schooling and to promote educational participation among tribal communities by providing financial assistance for tuition support, books, and other academic needs. Eligible students can apply online during the specified period, with institute and nodal officer verifications carried out by the respective deadlines to complete the application cycle.

Overview of Scholarship Timeline (2025-26)

These dates are set to ensure sufficient time for students, schools, and nodal officers to complete every step of the application and verification process within the 2025-26 academic year.

Eligibility Conditions for Applicants

To qualify for this scholarship students must meet all the following core criteria below:

1. Candidate Must Be a domicile of Jammu and Kashmir and belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
2. Be presently enrolled and studying in Class IX or Class X in a government or government-recognized school including Central or State boards.
3. The annual family income from all sources should not exceed rs 2,50,000 (Rs. Two lakh fifty thousand).
4. The student must not be availing any other scholarship or stipend during the same academic year.
5. A bank account linked to Aadhaar and mobile number should be available in the student’s name or guardian’s for direct benefit transfer (DBT).

Financial Support & Benefits Under the Scheme

The Umbrella Scheme provides structured financial assistance to help meet the educational needs of tribal students:

These scholarships are credited directly into the beneficiary’s bank account and are valid for 10 months per academic year. If the student is promoted to the next class, they can renew the scholarship in subsequent years.

Required Documents for Application

Students must prepare and upload the following documents at the time of applying online:

1. Aadhaar Card (or Aadhaar Enrollment ID)
2. Domicile Certificate (Jammu and Kashmir)
3. Valid ST Caste Certificate issued by a competent authority
4. Income Certificate of parents/guardians
5. Recent passport-size photograph
6. Bonafide/School-Enrollment Certificate
7. Bank Passbook/Account Details linked with Aadhaar and mobile number

Correctly uploading these documents is essential, as incomplete or mismatched documentation can lead to rejection or defect status during verification.

Step-by-Step Application Process

candidate need to go through following steps to apply online for this scholarship scheme:

1. Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in and register as a student if applying for the first time.
2. Complete the pre-matric scholarship application form with accurate personal, academic, and bank details ensuring Aadhaar and domicile data are correctly entered.
3. Upload all required documents such as caste certificate, income certificate, school enrollment certificate, and bank details in the prescribed format.
4. Submit the filled application and note the application reference number for future tracking.
5. Follow up with the school authority for institute verification, and monitor the application status for corrections or final approval.
6. Once institute verification is complete, the district or state nodal officer will process the application for final sanction and scholarship disbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who can apply for the Umbrella Scheme For Education Of ST Students pre-matric scholarship?
A1: Any ST student domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir who is currently studying in Class IX or Class X in a government or recognized school and whose family income is ₹2.5 lakh or less is eligible to apply.

Q2: What is the last date to submit the application for the 2025-26 cycle?
A2: The final date to submit the online application is 20 January 2026, after which the portal will close for fresh entries.

Q3: How will the scholarship benefit be transferred to selected students?
A3: The financial assistance is disbursed through direct benefit transfer (DBT) into the bank account of the student, which should be linked with Aadhaar and a valid mobile number.