Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, called on Scheduled Caste (SC) students across the state to apply promptly on the Post Matric Scholarship portal, reaffirming the state government's commitment to ensuring equal educational opportunities for historically disadvantaged communities.

Context

Posting in Gujarati on X, CM Patel stated that the state government is committed to providing adequate support so that SC students receive sufficient opportunities to study and build a bright future. In his words: 'આજના વિદ્યાર્થીઓ આવતીકાલના વિકસિત ભારતના ઘડવૈયાઓ છે' — 'Today's students are the architects of tomorrow's developed India.' He urged talented youth not to miss the application deadline on the Post Matric Scholarship portal, and encouraged them to move forward with hard work and dedication to bring honour to their families, the state, and the nation.

Policy Backdrop

The Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Castes is a centrally sponsored scheme administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, providing financial assistance to SC students pursuing education beyond Class 10. States including Gujarat are responsible for processing applications through dedicated online portals and disbursing funds to eligible beneficiaries. The scheme has been in operation for decades and forms a cornerstone of India's affirmative action framework in education.

Gujarat has consistently implemented central scholarship schemes for SC communities as part of its broader education-access and affirmative action policies. Successive governments in the state have invested in digitising welfare delivery — including scholarship portals — to reduce leakages and extend reach among eligible students in urban and rural areas alike.

Stakeholders and Impact

Scheduled Caste students enrolled in post-matriculation courses — including undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and vocational programmes — are the direct beneficiaries of this scheme. Timely applications are critical because disbursements are typically tied to academic-year cycles, and students who miss deadlines may forfeit financial support for an entire year. CM Patel's public outreach via social media is aimed at maximising awareness, particularly among first-generation learners who may be unaware of the portal or its deadline.

The emphasis on digital portals aligns with the national Viksit Bharat vision of building human capital through inclusive education, ensuring that historically marginalised groups participate fully in India's development trajectory.

What's Next

Students and civil society groups will be watching for any official notification from the Gujarat government or the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment confirming the exact application deadline and any revisions to scholarship rates or eligibility norms for the current academic year. Wider outreach through district-level offices and school networks is expected to follow the Chief Minister's public appeal, as the state works to ensure maximum enrolment before the portal closes.