The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand announced on Friday, 17 July 2026 that the application process for all online pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes — administered by the Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Department under the direction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami — has commenced for the academic year 2026-27. Students can register on the National Scholarship Portal until 30 September 2026.

Context

The official post states: 'मुख्यमंत्री श्री पुष्कर सिंह धामी के निर्देशन में समाज कल्याण एवं जनजाति कल्याण विभाग द्वारा संचालित समस्त ऑनलाइन पूर्वदशम एवं दशमोत्तर छात्रवृत्ति योजनाओं के लिए शैक्षणिक वर्ष 2026-27 हेतु आवेदन प्रक्रिया प्रारम्भ हो गई है।' ('Under the direction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the application process for all online pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes run by the Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Department has begun for the academic year 2026-27.')

Eligible students must complete their registration on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) by 30 September 2026. The schemes cover both pre-matric (classes up to 10) and post-matric (classes 11 and above, including higher education) categories.

Policy Backdrop

The National Scholarship Portal was launched by the Government of India in 2015 to centralise and digitise scholarship applications across states, replacing fragmented paper-based processes. Uttarakhand has participated in centrally sponsored post-matric scholarship schemes for SC, ST, and OBC students since the early 2000s, with annual application cycles tied to the academic calendar.

The state's Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Department integrates both central and state-funded schemes to extend reach into remote hill and forest districts where marginalised communities are concentrated. This digital-first approach is part of a broader national shift toward direct, transparent delivery of welfare benefits.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries are Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) students enrolled in recognised schools and higher-education institutions across Uttarakhand. The state's significant tribal population in hill districts — including areas around Dehradun — stands to benefit directly from the open application window.

By routing applications through the NSP, the government aims to reduce leakages and ensure that scholarship funds reach students' bank accounts directly, minimising intermediary delays.

What's Next

Students and institutions should note the 30 September 2026 registration deadline on the National Scholarship Portal as a firm cut-off; late applications are typically not accepted under NSP guidelines. The volume of applications received by the deadline will determine fund-disbursement timelines for the 2026-27 session.

With the window now open, the Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Department is expected to conduct outreach in remote districts to maximise enrolment among first-generation learners and students from economically weaker sections — a key metric the state government has emphasised under CM Dhami's welfare agenda.