Prize Money Scholarship 2026-27: Karnataka SC/ST Students Can Get Up to Rs. 35000 (Registration Open)

Post Matric Scholarships
Scholarship Overview
Scholarship Name Prize Money Scholarship Karnataka
Scholarship Provider Name State Government
State Karnataka
Education / Course 11,12,Diploma/Polytechnic & UG-PG ALL
Caste / Category SC, ST
Scholarship Amount Rs. 20000 to 35000 per year
Last Date to Apply Updated Soon
Scholarship Status Open

The Prize Money Scholarship 2026-27 is a Post Matric Scholarship scheme by Karnataka’s Social Welfare and Tribal Welfare Departments, offering Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 35,000 for SC/ST students pursuing PUC, diploma, UG, PG, or professional courses. Registrations are now open and the last application date is yet to be announced.

About Prize Money Scholarship Karnataka

The Education Prize Money Karnataka is intended for SC and ST students who are domiciled in Karnataka and have successfully completed their qualifying examination in the first attempt. The scholarship application is submitted online through the Karnataka Social Welfare Department or the Tribal Welfare Department portal, depending on the student's category.

The last date for the 2026-27 Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship is not yet announced.

Eligibility Criteria & Selection Process

  1. SC/ST student and a Karnataka Domicile
  2. You passed Class 10, 12, ITI, diploma, UG, or PG in the first attempt (no backlogs)
  3. Your college is government-recognized
  4. You study in an evening college or through KSOU

ITI students: Must have joined a 3-year ITI straight after Class 10 with minimum 60% marks.

Selection Process

  1. Applications are verified by the District Social Welfare or Tribal Welfare Office
  2. Only first-attempt, first-class students are considered
  3. Incomplete hard copy submissions are rejected
  4. CGPA/OGPA grades are clarified by college authorities
  5. Prize money is credited directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account

Required Documents Checklist

  • Identity proof of the applicant (linked with active mobile number).
  • Recent Passport Size Photograph (JPEG/PNG format).
  • Educational Mark Sheets (Previous Year / Qualifying Examination Passed).
  • Income Certificate issued by a competent authority (Tehsildar/SDO).
  • Domicile / Residential Certificate of the respective state.
  • Caste / Category Certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC/EWS quotas).
  • Bank Account Passbook front page (showing Account No. and IFSC code).
  • Active Admission Receipt or Institution Bonafide Certificate.

Amount & Benefits

The prize money depends on the course or qualification completed by the student.

Course / Qualification Prize Money
II PUC / 3-Year Polytechnic Diploma Rs. 20,000
Degree / Undergraduate Course Rs. 25,000
Postgraduate Courses such as MA, MSc, etc. Rs. 30,000
Agriculture, Engineering, Veterinary and Medicine Rs. 35,000

Step-by-Step How to Apply

  1. Visit the official portal and click "Register"
  2. Select your qualification — SSLC, Post-Matric, or Top 5 Rank
  3. Complete Aadhaar validation via OTP on the DBT portal
  4. Open the application form — Social Welfare Dept (SC) or Tribal Welfare Dept (ST)
  5. Enter your details, complete Aadhaar authentication, and fill the full application form
  6. Submit online and download the acknowledgment slip
  7. Get it signed by your principal and submit hard copies to your District Social Welfare or Tribal Welfare Office

Track Application Status

    1. Visit the official Prize Money Scholarship portal
    2. Click on "Application Status" option
    3. Enter your application number or registered details
    4. Your current application status will be displayed on the screen

If you face any issues, contact your District Social Welfare Office (SC) or Tribal Welfare Office (ST) directly.

Common Challenges & Solutions

1. College not listed on the portal: Visit your District Social Welfare or Tribal Welfare Office and request them to add your college.

2. Aadhaar not linked to bank account: Link your Aadhaar to your bank account before applying to avoid payment delays.

3. CGPA/OGPA confusion: Get a written percentage clarification letter from your college Principal or Registrar.

4. Hard copy submission missed: Always submit physical documents to your district office — online submission alone will get your application rejected.

5. Wrong department selected: SC students must apply through the Social Welfare Department and ST students through the Tribal Welfare Department — selecting the wrong one will cause issues.

6. Documents not attested: Get all photocopies attested by your college authorities before submitting to the district office.

Important Links

Contact Details & Help-desk

Scholarship Helpline (24/7): 080-22634300
Department Numbers: 080-22340956, 9480843005
Kalyana Mitra 24/7 Helpline: 9482300400
General Email: helpswkar@gmail.com / swdcontrol@gmail.com
Official Portal: Karnataka Social Welfare Prize Money Porta

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there any income limit?
No, there is no income limit. Any SC/ST student who passed in the first attempt with first-class marks is eligible.

2. What is "first attempt"?
It means clearing all exams without any supplementary, compartment, or improvement exam in any semester.

3. Can KSOU students apply?
Yes, Karnataka State Open University students are eligible for this scholarship.

4. Can I apply if my college is outside Karnataka?
Yes, if your institution is government-recognized and you are a Karnataka domicile. But students studying abroad are not eligible.

5. When will the money be credited?
The prize money is credited directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account after district office verification and approval.

Other Information

Most websites only cover the basics, but here are details that matter. Evening college and KSOU students are eligible, which many don't know. ITI students who joined after Class 12 are disqualified. Online submission alone is not enough — hard copies must reach the district office. There is no income limit whatsoever and Top 5 Rank holders must register separately.

Conclusion

The Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2026-27 provides financial incentives to eligible SC and ST students who successfully complete their studies with first-class marks in the first attempt. Depending on the qualification, students can receive Rs. 20,000, Rs. 25,000, Rs. 30,000 or Rs. 35,000. Before submitting the application, students should carefully check their academic details, Aadhaar information, college details and bank account information.

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Prize Money Scholarship 2026-27
About Author
Abhi Jena

Scholarship Content Specialist 2+ Years Experience), the editor of this website. I hold a B.Sc. in Computer Science and have spent over 2 years researching and publishing accurate scholarship updates for students across India

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