UP Scholarship 2026: Every year, thousands of students in Uttar Pradesh face the same worry – how to pay school or college fees when family income is tight. If you or your child is studying in Class 9 or 10, Intermediate, graduation, or any professional course, the UP Scholarship can change that picture completely.
According to the official Uttar Pradesh Scholarship Portal (scholarship.up.gov.in) as of March 2026, applications for the 2025-26 session have closed but fund transfers are still happening in phases till March 2026. The portal is now ready for the next cycle expected in July 2026. This single-window system covers Pre-Matric, Post-Matric (Classes 11-12), and Dashmottar (higher studies) scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, Minority, and General category students.
In this detailed guide, you will find everything you need – latest eligibility, exact scholarship amounts, step-by-step application process, status check method, and tips to avoid rejection. Whether you are a parent in a village or a first-generation college student in Lucknow, this article will help you claim what is rightfully yours.
What is UP Scholarship 2026?
The Uttar Pradesh government runs the UP Scholarship & Fee Reimbursement Online System to support students from economically weaker sections. It is not the same as the National Scholarship Portal (NSP); UP has its own dedicated portal at scholarship.up.gov.in.
The scheme reimburses tuition fees and gives monthly maintenance allowance. One-Time Registration (OTR) became mandatory from the 2025-26 session, making the process smoother for future years.
As per data trends shared on the portal and reported by Jagran Josh in March 2026, lakhs of students receive direct benefit transfer every year through PFMS. The focus remains on SC/ST, OBC, Minority, and General category students studying in government, aided, or recognised private institutions in Uttar Pradesh or even outside the state in some cases.
Major Scholarship Schemes Under UP Scholarship
The portal offers three broad categories:
- Pre-Matric Scholarship – For Class 9 and 10 students
- Post-Matric Scholarship (Inter) – For Class 11 and 12 students
- Post-Matric Dashmottar Scholarship – For undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, ITI, and professional courses
Each scheme is managed by different departments – Social Welfare (SC/ST), Backward Class Welfare (OBC), Minority Welfare, and others for General category. Students can apply for only one scheme at a time.
Eligibility Criteria and Income Limits 2026
To qualify, you must meet these basic conditions (as per official guidelines updated on the portal):
- Be a permanent resident (domicile) of Uttar Pradesh
- Study in a recognised institution
- Have passed the previous qualifying exam with minimum required marks (usually 40-50% depending on category)
- Aadhaar must be linked with bank account for direct transfer
Income Limits (2025-26 session, applicable for 2026-27 too until revised):
- General, SC, ST: Family annual income up to ₹2.5 lakh
- OBC and Minority: Family annual income up to ₹2 lakh
- No income limit for children of safai karamcharis in some pre-matric schemes
Note: Income certificate must be issued by competent authority (Tehsildar or above). Students from outside UP or studying in blacklisted institutes are not eligible.
Scholarship Amounts and Benefits
The UP Scholarship covers full tuition fee reimbursement plus monthly maintenance allowance. Amounts vary by course group, category, and whether you are a hosteller or day scholar.
Here is a clear table based on official rates reported by Buddy4Study and the portal guidelines (January 2026 update):
Pre-Matric (Class 9-10) Maintenance Allowance
| Category | Day Scholar (per year) | Hosteller (per year) | Additional Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| OBC | ₹1,800 (₹150/month) | Higher rates | ₹750 ad-hoc |
| SC/ST | ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 | – |
| Minority/General | Varies ₹1,000–₹3,000 | Higher | As per scheme |
Post-Matric / Dashmottar (Class 11 onwards & Higher Studies)
- Monthly maintenance: ₹230 to ₹1,200 (depending on Group I to IV courses and hosteller/day scholar status)
- Tuition fee and other compulsory fees: 100% reimbursement
- Books and ad-hoc grant: Extra in professional courses
For example, engineering or medical students in Group I often get the highest slab. The exact amount is decided after institute verification. Disbursement happens directly in your Aadhaar-linked bank account in phases.
Important Dates for UP Scholarship 2025-26 and 2026-27
For the ongoing 2025-26 session (Dashmottar scheme), here are the key timelines straight from the official portal:
- Student online application: 10 July 2025 to 14 January 2026 (closed now)
- Institute verification Phase I: Up to December 2025
- Demand generation Phase I: 15 January 2026
- First fund transfer: 24 January 2026
- Second phase fund transfer: 18 March 2026
Pre-Matric and Post-Matric (Class 11-12) applications closed on 30 October 2025.
For 2026-27 session (expected): Online applications are likely to open in July 2026. Keep checking the portal from June onwards. Early application always helps avoid last-minute server issues.
Step-by-Step NSP-Style Registration and Application Process 2026 (UP Portal)
Follow these steps on scholarship.up.gov.in:
- Visit the official website scholarship.up.gov.in
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR) first – mandatory for 2025-26 onwards. Enter Aadhaar details and verify with OTP.
- Login with OTR number or registered mobile/email.
- Select Fresh or Renewal application and choose the correct scheme (Pre-Matric / Post-Matric / Dashmottar).
- Fill personal, academic, and bank details carefully.
- Upload scanned documents and submit online.
- Take printout of the application form.
- Submit hard copy with documents to your institute within the deadline.
Institute will verify and forward online. Track every step on the dashboard.
Direct link to portal: Scholarship.up.gov.in – always use this to avoid fake websites.
How to Check UP Scholarship Status 2026
Many students are waiting for payment right now. Checking status is simple:
- Go to scholarship.up.gov.in
- Click on “Student Login” or “Status” section
- Enter your registration number or OTR details
- View application progress, verification status, and payment details
You can also check PFMS payment status at pfms.nic.in using your bank details. The portal shows “Payment Released” when money reaches your account.
Also read:- Krushi Nidhi Scholarship 2026: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Benefits, Amounts and Online Application
Required Documents Checklist
Keep these ready before applying:
- Aadhaar card (linked with bank)
- Income certificate
- Caste certificate (for reserved categories)
- Domicile certificate of Uttar Pradesh
- Previous year marksheet
- Bank passbook copy
- Institute bonafide certificate
- Photo and signature
All documents must be scanned clearly in PDF/JPG format (under 1 MB each).
Common Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them
Over the years, counsellors have noticed these top mistakes:
- Aadhaar not seeded with bank account
- Wrong income certificate or expired documents
- Applying in wrong scheme or category
- Not submitting hard copy to institute on time
- Studying in non-recognised course
Tip: Double-check every detail before final submission and keep a copy of everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When will UP Scholarship 2026-27 applications start?
Expected in July 2026. Keep visiting scholarship.up.gov.in regularly.
2. Is there any application fee?
No, the entire process is free.
3. Can I apply if I am studying outside Uttar Pradesh?
Yes, in many Post-Matric schemes, but institute must be recognised and you must submit extra documents.
4. What if my scholarship amount is not credited yet?
Wait till end of March 2026 for the second phase. Check status regularly and contact your institute if verification is pending.
5. Is UP Scholarship available for General category?
Yes, General category students can apply under Pre-Matric and some Post-Matric schemes if income is within limit.
6. Do I need to renew every year?
Yes, renewal students must apply afresh every academic year with updated marks.
7. What is the last date for 2025-26 corrections?
Correction window closed in February 2026; no further changes possible now.
8. How do I know if my bank account is Aadhaar seeded?
Visit resident.uidai.gov.in or check at your bank branch.
Final Tips from Two Decades of Covering Scholarships
Having guided thousands of families through scholarship cycles, my biggest advice is simple – start early and stay honest with documents. Rural students often face extra challenges with internet or document collection, but the portal now has Hindi support and helpline numbers listed on the homepage.
Log in to scholarship.up.gov.in today, even if just to check status or complete OTR for next year. With timely action, you can focus on studies instead of worrying about fees.
Which scholarship are you applying for this year – Pre-Matric or Dashmottar? Share your experience or doubts in the comments below. Bookmark this page and share with friends and family so no deserving student misses out.
Start your journey now at the official portal: scholarship.up.gov.in. Your future is worth every click.
Rishi Pal is the founder and author of AnuradhaPharmacyCollege.in, where he shares the latest updates on scholarships, exams, jobs, and education. He is passionate about helping students stay informed and make better academic and career decisions.