J&K Extends Deadline for Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Scholarship Applications for ST Students – Academic Year 2025-26
Jammu, Dec 01, 2025: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Directorate of Tribal Affairs, has issued a significant update regarding the application timeline for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships meant for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students of Jammu & Kashmir for the Academic Year 2025-26. As per the fresh notice, the deadline for online application and verification on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) has been extended to allow more students to complete the process without any inconvenience.
This extension comes after numerous students and institutions raised concerns over limited time and challenges in completing the application and verification stages. The Directorate reviewed the situation and has now allowed additional days so that every eligible student can benefit from the government-funded scholarship programs.
What’s Updated in the New Notice?
The notice highlights changes in three crucial deadlines:
| Scholarship Scheme | Last Date for Online Application | Last Date for Institute Verification | Last Date for State/District Nodal Officer Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (J&K) | 15th December 2025 | 20th December 2025 | 31st December 2025 |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students (J&K) | 15th December 2025 | 20th December 2025 | 31st December 2025 |
The extension ensures that no eligible student is left behind due to delays in document uploads, technical issues, or institutional office delays.
About the Scholarship Schemes
1️⃣ Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
This scholarship is primarily for students studying in Class 9th and 10th. The objective is to promote education among Scheduled Tribe students and reduce dropout rates at the pre-matric level due to financial constraints.
✔ Benefits include:
- Monthly stipend
- Books and stationary allowance
- Support for school uniform, transportation, etc.
2️⃣ Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
This scheme supports ST students pursuing higher education after Class 10th in recognized institutions across India.
✔ Eligible Categories:
- Higher Secondary (Class 11th & 12th)
- Diploma or Polytechnic
- Graduate degrees (BA, BSc, B.Com etc.)
- Professional Courses (Engineering, Medicine, Law etc.)
- Postgraduate studies and research programs
✔ Benefits include:
- Tuition fee reimbursement
- Maintenance allowance
- Additional allowances for disabilities, books & hostel facilities
Both schemes ensure equal educational opportunities for ST communities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria
To help eligible students apply without confusion, below are the criteria outlined:
📌 General Eligibility
- Applicant must belong to a Scheduled Tribe community of J&K.
- Must be a bonafide resident of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Must be enrolled in a recognized educational institution.
- Scholarship is awarded for one course at a time.
📌 Income Criteria
- The annual family income from all sources must be:
- Below ₹2.5 lakh for Post-Matric Scholarships
- (Income criteria for Pre-Matric may vary as per NSP guidelines)
📌 Required Documents
Students must keep the following documents ready while applying:
- Aadhar Card
- ST Category Certificate
- Domicile Certificate
- Previous year marksheet
- Bank passbook (with Aadhaar-linked account)
- Income Certificate
- Bonafide student certificate from institution
Important Tip: Students and institutions must ensure that names and details in documents match those on Aadhaar to avoid NSP rejections.
Why the Extension Was Needed?
The scholarship process involves multiple stages: 1️⃣ Online form submission by the student
2️⃣ Verification by the educational institution
3️⃣ Validation by District/State Nodal Officers
Delays due to:
- Server overload and portal downtime
- Difficulty in obtaining income or category certificates
- Students newly admitted to higher classes
- Institutional workload in updating online records
To address these issues fairly, the Tribal Affairs Department revised the deadlines making the system more inclusive and accessible.
How to Apply Online via NSP? (Step-by-Step Guide)
Follow the steps below for a smooth application process:
- Visit the official National Scholarship Portal:
🔗 https://scholarships.gov.in - Click on New Registration (if not registered earlier)
- Read and accept the guidelines
- Register using Aadhaar & mobile number
- Login using credentials and select the appropriate scheme
- Fill in academic, personal & bank details correctly
- Upload necessary documents
- Submit the form and take a printout
- Submit the printed copy along with documents to the concerned institution for verification
Note: Students must regularly check NSP application status to ensure verification is completed on time.
Key Reminders for Students & Institutions
📍 Last Date to Apply Online: 15th December 2025
📍 Last Date for Institution Verification: 20th December 2025
📍 Last Date for State/District Verification: 31st December 2025
🔸 Applications lacking proper verification within the timelines will be rejected automatically
🔸 Students must avoid multiple registrations
🔸 Bank account must be active and Aadhaar-seeded
🔸 Institutions must complete verification without delays
Why These Scholarships Matter for ST Communities in J&K
The government aims to:
- Encourage higher enrollment among ST students
- Reduce the education gap between mainstream and tribal communities
- Offer relief to economically weaker ST families
- Support the dreams of students pursuing technical and professional courses
Every year, thousands of students benefit financially through these scholarships — helping them build better futures and contribute to the development of their communities and the nation.
Official Confirmation
The notice has been issued by:
Mohd Mumtaz Ali, JKAS
Director, Tribal Affairs J&K
Dated: 01-12-2025
This extension provides a golden opportunity for ST students of Jammu and Kashmir who missed earlier deadlines due to unavoidable reasons. Eligible students are advised to complete their applications immediately—avoiding the last-minute rush that could lead to technical issues.
The Directorate of Tribal Affairs has assured continued support for the educational upliftment of tribal communities by ensuring that no deserving student is left behind.
