No Domicile Certificate Needed: Government Simplifies Scholarship Process for SC and OBC Students

In a major relief for students seeking financial assistance, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) has removed the requirement of submitting a domicile certificate for availing scholarships under key welfare schemes for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) students.

The reform is expected to simplify the scholarship application process for nearly 1.2 crore students who benefit annually from the government's Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme and Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC and OBC students.

According to the department, the decision aims to reduce paperwork, lower compliance burdens, and improve access to educational support, especially for students pursuing studies outside their home states. Previously, applicants were required to submit a domicile certificate as part of the scholarship verification process, often leading to delays and additional administrative hurdles.

Officials said the removal of this requirement will make the application process more student-friendly and ensure that eligible students can access financial aid with greater ease.

SETU Portal Launched for Scholarship Services

Alongside the policy reform, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has also launched SETU (Scholarship for Educational Transformation and Upliftment) on the UMANG platform. The digital initiative has been developed as a single-window system to streamline scholarship-related services for students and educational institutions.

The SETU platform will provide a common interface for applicants, Institutional Nodal Officers, District Nodal Officers, and State authorities. Students will be able to register applications, track their scholarship status, and access validation services through a unified portal.

Education experts believe that such technology-driven initiatives can significantly improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the distribution of scholarship benefits.

Boosting Access to Higher Education

The latest reforms align with the government's broader objective of promoting inclusive education and ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent students from continuing their studies. By reducing documentation requirements and digitising services, the government aims to make scholarship schemes more accessible to economically and socially disadvantaged learners.

The department reiterated that digital governance and administrative reforms will continue to play a key role in strengthening educational support systems and expanding opportunities for SC and OBC students across India.