Keralam OEC Post Matric Educational Assistance Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Keralam OEC Post Matric Educational Assistance Scheme is a state scholarship programme that the Backward Classes Development Department (BCDD), Government of Kerala, runs for students from the Other Eligible Communities (OEC) and OBC (H) categories. The department uses this scheme to pay the education costs of students who move beyond Class 10 and continue their studies in higher secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, and research courses. The scheme covers students studying inside Kerala as well as OEC/OBC (H) students who have secured admission in top national institutions outside the state.

The government launched this scheme with a clear objective: no student from these communities should drop out of higher education because the family cannot afford fees. The scheme aims to widen access to quality education, support students who earn admission on merit or through reservation, and push more young people from backward communities into premier institutions such as IITs, IIMs and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Within the state, the department extends the scheme to OEC, OBC (H) and SEBC students at the post-matric level.

Under the OEC/OBC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, eligible students receive a lump sum grant, a monthly stipend and reimbursement of tuition fees for courses from Plus Two to Ph.D. For the outside-state stream, the department reimburses tuition fees, examination fees, and other admissible institutional fees. The department credits the money directly to the student's bank account through the e-Grantz 3.0 portal. OEC students face no income limit, which makes this one of the most accessible scholarships in the state.

The entire process runs online. Students register on e-Grantz 3.0, apply within two months of admission, and the department verifies and pays the assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Students do not need to submit printed applications at any office for the outside-state stream.

The Government of Kerala also runs other educational assistance schemes alongside the Keralam OEC Post Matric Educational Assistance Scheme. The UNNATHI Scholarship Scheme provides merit-cum-means financial assistance to eligible SC/ST students from Kerala pursuing postgraduate and higher-level studies abroad. The Civil Service Fee Reimbursement Scholarship Scheme supports eligible students preparing for civil service examinations by reimbursing admissible coaching fees. You can explore the complete details of these schemes here.

Latest Update

The Backward Classes Development Department has invited applications for the 2026–27 academic year for OEC/OBC (H) students pursuing UG and PG courses at institutions of national importance outside Kerala. Applications are currently open, and the last date to apply online is 30 November, 2026. However, a separate application deadline for students studying in Kerala has not been officially announced. As per the scheme rules, applications are required to be submitted within two months of admission.

Scheme Benefits

The OEC Post Matric Educational Assistance Scheme offers the following financial benefits to eligible students.

• Lump sum grant: A one-time annual grant for study-related expenses.
• Monthly stipend: A stipend to meet day-to-day expenses during the course.
• Tuition fee: Reimbursement of tuition fee for courses from Plus Two to Ph.D.
• Other fees (outside state): Exam fee, lab fee, library fee, and other admissible institutional fees as per the scheme annexure.
• DBT payment: The department credits the amount directly to the student's bank account through e-Grantz.
• No income bar: OEC students get the benefit regardless of family income.

Maximum Admissible Fee (Outside State Stream)

For students studying outside Keralam, the OEC Post Matric Scholarship specifies the following maximum permissible amount for each fee component.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the following conditions to receive assistance under the OEC/OBC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme.

Students Studying Within Kerala

• The student belongs to a community in the State OEC list, OBC (H) or SEBC category, as covered by the circular.
• The student pursues a post-matric course (Plus Two to Ph.D.) in a recognised institution.
• The student secured admission on merit or through reservation.
• Income Limit:
  • Pure OEC communities - No income limit
  • 30 selected communities (OEC-equivalent) - Maximum ₹6 lakh annual family income

Students Studying Outside Kerala

• The student belongs to the OEC or OBC (H) category of Keralam.
• The student pursues a UG or PG course in an institution of national importance outside the state, such as IIT, IIM or IISc.
• The student secured admission on merit or through reservation.
• OEC students face no income limit. For the 30 communities that receive OEC-equivalent benefits, the annual family income must not exceed Rs. 6 lakh.

Who is Not Eligible

• Students who receive the Central "Top Class College Education Scheme for OBC, EBC and DNT" cannot apply under the outside-state stream.
• Students who already get another merit scholarship receive only tuition fee reimbursement.
• Medical PG students who receive a practising allowance are not eligible.
• Students who did not secure admission through merit or reservation are not eligible.

Required Documents

Students need to upload scanned copies of the following documents on e-Grantz while applying for the OEC Post Matric Scholarship.

• Aadhaar card
• SSLC certificate
• Caste certificate or non-creamy layer certificate, as applicable
• Income certificate from the e-District portal (only for the 30 notified communities)
• Admission slip and allotment memo
• Fee structure certified by the head of the institution (showing non-refundable and maintenance fees separately)
• Bonafide certificate from the head of the institution stating that the student does not receive any other scholarship
• Original fee receipt
• Hostel certificate (if staying in a hostel)
• Bank account details (account number and IFSC)

Steps to Apply

The application process for the OEC/OBC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme is online through the e-Grantz 3.0 portal. Students can follow the step-by-step instructions below to learn how to apply for the scholarship.

• Visit the official portal egrantz.kerala.gov.in.
• Click on Student Registration and complete One Time Registration using your Aadhaar number.
• Enter your name, address, date of birth, gender, mobile number, and bank account details.
• Log in with your user ID and password.
• Complete your profile and add your educational qualifications.
• Select the OEC Post Matric Educational Assistance scheme (within state or outside state, as applicable).
• Fill in your course, institution, and admission details.
• Upload the scanned copies of all required documents.
• Review the details carefully and submit the application.
• Save the application number for future tracking.

Note: Applications for 2026–27 are open for eligible OEC/OBC (H) students pursuing UG and PG courses at institutions of national importance outside Kerala. The last date to apply online is 30 November, 2026. Students are advised to complete the application process within the notified period.

Time Limit and Verification

• Apply within 2 months of admission.
• If you miss this window or the department rejects your application, you can still apply within 6 months of admission by stating the reason for delay. The department rejects applications after this period.
• Outside-state applicants do not need to submit printed forms or documents to any office.
• The department verifies the application and credits the approved amount to your bank account through DBT.

Relevant Links

• OEC Post Matric Educational Assistance Scheme Registration
• OEC Post Matric Educational Assistance Scheme Login
• OEC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme Details
• Backward Classes Development Department, Kerala
• OEC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme Notice
• Guidelines of OEC Post Matric Scholarship Scheme

Contact Information

• Kerala Backward Classes Development Department Helpline Numbers:
  • Ernakulam Regional Office: 0484-2983130
  • Kollam Regional Office: 0474 2914417
  • Palakkad Regional Office: 0492 2222335
  • Kozhikode Regional Office: 0495 2377786
• e-Grantz 3.0 Contact Details