Keralam UNNATHI Scholarship Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Government of Keralam has introduced the "UNNATHI Scholarship for Overseas Studies" to support meritorious and financially weaker students from the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities in pursuing higher education abroad. The scholarship aims to bridge financial and informational gaps by offering comprehensive support, including guidance for university selection, counselling, legal assistance, visa support, and protection from exploitative intermediaries. It ensures a transparent, efficient, and student-friendly process for overseas education.

The scheme applies to postgraduate and higher-level programs such as PG, M.Phil., PhD., and Post-Doctoral studies in globally recognised universities ranked within the top 500 as per international rankings.

Through this initiative, the government seeks to enhance access to world-class education, improve career opportunities, and empower students to achieve global competence while supporting their long-term socio-economic development.

Unnathi means "progress", and that's exactly what this scholarship is designed to deliver.

Scheme Benefits

The financial assistance under the scheme is provided to eligible students based on their community category and annual family income, as detailed below:

Note: Total scholarships per year are 310, subject to budget provisions. The number may be revised by the Government from time to time. If ST loan applicants are insufficient, the benefit may be extended to additional SC students.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be a permanent resident of Kerala and belong to the SC/ST community of Kerala.
• Only one person per family is eligible for this scheme.
• A minimum of 55% marks in the qualifying degree is necessary.
• The upper age limit is 35 years.
• Candidates should not be employed in government or public sector jobs.
• The application must be submitted through the official procedure before admission is finalised.
• The scholarship is applicable only for postgraduate or higher-level courses abroad.
• Admission must be secured in universities ranked within the top 500 (THE rankings).
• Each student is eligible for only one scholarship for one course.
• All bond conditions and post-study obligations must be strictly followed.

Required Documents

• Caste/Community Certificate
• Income Certificate
• Degree and mark sheets
• Copy of SSLC Book or equivalent certificate
• IELTS score (overall 6.5, no band below 6) if required by the institution
• TOEFL/GRE scorecards (if applicable)
• Offer letter from a foreign university
• Passport and visa documents
• Aadhaar card
• Bank account details
• Birth certificate
• Additional documents as required by the portal
• Passport-sized photograph
• Phone Number, Email ID

Steps to Apply

• To apply for the UNNATHI Scholarship for Overseas Studies, applicants shall visit the official online portal of the scheme during the notified application period.
• On the homepage, open the UNNATHI Scholarship section and proceed to the online application link.
• Once selected, the application page will appear on the screen.
• Before starting the application, applicants are advised to carefully read the scheme instructions and eligibility details to understand the requirements clearly.
• After that, click on "Apply Online" and proceed with the registration process. First-time users shall register as new applicants, while existing users may log in using their credentials.
• After logging in, the applicant shall proceed to the application form.
• Enter personal details such as name, date of birth, gender, category, and contact information carefully.
• Next, fill in educational details, including qualifying examination, marks obtained, and academic background.
• Then provide income details, residency information, and details of the intended course, country of study, and preferred university.
• After that, upload all required documents such as caste certificate, income certificate, academic mark sheets, identity proof, and admission-related documents (if available).
• Applicants shall ensure that all uploaded documents are clear, valid, and in the prescribed format.
• Before final submission, carefully review all entered details to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Finally, submit the application and download the acknowledgement generated by the system. The acknowledgement shall be safely retained for future reference and tracking of application status.

Note: The scheme opens for applications three times every year, so if you miss one window, you can always apply in the next. The three intake periods are the Fall season, running from August 1 to September 30, the Spring season from February 1 to March 31, and the May–June intake from May 1 to June 30.

Selection Process and Schedule

• Candidates are selected three times a year, one for each intake season: Fall, Spring, and May-June.
• The selection is handled by ODEPC (Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants Ltd.) along with the SC and ST Development Departments, following the government's prescribed guidelines.
• Selection is not based on academic merit alone. The scheme also considers the personal background of each applicant. Extra weightage is given to students who are younger in age, girl children, children of a single parent, students with a physical disability, and those with strong academic merit. This approach ensures that students who genuinely need support get a fair opportunity.
• The weightage and scoring criteria are published on the official portal before applications open, so every applicant knows in advance how they will be evaluated.
• After screening, ODEPC prepares a Select List, which is made available to the public for seven days. During this period, anyone can object or appeal against the list. The list is then reviewed and approved by the Scholarship Selection and Appeal Committee. If a candidate is still not satisfied, they can make a final appeal to the Hon'ble Minister of the SC/ST Development Department.

Special Features of the Scheme

• The scheme provides complete support to students from the stage of application submission to the completion of travel arrangements after selection.
• It also provides guidance in choosing suitable universities and in completing the visa process, helping students make clear and informed decisions.
• The scheme includes protection measures to safeguard students from fake or unauthorised agents and middlemen, ensuring a safe admission process.
• Support and guidance are also available after students reach the destination country, to help them adjust smoothly to their studies and daily life.
• ODEPC will receive students at the airport and arrange transportation to the university or accommodation through ground-handling partners in the respective countries.

Disbursement of Funds

• The Director shall issue an intimation to the student within 10 days of receiving the approved Final List. 25% of the eligible amount is released as an advance (first instalment) after approval.
• Tuition fee paid directly to universities
• Living expenses transferred to the student's foreign bank account in the country of study
• These funds shall not be transferred to any other account or entity under any circumstances. Subsequent installments released based on progress reports and fund utilisation certificate verification
• ODEPC shall make upfront payments if necessary for visa, tickets, or fees to avoid procedural delays, functioning as a fund-cushion

Terms & Conditions

• The "UNNATHI Scholarship for Overseas Studies" is granted for one course or programme only. A student cannot apply for this scholarship a second time for a different course.
• Once a course or university is fixed, it cannot be changed unless all of the following five conditions are met, the change is made by the university itself as an internal arrangement, there is no change in the scholarship entitlement amount, there is no financial loss to the Government, the new course is superior to the original, and ODEPC recommends the change.
• Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout the course and submit progress reports to ODEPC after every semester or every six months, duly signed by the Head of the Institution.
• After completing the course, students are generally expected to return to India. However, if a student wishes to stay abroad for employment, they must inform the concerned Director about their employment details and obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
• Before the scholarship amount is released, the student must sign a bond agreement with the Director, committing to follow all the terms and conditions of the scheme.
• If a student violates any of the terms and conditions, they will be declared a defaulter and will be required to refund the entire amount spent on them, along with interest.
• If a student is receiving any other scholarship, that amount will be deducted from the Unnathi scholarship, provided the actual fees are less than the combined total of both scholarships.
• Students studying abroad must at all times follow the instructions of the Indian Embassy or the Government of Kerala in the country of study. They are advised to get in touch with the Embassy as early as possible once they begin exploring this scholarship.

Important Notes / Guidelines

• Only universities ranked within the top 500 (THE World University) are eligible.
• Scholarship amount once fixed in Indian Rupees will not be revised, and no additional amount will be sanctioned under any circumstances.
• Students must apply only through official channels.
• Priority given to: younger age, girl child, child of a single parent, physical disability, and academic merit.
• False information leads to cancellation, blacklisting, and recovery of the full amount with 15% compound interest.
• The Scholarship (Selection/Appeal) Committee shall annually review and audit the distribution of overseas scholarships

Relevant Links

• Keralam Unnathi Scholarship Online Application Link
• Keralam Scheduled Cast Development Department Kerala Portal
• Keralam Scheduled Tribe Development Department Kerala Portal
• UNNATHI Scholarship for Overseas Studies Guidelines
• Times Higher Education Rankings

Contact Information

• Kerala ODEPC Contact Details