Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana is a higher education support scheme implemented by the Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra. The scheme provides financial assistance to eligible Scheduled Tribe (ST) students who are unable to secure accommodation in Government Hostels. It helps students meet expenses related to accommodation, food, subsistence, and educational needs while pursuing recognised higher or professional education away from their hometown. The financial assistance is transferred directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana, eligible students can receive annual financial assistance of up to Rs. 80,000. The Maharashtra Government revised these assistance rates upward at the state Cabinet meeting held on 6 October 2026, up from the earlier maximum of Rs. 60,000. The assistance amount depends on the location of the educational institution. Students studying in notified metropolitan cities receive the highest assistance, while separate financial assistance is available for students studying at other divisional headquarters, district headquarters, and taluka-level areas. Students can also receive additional annual assistance of Rs. 8,000 for educational materials if they study medical or engineering courses, up from Rs. 5,000 earlier, while students in other eligible courses can receive Rs. 4,000 per year, up from Rs. 2,000 earlier. The benefit is available for the approved duration of the course, subject to fulfilment of the prescribed conditions.

Students from other reserved categories can apply under the schemes meant for their respective categories. Scheduled Caste (SC) and Neo-Buddhist students can apply under the equivalent scheme run by the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Yojana, which received a matching rate hike in the same 6 October 2026 Cabinet meeting. Other Backward Class, Vimukta Jati, Nomadic Tribes and Special Backward Class students can apply under the Gyan Jyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhar Scheme.

To receive Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana benefit, the applicant must belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and be a permanent resident of Maharashtra. Along with this, the annual family income should not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh. The applicant must have secured at least 60% marks in Class 12 and obtained admission to a recognised higher or professional education course of at least two years' duration. The applicant should not have been allotted a Government Hostel. Students must also maintain at least 60% attendance, successfully pass each academic year, and have an active Aadhaar-linked bank account to continue receiving assistance.

Eligible students can submit Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana application online through the official SWAYAM Portal. Applicants need to register, complete the application form, upload the required documents, and submit the application for verification. Existing beneficiaries can also submit renewal applications if they continue to satisfy the eligibility conditions. The Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana reduces the financial burden on ST students and encourages them to complete higher education without interruption.

Latest Update

The Maharashtra State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved a hike in the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana's food, accommodation and subsistence allowances at its meeting held on 6 October 2026. The total annual assistance has gone up from the earlier ₹38,000–₹60,000 range to a new ₹50,000–₹80,000 range, depending on the location of the student's educational institution. These rates had remained unchanged since they were first fixed in 2018. The additional allowance for educational materials has also increased, from ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 per year for medical and engineering students, and from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 per year for students in other eligible courses.

Scheme Benefits

• Provides financial assistance to eligible Scheduled Tribe (ST) students pursuing higher education outside Government Hostels.
• Supports students with expenses related to accommodation, food, subsistence, and educational needs.
• Reduces the financial burden on students who have to stay away from their hometown for higher education.
• The scheme is available only to eligible students who have not been allotted accommodation in a Government Hostel.
• Provides assistance for the entire approved duration of the eligible course, subject to fulfilment of the scheme conditions.
• Students receive additional financial assistance for educational materials, over and above the food, accommodation and subsistence allowance.
• Transfers the approved financial assistance directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Financial Assistance Details

Under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana, eligible students receive annual financial assistance to help cover expenses related to food, accommodation, subsistence, and educational needs. The amount of assistance depends on the location of the educational institution.

Additional Assistance for Educational Materials

• Medical and engineering students receive an additional Rs. 8,000 per year for educational materials.
• Students studying other eligible courses receive an additional Rs. 4,000 per year for educational materials.

Note: The financial assistance is transferred annually to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, subject to fulfilment of the scheme conditions. The Maharashtra State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved these revised assistance rates at its meeting held on 6 October 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the prescribed eligibility conditions to receive assistance under the Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana, whose details are:

• The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and be a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
• The annual family income from all sources should not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh.
• The applicant must have secured at least 60% marks in the Class 12 examination.
• The applicant must have obtained admission to a recognised professional or higher education course of at least two years' duration.
• The educational institution must be recognized by the Central Government, State Government, UGC, AICTE, NMC, PCI, COA, or any other competent statutory authority, as applicable.
• The applicant should not have been allotted accommodation in a Government Hostel.
• The applicant must maintain at least 60% attendance during the course.
• The applicant must successfully pass each academic year to continue receiving assistance under the scheme.
• The maximum age of the applicant should not exceed 28 years at the time of application.
• The applicant should not be engaged in any employment, business, or profession while receiving benefits under the scheme.
• The applicant must possess a valid Scheduled Tribe (ST) Caste Validity Certificate issued by the competent authority.
• The applicant must have an active Aadhaar number linked with an operational bank account to receive financial assistance through DBT.
• The applicant cannot avail the benefit of the scheme again for another degree or postgraduate course after already receiving assistance under the scheme.

Required Documents

Applicants should keep the following documents ready before submitting the online application for the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana. Depending on the applicant's category, admission status, or renewal request, the Tribal Development Department or the concerned institution may ask for additional documents during verification.

Mandatory Documents

• Aadhaar Card.
• Maharashtra Scheduled Tribe (ST) Caste Certificate.
• Caste Validity Certificate.
• Maharashtra Domicile Certificate.
• Income Certificate issued by the competent authority or Form 16
• Admission Letter or College Bonafide Certificate.
• Class 10 Mark Sheet.
• Class 12 Mark Sheet.
• Bank Passbook of the Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Additional Documents (Where Applicable)

• Previous Year's Grade Card/Mark Sheet with minimum 60% marks or equivalent CGPA (for renewal applicants).
• College Attendance Certificate.
• Latest Session Examination Result.
• Transfer Certificate (TC) or Leaving Certificate.
• Affidavit/Declaration confirming that the student has not been allotted a Government Hostel.
• Certificate of Non-local Residence (if required).
• Private Hostel Receipt, Rent Agreement, or other Proof of Accommodation.
• Disability Certificate (if claiming benefits under the disability category).
• Any other document requested by the Tribal Development Department or the concerned institute during verification.

Steps to Apply

Eligible students can apply online for the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana through the official SWAYAM Portal by following the process given below:

• Visit the official SWAYAM Portal.
• Click on New Registration and create an account using your mobile number and other required details.
• Log in using your registered credentials.
• Select the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana application.
• Fill in the online application form with your personal, academic, income, and bank account details.
• Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
• Review all the information carefully before submission.
• Submit the application online and note down the application number for future reference.
• The application will be verified by the concerned authorities. If any correction is required, update the application and resubmit it within the specified period.
• After successful verification and approval, the financial assistance will be credited to the applicant's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Renewal of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana

Existing beneficiaries can apply for renewal of the Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana through the official SWAYAM Portal. Renewal applications are invited every academic year as per the schedule notified by the Tribal Development Department. Students must continue to satisfy the prescribed eligibility conditions to receive financial assistance for the next academic year.

• Renewal applications must be submitted online through the SWAYAM Portal.
• The applicant must successfully pass the previous academic year.
• The applicant must maintain at least 60% attendance during the course.
• The previous year's Grade Card/Mark Sheet must be uploaded with the renewal application.
• The applicant must continue to satisfy the scheme's eligibility conditions.
• The Tribal Development Department may prescribe additional documents or verification requirements during the renewal process.

Relevant Links

• Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana Online Application.
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana Applicant Registration.
• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana Applicant Login
• Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana Details.

Contact Information

• Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana Toll Free Number: 1800 267 0007
• Maharashtra Swayam Email Helpdesk: [email protected]