SHREYAS Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, introduced the Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) to run from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Two schemes, namely (i) Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achiers Scheme (SHREYAS) for SCs and (ii) Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme (SHREYAS) for OBCs and EBCs are run by this Department.

SHREYAS functions as an umbrella framework that brings together multiple Central Sector schemes aimed at promoting higher education among socially and economically disadvantaged students.

Under SHREYAS for SC students, the scheme includes key components such as the Top Class Education Scheme, National Overseas Scholarship, National Fellowship for SC Students, and the Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs. These schemes support students at different stages, from preparing for competitive examinations to pursuing higher education in India and abroad.

Under SHREYAS for OBC and EBC students, the scheme integrates two major components: the National Fellowship for OBC Students and the Dr Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loans for Overseas Studies. These focus on supporting higher education and research in India, as well as providing interest subsidies on education loans for overseas studies.

The primary objective of SHREYAS is the educational empowerment of students belonging to SC, OBC, and EBC categories by improving their access to quality education opportunities without financial barriers.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) acts as the nodal agency for implementing fellowship-based components, while other components are implemented through platforms such as the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), designated Nodal Banks, and empanelled coaching institutes. Financial assistance is disbursed directly to beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, with Aadhaar serving as the mandatory identity document as per government guidelines.

Scheme Benefits

• Comprehensive financial support for higher education covering students from the Scheduled Castes (SC), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Backward Classes (EBC).
• Scholarships for SC students to study in top institutions in India under the Top Class Education Scheme, covering tuition fees, living expenses, and academic costs.
• Financial assistance for SC students to pursue Master's and PhD courses abroad under the National Overseas Scholarship, including tuition, maintenance, and travel expenses.
• Monthly fellowships for SC and OBC students to pursue M.Phil. and PhD programmes in India, supporting advanced research and higher education.
• Interest subsidy on education loans for OBC and EBC students studying abroad, where the Government pays the interest during the moratorium period.
• Free coaching support for SC and OBC students to prepare for competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Banking, and entrance tests for professional courses.
• Promotion of educational empowerment by reducing financial barriers and improving access to quality education in India and abroad.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ensures transparent, efficient, and timely disbursement of financial assistance directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts.

SHREYAS - Umbrella Scheme

SHREYAS is an umbrella initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to support higher education among SC, OBC, and EBC students through various Central Sector schemes.

Sub-Schemes for SC Students

Under this, the Scheme runs four sub-schemes, namely: 

1. Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students

• Objective: To support SC students in pursuing higher education in top institutions in India.
• Eligibility: SC students with admission in notified institutions and meeting income criteria.
• Benefits: Tuition fee coverage, living expenses, academic allowance, and one-time assistance.

For more details read here about the Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students.

2. National Overseas Scholarship for SC Students

• Objective: To enable SC students to pursue higher education abroad.
• Eligibility: SC students with admission in recognised foreign universities and meeting income criteria.
• Benefits: Tuition fees, living allowance, travel expenses, and other support.

For more details, read here about National Overseas Scholarship for SC Students.

3. National Fellowship for SC Students

• Objective: To support SC students in pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. in India.
• Eligibility: SC students enrolled in recognised institutions.
• Benefits: Monthly fellowship and research support.

4. Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs

• Objective: To provide coaching support for competitive exams.
• Eligibility: SC/OBC students meeting income criteria.
• Benefits: Free coaching through empanelled institutes.

For more info, read here about the Free Coaching Scheme for SCs and OBCs.

Sub-Schemes for OBC & EBC Students

Under this category, the scheme runs two sub-schemes, namely: 

1. National Fellowship for OBC Students

• Objective: To support OBC students in pursuing M.Phil. and Ph.D. programmes.
• Eligibility: OBC students qualifying UGC-NET-JRF / CSIR-NET-JRF and enrolled in full-time research.
• Benefits: 1,000 fellowships annually, monthly stipend, and research support.

2. Interest Subsidy on Education Loans for Overseas Studies

• Objective: To reduce financial burden for overseas education.
• Eligibility: OBC/EBC students with admission abroad and education loan.
• Benefits: Government pays interest during the study (moratorium) period.

Required Documents

Applicants must keep the following documents ready while applying for any sub-scheme under SHREYAS. The exact requirement may vary slightly depending on the selected scheme.

• Aadhaar Card – Mandatory for identity verification and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
• Caste Certificate (SC/OBC/EBC) – Issued by the competent authority as per the category
• Income Certificate – Required to verify eligibility (especially for EBC and subsidy schemes)
• Academic Certificates – Mark sheets and degree certificates of previous qualifications
• Entrance Exam Qualification – UGC-NET-JRF / CSIR-NET-JRF (for fellowship schemes)
• Admission Letter – From recognised institution (India or abroad, depending on scheme)
• Bank Account Details – Aadhaar-linked bank account for receiving benefits
• Passport – Required for overseas education schemes
• Education Loan Documents – Loan sanction letter (for interest subsidy scheme)

Note: Additional documents may be required based on the specific sub-scheme and guidelines issued by the concerned authority.

Steps to Apply

Step 1: Choose the sub-scheme: Decide which scheme you want to apply for based on your category and education goal:

• For SC Students:
  • Top Class Education Scheme (for studies in India)
  • National Overseas Scholarship (for studies abroad)
  • National Fellowship (for M.Phil./Ph.D. in India)
  • Free Coaching Scheme (for competitive exams)
• For OBC & EBC Students:
  • National Fellowship (for M.Phil./Ph.D. in India)
  • Interest Subsidy Scheme (for studying abroad)

Step 2: Meet eligibility criteria:

• For Fellowship Schemes: Qualify UGC-NET-JRF / CSIR-NET-JRF and meet category requirements
• For Overseas Scholarship/Subsidy: Secure admission in a recognised foreign university
• For Coaching Scheme: Meet income and category eligibility criteria

Step 3: Secure admission (if applicable):

• Join a recognised institution in India (for fellowship or top-class education)
• Get admission in a recognised foreign university (for overseas schemes)

Step 4: Apply through the correct channel:

• Top Class Education (SC): Apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
• National Overseas Scholarship (SC): Apply through the Ministry/NOS portal
• Fellowship Schemes (SC/OBC): Apply via the UGC portal through your institution
• Free Coaching Scheme: Apply through empanelled coaching institutes
• Interest Subsidy Scheme (OBC/EBC): Apply through your bank (education loan provider)

Step 5: Submit required documents: Upload and submit all necessary certificates, such as caste certificate, income proof, admission letter, academic documents, and bank details.

Step 6: Track application: Monitor application status through the respective portal (NSP, UGC portal, Ministry portal, or bank updates).

Relevant Links

• SHREYAS Scheme Guidelines.
• Social Justice and Empowerment Website.

Contact Information

• Social Justice and Empowerment Department Contact Details