PM YASHASVI Scholarship Scheme
Provides scholarships and free school fees to students from Other Backward Classes, Economically Backward Classes and Denotified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes for study in top class schools at class 9 and class 11.
BY
Priya Nair
Education and Welfare Correspondent
FACT-CHECKED BY
Dr. Kalpana Rao
Former Director, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
PUBLISHED
2026-05-30
Last updated 2026-05-30
Most coverage of PM YASHASVI treats it as a single scholarship. We explain how the YASHASVI Entrance Test conducted by NTA actually decides selection, the difference between the school component and the higher education component, and why the income limit of Rs 2.5 lakh is strictly verified.
§ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- 01Two components, top class school scholarship for class 9 and 11, and top class higher education scholarship for college.
- 02Selection for the school component is through the YASHASVI Entrance Test conducted by the National Testing Agency.
- 03Family annual income limit of Rs 2.5 lakh from all sources.
- 04Scholarship covers full school fees plus academic allowance for books, stationery and uniform.
- 05Schools must be empanelled under PM YASHASVI based on quality and infrastructure criteria.
How YASHASVI selection actually works
Selection under the school component of PM YASHASVI is through the YASHASVI Entrance Test conducted by the National Testing Agency. The test is held separately for class 9 and class 11 entry and covers mathematics, science, social science and mental ability at a level appropriate for the entry class.
A merit list is drawn up state wise within each category. Candidates are then asked to indicate preferences from the list of empanelled schools. Allocation is based on merit rank and preference, subject to seat availability in each school.
What the scholarship actually covers
The scholarship covers full school fees as charged by the empanelled school, paid directly to the school. It also covers an academic allowance of Rs 75,000 for class 9 and Rs 1,25,000 for class 11, paid to the student's account, intended for books, stationery, uniform and incidental academic expenses.
Hostel charges are covered where the school is a residential school. Travel, food and personal expenses beyond the academic allowance are not covered and remain with the family.
Why the Rs 2.5 lakh income limit is strict
PM YASHASVI is designed for students from low income OBC, EBC and DNT families. The Rs 2.5 lakh annual income limit covers all sources of income for the entire family, including agriculture and family business income, not just salary income.
Verification is done at multiple stages, including at the time of application, at the time of admission and on an annual renewal basis. Misdeclaration of income is grounds for cancellation of the scholarship and recovery of amounts already paid.
Who qualifies
- 01Student belongs to Other Backward Classes, Economically Backward Classes or Denotified, Nomadic and Semi Nomadic Tribes
- 02Family annual income from all sources does not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh in the previous financial year
- 03Student is studying in class 8 to apply for class 9 component, and class 10 to apply for class 11 component
- 04Student must qualify the YASHASVI Entrance Test conducted by NTA
- 05Selected school for joining must be in the list of schools empanelled under PM YASHASVI
Documents you'll need
- §Aadhaar of the student
- §Caste certificate from the competent authority in the prescribed format
- §Family income certificate from the competent authority
- §Class 8 or class 10 mark sheet as applicable
- §YASHASVI Entrance Test admit card and score card
- §Bank account in the name of the student or guardian
Common reasons applications are rejected
- Caste certificate not in the format prescribed under PM YASHASVI, leading to rejection at verification
- Family income certificate older than the prescribed validity period
- Income found to exceed Rs 2.5 lakh on cross check with state databases
- Selected school not in the empanelled list, making the candidate ineligible for the scholarship even after qualifying YET
- Aadhaar of student not seeded with the disbursement bank account
Frequently asked questions
Is the YASHASVI Entrance Test compulsory?
Yes for the school component. Without qualifying YET, a candidate cannot be selected for the top class school scholarship under PM YASHASVI.
Can SC and ST students apply under YASHASVI?
No. The scheme is specifically for OBC, EBC and DNT students. SC and ST students have separate dedicated scholarship schemes.
How is the family income calculated?
It includes all sources of income of the entire family, including agriculture and family business, and must be supported by an income certificate from the competent authority.
Sources & references
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Priya Nair
Education and Welfare Correspondent
Priya has covered education entitlements and welfare scholarships for twelve years with a focus on backward class and tribal scholarship programmes.
Editorial review: Verified the eligibility, the test pattern of the YET conducted by NTA and the school empanelment framework.
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