NSP Scholarships for OBC & EBC Students
Three major central schemes on NSP cater to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and De-notified Tribe (DNT) students. These include pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for OBC students, plus the flagship YASASVI scheme for students who clear a national-level entrance test. The Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) requirement applies to OBC post-matric applicants — students from families earning above the NCL threshold are not eligible. The YASASVI scheme, in contrast, is based on a test score rather than solely on income, targeting students from all three communities who demonstrate academic potential.
Scholarship Schemes for OBC & EBC Students
Who Qualifies
- Must belong to a community in the central OBC list (not just the state OBC list)
- Non-Creamy Layer status required — family income must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh
- Must be enrolled in a recognised educational institution
- YASASVI additionally requires clearing the NTA entrance test
- Cannot hold two central scholarships of the same level simultaneously
Documents Commonly Required
Most schemes in this category require the following documents. Some schemes may need additional certificates — check each scheme's detail page for specifics.
- OBC Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) certificate from Tehsildar
- Income certificate from competent authority
- Aadhaar card
- Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook
- Bonafide certificate from current institution
- Previous year marksheet
Keep your Non-Creamy Layer certificate fresh — it must typically be from the current financial year. Many OBC students are rejected at the institute verification stage because their NCL certificate has expired. If you are renewing your scholarship, get a new NCL certificate even if nothing in your family's finances has changed.
Ready to Apply on NSP?
Applications are submitted free of charge on the official portal. Mahadev Maitri Foundation publishes free guides to help students navigate the process.