The Central Government’s PG Scholarship for Professional Courses for SC/ST Candidates was for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students pursuing postgraduate-level professional courses. It was run by the University Grants Commission (UGC). But there has been a major change — in 2023-24, the UGC merged it with three other scholarships to form the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPGS). So to understand this scholarship today, you need to know both the old scheme and the new NSPGS. This is different from the PM-USP (CSSS) merit scholarship — that one is for graduation after Class 12, this one is for postgraduate professional courses.
What the old scheme gave
Under the original scheme, selected students received ₹7800 per month for ME/MTech courses and ₹4500 per month for other professional courses, for two years. There were 1000 slots every year. The student had to belong to the SC or ST category and be pursuing a postgraduate-level professional course in a recognised university or institution — such as universities under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act, deemed universities, Central/State-funded institutions and Institutes of National Importance.
What NSPGS gives now
According to the Government’s Rajya Sabha reply of 12 August 2026, four schemes were merged into NSPGS — the PG Single Girl Child Scholarship, the PG University Rank Holders Scholarship, the PG Scholarship for SC/ST students pursuing professional courses, and the GATE/GPAT-based PG Scholarship. Under NSPGS, selected students now get ₹15000 per month, for 10 months in an academic year, for two years. There are 10000 slots every year, of which 30% are reserved for women candidates. The scholarship is given on merit.
How to apply — and whether GATE is needed
Applications are made online on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP, scholarships.gov.in) — first complete One Time Registration (OTR). GATE or GPAT is not required for this scholarship — the GATE/GPAT scholarship was the fourth scheme merged into NSPGS, a separate category. The AICTE PG Scholarship (₹12400 a month for GATE/GPAT-qualified students) is also a different scheme. Before applying, do check the current session’s scheme list and last date on the NSP, because the application window changes every year.
Points to remember
According to a report based on Government data, NSPGS slots have gone unfilled for several years — in 2025-26, not a single fresh scholarship was disbursed. Eligible SC/ST students should therefore definitely apply — seats are going vacant. The money is sent by DBT to the Aadhaar-linked bank account. Do not pay anyone for applying; take information only from the NSP or the UGC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the PG Scholarship for SC-ST students now?
A: Under NSPGS, ₹15000 a month for 10 months a year, for two years — the old scheme paid ₹7800 (ME/MTech) and ₹4500 (other courses).
Q2: Is GATE required for this scholarship?
A: No — GATE is not needed for this SC/ST professional-courses scholarship; the GATE/GPAT scholarship is a separate category.
Q3: Who can apply?
A: SC or ST students pursuing a postgraduate-level professional course in a recognised institution.
Q4: Where do I apply?
A: On the NSP, scholarships.gov.in — under the NSPGS scheme, after One Time Registration.
Useful links
- University Grants Commission (UGC): https://www.ugc.gov.in/
- National Scholarship Portal (NSP): https://scholarships.gov.in/
- PG Scholarship (SC-ST professional courses) on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pgspcscstc
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — /english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
