Prize Money Scholarship 2026: Karnataka SC/ST Students Can Get Up to Rs. 35,000

For SC and ST students studying in Karnataka, there is good news once again this year. Like every year, the state government is giving a one-time prize money scholarship to students who passed their examination in the first attempt with first class marks. If you too scored well in SSLC, PUC, diploma, degree or post-graduation, this article is for you.

But there is a problem that troubles many students. Different websites on the internet show different last dates and different amounts for this scholarship. One says September 2026, another says December 2026, and yet another says January 2027. In such a situation, finding the correct information becomes difficult, and many students miss applying because they follow the wrong date.

In this article, we will give you the complete and correct information about this scholarship. You will learn what this scholarship is, who can apply, how much money you get, which documents you need, how to apply online, and most importantly — why you must also submit a hard copy of your application. At the end, we will also answer your most common questions. So read the article till the end, because one small mistake can stop your scholarship.

What is Prize Money Scholarship 2026?

Prize Money Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship of the Karnataka Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Tribal Welfare Department (TWD). This means the scholarship is given on the basis of your marks, not on the basis of your family income. Any SC or ST student who passes the qualifying examination in the first attempt with first class marks gets a one-time prize money from the government.

This scholarship is special because there is no income limit. Whatever your family income may be, if you passed in the first attempt with first class, you are eligible. This is what makes this scholarship different from other Karnataka scholarships, where an income certificate and an income limit are usually required.

The aim of this scholarship is simple — to encourage hardworking students to continue their studies. Many students drop out of education because of money problems, but this prize money helps them with further studies, books, fees and other expenses. The government wants meritorious students from SC/ST communities to continue their education without stopping.

Another special thing is that this scholarship is not for one course only. From students who passed SSLC to those doing a degree or post-graduation, everyone can apply. The amount is different for each level, and we will explain it in detail in the table below.

Prize Money Scholarship 2026: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Scholarship name	Prize Money Scholarship 2026-27
Run by	Social Welfare Department and Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka
For whom	SC and ST students of Karnataka
Academic year	2026-27
Prize money	Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 35,000 (depending on the course)
Income limit	No income limit
How to apply	Online + hard copy submission (both are compulsory)
Official portal	swdservices.karnataka.gov.in (SC students) and sw.kar.nic.in
For ST students	Tribal Welfare Department portal — twd.karnataka.gov.in
Helpline	080-22634300
Payment mode	Directly to the Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT

How Much Prize Money Do You Get in Prize Money Scholarship 2026?

The prize money depends on your course and your marks. You can see the amount for your level in the table below. These figures have been cross-checked across several sources, and all of them give the same amounts.

Qualification	Marks Required	Prize Money
SSLC (Class 10)	60% to 74.99%	Rs. 7,000
SSLC (Class 10)	75% and above	Rs. 15,000
II PUC / 3-year Polytechnic Diploma	60% and above	Rs. 20,000
Degree / Undergraduate course	60% and above	Rs. 25,000
Postgraduate (MA, MSc, etc.)	60% and above	Rs. 30,000
Professional course (Engineering, Medicine, Agriculture, Veterinary)	60% and above	Rs. 35,000

For SSLC students there is a special point to note. If your marks are between 60% and 75%, you get Rs. 7,000, and if they are 75% or above, you get Rs. 15,000. So check your marksheet carefully and apply for the correct amount.

Apart from this, the government also gives separate prize money and one-time financial assistance to students who secure a Top 5 rank and to students who get admission in top institutes like IIT and IIM. On the official portal, this category appears under the “Protsahadhana” section — SSLC, Post-Matric, Top 5 Rank and IIT/IIM. If you fall in these categories, you will also have to submit a copy of your rank certificate or admission certificate.

Who Can Apply for Prize Money Scholarship 2026?

Understanding the eligibility rules is the most important part, because most applications get rejected here. Read every point below carefully:

Karnataka domicile: You must be a permanent resident of Karnataka and belong to the SC or ST category. Your caste certificate must be issued in Karnataka.
Passed in the first attempt: You must have passed your qualifying examination in the first attempt itself. If you appeared in any supplementary, compartment or improvement examination, you are not eligible.
First class marks: You must have scored at least 60% marks. This condition applies at every course level.
Recognised college: Your college or institution must be recognised by the government. You can apply even if you study in a recognised college outside Karnataka, as long as you are a Karnataka domicile holder. But students studying abroad are not eligible.
Special condition for ITI students: ITI students are eligible only if they joined a 3-year ITI course directly after Class 10 and scored at least 60% marks. Students who joined ITI after Class 12 are not eligible.
Evening college and KSOU students: Students studying in evening colleges and students of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) can also apply. Many students do not know this.
Only one scholarship: You cannot take two scholarships at the same time for the same course. If you are already getting another scholarship, check its rules first.

“First attempt” has a clear meaning — you passed all your subjects and all your semesters in the first attempt itself, without any backlog or failure. If you had a backlog in any semester, even if you cleared it later, you are not eligible for this scholarship. That is why you should check your marksheet properly before applying.

Documents Required for Prize Money Scholarship 2026

Before applying, keep scanned copies of the documents below ready. Applications get rejected because of incomplete documents:

Aadhaar card (mobile number must be linked with it)
Caste certificate (SC/ST) issued by a competent authority
SSLC marks card and the marksheet of the qualifying examination
Income certificate (if applicable — there is no income limit in this scholarship, but the portal may sometimes ask for it)
First page of the bank passbook (with account number and IFSC, Aadhaar-linked)
Admission receipt or bonafide certificate from the college
Recent passport size photograph
Domicile or residence certificate
Rank certificate (only for Top 5 rank students)
Admission certificate (for the IIT/IIM category)

There is a special tip for students with CGPA or OGPA marksheets. If your marksheet shows CGPA instead of percentage, get a percentage clarification letter from your college Principal or Registrar. Without this letter, your application can get stuck, because the department needs your marks in percentage.

How to Apply for Prize Money Scholarship 2026?

The application process has two parts — the online form and the hard copy submission. Many students fill only the online form and feel happy, but their application gets rejected because they never submit the hard copy. So complete both steps.

Step 1: Visit the official portal swdservices.karnataka.gov.in and click on “Register”. SC students should apply through the Social Welfare Department portal and ST students through the Tribal Welfare Department portal. Selecting the wrong department can lead to rejection.

Step 2: Select your qualification — SSLC, Post-Matric or Top 5 Rank. Choosing the correct option as per your course is very important.

Step 3: Complete Aadhaar validation. An OTP will come to the mobile number linked with your Aadhaar. Enter the OTP to verify your identity.

Step 4: Open the application form and fill in your personal details, course details, college details and bank details. Fill all information exactly as per your documents — even one spelling or number mistake can stop your application.

Step 5: Upload the required documents. Every document must be clear and readable. A blurred photo or a wrong file upload can delay verification.

Step 6: Submit the form and download and print the acknowledgment slip. Keep this slip safely — it is the proof that you applied.

Step 7: Get the acknowledgment slip and the documents signed and attested by your college Principal.

Step 8: Submit the attested hard copy at your district’s District Social Welfare Office (for SC students) or District Tribal Welfare Office (for ST students). Only submitting online is not enough — without the hard copy, your application will not move forward.

There is one extra step for ST students. Before applying, verify your details on twd.karnataka.gov.in. This is the ST Prize Money Scholarship Validation Portal, and verifying here reduces the chance of mistakes in your application.

What is the Prize Money Scholarship 2026 Last Date?

This is the question every student is searching for, which is why we are discussing it separately. Different last dates appear on the internet for this scholarship — September 2026, October 2026, December 2026 and January 2027. The reason for this confusion is that different websites have written the date of a different academic year or a different category.

As per the latest information, the last date for Post-Matric Prize Money applications for the academic year 2026-27 is 31 January 2027. This date is given in the most recent guide updated in October 2026, and the SSP portal notice also shows 31 January 2027 as the Social Welfare Department’s Post-Matric last date. So Post-Matric students should plan their application keeping this date in mind.

But understand one important thing. The SSLC Prize Money date is different. For the previous academic year (2024-25), the SSLC Prize Money last date was 28 February 2026. For the SSLC Prize Money 2026-27, wait for the official notification on the portal. SSLC students are advised to regularly check the “Protsahadhana” section on swdservices.karnataka.gov.in.

Our advice is: do not wait for the last date. As soon as the form for your category appears open on the portal, apply immediately. In the last days, the portal becomes slow, and one small technical problem can push you behind by a full year.

Difference Between SSLC, PUC and Post-Matric Prize Money

Many students are confused about whether the SSLC Prize Money and the Post-Matric Prize Money are the same or different. The truth is that they are different parts of the same scheme, but the way to apply, the amount and the last date are different for each.

SSLC Prize Money is for students who passed Class 10. In this, students with 60% to 75% marks get Rs. 7,000 and those with 75% or more get Rs. 15,000. For this, there is a separate section called “SSLC Protsahadhana” on the official portal.

Post-Matric Prize Money is for students who completed PUC, diploma, degree or post-graduation. In this, the amount ranges from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 35,000. For this, you have to apply through the “Post-Matric Protsahadhana” section.

Apart from these, there are also the Top 5 Rank and IIT/IIM categories, for which you have to register separately. If you secured a Top 5 rank in your board or university, you have to apply separately with your rank certificate. That is why choosing the correct category while applying is very important — choosing the wrong category can get your application rejected.

How to Check Your Prize Money Scholarship Application Status?

After applying, do not forget to check the status of your application. Many times, an application gets stuck in verification and the student never comes to know.

Step 1: Visit the official portal swdservices.karnataka.gov.in.

Step 2: Click on the “Application Status” option.

Step 3: Enter your application number or registered details to see the status.

Step 4: If any document or verification is shown as pending, immediately contact your college or the District Social Welfare Office.

Verification of the application happens at three levels — first your college verifies it, then the District Social Welfare or Tribal Welfare Office verifies it, and only after that the money is sent to your Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT. If verification is stuck at any level, you will not get the money.

Why Do Applications Get Rejected? Common Mistakes

Every year, many students’ applications get rejected because of small mistakes. The mistakes listed below are the most common — read them carefully and do not repeat them:

Hard copy not submitted: Filling only the online form is not enough. Submitting the hard copy at the district office is compulsory. This is the biggest reason for rejection.
Wrong department selected: SC students applied from the ST portal or ST students applied from the SC portal. Always apply from the correct portal for your category.
College not listed on the portal: If your college is not visible in the list on the portal, immediately contact your District Social or Tribal Welfare Office and get the college added.
Aadhaar not linked with the bank: If your bank account is not linked with Aadhaar, the money will not reach your account. Get Aadhaar seeding done at the bank before applying.
CGPA confusion: Not giving a percentage clarification letter with a CGPA marksheet is also a common mistake. Apply only after getting the letter from the college.
Documents not attested: Get all photocopies of the hard copy attested by the college authorities. Documents without attestation are not accepted.
Forgot the first-attempt condition: Many students who appeared in a supplementary examination still apply. Such applications get rejected during verification.

Other Karnataka Scholarships You Should Also Check

If you are not eligible for the Prize Money Scholarship, do not worry. The Karnataka government has many other scholarships. The Post-Matric Scholarship is available to students from Class 11 to PhD. The Vidyasiri Scholarship is for students who do not stay in a government hostel. The Prabuddha Overseas Scholarship is for SC/ST students who want to study abroad. Apart from these, many central scholarships are also available on the National Scholarship Portal. On GramSuvidha, we keep giving information about all these scholarships in Hindi and English, so bookmark our website.

Prize Money Scholarship 2026: FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. What is the last date for Prize Money Scholarship 2026-27?
The last date for Post-Matric Prize Money applications for 2026-27 is reported as 31 January 2027. The SSLC Prize Money date is different, so do check the date for your category on the official portal swdservices.karnataka.gov.in.

Q2. Is there any income limit for this scholarship?
No, there is no income limit for this scholarship. Whatever your family income may be, if you passed the examination in the first attempt with first class, you can apply.

Q3. What does first attempt first class mean?
It means you passed all the subjects and all the semesters of your examination in the first attempt itself, without any supplementary or compartment examination, with at least 60% marks.

Q4. Can KSOU or evening college students apply?
Yes, students of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) and students studying in evening colleges are also eligible for this scholarship.

Q5. What should I do after applying online?
After submitting the online form, download the acknowledgment slip, get it attested by the Principal, and submit the hard copy of the documents at your district’s District Social Welfare Office (SC) or District Tribal Welfare Office (ST). Without the hard copy, your application will be rejected.

Q6. When and how will I get the money?
After verification is complete, the prize money is sent directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT. So get your bank account linked with Aadhaar before applying.

Q7. What should I do if my college is not listed on the portal?
Immediately contact your District Social Welfare Office or Tribal Welfare Office and get the college added to the portal. You cannot fill the form without a listed college.

Prize Money Scholarship 2026: Important Links

Work	Link / Information
Apply Online (SC students)	swdservices.karnataka.gov.in
Official Portal (SWD)	sw.kar.nic.in
ST Validation Portal	twd.karnataka.gov.in
Application Status	“Application Status” option on swdservices.karnataka.gov.in
Scholarship Helpline	080-22634300
Kalyana Mitra Helpline	9482300400
Email	helpswkar@gmail.com
GramSuvidha Home	https://gramsuvidha.co.in/

Prize Money Scholarship 2026-27 is a very good opportunity for the hardworking SC/ST students of Karnataka. If you passed in the first attempt with first class, this money is your right — you just have to apply in the correct way and on time. Remember, filling only the online form is not enough; submitting the hard copy is equally important. Keeping the last date of 31 January 2027 in mind, prepare your documents today and apply. If you need any more information about this scholarship, keep reading such updates on GramSuvidha.

Disclaimer: This is a private information portal, not a government website. The information given here is only for guidance. Before applying, please check the latest notification on the official portal swdservices.karnataka.gov.in. GramSuvidha is not connected with any government department.