PM YASASVI (Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India)

About this scholarship

The PM YASASVI (PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India) is a massive, ambitious umbrella scheme introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is designed to act as a comprehensive financial safety net specifically for students belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT). The scheme is incredibly broad, covering students from the precarious pre-matric years (Classes 9 and 10) all the way up through post-matric higher education. Its primary goal is to ensure that systemic economic disadvantages do not prevent these specific communities from accessing quality education and entering the professional workforce. The financial scope of PM YASASVI is highly aggressive. For school-level students in Classes 9 and 10, the scheme can provide up to ₹75,000 per year. For students in Classes 11 and 12, that amount can jump to an impressive ₹1,25,000 per year. This isn't just pocket change; it is designed to comprehensively cover tuition fees, hostel charges, books, and living expenses. The government wants to completely remove the financial burden from the families of top-performing OBC, EBC, and DNT students, ensuring they can compete on an even playing field with their wealthier peers. Eligibility is defined by three strict pillars: community, income, and academics. First, you must possess a pristine, officially recognized caste or community certificate proving you belong to the OBC, EBC, or DNT categories. Second, your total family income from all sources must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh per annum. The government relies heavily on fresh income certificates to enforce this. Finally, you must be enrolled in a recognized government or private school. Historically, the scheme attempted to use a centralized entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for selection, but recent administrative shifts have seen the selection process lean back toward standard merit-based lists generated via the NSP or state portals. Navigating the application process requires vigilance. Because it is an umbrella scheme, the implementation is often fragmented between the central National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and individual state welfare portals. You must figure out exactly where your state processes PM YASASVI applications. The most common point of failure is documentation. If your Aadhaar card name doesn't perfectly match your school records and your bank passbook, the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) will fail. Furthermore, simply securing the scholarship in Class 9 does not guarantee it for Class 10. You are required to renew the application every single year, proving that you have passed your previous exams and maintained satisfactory attendance. If you get complacent and miss the renewal window, the funding stops immediately. PM YASASVI is a phenomenal, high-value opportunity, but it demands absolute administrative precision from the applicant.

Documents you need

• Caste/Community certificate (OBC/EBC/DNT)
• Family income certificate
• Aadhaar card
• Bank passbook
• Previous exam marksheet
• Fee receipt from school/college
• Passport-size photograph

How to apply

1. Check if your state routes PM YASASVI applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or a specialized state-level portal.
2. Register as an applicant and ensure your category (OBC, EBC, or DNT) is correctly selected and backed by a valid, recently issued caste certificate.
3. Upload a fresh family income certificate proving total income is below ₹2.5 lakh, alongside your previous year's academic marksheet.
4. Submit the application and physically coordinate with your school or college nodal officer to ensure they verify it before the state deadline.

Why applications get rejected

• Confusing the pre-matric and post-matric components, leading to applying under the wrong scheme level.
• Uploading an expired or invalid income certificate, which immediately triggers rejection during verification.
• Having a mismatch between the name on the Aadhaar card and the school records, which causes the direct benefit transfer to fail.

Common questions

When does PM YASASVI (Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India) open for 2026?

Typically opens September–November. Verify exact dates on NSP each year.

What is the last date to apply for PM YASASVI (Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India)?

The closing date is announced for each cycle rather than fixed in advance, so it is not the same every year. Typically opens September–November. Verify exact dates on NSP each year.

How do I apply for PM YASASVI (Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India)?

Applications are submitted through NSP (scholarships.gov.in). Check if your state routes PM YASASVI applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or a specialized state-level portal.

Do I have to take an NTA entrance exam for PM YASASVI?

The entrance test requirement has been suspended or heavily modified in recent years. Selection is now primarily based on academic merit and income criteria via the NSP or state portals.

I am from the General Category but my family is poor. Can I apply?

Yes, if you meet the criteria for the Economically Backward Class (EBC) and obtain the relevant certificate, you are a primary target group for this scheme.

Does the scheme cover students in private schools?

Yes, students in recognized private schools can apply, provided they meet the strict community and income limits.

What happens if my Aadhaar isn't linked to my bank account?

Your application might be approved, but the payment will bounce back to the government. NPCI mapping for Direct Benefit Transfer is absolutely mandatory.

New to the National Scholarship Portal? Read our step-by-step guide to applying on NSP.