Prize Money Scholarship 2025: Amount, Criteria, and Deadlines

The Karnataka Prize Money Scholarship 2025, introduced by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and Tribal Welfare Department (TWD), aims to support the education of SC/ST and deserving OBC students, encouraging them to pursue higher education.

The scholarship is available at various levels, including Post Graduate (PG), Under Graduate (UG), and Post-Matric. It encompasses multiple streams such as Management, Engineering, Medical, and 10+2. Targeted specifically for students from Karnataka, the scholarship falls under the Minorities category, and is provided by the Government. Eligible applicants can receive a scholarship amount ranging from INR 20,000 to INR 35,000 for courses including Graduates, Post Graduates, and Diploma programs.

This scholarship provides financial assistance ranging from INR 20,000 to INR 35,000 , depending on the course of enrollment, and is designed for financially struggling students in bachelor's, postgraduate, or diploma professional courses. The highlights of the Prize Money Scholarship 2025 are tabulated below:

Particulars	Highlights
Name of the scholarship	Prize Money Scholarship 2025
Academic Year	2025-26
Application Mode	Online
Beneficiaries	SC and ST Students of Karnataka
Provider	Social Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka
Awards	Up to INR 35,000
Deadline to apply	Yet to be determined

Features of Prize Money Scholarship

Scholarship amount ranges from INR 7000 to INR 35,000, depending on the course.
Helps students manage academic expenses and encourages SC/ST students to complete their courses with first-class.
Scholarship awarded as a form of prize money.
Social Welfare Department (SWD) and Tribal Welfare Department (TWD).

Eligibility Criteria for Prize Money Scholarship

The eligibility requirements are tabulated below:

Eligibility criteria for prize money scholarship	Details
Residency Requirement	The candidate must reside in Karnataka permanently.
Category	Exclusively awarded to students belonging to the SC/ST category.
Female student Allocation	Thirty percent of the scholarships are allocated to female students from minority groups.
Age Restriction	There is no age restriction for applicants.
Income Limit	No upper limit on income for scholarship applicants.
Course Requirement	Applicants must pursue graduate or post-graduate coursework.
Previous Exam performance	Students must have passed in the first division in the previous year's exam.

Prize Money Scholarship Application process 2025

Application for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025 is invited online at the district level by the Joint/Deputy Directors of the Department of Social Welfare. The annual family income of the student is not considered under this scheme. The interested students can apply for the Prize Money Scholarship by following the step-by-step instructions mentioned below.

STEP 1: SC students willing to apply for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025 should click on the relevant links provided below.

Navigate to the ‘Register’ option available in the menu. After registering, select the suitable options you want. For example:
SSLC options must be selected by the students who have completed studies for Class 10.
Students who have completed 2nd PUC/Diploma/Degree/PG courses should select the Post-Matric option.
Students having secured a top 5 rank in any of the courses must select the Top 5 Rank option.

STEP 2: After following the steps mentioned above, applicants need to validate the Aadhaar number. This will redirect you to the DBT portal. Here, enter your Aadhaar number and select OTP as your preferred authentication mode. Then click on ‘Generate OTP’ and enter this after having received it and click on ‘Submit’.
(Note: Application forms meant for both the SC and ST students will appear similar to one provided in the following screenshots)
STEP 3: In order to apply for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025-26, you can find the official links of the Social Welfare Department (for SC students) and the Tribal Welfare Department (for ST students).

STEP 4: Enter your SSLC register number, SSLC passing year, select your caste, enter the name as per your Aadhaar card, and click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
STEP 5: After clicking ‘SUBMIT’, a new window for Aadhaar authentication will open. Enter your name (as per Aadhaar), Aadhaar number, tick the declaration box, and submit the form.
STEP 6: Following after Aadhaar authentication, the online application form for the Prize Money Scholarship will appear. Carefully fill in all the required details, including personal details, college, course, and bank details including others.
STEP 7: Upload your photo, caste certificate, and the last semester marksheet. Tick the declaration box and click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
STEP 8: Enter your SSLC register number, SSLC passing year, select your caste, enter the name as per your Aadhaar card, and click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
STEP 9: After clicking ‘SUBMIT’, a new window for Aadhaar authentication will open. Enter your name (as per Aadhaar), Aadhaar number, tick the declaration box, and submit the form.
STEP 10: Following after Aadhaar authentication, the online application form for the Prize Money Scholarship will appear. Carefully fill in all the required details, including personal details, college, course, and bank details including others.
STEP 11: Upload your photo, caste certificate, and the last semester marksheet. Tick the declaration box and click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
(Note: The photo and documents should be less than 100 KB.)
STEP 12: After submission, an acknowledgment will appear for download or print. If it does not appear or is lost, you can reprint it using the registration number received on your phone.
STEP 13: Print the acknowledgment and get it signed by your college principal. Also, keep a photocopy of all the required documents and get them attested by your college faculty.
STEP 14: Submit the hard copies of the documents to the District Social Welfare Office (for SC students) or the Tribal Welfare Office (for ST students) for verification.
(Note: Your application will be rejected if you do not submit the hard copies to the concerned district welfare office.)

Prize Money Scholarship Application Status

The Prize Money Scholarship Status refers to the process through which students can track and verify the progress of their scholarship applications within Karnataka's educational support system. This online feature is designed to enhance transparency and keep students informed about the status of their financial aid applications, which is crucial for their educational planning. By visiting the official portal of the Social Welfare Department of Karnataka, students can easily access the status of their applications, ensuring they stay updated on any approvals or requirements. This functionality not only empowers students to monitor their applications but also reinforces the commitment of the government to support and assist deserving candidates in their pursuit of academic excellence.

Visit the Official Portal: Go to the Social Welfare Department of Karnataka's official website.
Find the Scholarship Option: Look for the PUC & SSLC Degree Scholarship on the homepage.
Click the Link: Click on the link that says "Click here."
Open Application Status Check Page: This will open the Application Status Check Page in a new tab.
Enter Required Information : Input your Application Number and any additional information requested.
Verify Status: Select the option to Verify Status.
View Application Status: The current status of your scholarship application will be displayed on the screen.

Prize Money Scholarship Benefits

Provides monetary assistance that significantly reduces educational expenses, including tuition, textbooks, lodging, and other costs.
Allows students to concentrate more on their academic work without the stress of financial burdens.
Offers social respect and acknowledgment in the community for the student's achievements and hard work.
Helps students stand out in the job market, enhancing their prospects for future employment.
Often includes access to valuable networking events that can connect students with professionals in their field.
Provides access to mentors who can guide students in their academic and career paths.
Offers opportunities to participate in special events or internships that further enhance professional development.
Enhances a student’s academic and professional development, potentially leading to various new opportunities in the future.

Documents Required for Scholarship

To apply for the SC/ST Prize Money Scholarship 2025, students must have several necessary documents. Here are some documents listed that are needed.

A Passport size photograph (100 KB)
Pan Card Number
Aadhar Card
Domicile certificate
An income certificate
SC/ST certificate
SLCC or PUC mark sheet
Bank details
Disability certificate authorized by the government

Prize Money Scholarship Amount

Scholarships for cash prizes up to INR 35,000 are awarded to the chosen students by the Karnataka state government. The total amount will vary, according to the courses that they are studying. Below is the table that shows the reward money by the Government of Karnataka.

Courses	Amount
PUC Prize Money Scholarship	20,000
Diploma in Polytechnic	20,000
SSLC Prize Money	25,000
Post Graduate	30,000
Professional Courses	35,000

Prize Money Scholarship Application Deadline

Details are tabulated below:

Category	Application deadline
SC STUDENTS	The application deadline is yet to be announced by the Tribal Welfare Department.
ST STUDENTS	The application deadline is yet to be announced by the Social Welfare Department.

Contact Details for Prize Money Scholarship 2025

Contact Number: 080-22634300
Email Address: swdcontrol@gmail.com\
Address: Department of Social Welfare, Commissionerate of Social Welfare Department, 5th floor, MS Building, Bengaluru- 56000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the underlying objective of the Prize Money Scholarship 2025?

The Social Welfare Department of the Government of Karnataka launched the Prize Money Scholarship 2025 with the goal of encouraging and assisting deserving Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students living in the State of Karnataka by fostering their academic and socioeconomic development.

Who is eligible to apply for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025?

Candidates must be Karnataka-dwelling members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) in order to be eligible for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025. Students must have received first-class grades in their final year of PUC, Class 12, or ITI. Students must pass all semesters on their first try for other courses. Students must attend schools connected to independent institutions, UGC-approved universities, or universities recognized by the State/Central Government. Students that are enrolled in KSOU or evening colleges are also qualified.

What is the reward for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025, and how can the students apply?

The Prize Money Scholarship 2025 has a maximum payout of ₹35,000. Students can apply online via the Karnataka Social Welfare Department's official website. The application deadline has not yet been disclosed. For the most recent information on the application timeline, we will update our readers.

Which students are not eligible for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025?

Students who earned their degrees from open institutions outside of Karnataka (except from KSOU) are not eligible for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025. After finishing PUC, some students went on to pursue ITI. Students who are taking annual or semester-based compartment exams in any course. This program is not available to students who are studying overseas.

Can students pursuing studies outside the State of Karnataka apply for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025?

Yes, as long as they fulfill the additional requirements, such belonging to the SC/ST category and passing with first class on their first try, students enrolled in courses outside of Karnataka are eligible for the Prize Money Scholarship 2025.