Centre scraps domicile certificate requirement under SC, OBC scholarship schemes

In a major reform aimed at simplifying access to scholarships, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) has removed the requirement of submitting a domicile certificate under the Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a move expected to benefit nearly 1.2 crore students annually.

The ministry said the measure will reduce documentation requirements and compliance costs, making the application process more student-friendly and ensuring easier access to scholarship benefits. The decision is also expected to benefit thousands of eligible students pursuing education outside their home states.

As part of its efforts to strengthen digital governance, the department has launched SETU (Scholarship for Educational Transformation and Upliftment) on the UMANG platform. The portal has been developed as a comprehensive solution for scholarship-related services and provides a single interface for applicants, Institutional Nodal Officers, District Nodal Officers and state officials.

The platform facilitates application registration, tracking and validation of services, with the objective of improving transparency, efficiency and ease of access.

According to the department, the reforms are aligned with the government’s broader objective of promoting inclusion, reducing procedural barriers and ensuring effective delivery of welfare schemes.

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment said it remains committed to leveraging technology-driven reforms to expand outreach and provide timely support to students.