Education Journalist | Study Abroad Strategy Lead | Updated On - Apr 8, 2026
SC students in Delhi with a foreign university offer can receive up to ₹20 lakh from the Delhi government to fund a PhD abroad — but the application window closes in 22 days, on 30 April 2026. The Delhi government opened applications on 7 April 2026 for five scholarship schemes covering SC, ST, and OBC students for 2025-26, all submitted through the e-District Delhi portal. The overseas funding scheme is the most significant for study abroad aspirants,
For SC students already holding or expecting an offer from a foreign university, this is one of the few state-level funding sources that runs parallel to — and independent of — the central government's National Overseas Scholarship.
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What the Study Abroad Scheme Pays
The Financial Assistance for Higher Studies Abroad scheme is open to SC students pursuing a Master's or PhD at a recognised foreign university. The funding structure is straightforward:
| Programme Level | Annual Support | Maximum Total |
|---|---|---|
| Master's | Up to ₹5 lakh/year | ₹10 lakh |
| PhD / Doctoral | Up to ₹5 lakh/year | ₹20 lakh |
Funds are disbursed in instalments, subject to continued enrolment and eligibility verification each year. Students must maintain their programme status to receive subsequent payments.
At current exchange rates, ₹20 lakh covers a significant portion of living and tuition costs at European public universities — where annual costs for Indian students typically range from ₹3 lakh to ₹12 lakh per year — making this scheme genuinely meaningful for doctoral candidates.
Who Qualifies for the Overseas Scheme
Eligibility is specific. All four conditions must be met:
- Caste: SC category only — ST and OBC students are not eligible for this particular scheme
- Residency: Indian citizen and bonafide Delhi resident for a minimum of five years
- Age: Below 30 years as of the cut-off date
- Income: Annual family income below ₹8 lakh
- Admission: Admitted to a recognised foreign university for a Master's or PhD programme.
Students who have a conditional offer letter — not yet a final offer — should still apply before April 30 and update their documentation as the admission is confirmed. The scheme covers students at the point of commencing studies abroad, not only those already enrolled.
The Other Four Schemes — SC/ST/OBC Students
The broader announcement covers four additional schemes open to SC, ST, and OBC students. All share the same April 30 deadline:
Tuition Fee Reimbursement School students in Classes 1–12 at recognised Delhi schools. Family income must be below ₹3 lakh per year. Covers full tuition and compulsory fees.
Merit Scholarship College and professional course students with a minimum of 60% marks in the previous academic year. Pays ₹8,000–₹24,000 per year depending on course level and whether the student is a hosteller or day scholar.
Dr BR Ambedkar State Topper Award One-time award of ₹25,000 for SC, ST, and OBC toppers in each discipline across Delhi universities.
Mukhyamantri Vidyarthi Pratibha Yojana ₹5,000 per year for students in Classes 9–10; ₹10,000 per year for Classes 11–12. Income and academic eligibility criteria apply.
How to Apply Before April 30
There is one portal, one deadline, and no offline route:
- Visit edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in
- Register or log in with Delhi e-District credentials
- Go to "Apply for Services" → SC/ST/OBC Welfare Department
- Select the relevant scheme
- Upload documents and submit before 30 April 2026
Documents required for the overseas scheme:
- SC caste certificate
- Delhi domicile certificate or proof of 5-year residency
- Family income certificate (below ₹8 lakh annually)
- Admission or offer letter from a recognised foreign university
- Valid passport
- Bank account details for disbursement
- Age proof (below 30 years)
For the merit scholarship and other domestic schemes, replace the foreign university documents with the previous year's marksheet and current enrolment certificate.
Why the April 30 Deadline Is Final
This window covers the 2025-26 academic year. Students who miss it cannot apply retroactively. The next cycle — for 2026-27 — will open in early 2027 at the earliest.
The Delhi scheme runs independently of the central government's National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) for SC students administered by the Ministry of Social Justice. NOS is more competitive and runs on a separate annual timeline. Eligible students can apply for both — they are not mutually exclusive.
State-level study abroad funding for SC students is one of the most under-publicised categories of government scholarship in India. Most eligible students know about NOS but not about parallel state schemes that carry fewer applicants and comparable funding ceilings. Delhi's ₹20 lakh doctoral ceiling is substantial — and with 22 days left before the window closes, eligible students have enough time to apply, but not enough time to delay.
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