Merit cum Means Based Scholarship for Minority Students 2023 notification will be released every year in the month of September on its National Scholarship website, https://scholarships.gov.in/.
Eligible students who are belonging to minority community and interested in can check details and submit the online application with required information on or before the deadline.
Introduction: In the pursuit of higher education, financial constraints can often be a significant roadblock. This is especially true for students aiming to enter professional and technical fields, where the cost of education can be substantially high.
To alleviate this financial burden and empower deserving students, the Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses 2023 comes as a beacon of hope.
What is Merit Cum Means Scholarship?
The Merit Cum Means Scholarship is a government initiative designed to provide financial assistance to students pursuing professional and technical courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
This scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate both merit and a lack of adequate financial means to support their education.
Minority Merit Cum Means Scholarship
The Ministry of Minority Affairs is inviting applications for NSP Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses (CS Minorities) from minority community students who are pursuing technical or professional course and undergraduate or postgraduate level.
The scholarship aim is providing suitable financial assistance to meritorious and undergraduate students belonging o minority communities enable them to pursue technical and professional courses.
The objective of the Merit cum Means Based Scholarship Scheme is to provide financial assistance to the poor and meritorious students belonging to minority communities to enable them to pursue professional and technical courses.
Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses 2023
Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses 2023 is a scholarship offered by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, to students from minority communities.
The students who are pursuing professional or technical courses at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of merit and financial need.
MCM Scholarship 2023

Scholarship Name | Merit cum Means Based Scholarship for Minority Students |
---|---|
Scholarship issuing Agency | Minority Welfare Department |
Title | Merit cum Means Based Scholarship for Minority Students 2023 |
Category | Scholarships |
Scheme Closing Date | 31-10-2023 |
Official Website | https://scholarships.gov.in/ |
Merit Cum Means Based Scholarship to Students of Minority Communities
Every year two thousand scholarships will be distributed among the students of minority communities throughout the country. Based on the state-wise population of these communities, the distribution of scholarship will be as under.
Merit cum Means Based Scholarship Scheme
The scheme will be announced by the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration well in time, through advertisements in the leading language newspapers and local dailies and by using other suitable publicity media.
Renewal of Merit cum Means Based Scholarship
The scholarship, once awarded, may be renewed during the next academic year of the course on the production of certificate that the student has secured 50% marks in the previous year’s examination (each semester / trimester of previous year provided the students pursues the same course in the same Institute).
Merit Cum Means Scholarship details
Financial assistance will be given to pursue a degree or postgraduate level technical and professional courses from a recognized institution.
Maintenance allowance will be credited to the account. The Course fee will be paid by the State Department directly to the institute concerned.
Students who get admission to a college to pursue the technical or professional course, on the basis of a competitive examination will be eligible for the scholarship.
Students who get admission in technical or professional courses without facing any competitive examination will also be eligible for the scholarship. However, such students should have not less than 50 per cent marks at higher secondary or graduation level.
Selection of these students will be done strictly on merit basis. Continuation of the scholarship in subsequent years depending on successful completion of the course during the preceding year.
A Scholarship holder under this scheme will not avail any other scholarship or stipend for pursuing the course. The annual income of the beneficiary/parent or guardian of beneficiary should not exceed Rs.2.50 lakh from all course.
Merit Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses 2023, students must:
- Belong to a minority community (Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis/Zoroastrians)
- Be pursuing a professional or technical course at the undergraduate or postgraduate level from a recognized institution
- Have secured at least 50% marks or equivalent grade in the previous final examination
- Have an annual family income of less than INR 2.50 lakhs from all sources
Minority Merit Scholarship Amount
The scholarship amount for the Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses 2023 is INR 20,000 per annum.
Minority Merit Scholarship Online Apply
To apply for the Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses 2023, students must visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and register themselves. Once registered, students can login and apply for the scholarship. The last date to apply for the scholarship is usually in October/November.
Steps to complete the Merit cum Means Based Scholarship to Minority Students Registration 2023
To apply for the Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses 2023, you can follow these steps:
- Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
- Click on “New Registration” and create an account.
- Once registered, login and click on “Apply for Scholarship”.
- Select the “Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses” scholarship scheme.
- Fill out the application form carefully and attach all the required documents.
- Review your application and submit it.
Required Documents for Apply
The following documents are required to apply for the Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses 2023:
- Proof of identity and date of birth (Aadhaar card, PAN card, etc.)
- Proof of residence (ration card, electricity bill, etc.)
- Proof of minority status (Caste certificate, etc.)
- Proof of income (income tax return, salary slip, etc.)
- Mark sheets of previous examinations
- Admission letter/bonafide certificate from the current institution
Selection Procedure for Merit cum Means Based Scholarship
a. Fresh Merit cum Means Based Scholarship
The number of scholarship has been fixed State/UT-wise on the basis of Community-wise minority population of the States/UTs as per Census. Within the State-wise allocations, the applications from Listed Institutions will be exhausted first in merit list.
In case number of such students is more than the State/Community-wise quota, normal merit list criteria shall be followed.
Other verified applicant/student will be selected in the merit list, thereafter, on merit basis i.e. Percentage/marks of last academic course/board (higher secondary / graduation) exam. In case of similar marks, income will be taken as deciding factor.
b. Renewal Merit cum Means Based Scholarship
There is no merit list generation for renewal cases. Renewal applicant will get the scholarship if one has obtained 50% in his/her previous year’s examinations (or in each semester/trimester of previous year’s) their application is approved by State Governments/UTs.
c. Merit cum Means Based Scholarship Duration
Scholarship will be provided for the entire academic year/course. Similarly, the maintenance allowance will be given as fixed lump sum amount for an academic year (Rs. 10,000/- for Hosteller and Rs. 5,000/- for Day Scholar).
Merit Scholarship Amount
The details of the scheme interventions for the three years viz.2017-18 to 2019-20 are as under For 10 months in an academic year..
- Rate of Scholarship Course Fee: Rs. 20,000/- per annum subject to actuals whichever is less (for both Hosteller & Day Scholar)
- Maintenance Allowance: Rs. 1,000/- per month* for Hosteller Rs. 500/- per month* for Day Scholar
- Scholarship for listed institutes: Full course fee is reimbursed for 85 listed Institutes
Benefits of the Merit Scholarship
The Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses 2023 can provide a number of benefits to students, including:
- Financial assistance to pursue their education
- Motivation to excel in their studies
- Increased chances of getting a good job after graduation
(Frequently Asked Questions) FAQs
Who are eligible to apply for Merit cum Means based Scholarship Schemes?
Students belonging to six notified minority communities viz. Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi (Zoroastrian) studying in India only and fulfilling the Scheme guidelines are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for Merit cum Means based Scholarship Scheme for Minorities under National Scholarship?
- For Merit cum Means based Scholarship is Open for minority community students who are pursuing technical or professional courses at UG/PG level.
- Students must have secured at least 50% marks or equivalent grade in previous qualifying examination
- The annual family income must be less than INR 2.50 lakh from all sources
- Students must get admission on the basis of the competitive entrance examination or must have scored at least 50% in Class 12 or graduation (in case of direct admission).
How can I apply online for Merit cum Means based scholarship?
The Merit cum Means based Scholarship Schemes are online Schemes and one can apply for fresh or renewal Scholarship under any of these Schemes on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at www.scholarships.gov.in.
Link to the Portal is also provided on the website of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, i.e. www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.
An online undertaking has to be submitted for registration on the NSP by applicants who are above the age of 18 years and by the parents/guardian if the applicant is below the age of 18 years.
What documents are needed to be uploaded on Portal while applying for Merit cum Means based Scholarship?
See the above mentioned List of Documents. Aadhar Card, Photo with signature, Last year Mark list, Residential Proof, Self Declaration of Income Proof, Self-declaration of Religious Certificate, Bank Passbook xerox with IFSC Number.
What should be the Type and size of the documents to be uploaded?
The format of the file should be.pdf and .jpeg and the size of each document should not exceed more than 200 kb.
Conclusion
The Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses 2023 is a great opportunity for students from minority communities to pursue their education in professional and technical fields. If you are eligible for the scholarship, We encourage you to apply.