Goa Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana: Monthly Aid for ST, SC & Dhangar Students

Introduction of Goa Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana: A Brief Insight

Students from financially weaker families may receive a Post Matric Scholarship but still struggle to manage everyday expenses such as food, bus fares and accommodation near their colleges. The Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana of the Government of Goa provides an additional monthly allowance alongside this scholarship, helping students continue their education without facing as much financial pressure.

The scheme covers students belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC) and the Dhangar community, which falls under the OBC category in Goa. It works as an additional benefit under the Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship. Students can apply through the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Portal.

The Directorate of Tribal Welfare implements the scheme for ST students, while the Directorate of Social Welfare handles applications from SC and Dhangar students.

The main objective is to support students with everyday expenses that their Post Matric Scholarship may not fully cover, particularly food and travel costs. The scheme also provides additional financial assistance to students with disabilities, helping them manage their extra expenses and continue their studies.

Under the scheme, ST students receive ₹900 per month as day scholars and ₹1,800 per month as hostellers. They can also receive an additional ₹900 per month if they have a disability. For SC and Dhangar students, the monthly allowance is ₹750 for day scholars and ₹1,500 for hostellers, with an additional ₹750 for students with disabilities. The assistance is provided for ten months of the academic year.

The Government revised the monthly allowance for ST students from the academic year 2024-25. It increased the day scholar allowance from ₹750 to ₹900 and the hosteller allowance from ₹1,500 to ₹1,800. The disability allowance also increased from ₹750 to ₹900 per month.

Students must pursue a post-matric course as regular, full-time students and must have received or qualify for the Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship. The annual family income must not exceed ₹5 lakh for ST students and must remain below ₹2 lakh for SC students.

The allowance for a particular class is available for one academic year only. Students who repeat the same class cannot claim the benefit again for that class. Those seeking the additional disability allowance must also submit a disability certificate issued by the competent authority.

The application process is completely online. Students need to register on the scholarship portal, complete the application form, upload scanned copies of the original documents and submit the application to their college for verification. The college’s nodal officer checks the documents before forwarding the application for further processing. For the 2026-27 academic year, the last date is 30 November 2026 for SC and Dhangar students, while the portal shows 15 November 2026 for ST students.

For assistance, students can first contact their college’s nodal officer. ST students can also call the Directorate of Tribal Welfare in Panaji at (0832) 2438024, while SC and Dhangar students can contact the Directorate of Social Welfare at (0832) 2223784.

Students who want to gain work experience while studying can explore the PM Internship Scheme. Those seeking financial assistance for higher education can also check the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme. Goan students may further explore the Manohar Parrikar Goa Scholarship Program and the Sant Sohirobanath Ambiye Dnyanvruddhi Shishyavritto Scholarship (Bursary Scheme).

Students, parents and college nodal officers looking for more educational assistance, scholarships and welfare programmes can explore the available options on our Goa Government Popular and Welfare Schemes page.

Latest Updates on Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana

• 10 January 2025: The Directorate of Tribal Welfare announced an increase in the monthly allowances for ST students under the scheme. The revised rates apply from the academic year 2024-25. The Directorate also fixed 15 January 2025 as the last date for applications in that round.
• 14 May 2026: The Directorate of Social Welfare announced that SC and Dhangar students could submit applications for the Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana for the 2026-27 academic year through the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Portal.
• Last Date for SC and Dhangar Students: Eligible students must submit their applications by 30 November 2026. Colleges must complete verification and forward the applications by 5 December 2026. The notice states that no further extension will be granted.
• Application Schedule for ST Students, 2026-27: The scholarship portal shows that applications opened on 7 September 2026 and will close on 15 November 2026. Colleges must complete verification by 30 November 2026, followed by district-level verification by 15 December 2026.
• Document Verification Rules: Colleges must check every uploaded document against its original copy. The Directorate has clarified that photocopies will not be accepted.
• Allowance for SC and Dhangar Students: The available Citizen’s Charter continues to list monthly allowances of ₹750 for day scholars and ₹1,500 for hostellers, along with ₹750 for students with disabilities. No revised rates have been announced in the information provided here.
• Prepare Before Applying: Students should scan their original documents, ensure that their bank account is linked with Aadhaar and complete portal registration well before the application deadline.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana provides additional monthly financial support to ST, SC and Dhangar (OBC) students who receive or qualify for the Post Matric Scholarship. The assistance helps students manage everyday expenses such as food, local travel and accommodation during their studies. The amount varies according to the student’s category and whether they live in a hostel or attend college as a day scholar.

Benefits for ST Students

• ₹900 per month for day scholars, amounting to ₹9,000 for ten months.
• ₹1,800 per month for hostellers, amounting to ₹18,000 for ten months.
• Students with disabilities receive an additional ₹900 per month, totalling ₹9,000 over ten months.
• A hosteller with a disability can receive up to ₹27,000 over ten months through the combined allowances.
• For the academic year 2024-25, the Government increased the monthly assistance from ₹750 to ₹900 for day scholars, from ₹1,500 to ₹1,800 for hostellers and from ₹750 to ₹900 for students with disabilities.

Benefits for SC Students

• Day scholars receive ₹750 per month, totalling ₹7,500 for ten months.
• Hostellers receive ₹1,500 per month, totalling ₹15,000 for ten months.
• Students with disabilities get an additional ₹750 per month, amounting to ₹7,500 over ten months.
• A hosteller with a disability can receive up to ₹22,500 over ten months through the combined allowances.

Benefits for Dhangar (OBC) Students

• Day scholars receive ₹750 per month, amounting to ₹7,500 for ten months.
• Students staying in hostels receive ₹1,500 per month, totalling ₹15,000 for ten months.
• An additional allowance of ₹750 per month is available to students with disabilities, amounting to ₹7,500 over ten months.
• A hosteller with a disability can receive up to ₹22,500 over ten months, including the additional allowance.

Additional Support Available Under the Scheme

• The monthly assistance helps students manage routine educational and living expenses that their Post Matric Scholarship may not fully cover.
• Eligible students receive the allowance for ten months of the academic year.
• Students with disabilities get additional financial assistance to meet their specific needs.
• The scheme supplements the Post Matric Scholarship rather than replacing it. Eligible students can receive benefits under both.
• The assistance is transferred to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through the prescribed payment process.
• Students can submit their applications through the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Portal.

Important Points to Remember

• The allowance for a particular class is available for one academic year only. Students who repeat the same class cannot claim it again for that year.
• The ST allowance amounts reflect the details provided by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare and the Government’s January 2025 press note.
• The SC and Dhangar allowance amounts follow the Directorate of Social Welfare’s Citizen’s Charter. Students should check the latest official portal or contact the concerned Directorate to confirm whether the rates have changed.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana provides additional financial assistance to eligible ST, SC and Dhangar (OBC) students in Goa. However, the eligibility conditions vary by category. The Directorate of Tribal Welfare handles applications from ST students, while the Directorate of Social Welfare covers SC and Dhangar students. Applicants should check the conditions applicable to their community before applying.

Rules for Every Student

• The student must have received or qualify for the Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship for the current academic year.
• The student must be enrolled in a post-matric course.
• The course must be pursued as a regular, full-time student at a recognised institution or university.
• The scholarship is available for a particular class for one academic year only.
• A student who repeats the same class cannot claim the scholarship again for that class.
• The student’s bank account must be linked with Aadhaar to receive the payment.

Additional Rules for ST Students

• The applicant must belong to a Scheduled Tribe community of Goa.
• The annual income of the parents or guardians must not exceed ₹5 lakh.

Additional Rules for SC Students

• The applicant must belong to a Scheduled Caste community.
• The annual family income must be less than ₹2 lakh, as specified in the Directorate of Social Welfare’s Citizen’s Charter.
• Students pursuing post-matric courses can apply irrespective of their marks in the qualifying examination.

Additional Rules for Dhangar (OBC) Students

• The applicant must belong to the Dhangar community, which falls under the OBC category in Goa.
• The student must have received or qualify for the Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship for the current academic year.
• The Directorate of Social Welfare’s Citizen’s Charter does not specify a separate income limit for this category under the scheme. Applicants should confirm the applicable income condition with the Directorate before applying.

Additional Allowance for Students with Disabilities

• Students with disabilities can receive an additional monthly allowance by submitting a disability certificate issued by the competent authority.
• The monthly disability allowance is ₹900 for ST students and ₹750 for SC and Dhangar students.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Students who fall under any of the following conditions cannot claim assistance under the scheme:

• Students who do not belong to the ST, SC or Dhangar community.
• Students who do not qualify for the Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship.
• ST students whose annual family income exceeds ₹5 lakh.
• SC students whose annual family income is ₹2 lakh or more.
• Students enrolled in part-time or distance-learning courses instead of regular, full-time courses.
• Students repeating a class for which they have already received the scholarship.
• Students whose bank accounts are not linked with Aadhaar.

Documents Required to be Attached

The Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana of the Government of Goa provides additional monthly financial assistance to ST, SC and Dhangar (OBC) students alongside the Post Matric Scholarship. Applicants must submit documents that establish their community, family income, academic progress and bank account details.

Upload only scanned copies of the original documents. The Directorate of Social Welfare has clarified that photocopies will not be accepted. Also, ensure that each file meets the size limit prescribed by the application portal. The document lists below are based on the circular issued by the Directorate of Tribal Welfare and the Citizen’s Charter of the Directorate of Social Welfare.

Documents for ST Students, Fresh Application

• Recent passport-size photograph of the student
• Self-attested copy of the mark sheet or passing certificate for the examination passed in the previous academic year
• Income certificate issued by the competent authority for the relevant year
• Self-attested copy of the Scheduled Tribe certificate issued by the competent authority
• Hostel fee receipt, if the student stays in a hostel
• Receipt of the admission fees paid for the current academic year
• Self-attested copy of the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank passbook; an account with a nationalised bank is recommended
• Self-attested copy of the Aadhaar Card
• Aadhaar consent form, verified by the institution or university
• Disability certificate issued by the competent authority, if the student has a disability

Documents for ST Students, Renewal

• Self-attested copy of the mark sheet or passing certificate for the previous academic year
• Income certificate issued by the competent authority for the relevant year
• Hostel fee receipt, if the student stays in a hostel
• Receipt of the admission fees paid for the current academic year
• Disability certificate issued by the competent authority, if applicable

Documents for SC Students

• Caste certificate in the form of a provisional certificate, valid for 3 years from its date of issue
• Income certificate, valid for 3 years from its date of issue
• Attested copies of the mark sheet and certificate
• Attested copy of the fee payment receipt
• Hostel certificate, if the student stays in a hostel
• Copy of the Aadhaar Card seeded with the bank account
• Copy of the student’s bank account details
• Pre-receipt signed by the student and countersigned by the Head of the Department

Documents for Dhangar (OBC) Students

• Caste certificate confirming the student’s Dhangar community
• Income certificate
• Attested copies of the mark sheet and certificate
• Attested copy of the fee payment receipt
• Hostel certificate, if the student stays in a hostel
• Copy of the Aadhaar Card seeded with the bank account
• Copy of the student’s bank account details
• Pre-receipt related to the application

Documents for Students with Disabilities

• Disability certificate issued by the competent authority to claim the additional disability allowance
• All other documents required for the student’s respective category, as listed above

Rules for Uploading the Documents

• Upload all documents in digital format. Each document submitted by an ST applicant must be within 200 KB.
• The student’s bank account must be linked with Aadhaar to receive the assistance through the prescribed payment process.
• The institution’s nodal officer verifies the uploaded documents against the original records.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Students can apply for the Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana through the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Portal of the Government of Goa. The entire application process takes place online. First, you need to register on the portal, log in, fill in the application form and upload the required documents. After that, submit your application to your college for verification. The concerned Directorate reviews the application and takes the final decision.

Follow the steps below carefully to complete your application without missing any important detail.

Before You Start

Step 1: First, identify the Directorate responsible for your category. The Directorate of Tribal Welfare handles applications from ST students, while the Directorate of Social Welfare handles applications from SC and Dhangar students.

Step 2: Make sure that you are studying a post-matric course as a regular, full-time student in a recognised institution or university.

Step 3: Check whether you have applied for or qualify for the Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship for the current academic year. You can apply for this scholarship through the National Scholarship Portal.

Step 4: Check whether your bank account is linked with Aadhaar. This is important because the department transfers the assistance to the Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Step 5: Keep scanned copies of all the original documents required for your category. Photocopies are not accepted, so scan the original papers and make sure that every file meets the portal’s size limit.

Step 6: Note the application deadlines applicable to your category. The portal shows 15 November 2026 as the last date for ST students. For SC and Dhangar students, the Government of Goa’s official press note mentions 30 November 2026. Also, check the latest portal notice before submitting your form.

Register on the Portal

Step 1: Open the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Portal of Goa on your mobile phone or computer.

Step 2: Find the Register option on the portal’s home page and click it. Registration is the first step in the application process.

Step 3: Enter the details requested by the portal, such as your name and mobile number. Make sure that you provide the correct information.

Step 4: Create a password that you can remember easily. Keep it safe because you will need it whenever you log in.

Step 5: Once registration is complete, return to the login page and sign in using your registered details.

Fill In the Online Application

Step 1: After logging in, look for the list of scholarship schemes available under the concerned Directorate.

Step 2: Select Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana for your respective category, whether ST, SC or Dhangar.

Step 3: Enter your personal information, family details and annual income in the application form.

Step 4: Provide your educational details, including your college or institution’s name, course and current year of study.

Step 5: Select whether you attend college as a day scholar or stay in a hostel. This information helps determine the applicable monthly allowance.

Step 6: If you have a disability, provide the required details so that the department can consider your claim for the additional disability allowance.

Step 7: Enter your bank account details carefully. Check the account number and other information before moving to the next step.

Upload Your Papers

Step 1: After completing the application form, open the document upload section.

Step 2: Upload the scanned documents required for your category. These may include your caste certificate, income certificate, mark sheet, fee receipt and bank passbook.

Step 3: If you stay in a hostel, upload the required hostel proof as well.

Step 4: Students claiming the additional disability allowance must also upload their disability certificate.

Step 5: Check the file size before uploading. Each document submitted by an ST applicant must be within 200 KB, as specified in the given instructions.

Step 6: Open the uploaded files once to make sure that the details are visible and easy to read. Blurry or incomplete documents may create problems during verification.

Send It to Your Institute

Step 1: After uploading the documents, check the final submission instructions on the portal. The page mentions submission to the School, Institute or Directorate, as applicable.

Step 2: Submit your completed application to your college or institution through the prescribed process.

Step 3: Contact your college’s nodal officer and inform them that you have submitted an application under the scheme.

Step 4: Keep your original documents ready. The nodal officer checks these documents against the scanned copies uploaded with your application.

Step 5: Ask the nodal officer to verify your application online before the institution’s deadline. For SC and Dhangar students, the specified college verification deadline is 5 December 2026.

Track Your Application

Step 1: Visit the scholarship portal again and look for the Track Application option.

Step 2: Select the academic year for which you submitted the application.

Step 3: Enter your Aadhaar number and date of birth in the required fields.

Step 4: Check the application status. It helps you understand whether your application is still pending with the college, under district-level verification or with the concerned Directorate.

After You Apply, What Will Happen?

Step 1: Once your college verifies the application, the concerned Directorate reviews it for final approval.

Step 2: Visit the portal from time to time to check whether the department has approved your application or raised any query.

Step 3: After approval and payment processing, check your Aadhaar-linked bank account to confirm whether you have received the assistance.

If You Are Renewing

Students who have already received assistance under the scheme and want to continue receiving it for the next academic year should follow the renewal process.

Step 1: Open the scholarship portal and log in using your existing registration details. You do not need to create a new account.

Step 2: Select the renewal application for the new academic year and fill in the updated details requested by the portal.

Step 3: Upload the documents required for renewal, such as the previous academic year’s mark sheet, income certificate and current year’s fee receipt.

Step 4: Submit the renewal application to your college for verification, following the same procedure as a fresh application.

If You Need Help

Step 1: If you face any difficulty while filling in the form or uploading documents, contact your college’s nodal officer first.

Step 2: You can also visit the official website of the Directorate of Tribal Welfare if you belong to the ST category. SC and Dhangar students can visit the Directorate of Social Welfare.

Important: Do not wait until the last day to submit your application. Complete the process early so that your college gets enough time to verify your documents. The scheme application is free, so do not pay anyone to register or submit the form on your behalf.

Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana for ST Students: Earlier and Revised Allowance

Some websites still display the earlier allowance rates for ST students, which may lead applicants to misunderstand the financial assistance available under the scheme. The Government of Goa revised these rates from the academic year 2024-25. The comparison below shows the earlier and revised monthly and annual amounts, calculated for ten months.

For SC and Dhangar students, the Directorate of Social Welfare’s Citizen’s Charter lists the existing monthly rates of ₹750 for day scholars, ₹1,500 for hostellers and an additional ₹750 for students with disabilities. No revision has been announced in the information available here. Students should check the official portal for any updated rates.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• Chief Minister’s Scholarship Portal, Goa: Apply online for Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana
• Scholarship Application Notice 2026-27: Last date for SC and Dhangar students, Directorate of Social Welfare
• Gagan Bharari Shiksha Yojana for ST Students: Government of Goa Press Note on Revised Allowance Rates
• ST Student Eligibility and Document Guidelines: Directorate of Tribal Welfare Circular
• SC and Dhangar Student Guidelines: Directorate of Social Welfare Citizen’s Charter
• Directorate of Tribal Welfare, Goa: Scholarships and Welfare Services for ST Students
• Directorate of Social Welfare, Goa: Scholarships and Welfare Services for SC and OBC Students
• National Scholarship Portal: Apply for the Post Matric Scholarship
• Government of Goa: Official State Portal

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• For ST Students: Director of Tribal Welfare, Directorate of Tribal Welfare, 5th Floor, Shrama Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, Goa
• Phone: (0832) 2438024
• Email: dir-tw.goa@nic.in
• For SC and Dhangar Students: Director of Social Welfare, Directorate of Social Welfare, 18th June Road, Panaji, Goa
• Phone: (0832) 2223784, (0832) 2232257
• Email: socialwelfaregoa@rediffmail.com
• College Level: The Institute Nodal Officer of your college, who checks your application online and sends it on
• District Level: The Deputy Director of Tribal Welfare of North Goa or of South Goa, who carries out the district-level verification for ST students

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.