Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana, implemented by the Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department, Government of Maharashtra, provides annual financial assistance of Rs. 38,000 to Rs. 60,000 to eligible OBC, VJNT, and SBC students who are unable to secure admission in a government hostel. Eligible students can submit their applications online through the HMAS Portal.
Maharashtra Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana |
| Launch Year | 2023 |
| Government Resolution Issued | 13 December 2023 |
| Implementing Department | Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department |
| Objective | Provide financial support to eligible students in place of government hostel accommodation |
| Eligible Categories | OBC, VJNT, and SBC students |
| Minimum Academic Requirement | 60% marks in Class 12 or equivalent |
| Annual Family Income Limit | Up to Rs. 2.50 lakh |
| Financial Assistance | Rs. 38,000 to Rs. 60,000 per year |
| Total Beneficiaries | 21,600 students statewide |
| Annual Budget | Rs. 100 crore |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Application Portal | hmasnew.mahait.org |
Introduction of Maharashtra Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana: A Brief Insight
For many OBC, VJNT, and SBC students in Maharashtra, securing admission to a college is only half the challenge. Finding affordable accommodation away from home often becomes an even bigger concern, especially when government hostel seats are unavailable. To address this gap, the Government of Maharashtra introduced Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana through a Government Resolution issued on 13 December 2023.
The scheme is implemented by the Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department, Government of Maharashtra. Its primary objective is to provide financial assistance to eligible students who qualify for hostel facilities but could not secure a seat in a government hostel.
Instead of accommodation, the government transfers financial support directly into the student’s bank account. This assistance helps cover expenses related to food, rent, and day to day living while pursuing higher education away from their hometown.
Under the scheme, eligible students receive between Rs. 38,000 and Rs. 60,000 per year, depending on the location of their educational institution. The benefit is available to students whose family income does not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh annually and who have secured at least 60% marks in Class 12.
The scheme is designed to support 21,600 students across Maharashtra and is backed by an annual budget of Rs. 100 crore. Financial assistance is released in quarterly instalments directly through DBT into the student’s Aadhaar linked bank account.
Applications are submitted online through the HMAS Portal, with the application process generally opening during the academic admission season. Students facing difficulties during the process can seek assistance through the official helpline.
Students can also explore the Central Government’s PM Internship Scheme and PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme, which support skill development and higher education financing. Research oriented students may additionally find the Chief Minister Fellowship Scheme useful for academic and policy research opportunities.
OBC, VJNT, and SBC students looking for more education related benefits can explore other programmes available on our Maharashtra Government Welfare Schemes List page.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana provides financial assistance according to the city where a student is pursuing higher education, ensuring that support reflects the actual cost of accommodation and living expenses across different regions of Maharashtra.
Annual Financial Assistance, by City Tier
| Location | Food Allowance | Residential Allowance | Maintenance Allowance | Total Annual Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai City/Suburban, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Nagpur | Rs. 32,000 | Rs. 20,000 | Rs. 8,000 | Rs. 60,000 |
| Other Divisional Headquarters Cities / Class C Municipal Corporations | Rs. 28,000 | Rs. 15,000 | Rs. 8,000 | Rs. 51,000 |
| Other District Headquarters | Rs. 25,000 | Rs. 12,000 | Rs. 6,000 | Rs. 43,000 |
| Taluka Headquarters | Rs. 23,000 | Rs. 10,000 | Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 38,000 |
How This Financial Assistance Reaches Students
- Amount is credited directly to the student’s Aadhaar linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer
- Released in four quarterly instalments during the academic year
- Provides support for 10 months of the academic session
- The first instalment is released within 7 days of approval, while subsequent instalments are linked to submission of the required 75% attendance certificate every quarter
Statewide Coverage and Scale
- 600 students are selected from each district across all 36 districts of Maharashtra
- Total coverage extends to approximately 21,600 students every year
- Supported by an annual budget allocation of Rs. 100 crore
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department has prescribed detailed eligibility criteria for Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana, covering category, educational qualifications, income limits, and residential requirements.
- Must be a permanent resident of Maharashtra
- Must belong to the OBC, VJNT (Vimukta Jati/Nomadic Tribes), or SBC category and possess a valid caste certificate
- Must be eligible for admission to a Government hostel but should not have secured a seat in any Government hostel
- Must be pursuing higher education after Class 12 in a recognised educational institution
- Must have secured at least 60% marks or an equivalent grade/CGPA in Class 12 for both professional and non professional courses
- Parental annual income should not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh. This limit may be revised if the Central Government updates the income criteria for Post Matric Scholarship schemes
- Must not be a local resident of the city or taluka where the educational institution is situated
- Must have an Aadhaar number linked with a nationalised bank account
Important Age and Course Duration Conditions
- Maximum age limit is 30 years
- Benefits can be availed for a maximum period of 5 years, which extends to 6 years for Engineering and Medical courses
- A student can avail an ATKT (Allowed to Keep Terms) only once during the entire course. Receiving a second ATKT results in discontinuation of benefits
- A minimum of 75% attendance in every quarter is mandatory
The 70:30 Seat Distribution Rule
Under the scheme, 70% of the available seats are earmarked for students enrolled in professional courses, while the remaining 30% seats are allocated to students pursuing non professional courses.
Who Won’t Qualify
- Students already residing in a Government hostel operated by any department
- Students already receiving benefits under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana
- Dhangar community students belonging to the VJNT C category, as they are covered under the Swayam Yojana
- Students who are employed or engaged in any business activity
- Students who are local residents of the city or taluka where their educational institution is located
Documents Required to be Attached
Applying for Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana requires you to clearly establish four key things, your identity, your category, your financial eligibility, and your admission in a recognised higher educational institution.
- Aadhaar Card, linked with your active bank account
- Caste Certificate, confirming your OBC, VJNT, or SBC category, issued by a competent authority
- Income Certificate, showing annual parental income within the prescribed limit of Rs. 2.50 lakh
- Domicile Certificate, confirming that you are a resident of Maharashtra
- Class 12 Marksheet, showing the qualifying percentage required for admission
- College admission proof, or CAP allotment letter
- Bank passbook copy, displaying your account number and IFSC code
- Recent passport size photograph
Specific Affidavits Required Under This Scheme
- A notarized affidavit, confirming that you are staying in rented accommodation and are not a local resident of the city where you are pursuing your studies
- A self declaration, confirming that all information provided in the application is true and correct
- An affidavit stating that you have not taken admission in any Government hostel
- Your rent receipt and valid rental agreement
Additional Documents for Special Categories
- For orphan applicants: an Orphan Certificate issued by the competent authority under the Women and Child Welfare Department
- For Divyang applicants: a certificate confirming more than 40% disability, issued by the District Civil Surgeon
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of the Scheme
Applying for this scheme is completely online through the dedicated HMAS Portal. Just follow the steps below carefully, and keep all your documents ready before you begin.
Step 1: Visit the official HMAS Portal and open the registration page.
Step 2: Register yourself as a new user and complete your Aadhaar authentication. This step helps verify your identity and allows you to access the scheme application form.
Step 3: After logging in, choose “Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana” from the list of available schemes displayed on the portal.
Step 4: Fill in your personal details carefully, including your name, category, domicile information, mobile number, and other contact details exactly as they appear in your official documents.
Step 5: Enter your educational information, such as your Class 12 marks, current course, college name, and the location of your educational institution.
Step 6: Provide your bank account details and ensure that your account is properly Aadhaar linked, because all benefits under the scheme are transferred directly to this account.
Step 7: Upload all the required documents, including your caste certificate, income certificate, domicile certificate, Class 12 marksheet, admission proof, rent documents, and the required notarized affidavits related to rented accommodation and non admission in a Government hostel.
Step 8: Review every detail entered in the application form carefully. Once you are satisfied that all information is correct, submit the application and save your Application ID for future tracking and reference.
What Happens After You Submit Your Application
Step 1: Your application is examined and verified by the Assistant Director (Other Backward Bahujan Welfare) of the concerned district.
Step 2: After approval, you are linked to the nearest Backward Class Boys’ or Girls’ Hostel Warden for monitoring and record keeping purposes, even though you will continue living in your rented accommodation.
Step 3: Your first instalment is credited directly to your Aadhaar linked bank account within 7 days of approval.
Step 4: To receive future instalments, you must submit your attendance certificate every quarter, showing at least 75% attendance in your course.
Important: Applications generally open around August every academic year. If you face any difficulty while applying, you can submit a complaint through the HMAS Grievance Portal or contact the official helpline for support and guidance.
Important Links Available of the Scheme
- Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana Online Application Portal
- Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department, Government of Maharashtra Official Website
- HMAS Portal User Manual PDF
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Nodal Department: Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department, Government of Maharashtra
- Toll-Free Helpline: 020-26127569
- Email: hmasgrievance@gmail.com
- Local Level: Contact the Assistant Director (Other Backward Bahujan Welfare) of your district
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans. Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Yojana is a student welfare scheme implemented by the Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Department, Government of Maharashtra. It provides annual financial assistance to OBC, VJNT, and SBC students who are pursuing higher education away from their hometown and are unable to secure admission in a government hostel.
Ans. Students belonging to OBC, VJNT, or SBC categories, who have secured at least 60% marks in Class 12, have a family income not exceeding Rs. 2.50 lakh per year, and are studying outside their native city or taluka can apply.
Ans. Eligible students can receive annual assistance ranging from Rs. 38,000 to Rs. 60,000, depending on the location of their educational institution.
Ans. Applications can be submitted online through the HMAS Portal after completing Aadhaar authentication and uploading all required documents.
Ans. Applicants generally need a caste certificate, income certificate, domicile certificate, Class 12 marksheet, admission proof, Aadhaar linked bank account details, rent agreement, rent receipts, and the required affidavits.
Ans. Yes. The applicant’s age should not exceed 30 years at the time of application.
Ans. The benefit is available for up to 5 years. Students enrolled in Engineering and Medical courses can receive assistance for up to 6 years, subject to eligibility conditions.
Ans. Students must maintain a minimum of 75% attendance every quarter and submit the attendance certificate to continue receiving subsequent instalments.
Ans. Yes. The scheme permits only one ATKT (Allowed to Keep Terms) during the entire course duration. A second ATKT makes the student ineligible for further assistance.
Ans. No. The scheme is specifically meant for eligible students who could not obtain admission in a government hostel and are staying in rented accommodation.
Ans. You can contact the concerned District Other Backward Bahujan Welfare Office, use the grievance facility available on the HMAS Portal, call 020-26127569, or email hmasgrievance@gmail.com for assistance.
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.