SHREYAS: Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers (SC and OBC)

Last updated: 2026-11-13 · MockMentor

SHREYAS (Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme) is a set of Central Sector umbrella schemes for higher education. SHREYAS for SCs runs from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with about ₹1,850 crore. A separate SHREYAS for OBCs and others combines research fellowships and interest subsidy on loans for study abroad.

In one line: money for SC and OBC students to study at top institutions, do research, study abroad and prepare for competitive exams.

At a glance

Item Details
Period 2021-22 to 2025-26
SHREYAS (SC) outlay About ₹1,850 crore
Income limit Mostly ₹8 lakh a year
Girls 30% of slots in several components; 50% of interest subsidy for OBC girls

SHREYAS for Scheduled Castes

Component Key facts
Top Class Education Full support at 266+ premier institutions (IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS); 4,500 slots in 2025-26
National Fellowship for SC Students 2,000 new M.Phil/Ph.D. fellowships a year
National Overseas Scholarship 125 slots for Master's or Ph.D. at top 500 QS universities
Free Coaching for SCs and OBCs 3,500 slots a year (70% SC, 30% OBC)

SHREYAS for OBCs and others

  • National Fellowship for OBC Students: 1,000 fellowships a year through UGC.
  • Dr. Ambedkar interest subsidy: full interest during the moratorium on education loans up to ₹20 lakh for study abroad; implemented through Canara Bank.

Possible exam questions

  1. How can scholarships for higher education promote social mobility?
  2. Should affirmative action in higher education focus more on economic criteria? Discuss.

Complete notes in our courses: this page gives the essentials. The Super-Elite and Elite courses carry the full chapter with every update merged in, plus practice MCQs. Compare the courses.

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