Kerala Maargadeepam Scheme

Introduction

• During the budget announcement for the year 2024-25, Kerala Finance Minister K.N Balagopal has announced various schemes.
• Among these, the government has announced a scholarship scheme for the minority students, called 'Maargadeepam scheme'.
• As the scheme is for the class 1 to 8 students, so it will be also known as 'Kerala Pre-metric scholarship scheme'.
• This scheme was introduced after the central government stopped the pre-matric scholarship for all states.
• Under the Maargadeepam scheme, the government will provide scholarships to the eligible students studying in government or private schools.
• Earlier, the central government provided this scholarship to the minority students of class 1 to 10, but from the 2022-23 session, the government restricted its benefits to class 9 and 10 students.
• As per the central government, students of class 1 to 8 fall under the RTE (Right to Education) Act and don't require this scholarship.
• The primary objective of the scheme is to encourage children of these communities to attend school, as it will lay the foundation stone of their education journey.
• On the other hand, parents who are unable to send their children due to financial issues will get a respite.
• For successful implementation of Kerala Maargadeepam scheme, the government has allocated a budget of Rs 20 crore.
• As the Maargadeepam scheme was announced during the budget announcement, its implementation is yet to process.
• Students must confirm their eligibility before applying for the Kerala Maargadeepam scheme.
• However, it needs to be checked whether the eligibility criteria and benefits offered under the scheme will be the same.
• Earlier, students who secure above 50% in the last examination and whose family income is less than one lakh are eligible.
• Upon its implementation, the government will release its detailed guidelines along with its application process.
• To receive benefits of the scheme, students must submit their Kerala Pre-metric scholarship applications in the prescribed format.
• Once we receive updates about the Kerala Maargadeepam Pre-metric Scholarship Scheme, we will update theme here.
• To receive such latest updates users may subscribe to our page and they also share their query in the comment section provided at the end of this page.

Benefits of Scheme

• Under the Kerala Maargadeepam Scheme, beneficiaries are likely to receive the same benefits that were offered by the central government under the pre-matric scholarship.

  Items	Hosteller	Day scholars
  Admission Fee	Rs. 500/- p.a	Rs. 500/- p.a
  Tuition Fee	Rs. 350/- per month	Rs. 350/- per month
  Maintenance Allowance (10 months in a academic year)	Rs. 600/- per month	Rs 100/- per month

Eligibility Criteria

• As of now, the government did not share any details about the eligibility criteria for the scheme. However, based on the previous scholarship offered by the central government, the following students are eligible for the scheme. In case we receive any changes or updates in the conditions announced by the state government, we will update them accordingly.
  • Native students are eligible for the scholarship.
  • Students must be studying either in a government or private school.
  • Students of class 1 to 8 are eligible.
  • Both boys and girls are eligible for the scheme.
  • Students must have secured at least 50% in their previous examination.
  • The annual income of the family from all sources should not exceed Rs 1 lakh.

Documents Required

• To receive the benefits of the Kerala Pre-metric Scholarship, applicants are required to produce the following documents. Any changes to the list will be updated accordingly :-
  • Aadhaar Card.
  • School Registration details.
  • Community Certificate.
  • Domicile.
  • Address proof.
  • Bank passbook.
  • Mark sheet.
  • Ration Card.
  • PAN Card.
  • Passport.
  • Identity proof issued by the principal.
  • Passport Size photograph.

How to apply

• Eligible beneficiaries must apply for the Kerala Maargadeepam Scheme to receive its benefits.
• However, Kerala Pre-matric scholarship application form will be accepted online or offline is not announced.
• It is mandatory for students to fill in all their details in the provided application form and affix all important documents.
• Initially, the nodal department of the scheme will first screen the received applications.
• Applicants whose applications pass the screening stage will receive benefits of the scheme for that academic year.
• Scholarship benefits will be transferred directly into the bank account of the beneficiaries.
• Once we receive the details about the application mode and its process, we will update them here.

Important Link

• Kerala Maargadeepam Scheme application link will be available by the government soon.
• Kerala Maargadeepam Scheme guidelines are yet to be released by the government.
• Directorate of Minority Welfare Kerala Official Website.

Contact Details

• Kerala Maargadeepam Scheme Helpline Number are not available.
• Kerala Directorate of Minority Welfare Helpline Number.