The Karnataka Students Prize Money Scheme is a welfare initiative by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka, designed to provide financial support to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. This scheme offers direct cash incentives, commonly called “prize money,” to meritorious students pursuing higher education. The funds are transferred directly to the students’ bank accounts to promote academic excellence and reduce dropout rates in marginalized communities.
This comprehensive article will provide full details of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, benefits, application process, required documents, and how to check the application status. All information has been crafted to meet SEO standards and integrates high CPC keywords to boost your website’s traffic and ad revenue.
Objective of the Karnataka Prize Money Scheme
The primary aim of the Prize Money Scheme Karnataka 2025 is to:
- Encourage students from SC and ST communities to pursue higher education.
- Recognize and reward academic excellence among underprivileged students.
- Reduce financial burden on families from backward communities.
- Support students studying professional, technical, and higher education courses.
Eligible Courses for Karnataka Prize Money Scheme
Students pursuing the following courses from recognized institutions are eligible:
- SSLC (10th Standard)
- PUC (12th Standard)
- Undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, BCA)
- Postgraduate degrees (MA, MSc, MCom, MBA, MCA)
- Professional degrees (Engineering, Medical, Law, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Veterinary)
- Diploma and ITI courses
The course must be passed in the first attempt with the minimum required marks as prescribed by the department.
Karnataka Prize Money Scheme Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the prize money scheme, the applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Domicile: Must be a permanent resident of Karnataka.
- Caste: Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
- Academic Performance: Must have passed the qualifying examination in the first attempt with a minimum of 60% marks.
- Institution Affiliation: Should be enrolled in a government-recognized college or institution.
- Bank Account: Must possess a bank account linked with Aadhaar to receive the funds via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Karnataka Students Prize Money Amount (Updated for 2025)
The government provides financial assistance depending on the level of the course as follows:
| Course Level | Prize Money (INR) |
|---|---|
| SSLC (Class 10) | 10,000 |
| PUC (Class 12) | 15,000 |
| Degree Courses (BA, BSc, BCom, etc.) | 20,000 |
| Postgraduate (MA, MCom, MSc) | 25,000 |
| Professional UG (BE, MBBS, BAMS) | 35,000 |
| Professional PG (MBA, MTech, etc.) | 50,000 |
The prize money is non-repayable and provided as a one-time grant per course level.
Required Documents for Application
Applicants are required to upload the following documents while applying online:
- Aadhaar Card (linked with bank account)
- Caste Certificate (issued by competent authority)
- Marks Card of the latest qualifying examination
- Bank Passbook (first page copy)
- Bonafide Certificate from the college
- SSLC Registration Number
- Passport-sized photograph (recent)
- Income Certificate (if required)
All documents must be scanned clearly and uploaded in the specified format.
How to Apply for Karnataka Prize Money Scheme 2025
Students can apply for the prize money scheme online through the government portal. Follow these steps to submit your application:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to the official portal of the Social Welfare Department:
https://sw.kar.nic.in/swprizemoney
Step 2: Register as a New User
- Click on the “Online Application” tab.
- Choose the “New Registration” option.
- Enter your personal details, Aadhaar number, mobile number, and create a password.
Step 3: Login and Fill Out the Form
- Use your login credentials to access the application form.
- Fill in educational qualifications, course details, and bank information.
- Upload all required documents.
Step 4: Submit the Application
- Review the entered details carefully.
- Click on “Submit” and save the acknowledgment number for future reference.
How to Check Karnataka Prize Money Scheme Application Status
Follow these steps to track your application status:
- Visit https://sw.kar.nic.in/swprizemoney
- Click on “Application Status” tab.
- Enter your Application Number or Aadhaar Number.
- Click on “Submit” to view your current status.
- The portal will show approval status, payment confirmation, and bank transfer details.
Last Date to Apply for Prize Money Scheme Karnataka 2025
The application window generally opens in June and closes by October each academic year. Students are advised to apply well before the last date to avoid technical issues or rejections due to incomplete documents.
Key Benefits of the Karnataka Students Prize Money Scheme
- Merit-Based Financial Assistance: Awards are based on academic performance, not random selection.
- Direct Bank Transfer (DBT): Ensures transparency and quick fund disbursement.
- Support for Higher Education: Encourages SC/ST students to pursue technical and professional courses.
- Easy Online Process: No physical form submission is required.
- One-Time Grant: Helps cover expenses like tuition fees, books, and hostel charges.
High CPC Keywords Used
This article incorporates high CPC keywords to optimize for search engines and increase Google AdSense earnings:
- Karnataka student scholarship 2025
- Prize money for SC/ST students in Karnataka
- Apply online for Karnataka scholarship
- Best government schemes for students
- Education subsidy for SC/ST students
- Online prize money application Karnataka
- Karnataka government scholarship 2025
- Direct benefit transfer schemes in Karnataka
- Student financial aid Karnataka
- Higher education scholarship SC/ST Karnataka
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is the prize money scheme available for general category students?
No. This scheme is only available for students belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
Q2. Can students from private colleges apply?
Yes, provided the private college is recognized by the Karnataka government.
Q3. Can I apply for more than one course level?
You can apply once per course level (PUC, Degree, PG). Re-applying for the same level is not permitted.
Q4. What happens if I fail the exam or do not score 60%?
You will not be eligible for prize money if you fail or score less than 60% in the first attempt.
Q5. When will the prize money be disbursed?
Generally, after application verification, the amount is disbursed within 60 to 90 days through DBT.
Contact Information
Department of Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka
Helpline Numbers: 080-22374836 / 22340956
Official Website: https://sw.kar.nic.in
Conclusion
The Karnataka Students Prize Money Scheme 2025 is an essential initiative to support higher education for marginalized communities in the state. With an efficient online application process, transparent eligibility norms, and direct cash transfers, this scheme plays a significant role in promoting inclusive education. Eligible students must make the most of this opportunity to improve their academic and professional futures.