If you are a parent or teacher in Rajasthan looking to support an ST student, the ST Pre-Metric Scholarship is one of the oldest and most reliable schemes run by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department.
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As we move into the 2026 academic session, the process has become entirely digital through the ShalaDarpan and Jan Aadhaar portals. This means no more physical files or chasing clerks—if your data is updated, the money reaches the student’s account directly via DBT. Here is a simple breakdown of how it works this year.
1. What are the Benefits?
This scholarship is paid monthly for a maximum of 10 months in an academic year. The amount varies slightly to encourage the education of the girl child:
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For Boys (Classes 6–8): ₹75 per month (Total ₹750 per year).
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For Girls (Classes 6–8): ₹125 per month (Total ₹1,250 per year).
Note: While these amounts are set by the state, they are often combined with other benefits like free uniforms and textbooks provided in Rajasthan government schools, making education truly “zero-cost” for ST families.
2. Who is Eligible? (2026 Criteria)
The eligibility is straightforward, but in 2026, the “Income Tax” rule is the most important one to watch.
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Category: The student must belong to a Scheduled Tribe (ST).
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School Type: Must be a regular student in a Government school or a school recognized by the Rajasthan Education Department.
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Income Limit: Parents or guardians must not be income tax payers. If the family pays income tax, the student is ineligible.
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Academic Record: The student must have passed their previous class. Those who have failed and are repeating the same class cannot claim the scholarship for that year.
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Exclusions: Students living in hostels run or aided by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department (SJE) are generally not eligible, as their expenses are already covered by the hostel scheme.
3. The 2026 “Digital Checklist”
To ensure the application isn’t rejected by the automated system, make sure these three things are perfectly synced:
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Jan Aadhaar: This is the most critical document. The student’s name, caste, and bank account details must be updated in the family’s Jan Aadhaar card.
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Caste Certificate: A digital ST Certificate issued by the Rajasthan government.
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Income Declaration: An annual self-declaration (or certificate) stating that the parents are not income tax payers.
4. How to Apply: The “School-Led” Process
Unlike college scholarships where students apply themselves, the Pre-Metric Scholarship is handled by the School Head (HM/Principal).
Step 1: Data Entry on Shala Darpan
The school staff enters the student’s details on the Shala Darpan portal. In 2026, the portal “auto-fetches” most details from the student’s Jan Aadhaar.
Step 2: Verification
The school verifies that the student is a “Regular” attendee and has not received any other central or state scholarship for the same year (no double-dipping).
Step 3: Locking the Application
The Principal “locks” the application on the portal. Once locked, it moves to the District Education Office (DEO) for final approval.
Step 4: Direct Payment
Once approved, the scholarship amount is transferred directly to the Bank Account linked with the Jan Aadhaar. Usually, this is the mother’s account or the student’s joint account.
5. Troubleshooting Common 2026 Problems
| Issue | Why it happens | The 2026 Fix |
| “Bank Account Not Found” | No bank account is linked to the student in Jan Aadhaar. | Visit an E-Mitra center and link the student’s bank account to their Jan Aadhaar profile. |
| “Caste Mismatch” | Jan Aadhaar says “General” or “OBC” by mistake. | Update the category in Jan Aadhaar using the digital ST certificate. |
| “Payment Not Received” | The school forgot to “Lock” the application. | Ask the school’s Shala Darpan in-charge to check the “Scholarship Lock Status.” |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can students in private schools apply?
Yes, as long as the school is Recognized by the Rajasthan Education Department. However, the application must still be processed through the school’s portal login.
2. Is there a minimum percentage required?
No. Unlike “Medhavi” scholarships, the Pre-Metric ST scholarship only requires you to Pass the previous class.
3. What is the deadline for 2026?
The Shala Darpan portal usually stays open for scholarship entries until September 30, 2026. Parents should ensure they submit their Jan Aadhaar copies to the school by August.
4. Can my child get a scholarship if they failed Class 7?
If they are repeating Class 7, they won’t get the scholarship this year. However, once they pass and move to Class 8, they can apply again.
Final Thoughts
For a tribal family in rural Rajasthan, these small monthly amounts act as a “Scholarship-cum-Incentive” to keep children in the classroom. The 2026 system is designed to be invisible—if your Jan Aadhaar is correct, the money just shows up.
Is your school saying they can’t find your child’s name on the portal? Or is the “Income Taxpayer” status showing up incorrectly? Leave a comment below with your District and Block name. We help track Rajasthan Shala Darpan updates and can give you the specific contact for your local BEO (Block Education Office)!