- Gives a ₹1,500 annual scholarship to school-going children from minority communities.
- Covers Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, and Parsi students in Class 1 to Class 8.
- Reserves 30% of scholarships specifically for girl students.
- Transfers the scholarship amount directly into the student’s bank account via DBT.
- Maragadeepam Scholarship Scheme Helpline Number
- 0471 2300524
- 0471 2300523
- Maragadeepam Scholarship Scheme Email: scholarship.mwd@gmail.com
|
Summary of the Scheme
|
|
|---|---|
| Name of Scheme | Keralam Maargadeepam Scholarship Scheme |
| Launch Year | 2024 |
| Benefits | ₹1,500 per student per academic year |
| Beneficiary | Minority students studying in Class 1 to Class 8 in Government or Government-aided schools |
| Nodal Agency | Minority Welfare Department, Kerala |
| Subscription | Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme |
| Mode of Apply | Through the respective school and Maargadeepam Scholarship Portal |
Keralam Maargadeepam Scholarship 2026-27: ₹1,500 a Year for Minority Students in Classes 1 to 8
Keralam’s Maargadeepam Scholarship gives school-going children from minority communities ₹1,500 per year, paid directly to their bank account. It covers Classes 1 to 8, the stage the central pre-matric scholarship no longer reaches.
What is the Maargadeepam Scholarship?
Maargadeepam is a pre-matric scholarship scheme of the Keralam Government, launched in 2024 and run by the Minority Welfare Department. It supports students in Government and Government-aided schools through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from the Treasury.
The scheme fills a gap. The central government restricted its own pre-matric scholarship for minority students to Classes 9 and 10 only, so Maargadeepam supports the younger students in Classes 1 to 8.
Scheme at a glance
| Benefit | ₹1,500 per student per academic year |
| Who can apply | Minority students in Classes 1 to 8 in Government or Government-aided schools |
| Nodal agency | Minority Welfare Department, Kerala |
| Mode of application | Through the school, using the Maargadeepam portal |
| Last date (2026-27) | 11:00 PM, 31 October 2026 (after an extension) |
Who is eligible?
A student must:
- Belong to a notified minority community: Muslim, Christian (all sects), Sikh, Buddhist, Jain or Parsi.
- Study in Class 1 to Class 8 in a Government or Government-aided school in Kerala.
- Have a parent or guardian with an annual income from all sources of no more than ₹2.50 lakh.
- Be a permanent resident of Keralam.
- Not be receiving any other scholarship.
Only two children from the same family can receive the scholarship. The Head of the Institution checks this using the family’s ration card details.
Special provisions
- 30% reservation for girls. If there aren’t enough eligible girl applicants, boys can be considered for the unfilled seats.
- Extra index points for students with a disability of 40% or more, and for students who have lost one or both parents.
- Class-wise adjustment. If a class has fewer eligible applicants than scholarships, students from another class can be considered for the unfilled ones.
How students are selected
Selection is based on a maximum of 30 index points:
| Category | Maximum points | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Family income | 10 | (₹2,50,000 − actual annual income) ÷ 25,000, so lower income earns more |
| Academic performance | 12 | Grade A = 12, B = 10, C = 8, D = 6 |
| Loss of parent(s) | 4 | Both parents deceased = 4, one parent = 2 |
| Disability (40% or more) | 4 | Special points; certificate required |
For Classes 2 to 8, the previous year’s (2025-26) grades are considered. Class 1 students are selected on family income alone, since they have no earlier school grades.
Documents required
Submit these to the school with the application form. They do not need to be uploaded online, and the school keeps them for verification.
- Family Income Certificate from the Village Officer
- Community/Minority Certificate from the Village Officer
- Copy of the student’s bank passbook, or a joint passbook with a parent or guardian
- Disability Certificate, if applicable
- Death Certificate of the parent(s), if applicable
- Grade sheet/mark sheet for 2025-26
The form also asks for the student’s Aadhaar number and bank account details.
How to apply
- Visit the official portal at www.margadeepam.kerala.gov.in.
- Download the Maargadeepam Scholarship 2026-27 application form.
- Fill it in with accurate, complete details.
- Submit the form with the documents to the Head of the Institution.
- The school clerk enters your details in the portal through the Clerk Login.
- The Head of the Institution verifies the entries.
- After verification, the application is forwarded to the Minority Welfare Department through the portal.
Check the details entered in the portal for accuracy. If anything is missing, the school should tell you in advance so you can fix it in time.
Renewal
The scholarship does not renew automatically. A student who received it in one year must submit a fresh application the next year and must still meet the eligibility conditions. Receiving it before doesn’t guarantee selection again.
Deadline
The last date for 2026-27 was extended to 11:00 PM on 31 October 2026. As of today (7 November 2026), that date has passed. If you haven’t applied, contact your school and the helpline below to find out whether a further extension or late window exists. Applicants who missed this cycle should prepare their documents early for the next one.
Need help?
- Helpline: 0471 2300524, 0471 2300523
- Email: scholarship.mwd@gmail.com
Related scheme
The Directorate of Minority Welfare also supports students at later stages, for example through the Keralam APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship Scheme for polytechnic diploma students.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the scholarship?
₹1,500 per student per academic year, paid by DBT.
What is the income limit?
₹2.50 lakh per year for the parent or guardian, from all sources.
How many children per family can benefit?
A maximum of two.
Can students getting another scholarship apply?
No.
Is there a reservation for girls?
Yes, 30%. Unfilled seats can go to boys.
Can a student apply again next year?
Yes, with a fresh application and subject to eligibility and selection.