Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana

Summary of the Scheme
Name of Scheme	Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana
Benefits	Annual financial assistance of up to Rs. 80,000
Beneficiary	Eligible Scheduled Tribe (ST) students of Maharashtra.
Nodal Agency	Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra.
Subscription	Subscribe here to get Update Regarding Scheme
Mode of Apply	Online through the SWAYAM Portal.

Maharashtra Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana: Up to ₹80,000 a Year for ST Students Who Cannot Get a Government Hostel

Getting into a good college is one thing. Finding a place to live and paying for food in a big city is another, and for many Scheduled Tribe students from rural Maharashtra, the second problem can end the first. The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana, run by the Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra, helps ST students who could not get a seat in a Government Hostel to rent accommodation, eat properly and keep studying.

The recent increase

On 6 October 2026, the Maharashtra State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved higher rates. Total annual assistance rises from the earlier range of ₹38,000 to ₹60,000 to a new range of ₹50,000 to ₹80,000. The rates had stayed the same since 2018. The allowance for educational materials has also gone up:

1. Medical and engineering students: from ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 a year
2. Students in other eligible courses: from ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 a year

How much you receive depends on where your college is

1. Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur: ₹80,000 (₹42,000 food, ₹28,000 accommodation, ₹10,000 subsistence)
2. Other divisional headquarters and remaining Class-C municipal corporation areas: ₹68,000 (₹37,000 food, ₹21,000 accommodation, ₹10,000 subsistence)
3. Other district headquarters: ₹57,000 (₹32,000 food, ₹17,000 accommodation, ₹8,000 subsistence)
4. Taluka-level areas: ₹50,000 (₹30,000 food, ₹13,000 accommodation, ₹7,000 subsistence)

The educational materials allowance is paid on top of these figures. The money goes into your Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), once a year, for the approved length of your course, as long as you meet the conditions.

One thing the source does not say is when the new rates start or whether they apply to the current academic year, or whether current beneficiaries will automatically receive the higher amounts. Ask the helpline or your college before you budget around the new figures.

Who is eligible

1. The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Tribe category and be a permanent resident of Maharashtra.
2. Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹2.50 lakh.
3. The applicant must have scored at least 60% in Class 12.
4. The applicant must have admission to a recognised higher or professional course of at least two years’ duration, at an institution recognised by the Central or State Government, UGC, AICTE, NMC, PCI, COA or another competent statutory authority.
5. The applicant must not have been allotted a Government Hostel seat.
6. The applicant must be no older than 28 at the time of applying.
7. The applicant must not be engaged in any job, business or profession while receiving the benefit.
8. The applicant must hold a valid ST Caste Validity Certificate.
9. The applicant must have an active Aadhaar number linked to an operational bank account.

To keep receiving the benefit, you must attend at least 60% of classes and pass each academic year. The scheme cannot be used again for a second degree or a postgraduate course after you have already received assistance.

That last rule matters if you plan to do a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s. The source says you cannot claim again for another degree or postgraduate course after receiving assistance, so plan with that in mind, and ask the department about your specific case.

Documents

Mandatory:

1. Aadhaar card
2. Maharashtra ST caste certificate
3. Caste Validity Certificate
4. Maharashtra domicile certificate
5. Income certificate from the competent authority, or Form 16
6. Admission letter or college bonafide certificate
7. Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets
8. Bank passbook of the Aadhaar-linked account

Where applicable:

1. Previous year’s marksheet or grade card with at least 60% or equivalent CGPA (renewal)
2. College attendance certificate
3. Latest session examination result
4. Transfer or leaving certificate
5. Affidavit that you have not been allotted a Government Hostel
6. Certificate of non-local residence, if required
7. Private hostel receipt, rent agreement or other proof of accommodation
8. Disability certificate, if claiming under the disability category
9. Any other document the department or institute requests

How to apply

1. Visit the SWAYAM Portal and choose New Registration, creating an account with your mobile number and other details.
2. Log in and select the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana application.
3. Fill in your personal, academic, income and bank details.
4. Upload the documents in the prescribed format.
5. Review everything, submit, and note down the application number.
6. The authorities verify the application. If a correction is requested, update and resubmit within the specified period.
7. After approval, the money is credited to your bank account through DBT.

Renewing

Existing beneficiaries renew each year through the SWAYAM Portal, on the schedule the Tribal Development Department notifies. You must have passed the previous year, kept 60% attendance, uploaded last year’s marksheet and still meet the eligibility conditions. The source gives no application dates for the current year, so check the portal.

If you are not an ST student

The source points to equivalent schemes. Scheduled Caste and Neo-Buddhist students can apply under the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Yojana, which received a matching increase at the same Cabinet meeting. OBC, Vimukta Jati, Nomadic Tribes and Special Backward Class students can apply under the Gyan Jyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhar Scheme.

Where to get help

1. Toll-free number: 1800 267 0007
2. Email: tddswayamhostelhelp@gmail.com