I. Executive Summary: Navigating Financial Aid for SC Students in Haryana’s ITI and Professional Courses

Initial User Query Deconstruction

An inquiry regarding the “Swami Vivekanand Scholarship” for Scheduled Caste (SC) students pursuing Industrial Training Institute (ITI) or professional courses in Haryana reveals a common point of confusion within India’s state-specific scholarship landscape. While scholarships bearing the name “Swami Vivekananda” are prominent and well-established financial aid instruments, they are primarily administered by other state governments. Specifically, the “Stipend to SC students for ITI and Professional Courses (Swami Vivekanand Scholarship)” is a scheme offered by the Government of Gujarat. Similarly, the “Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM)” is a flagship program of the Government of West Bengal , and the “Swami Vivekananda Utkrisht Chhatravriti Yojna” is provided by the Government of Himachal Pradesh.  

This report clarifies that this nomenclature is not used for the primary scholarship schemes available to SC students in Haryana. The initial query, therefore, highlights a critical challenge for students: navigating a fragmented information ecosystem where generic searches can lead to geographically irrelevant and misleading results. This report serves as a corrective and definitive guide, redirecting the focus to the actual, applicable financial aid opportunities available within Haryana.

Introduction to Haryana’s Scholarship Ecosystem

For SC students in Haryana seeking financial support for ITI and professional courses, a robust, multi-tiered system of aid is available through both state and central government initiatives. This report provides an exhaustive analysis of the three principal scholarship avenues:

1. The State SC Scheme for Government ITIs: A targeted, state-funded stipend specifically designed to encourage enrollment in vocational training programs at government-run ITIs.  
2. The Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC Students: The most significant and broad-based financial aid scheme, covering a vast array of post-secondary courses for SC students, including ITI and professional programs, funded as a centrally sponsored scheme.  
3. The Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education for SC Students: A prestigious, merit-based scholarship from the Central Government for SC students who secure admission to a select list of the nation’s premier educational institutions.  

Navigating the Digital Gateways

The application process for these schemes is managed through two distinct digital platforms. Understanding which portal to use is critical for a successful application.

• Har-Chhatravratti Portal: The Government of Haryana’s centralized scholarship portal (harchhatravratti.highereduhry.ac.in) hosts various state-specific schemes, including the State SC Scheme for Government ITIs.  
• National Scholarship Portal (NSP): The Government of India’s comprehensive portal (scholarships.gov.in) is the platform for central sector schemes like the Top Class Education Scholarship.  

A pivotal procedural update affects the 2025-26 academic session onwards. The application process for the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC Students in Haryana is migrating from the state’s Har-Chhatravratti portal to the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). This change centralizes the application for this major scheme and requires applicants to adapt to the NSP’s procedures.  

The Non-Negotiable Prerequisite

For all scholarship schemes administered by the Government of Haryana, possession of a valid Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), or Family ID, is a mandatory and foundational requirement. The Har-Chhatravratti portal is deeply integrated with the PPP database, from which it automatically fetches and verifies critical applicant data. Therefore, ensuring the accuracy of all personal, familial, income, and caste details within the PPP is the essential first step for any prospective applicant.  

II. Foundational Support: Haryana’s “Scholarship to Scheduled Castes Students Studying in Government ITIs”

Scheme Overview and Objectives

Administered by the Skill Development and Industrial Training Department of Haryana, the “Scholarship to Scheduled Castes Students Studying in Government ITIs” (often referred to as the State SC Scheme (Govt ITI)) is a targeted state-funded initiative. The primary objective of this scheme is not to provide comprehensive living support but to specifically promote and incentivize skill development training among SC youth. By offering a direct stipend, the government aims to encourage enrollment in state-run vocational programs, thereby enabling graduates to pursue self-employment or secure jobs in the private and government sectors.

The scheme’s narrow focus on government institutions and its supplementary financial benefit position it as a “gateway” scholarship. It functions as a policy tool to channel students into the state’s vocational training infrastructure. Unlike broader, need-based scholarships, its structure suggests a primary goal of boosting enrollment in specific public institutions. The absence of a stated family income limit in the core scheme guidelines further supports this, making it accessible to any SC student who chooses a Government ITI, regardless of their family’s economic standing, thereby maximizing its potential to fill seats in these institutions.  

Eligibility Criteria in Detail

Eligibility for this scheme is governed by a precise and strict set of conditions that applicants must meet without exception.

• Caste and Domicile: The applicant must belong to a Scheduled Caste recognized in Haryana and must be a permanent resident (domicile) of the state.  
• Institutional Requirement: This is a critical and defining criterion. The scholarship is available exclusively to students enrolled in Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) situated within the geographical boundaries of Haryana. Students attending private ITIs or other vocational centers are not eligible for this particular scheme.  
• Exclusivity Clause: A significant condition of this scholarship is its exclusivity. A student who receives benefits under this scheme is explicitly barred from receiving financial aid under any other State or Central scholarship scheme for the same period. To enforce this, applicants are required to submit a sworn affidavit confirming that they are not availing benefits from any other program. This forces applicants to make a strategic choice between this targeted stipend and other potentially more lucrative but differently conditioned scholarships like the PMS-SC.  
• Academic Performance: The scheme is intended for students in good academic standing. No scholarship will be awarded to students who have failed their examinations.  

Financial Benefits and Disbursement

The financial assistance provided under the State SC Scheme (Govt ITI) is structured as a monthly stipend and a reimbursement for tuition fees.

• Stipend: Eligible students receive a monthly scholarship of ₹200 for the duration of the academic year.  
• Tuition Fee Reimbursement: In addition to the stipend, the scheme provides for the reimbursement of tuition fees at a rate of ₹15 per month.  
• Payment Structure: The total annual benefit is disbursed in two equal installments. The first installment, constituting 50% of the total amount, is released to the student after they have successfully secured admission into a Government ITI. The second and final installment is contingent upon the student fulfilling the minimum attendance criteria required to be eligible to appear in the final examinations.  
• Disbursement Method: To ensure transparency and timely payment, all funds are transferred directly into the student’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It is mandatory for the student’s bank account to be linked with their Aadhaar number for the transaction to be successful.  

Application Process: The Dual-Mode Approach

The application procedure for this scheme presents a dual-channel approach, combining traditional offline methods with modern online systems.

• Offline Channel: The primary and most direct method of application involves the student obtaining and submitting a physical application form to the Head or Principal of the Government ITI where they are enrolled. This places the institute’s administration at the center of the application and verification process.  
• Online Channel: The scheme is also listed on Haryana’s official Har-Chhatravratti scholarship portal. This indicates that an online application pathway is also available. This duality can be a source of confusion. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that applicants confirm the exact and current application procedure—whether online, offline, or both—with the administrative office of their specific ITI before proceeding.  
• Required Documents: A complete application package must include the following documents:
  • A completed application form.
  • One recent passport-size photograph, signed by the student.
  • An attested copy of the student’s Caste Certificate.
  • An attested copy of the student’s Haryana Resident (Domicile) Certificate.
  • The mandatory sworn affidavit stating that the student will not avail benefits from any other State or Central scholarship scheme.  

III. Comprehensive Financial Aid: The Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC Students

Scheme Overview and Scope

The Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste Students (PMS-SC) stands as the cornerstone of financial support for the SC community in Haryana, as it does across India. It is a centrally sponsored scheme designed to significantly increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of SC students in higher education by providing comprehensive financial assistance to enable them to complete their education beyond the matriculation (Class 10) level.  

The scope of the PMS-SC scheme is exceptionally broad, covering a wide spectrum of educational pursuits. It provides support for students from Class 11 and 12 (both general and vocational streams), through diploma and certificate courses at ITIs and polytechnics, and up to undergraduate, postgraduate, and even doctoral studies at recognized institutions. This makes it the most relevant and widely applicable scholarship for SC students pursuing ITI and professional courses in Haryana.  

Critical Update for 2025-26: Migration to the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

A significant procedural change has been mandated for the PMS-SC scheme, effective from the academic session 2025-26. The Social Justice, Empowerment, Welfare of Scheduled Castes & Backward Classes and Antyodaya Department, Haryana, in conjunction with the Government of India, has decided to onboard the application process for the PMS-SC scheme exclusively onto the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), accessible at https://scholarships.gov.in.  

Consequently, the use of Haryana’s state-level Har-Chhatravratti portal for PMS-SC applications will be discontinued for the 2025-26 academic year. All eligible students, including those who may have previously applied through the state portal, are now required to submit fresh applications through the NSP.  

A crucial component of this new process is the requirement for a One-Time Registration (OTR). Before applying for the scholarship, every student must first generate an OTR ID through the NSP web portal or its official mobile application. This OTR is a mandatory prerequisite for submitting the PMS-SC application on the state portal, which will then presumably pull data from the NSP registration. This two-portal system for registration and application must be carefully followed.  

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the PMS-SC scheme, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

• Caste and Domicile: The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Caste category and be a domicile (permanent resident) of Haryana. Students domiciled in Haryana but studying in a recognized institution in another state are also eligible to apply.  
• Income Ceiling: The total annual income of the student’s parents or guardians from all sources must not exceed ₹2,50,000. An income certificate issued by a competent authority is a mandatory document for verification.  
• Educational Stage: The applicant must be enrolled in a recognized post-matriculation course (any course of study after Class 10) at a government or private institution recognized by an appropriate authority.  
• Exclusivity: A student receiving the PMS-SC scholarship is not permitted to hold any other scholarship or stipend for the same course of study simultaneously.  
• Progression: The scholarship is generally not awarded for studying in the same stage of education in a different subject (e.g., pursuing a B.Com degree after already completing a B.A. degree).  

Financial Benefits Structure

The financial assistance under the PMS-SC scheme is comprehensive, covering both compulsory fees and maintenance costs through an academic allowance.

• Compulsory Fees: The scheme covers the reimbursement of all compulsory non-refundable fees payable to the institution. This includes tuition fees, registration fees, examination fees, and other charges as determined and approved by the State Government’s Fee Fixation/Rationalization Committee.  
• Academic Allowance: To support living expenses, the purchase of books, stationery, and other educational materials, a structured academic allowance is provided. The amount of this allowance is tiered based on the type of course the student is pursuing and whether they are residing in a hostel (hosteller) or commuting from home (day scholar).

The following table provides a detailed matrix of the annual academic allowance provided under the PMS-SC scheme, categorized by course groups. This structure allows applicants to clearly identify the financial support they are entitled to based on their chosen field of study.

Table 1: PMS-SC Financial Assistance Matrix by Course Group (Annual)

Additionally, students with disabilities (Divyang) are eligible for an extra 10% allowance over and above the prescribed rates.  

Application Process on NSP

With the migration to the National Scholarship Portal for the 2025-26 session, the application process will follow the standardized NSP procedure:

1. Registration: The applicant must first visit the NSP website (scholarships.gov.in) and complete the initial registration process to create an account. This involves providing basic details like domicile, name, date of birth, mobile number, and bank account information.  
2. Application Form: After logging in, the applicant must navigate to the relevant scheme (Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Haryana) and fill out the detailed application form. This will require personal, academic, and institutional details.  
3. Document Upload: Scanned copies of all required documents (as listed in the master checklist in Section V) must be uploaded in the specified format and size.  
4. Final Submission: After carefully reviewing all entered information and uploaded documents, the application must be finally submitted. An application ID will be generated, which should be saved for future reference and tracking the application status. The application then undergoes a multi-level verification process, starting from the institute level.  

IV. The Premier Opportunity: Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education for SC Students

Scheme Overview and Prestige

Beyond the state-level and centrally sponsored schemes, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, offers the “Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education for SC Students.” This is a highly prestigious and competitive scholarship designed to recognize and promote academic excellence among the most meritorious Scheduled Caste students.

Unlike broader schemes, this initiative provides full financial support to a limited number of SC students who have successfully secured admission into a select group of India’s premier educational institutions. Its objective is to remove all financial barriers for high-achieving students, enabling them to access the best quality higher education available in the country and fostering a new generation of leaders from the community.

The existence of this scheme alongside the State ITI stipend and the comprehensive PMS-SC creates a clear, tiered system of opportunity. This structure is directly linked to a student’s academic merit and, most importantly, their choice of educational institution. This transforms the process of seeking financial aid from a simple post-admission task into a critical element of pre-admission strategic planning. An academically gifted SC student from a family with an income of ₹4 lakh, for instance, would be ineligible for the PMS-SC scheme due to the income cap. However, if that same student secures admission into a notified premier institution like an NIT or an IIM, they become fully eligible for the far more comprehensive benefits of the Top Class Education scheme, which has a higher income ceiling. This direct link between institutional choice, scholarship eligibility, and the level of financial support is a powerful factor that students should consider when planning their educational and career trajectories.

Distinct Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for the Top Class Education scheme is fundamentally different from other scholarships and is contingent on meeting elite criteria.

• Institutional Requirement: The single most important condition is that the applicant must have secured admission in a full-time prescribed course at one of the institutions specifically notified by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for this scheme. This exclusive list comprises the country’s top-tier institutions, including all Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMSs), National Law Universities (NLUs), and other premier government and private institutions.  
• Income Ceiling: This scheme features a significantly higher annual family income ceiling of ₹8.00 lakh from all sources. This makes it accessible to students from a broader economic spectrum of the SC community who may be ineligible for the PMS-SC scheme.  
• Family Limitation: To ensure wider distribution of benefits, the scholarship is restricted to a maximum of two siblings within a single family. The applicant must submit an affidavit to this effect.  
• Stage of Study: The scholarship is awarded to students for pursuing studies beyond the 12th class and is typically granted to fresh entrants in the first year of their course.  

Comprehensive Financial Package

The financial support provided under this scheme is all-encompassing, designed to cover nearly every expense associated with pursuing higher education in a premier institution.

• Full Fee Coverage: The scheme covers the payment of the full tuition fee and all other non-refundable charges payable to the institution. For private sector institutions on the notified list, this benefit is subject to a ceiling of ₹2.00 lakh per annum per student. For commercial pilot training courses, the ceiling is higher at ₹3.72 lakh per annum.  
• Living Expenses: A generous stipend of ₹3,000 per month is provided to each student to cover living expenses for the duration of the course.  
• Books and Stationery: An annual allowance of ₹5,000 is provided for the purchase of academic books, stationery, and other course-related materials.  
• Computer/Laptop Assistance: Recognizing the importance of digital tools in modern education, the scheme provides a one-time assistance grant of up to ₹45,000 for the purchase of a brand-new computer or laptop, along with essential accessories like a UPS and printer. This grant is typically disbursed through the institution.  

Application and Selection Process

The application and selection for this premier scholarship are managed centrally to ensure a merit-based and transparent process.

• Application Portal: All applications for the Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education for SC Students must be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).  
• Selection Method: The selection of awardees is strictly based on merit. The institutions are allotted a specific number of scholarship “slots.” If the number of eligible SC students admitted to an institution exceeds the available slots, the scholarship is awarded to the top students based on the inter-se merit list of the admission examination. In the event of a tie in marks for the last available slot, preference is given to the student with the lower annual family income. Furthermore, 30% of the total slots allocated to an institution are reserved for eligible female SC students.  

V. The Application Ecosystem: A Practical Guide to Portals, Documents, and Prerequisites

Successfully securing a scholarship requires not only meeting the eligibility criteria but also mastering the application ecosystem. This involves understanding the foundational role of state-specific identity documents, navigating the correct online portals, and meticulously preparing all required paperwork in advance.

The Central Role of Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP)

For any scholarship scheme administered by the Government of Haryana, the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP), or Family ID, is the single most critical document and the starting point of the application process. The Har-Chhatravratti portal is seamlessly integrated with the PPP database, which acts as the definitive source of truth for an applicant’s core information.  

When a student initiates registration on the state portal using their PPP ID, critical data points such as their Domicile status, Family Income, and Caste Category are automatically fetched from the PPP database. Crucially, these fields are often non-editable within the scholarship application form itself. This has a profound implication: any error or outdated information in the PPP record will be directly carried over to the scholarship application, potentially leading to disqualification.  

Therefore, the most important preliminary step for any student in Haryana is what can be termed “Step Zero”: thoroughly verifying the accuracy of all details in their family’s PPP. If any discrepancies are found in name, date of birth, income, or caste details, they must be corrected through the official PPP channels before attempting to register on the scholarship portal.

Navigating the Application Portals

With the recent procedural changes, applicants must be able to distinguish between the two primary portals and understand their specific roles in the scholarship application process. The following table provides a clear, comparative overview to guide students to the correct platform for their needs.

Table 2: Haryana Scholarship Application Portals: A Comparative Overview

Master Checklist of Required Documents

Preparation is key to a smooth application process. Applicants should gather digital and physical copies of the following documents, as they are commonly required across the various schemes.

• Personal Identification:
  • Aadhaar Card (and ensure it is linked to a bank account).  
  • Recent Passport Size Photograph.  
  • Scanned copy of the Applicant’s Signature.  
• Domicile and Caste Verification:
  • Haryana Domicile Certificate (Resident Certificate).  
  • Scheduled Caste (SC) Certificate issued by a competent authority.  
• Income Proof:
  • Income Certificate issued by a competent authority (e.g., Tehsildar).  
  • For state schemes, if family income is between ₹1.80 lakh and ₹2.50 lakh, the income certificate must be downloaded from the SARAL portal.  
• Academic Records:
  • 10th Class Certificate (for date of birth verification).  
  • 12th Class Certificate (if applicable).  
  • Marksheet of the Last Examination Passed (e.g., previous semester or academic year).  
• Admission and Financial Proof:
  • Fee Receipt for the current academic year, confirming admission.  
  • First Page of the Student’s Bank Passbook, clearly showing the account number, IFSC code, and the student’s name. The account must be Aadhaar-seeded.  
• Haryana Specific Document:
  • Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) / Family ID.  

VI. Strategic Roadmap and Recommendations for Applicants

Navigating the scholarship landscape requires a strategic, step-by-step approach. This final section synthesizes the report’s findings into an actionable roadmap to guide SC students in Haryana from preparation to application submission, maximizing their chances of securing financial aid.

Step 1: Foundational Data Verification (Pre-Application Phase)

Before visiting any scholarship portal, the foundational work must be completed. This phase is non-negotiable and prevents the most common causes of application rejection.

• Verify Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP): As the primary data source for all state schemes, the accuracy of your PPP is paramount. Log in to the official PPP portal and meticulously verify every detail: your name, father’s name, date of birth, caste category, and especially the declared annual family income. Any error must be corrected through the designated process immediately.
• Ensure Aadhaar-Seeded Bank Account: All scholarship amounts are disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to an Aadhaar-linked bank account. Visit your bank branch and explicitly confirm that your account is “Aadhaar-seeded” or “NPCI-mapped.” Simply linking Aadhaar is not sufficient for receiving DBT payments. This proactive step prevents payment failures after the scholarship has been sanctioned.

Step 2: Scholarship Identification Based on a Decision Tree

Use the following decision tree to identify the most appropriate scholarship(s) based on your specific educational path and economic status.

• Question 1: Where are you planning to enroll or currently studying?
  • If your answer is a Government ITI in Haryana: You are eligible for the “State SC Scheme (Govt ITI).” This is a targeted stipend. Remember the exclusivity clause: if you accept this, you cannot apply for the PMS-SC scheme.
  • If your answer is any other recognized post-matric institution (a private ITI, a polytechnic, a college for a degree, or a university): Your primary target is the “Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC Students.” This is the most comprehensive and widely applicable scheme.
  • If your answer is a premier national institute notified by the Central Government (e.g., an IIT, NIT, IIM, AIIMS): You are a prime candidate for the “Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education for SC Students.” This offers the most extensive financial support.
• Question 2: What is your total annual family income from all sources?
  • If your income is ₹2,50,000 or less: You are eligible for the PMS-SC scheme (and the State ITI scheme, which has no stated income limit).
  • If your income is between ₹2,50,001 and ₹8,00,000: You are not eligible for the PMS-SC scheme. However, you remain fully eligible for the Top Class Education scheme, provided you meet the institutional admission criteria. This is a critical distinction for students from families in this income bracket aiming for top institutions.

Step 3: Portal Selection and Application Execution

Once you have identified the correct scholarship, select the appropriate portal and execute the application with precision.

• For the State SC Scheme (Govt ITI): Your primary point of contact is your ITI’s Principal/Head. Also, check the Har-Chhatravratti portal for the online application process.
• For the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC Students (from session 2025-26): The application must be submitted on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Remember to first complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) on the NSP before filling out the main application.
• For the Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education: The application is exclusively through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
• Execution:
  1. Gather all documents as per the master checklist provided in Section V.
  2. Register on the correct portal using the required credentials (PPP for Har-Chhatravratti, Aadhaar for NSP).
  3. Fill out the application form meticulously. Avoid any spelling errors or factual inaccuracies.
  4. Upload clear, legible scanned copies of all required documents in the specified format.
  5. Before final submission, review the entire application one last time. Save a copy of the submitted application and the generated application ID for your records.

Concluding Remarks

While the initial query regarding a “Swami Vivekanand Scholarship” in Haryana originated from a common misunderstanding, the analysis confirms that a robust and well-structured, tiered system of financial support is indeed available for Scheduled Caste students. Success in securing this aid is not a matter of chance but of informed strategy. It hinges on correctly identifying the applicable scheme based on one’s institutional choice and financial background, understanding the updated procedural requirements of the state and national portals, and preparing meticulously. This report provides the definitive map to navigate that process, empowering students to overcome financial barriers and achieve their educational aspirations in Haryana’s ITI and professional courses.