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Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship for abroad studies is a type of financial aid offered by the Government of Maharashtra every year to students of the Scheduled Caste (including Neo-Buddhist) communities of Maharashtra to pursue postgraduate (PG) and Ph.D. studies abroad. The aim is to provide economic support so eligible students can complete higher studies (PG / PG diploma / Ph.D.) outside India. If you are one of those eligible candidate who wants to apply for this scholarship, then you are in the right place. In this blog, we have provided you with the key details of this scholarship scheme, including benefits, eligibility criteria, application process, and more.
| Scholarship | Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship |
| Administered by | Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance, Government of Maharashtra |
| Scholarship Award | Tuition Fee coverage of INR 30 Lakhs for Master’s and INR 40 Lakhs for PhD (per student) + Living Allowance + Economy class return airfare |
| Official Website | https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in/en/notice/rajarshi-shahu-maharaj-foreign-scholarship-scheme-for-scheduled-caste-boys-and-girls-for-special-studies-abroad-2025-26/ |
This Blog Includes:
- What is the Purpose of the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship for Abroad Studies?
- What are the Benefits of the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Foreign Scholarship?
- What are the Eligibility Criteria for the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship Scheme?
- Eligible Universities and Courses Fall Under the RSM Scholarship Scheme, Maharashtra
- Documents Checklist for the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship Scheme
- Application Process & Deadlines for 2026-27
- FAQs
What is the Purpose of the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship for Abroad Studies?
Most Indian students in Maharashtra, especially those from marginalized communities such as the Scheduled Castes and Neo-Buddhists, lack adequate resources to pursue their dreams of studying abroad. This is where the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Foreign Scholarship plays a vital role. It provides financial support to economically weaker students from these communities to cover the cost of studying and living in top universities across the world. In 2025–26, a total of 75 scholarships were awarded to deserving students, and a similar number of awards is expected to be granted in the 2026–27 cycle.
What are the Benefits of the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Foreign Scholarship?
In this section, we have provided the key benefits that this scholarship scheme aims to offer to the Maharashtra SC and Neo-Buddhist students.
- Tuition fees, travel, living allowance, health insurance, and other related expenses are covered according to the scheme rules.
- For PG courses (or where the actual course duration ≤ 2 years), there is a scheme cap; for Ph.D., the cap is higher.
- Up to INR 30.00 lakh per student (per tenure/academic year basis for PG/equivalent) and up to INR 40.00 lakh for Ph.D. (exact payable amounts depend on course, institution, and detailed norms).
- In addition to fees, an annual living allowance/maintenance is paid to the student’s foreign account, e.g., USD 15,400 or INR 13 Lakhs per year (for the USA and many countries) and GBP 9,900 or 10 Lakhs per year (for the UK).
- Economy-class return airfare (to/from India) is provided once (on production of documents) as per Government instructions.
What are the Eligibility Criteria for the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship Scheme?
The following are the main eligibility criteria for the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship for Abroad Studies.
- Applicant must be from the Scheduled Caste/Neo-Buddhist category and a resident of Maharashtra.
- Must have an Unconditional Offer Letter (admission) from a foreign institution ranked within the QS Top 200 at the time of application.
- Age limits (as on 1 May 2025): For PG applicants ≤ 35 years; for Ph.D. applicants ≤ 40 years.
- Minimum qualifying percentages (e.g., minimum 55% in the relevant qualifying degree) as specified for PG/Ph.D. admissions (document lists details).
- Income limit: Family’s total annual taxable income must not exceed INR 8.00 lakh..
- Other conditions: Applicant must not have previously received a similar overseas scholarship from any State or Central government; executive/part-time/short executive courses are not eligible; no extension of course duration will be permitted under this grant.
Also Read: Bank of Maharashtra Education Loan to Study Abroad
Eligible Universities and Courses Fall Under the RSM Scholarship Scheme, Maharashtra
Only foreign institutions that appear in the QS World University Rankings (Top 200) are covered. The scheme permits PG/PG-Diploma/Ph.D. courses in permitted disciplines (Engineering, Management, Science, Arts, Law, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Biotechnology, AI, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, etc.).
Documents Checklist for the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship Scheme
Below, we have listed the documents required to be submitted while applying for the RSM scholarship scheme in Maharashtra.
- Dully filled application form
- Proof of caste (Caste certificate) and caste verification certificate.
- Maharashtra domicile/residence certificate (if applicable).
- Academic mark sheets/certificates: SSC, HSC, UG degree, PG (if applicable), transcripts (with percentage/conversion if grades/CGPA).
- Unconditional Offer Letter from the foreign university (original/scanned copy)
- English language/eligibility test scores if required for admission (GRE / TOEFL / IELTS, etc.)
- Family income proof: Income certificate for FY 2024–25 (temporarily accepted) and requirement to provide FY 2025–26 income proof later (Tahsildar/competent authority certificate/ITR/Form 16 as applicable).
- Passport copy, bank passbook first page (Indian), Aadhaar, PAN, and ration card
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) / relevant personal statement.
- Medical fitness certificate (signed by a registered medical practitioner).
- Two Indian citizen sureties (guarantors) with surety bonds
- Affidavits/bond on stamp paper (e.g., undertaking/guarantee and refund clause agreements) as per the format in the document.
Also Read: Government Education Loans to Study Abroad
Application Process & Deadlines for 2026-27
Selected candidates will be notified and required to complete the prescribed formalities.
- Apply online at the state portal (https://fs.maharashtra.gov.in).
- After online submission, applicants must also submit the required supporting documents as specified.
- Final deadline: For the 2026-27 cycle, the dates are yet to be announced. Expect announcement by January-February 2026.
- After shortlisting, the Department will verify documents and may require home inspection (household verification) and submission of additional original documents.
Also Read: Study Abroad in 2025: FEA Scholarships You Can’t Afford to Miss!
FAQs
Yes, the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship is only for students belonging to the Schedule Caste or Neo-Buddhist category. residing in the state of Maharashtra.
To be eligible for this scholarship, the applicant must have/be:
1. An Indian citizen and a resident of Maharashtra
2. From the SC/Neo-Buddhist category.
3. An annual family income of less than INR 8 lakhs.
4. Secured admission from a foreign university ranked within the top 200 universities of the world.
5. Must be no more than 35 years of age (for Master’s) and 40 years of age (for PhD).
6. Enrolled in a full-time master’s/PhD course.
Yes, you can apply for the Maharashtra Government Scholarship for study abroad, as the age limit is 35 years of age.
Related Reads
We hope that this blog has provided you with a complete overview of the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship. For more such updates, keep an eye on Leverage Edu Indian scholarships, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Thank you for reading!
Leave a Reply
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is there any scholarship for the OBC categories?
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Hi Komal,
Yes! There are several scholarships for OBC categories in India. Apart from the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship, you can check out:
1. National Fellowship for OBC Students
2. Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students (State & Central Govt.)
3. Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for OBC StudentsMake sure to check eligibility and apply through official state government portals or the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Good luck!
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is there any limited seats for them
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Hey Kunal,
Scholarships are not granted to every students. Only those who meet the eligibility criteria are granted the scholarship award. Each year more than 5 lakh students receive this scholarship. This means you have a really good chance of receiving the award if you meet the requirements. Scholarships are often granted to the most qualified applicants. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2025. Do not wait till the last date to apply.
For further information, consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.
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4 comments
is there any scholarship for the OBC categories?
Hi Komal,
Yes! There are several scholarships for OBC categories in India. Apart from the Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship, you can check out:
1. National Fellowship for OBC Students
2. Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students (State & Central Govt.)
3. Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for OBC Students
Make sure to check eligibility and apply through official state government portals or the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Good luck!
is there any limited seats for them
Hey Kunal,
Scholarships are not granted to every students. Only those who meet the eligibility criteria are granted the scholarship award. Each year more than 5 lakh students receive this scholarship. This means you have a really good chance of receiving the award if you meet the requirements. Scholarships are often granted to the most qualified applicants. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2025. Do not wait till the last date to apply.
For further information, consult the study abroad experts at Leverage Edu.