The Punjab government has introduced a new Overseas Scholarship Scheme 2025-26 to support students from Scheduled Caste (SC) communities and landless agricultural labourers in pursuing higher education abroad. The announcement was made by Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur on Thursday, marking a significant step toward expanding educational opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
Eligibility Criteria for the Overseas Scholarship Scheme
To apply for the Punjab Overseas Scholarship Scheme, candidates must meet specific requirements:
- A minimum of 60% marks in graduation.
- The applicant must be under the age of 35 years.
- The annual family income should be less than ₹8 lakh.
The scheme also reserves 30% of seats for female aspirants, ensuring equal opportunities for women pursuing higher education abroad. Students can apply to a list of 500 top-ranked universities worldwide, opening doors to global academic exposure.
Financial Benefits Covered
The Punjab government overseas scholarship is designed to cover almost all major expenses related to studying abroad. These include:
- Visa fees and airfare.
- Full tuition fees at the chosen university.
- An annual maintenance allowance of ₹13.17 lakh.
- A contingency allowance of ₹1.35 lakh per year.
This initiative ensures that students do not need to mortgage family property or face financial hardships to pursue international education.
Application Process and Correction Window
Eligible students can apply online for the Punjab Overseas Scholarship 2025-26 at the official portal until October 24, 2025. For applicants who need to correct their submitted details, the portal will reopen from October 26 to October 29, 2025. During this correction window, no new registrations will be allowed.
Expanding Scholarship Access
Highlighting the success of existing schemes, Minister Baljit Kaur mentioned the remarkable progress of the post-matric scholarship scheme. The number of beneficiaries rose from 1,76,842 in 2022 to 2,37,456 in 2025, marking a 35% increase in just three years. For the upcoming academic year, the government has set a target of 2.70 lakh students, backed by extensive awareness campaigns in schools and colleges across Punjab.
Additional Initiatives for Competitive Exams
Alongside the overseas scholarship, the Punjab government is also investing in competitive exam preparation. A two-month crash course will be conducted at the Ambedkar Institute in Mohali for SC, BC, and minority students aspiring for civil services. Applications for this program will be accepted offline and via email from September 17 to 26, 2025, and 40 candidates will be shortlisted through an entrance exam on September 30, 2025.
The Punjab Overseas Scholarship Scheme 2025-26 is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering marginalized communities through global education opportunities. By covering comprehensive expenses and reserving 30% of seats for women, the scheme ensures inclusivity and accessibility. With increasing awareness and strong government support, Punjab is paving the way for a brighter academic future for SC students and landless agricultural labourers, for more details and apply CLICK HERE
