GoI Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students | BCK-6.1
The BCK-6.1 (GoI Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students) is a centrally-sponsored scholarship scheme funded by the Government of India and administered in Gujarat by the Director of Scheduled Caste Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Government of Gujarat. It is one of the most comprehensive scholarship programmes for Scheduled Caste students, covering education from Class 11 all the way through PhD.
The Freeship Card | How It Works
Gujarat's implementation of BCK-6.1 includes the innovative Freeship Card system, which prevents students from being denied admission due to inability to pay fees upfront.
Register BEFORE admission
Visit digitalgujarat.gov.in → register and enter your Aadhaar number, field of study you intend to take admission in (e.g., MSc, Diploma, Engineering), and submit an undertaking to pay fees once the scholarship amount is released.
Freeship Card generated
After document verification (caste certificate, income certificate, merit details verified from interlinked databases), your Freeship Card is generated and available to download from the portal anytime.
Present card at institution
Show the Freeship Card at your chosen institution to take admission without paying tuition or hostel fees. The card is valid for 1 year. If you change your course before admission, update the card on the portal.digitalgujaratscholarships.com
Scholarship disbursed via DBT
Once the scholarship amount is released to your bank account via DBT, pay the fees to the institution. The institution verifies online and scholarship is processed annually.
Scholarship Benefits
| Benefit Component | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | Full coverage (via Freeship Card) |
| Non-Refundable Fees | Fully covered |
| Maintenance - Hosteller (Group I/II) | ₹1,200 per month (indicative) |
| Maintenance - Non-Hosteller | ₹550 per month (indicative) |
| Hostel Charges | Covered (for hostel residents) |
Eligibility
- Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category in Gujarat
- Studying from Class 11 to PhD level in a recognised institution
- Annual family income from all sources must not exceed ₹2,50,000 (₹2.5 lakh)
- Permanent resident of Gujarat with valid domicile certificate
- Must not be availing any other major scholarship covering the same expenses
- Enrolled in a recognised/approved course at a government or private institution
Documents Required
Aadhaar Card
For identity + DBT bank seeding
Caste Certificate
Issued by Mamlatdar (valid, within 3 years for SC/ST)
Income Certificate
Annual family income from Mamlatdar
Domicile Certificate
Gujarat resident proof (Vas Praman Patra)
Bonafide / Enrolment Certificate
From current school/college/university
Fee Receipt / Fee Structure
Current year's fees from institution
Bank Passbook (first page)
Account number + IFSC - Aadhaar-seeded for DBT
Passport-size Photo
Recent, clear, within 200 KB
How to Apply | BCK-6.1
Register / Log in at digitalgujarat.gov.in
Visit digitalgujarat.gov.in → click New Registration (Citizen) or log in with existing credentials. Enter mobile number, name, date of birth, create a password, verify via OTP.
Complete My Profile
Log in → click My Profile → fill personal details, permanent address, category (SC/ST/SEBC/OBC etc.), family income, Aadhaar details, and bank account number. Upload profile photo. This is mandatory before any scholarship application.
Scholarship Services → select your scheme
Click the Service tab → Scholarship Services → select your category → select the specific scheme → choose the current academic year → click Apply.
Fill form, upload documents, submit
Fill all required fields. Upload documents (clear scans, max 200 KB each, PDF/JPEG). Tick "I agree with the terms and conditions". Click Save as Draft to save progress, then Submit. Note your application reference number.
Institute verification & DBT payment
After submission, your institute/college principal verifies online. On approval, scholarship is disbursed via DBT directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account (typically within 1 month of approval). Track status under Service Request in your dashboard.
Check Application Status
Log in to digitalgujarat.gov.in → Service Request Section in your dashboard. Status stages: Submitted → Received by Principal → Verified by Authority → Approved → Payment. If "Query by Authority" appears, upload the requested document via the Edit option. For status updates, email: [email protected] or call helpline 1800-233-5500.
Frequently Asked Questions
BCK-6.1 is the Government of India Post Matric Scholarship for SC students administered by Gujarat's Director of Scheduled Caste Welfare. It covers SC students from Class 11 to PhD. Income limit: annual family income must not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh. Benefits: full tuition fee coverage via Freeship Card, plus maintenance allowance (Rs 550 to Rs 1,200 per month depending on course and hosteller/non-hosteller status). Apply at digitalgujarat.gov.in under SC scholarship services.
The Freeship Card is a special provision under the GoI PMS for SC students (BCK-6.1) in Gujarat. Students register at digitalgujarat.gov.in BEFORE taking admission. After approval, a Freeship Card is generated which allows the student to take admission at any recognised institution without paying tuition or hostel fees upfront. The card is valid for 1 year. When the scholarship amount is released to the student's bank account, the student then pays the fees to the institution. The card can be changed if the student changes their field of study before admission.
The annual family income limit for the GoI Post Matric Scholarship for SC students (BCK-6.1) is Rs 2.5 lakh (Rs 2,50,000) per year from all sources. The income certificate must be issued by the Mamlatdar office. Students whose income is between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 6 lakh may be eligible for the State's BCK-5 scheme instead.
BCK-6.1 maintenance allowance rates (indicative - verify current year rates at digitalgujarat.gov.in): Hostellers in Groups I/II courses - Rs 1,200/month; Non-hostellers - Rs 550/month. Rates vary by course group (Group I = professional courses like Engineering/Medical/MBA; Group II = other post-graduate; Group III = graduate; Group IV = Class 11-12). Tuition and non-refundable fees are fully covered via the Freeship Card system.
BCK-6.1 (GoI PMS for SC) is the Central Government scheme for SC students with income up to Rs 2.5 lakh. BCK-5 is the State Government Post Matric Scholarship for SC girl students, it has two sub-schemes: one for girls with income between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 6 lakh, and another for income above Rs 6 lakh. BCK-6.1 covers both boys and girls with income up to Rs 2.5 lakh.