The Vidyasiri Scholarship is a flagship initiative by the Government of Karnataka aimed at promoting higher education among students from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. By providing financial assistance, the scholarship seeks to reduce dropout rates and ensure that meritorious students have the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations without financial constraints.

Informative Article: Understanding the Vidyasiri Scholarship
1. Overview
The Vidyasiri Scholarship is administered by the Karnataka Backward Classes Welfare Department. It encompasses several schemes designed to support students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) who are pursuing post-matriculation courses.
2. Types of Vidyasiri Scholarships
- Free Hostel Accommodation/Fee for Post-Matric Courses: Provides free hostel accommodation and covers course fees for eligible students.
- Prathibha Puraskar Scholarship: Awards students who have secured 90% or above in SSLC or PUC examinations.
- Full Course Fee Concession for PMS FAAS, FC, and NUR: Offers full course fee concessions to students with at least 75% attendance.
3. Eligibility Criteria
- Residency: Applicant must be a permanent resident of Karnataka.
- Educational Qualification: Must have passed Class X and be enrolled in post-matric courses in recognized institutions affiliated with Karnataka universities.
- Income Limits:
- SC/ST: Annual family income should not exceed ₹2,00,000.
- OBC/PWD: Annual family income should not exceed ₹1,00,000.
- Academic Performance:
- For fresh applicants: Minimum 40% marks for Category-I; 50% for Category-2A, 3A, and 3B.
- For renewal applicants: Minimum 50% marks for Category-I; 60% for Category-2A, 3A, and 3B.GetMyUni
- Attendance: Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory.
4. Application Process
- Online Registration: Visit the official ePass portal:
- Form Submission: Fill in personal and academic details, upload necessary documents, and submit the application online.
- Verification: Applications are verified by college principals and welfare officers at various administrative levels.
- Approval and Disbursement: Upon successful verification, the scholarship amount is directly credited to the student’s bank account.Learn
5. Required Documents
- Caste and Income Certificates
- Aadhaar Card
- Previous Academic Mark Sheets
- Bank Account Details
- Passport Size Photographs
- Transfer Certificate (TC)
6. Benefits
- Financial Assistance: Up to ₹15,000 per annum.
- Free Hostel Accommodation: For eligible students.
- Course Fee Concession: Full fee waiver for select courses.
7. Important Dates
- Application Start Date: Typically announced in June.
- Application Deadline: Varies annually; applicants should check the official website for updates.
Conclusion
The Vidyasiri Scholarship plays a pivotal role in promoting inclusive education in Karnataka. By alleviating financial burdens, it enables students from marginalized communities to pursue higher education and contribute meaningfully to society.