Every year, thousands of SC and Neo-Buddhist students in Maharashtra get admission to a good college in Pune, Mumbai or Nagpur, but don’t get a seat in a government hostel. Rent, food and travel in a big city can cost more than the college fee. The Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Yojana was made for exactly these students. It pays up to ₹60,000 a year directly into the student’s bank account to cover food, stay and other expenses.
This guide explains how much you get in your city, who is eligible, the documents, how to apply, and the common reasons payments get delayed. There is also a short note at the end for people who are actually searching for Swadhar Greh (a different scheme for women).
Written by: Prabhash, content creator and web developer, sahiyojana.com
Last updated: 4 November 2026
Checked against: Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Maharashtra, scheme rules, and published guides on the Swadhar Yojana
Swadhar Yojana at a Glance
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Yojana |
| Run by | Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Government of Maharashtra |
| For | SC and Neo-Buddhist (Nav-Bauddha) students who could not get a government hostel seat |
| Benefit | ₹38,000 to ₹60,000 a year, based on the city |
| Extra | ₹5,000 (medical / engineering) or ₹2,000 (other courses) for educational material, as per scheme rules |
| Family income limit | Up to ₹2.5 lakh a year |
| Payment | DBT to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account |
| Where to apply | Online through the department’s hostel admission portal, or as notified by your district Social Welfare office |
| Official site | Click Here |
How Much Will You Get? (City-wise)
| Where you study | Boarding (food) | Lodging (stay) | Other expenses | Total per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nagpur and nearby | ₹32,000 | ₹20,000 | ₹8,000 | ₹60,000 |
| Other divisional cities and class “A” municipal corporations | ₹28,000 | ₹15,000 | ₹8,000 | ₹51,000 |
| Other district headquarters | ₹25,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹6,000 | ₹43,000 |
| Taluka places | ₹23,000 | ₹10,000 | ₹5,000 | ₹38,000 |
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These are the amounts given in the scheme rules and guides. If the department revises them, the new amounts apply, so check the latest notice.
Who Is Eligible?
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Scheduled Caste (SC) or Neo-Buddhist |
| Residence | Domicile of Maharashtra |
| Hostel | Applied for a government hostel but did not get a seat |
| Course | Studying after Class 10 / 12 in a recognised course (usually a course of at least 2 years) |
| Marks | At least 60% in the last exam (40% for students with disability) |
| Income | Family income up to ₹2.5 lakh a year |
| Local rule | Students studying in the same city / taluka where their family lives usually can’t claim it |
| Age | Usually up to 30 years |
| Bank | Account in the student’s own name, linked with Aadhaar |
| Attendance | Regular attendance in college is needed; the college confirms it |
Documents Checklist
| Document | Where to get it |
|---|---|
| Caste certificate | SDO / Setu Kendra |
| Caste validity certificate (for professional courses, if asked) | Caste Scrutiny Committee |
| Income certificate (₹2.5 lakh or less) | Tehsil / Aaple Sarkar |
| Domicile certificate | Tehsil / Aaple Sarkar |
| Previous year’s marksheet | Board / university |
| College admission receipt and bonafide certificate | Your college |
| Rent agreement or proof of stay (as asked) | House owner / PG |
| Aadhaar card and Aadhaar-linked bank passbook | Aadhaar centre and bank |
| Self-declaration that you don’t have a hostel seat | Format from the department |
| Disability certificate (if applicable) | UDID / civil surgeon |
How to Apply
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B --> C["Apply for Swadhar Yojana online with documents"]
C --> D["College confirms admission and attendance"]
D --> E["District Social Welfare office verifies"]
E --> F["Money to student bank account by DBT"]
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class A,B,C ask
class D,E,F ok
- First apply for a government hostel of the Social Justice department. Swadhar is for students who don’t get a seat.
- When the Swadhar application window opens, apply online on the department’s hostel admission portal (or as your district notice says). Your college and the district Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare office will guide you.
- Fill in your details, choose your college and course, and upload the documents.
- Submit and take a printout. Give a copy to your college if asked.
- The college confirms your admission and attendance. The district office verifies and sends the payment.
The application window and last date are announced every year by the department and districts. Watch your college notice board and the district Social Welfare office announcements.
When Does the Money Come?
Payment is made in instalments by DBT after verification. Students often complain about delays. If your payment is late:
- Check that your bank account is active and linked with Aadhaar.
- Ask your college whether it has confirmed your attendance.
- Visit the Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare office of your district with your application number.
Common Reasons for Rejection
| Reason | What to do |
|---|---|
| Studying in the same city as your family | Swadhar is mainly for students living away from home |
| Marks below 60% | Check the marks rule before applying |
| Income certificate above ₹2.5 lakh or old | Get a fresh income certificate |
| Already got a government hostel seat | You can’t take both |
| Bank account not in the student’s name | Open an account in your own name and link Aadhaar |
| Missing attendance confirmation | Ask your college to complete it |
Swadhar Yojana vs Swadhar Greh (Don’t Confuse Them)
| Point | Swadhar Yojana (Maharashtra) | Swadhar Greh (central scheme) |
|---|---|---|
| For whom | SC and Neo-Buddhist students | Women in difficult situations (abandoned, survivors of violence, without shelter) |
| What it gives | Money for food, stay and expenses while studying | Shelter, food, counselling and training in a home |
| Run by | Maharashtra Social Justice Department | Ministry of Women and Child Development (now under the Shakti Sadan / Mission Shakti framework) |
If you or someone you know needs shelter support, contact the District Women and Child Development office or the women helpline 181.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Swadhar Yojana?
It is a Maharashtra scheme that gives SC and Neo-Buddhist students up to ₹60,000 a year for food, stay and expenses if they don’t get a government hostel seat.
How much money do students get under Swadhar Yojana?
₹60,000 in big cities like Mumbai and Pune, ₹51,000 in divisional cities, ₹43,000 in district places and ₹38,000 in taluka places, as per scheme rules.
Who is eligible for Swadhar Yojana?
SC and Neo-Buddhist students of Maharashtra with at least 60% marks (40% for disabled), family income up to ₹2.5 lakh, who did not get a government hostel seat.
What is the income limit for Swadhar Yojana?
Family income must be ₹2.5 lakh a year or less.
How do I apply for Swadhar Yojana?
Apply online during the yearly window on the department’s portal or as your district Social Welfare office notifies, with your caste, income, marks and admission documents.
Can I get Swadhar if I live in the same city as my college?
Usually no. The scheme is meant for students living away from their family’s city or taluka.
Can I get Swadhar and a government hostel together?
No. Swadhar is only for students who did not get a hostel seat.
My Swadhar money has not come. What should I do?
Check your bank account and Aadhaar link, ask your college about attendance confirmation, and visit the district Social Welfare office.
Is Swadhar Yojana the same as Swadhar Greh?
No. Swadhar Greh is a central scheme that gives shelter and support to women in difficult situations.
Do OBC students get Swadhar Yojana?
No. This scheme is for SC and Neo-Buddhist students. OBC and other categories have separate schemes in Maharashtra.
Sources
- Social Justice and Special Assistance Department, Maharashtra: Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Yojana rules (city-wise amounts, eligibility)
- Published guides on Swadhar Yojana: documents and application process
- Ministry of Women and Child Development: Swadhar Greh / Shakti Sadan
Disclaimer
sahiyojana.com is not a government website and is not linked with the Government of Maharashtra. Amounts, dates and the application process can change, so please confirm with your district Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare office or the official website. sahiyojana.com is completely free and never asks for any money.
Important Links
These important links are collected for you by sahiyojana.com. Click on any link to open the page.
| What You Need | Link |
|---|---|
| Application Form (Hostel admission and Swadhar portal) | Click Here |
| Official Site (Social Justice Department, Maharashtra) | Click Here |
| Certificates (Aaple Sarkar) | Click Here |
| Magel Tyala Solar Pump Yojana (Maharashtra) | Click Here |
| Other Yojana Info | Click Here |
| Home Page | Click Here |
