Eligible students from the VJNT category to receive benefits ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹80,000
Mumbai, October 2026: The Maharashtra government has increased the financial assistance provided under the Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Aadhaar Scheme to eligible students belonging to the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) category to cover food, accommodation and living expenses. Depending on the location of their educational institution, students will now receive financial assistance ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹80,000.
At its Cabinet meeting held on October 6, 2026, the state government had decided to increase the allowances under the scheme in line with the inflation index. Accordingly, a government resolution has been issued to implement the revised benefits.
Students pursuing education in Mumbai city, Mumbai suburbs, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Nagpur will receive a total of ₹80,000.
Students studying in other divisional headquarters cities and the remaining ‘C’-class municipal corporation areas will receive ₹68,000. Those studying in other district headquarters or educational institutions located within five kilometres of municipal corporation limits will receive ₹57,000. Students studying at taluka headquarters will receive ₹50,000.
These amounts include allowances for food, accommodation and living expenses.
In addition, eligible students pursuing medical and engineering courses will receive a lump-sum grant of ₹8,000 per year for educational materials, while students enrolled in other disciplines will receive ₹4,000 annually for the same purpose.
Students from the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes category often face difficulties meeting the costs of accommodation, food and educational materials while pursuing higher and professional education because of frequent migration and a lack of stable sources of income.
To help these students arrange the necessary facilities and continue their education, the state government has approved the revised financial assistance.
All other terms and conditions of the scheme will remain unchanged. The detailed government resolution is available on the official website of the Maharashtra government.
