Tighter Checks Ordered for ST Scholarships in Jammu Division
Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Directorate of Tribal Affairs has directed education authorities across the Jammu division to tighten and expedite verification of scholarships for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. The order follows a virtual review meeting held on October 28, chaired by Director Mohd. Mamtaaz Ali, which focused on resolving student objections, reducing institutional and district-level delays, and ensuring that all applications move smoothly through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) during the 2025–26 cycle.
Officials said the Directorate is emphasizing key requirements that often cause rejections or delays—such as completing One-Time Registration (OTR) with face authentication, selecting the correct course group, and ensuring that institute details match valid AISHE or U-DISE codes. Colleges and universities have circulated these instructions to students and instructed their Institution Nodal Officers to complete online checks within the notified verification window to avoid delays in Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT).
The review covered the Union Territory’s core tribal education schemes — Pre-Matric Scholarships for Classes IX and X, and Post-Matric Scholarships from Class XI up to the research level — all implemented under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Since the entire process is now routed through the NSP, timely verification by Institution and District Nodal Officers, along with accurate documentation by students, remains crucial for approvals.
The Directorate’s renewed push comes after a year of clean-up and improved disbursal across J&K’s scholarship system. Targeted releases and category-wise scrutiny have helped reduce duplication and pending cases. With institutions and districts now working on a common verification calendar, officials expect a faster turnaround on verified applications and a steadier flow of funds to eligible tribal students this session.
Students have been advised to apply only through the NSP, complete OTR and face authentication before submission, and ensure that their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts remain active for DBT payments. Those needing corrections have been instructed to contact their Institution Nodal Officer first, and if necessary, escalate issues to the District Nodal Officer within the portal’s verification timelines.