Merit Scholarship

Merit Scholarship: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), a national-level education board in India, controlled and managed by the Government of India, has started the application process for the Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2025. This scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to eligible female students who have secured at least 70% marks in the CBSE Class 10 examination and are continuing their education in Class 11 at CBSE-affiliated schools.

What is the CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship Scheme?

The CBSE Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship is a scheme by the Central Board of Secondary Education (a national-level education board controlled and managed by the Government of India) that provides financial assistance to meritorious girl students. Its objective is to encourage girls (who are the only children of their parents) to continue their education after Class 10 by providing them with a small monthly scholarship for Classes 11 and 12.

Key features of the CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship Scheme:

+ This scholarship is given for a maximum of two years (i.e., during classes 11 and 12, subject to renewal).

+ Eligible candidates will receive a scholarship amount of ₹500 every month during this period.

+ Payment is usually made through bank transfer (ECS/NEFT) to the student's bank account.

This scheme is for the only girl child of the parents. The CBSE has clarified that children born together, such as twins, will also be included in the single girl child category. To be eligible, the student must have passed the CBSE Class 10 examination in 2025 with at least 70 per cent marks and currently be studying in Class 11 and 12 at a CBSE-affiliated school. Over 2,700 private students registered for the CBSE 'additional subject' option in 2025; this option will be discontinued from the 2026 examinations.

The tuition fee for Class 10 should not exceed ₹2,500 per month, while for Classes 11 and 12, it should not exceed ₹3,000 per month. For NRI applicants, this limit is ₹6,000 per month. This scheme is for Indian citizens, although NRI students studying in CBSE schools are also eligible. Furthermore, the total annual income of the parents or family should not exceed ₹8 lakh, as certified in the parents' self-declaration.

CBSE Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship 2025 Application Procedure:

As per the official notice, the application procedure for the CBSE Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship 2025 is now accessible online. Students who fulfil the eligibility criteria may submit their applications via the CBSE scholarship portal before the specified deadline. Additionally, schools must carry out the online verification of the applications. It is important to understand that the board has specified that any application not verified by the corresponding school will be rejected. This emphasises the need for both students and schools to fulfil their responsibilities on time.

How to apply: Step-by-step Guide

+ The general process for applying for or renewing a scholarship is as follows:

+ Check the notification

+ Visit the official CBSE website → Go to the “Scholarship / Single Girl Child” section to view this year's guidelines, public notices, the application deadline, and the application form.

Login and Registration:

Fill Application Form

+ Enter details such as: Name, Roll Number (Class 10), Date of Birth, School name, Class enrolled (11/12), etc.

+ Bank account details (Account Number, IFSC, bank name & branch) for scholarship disbursal.

Upload Documents/Declarations: 

To apply for the scholarship, students must upload certain documents online. These include an affidavit in the prescribed format stating their status as a single girl child, a copy of the fee receipt for the first quarter of the current academic year, certified by the school principal, and an income certificate or a declaration stating that the family's total annual income does not exceed ₹8 lakh. Students must also provide valid proof of identity, such as their Aadhaar card and bank account details, for the ECS or NEFT transfer of the scholarship amount.

You will need to upload scanned copies of the required documents, such as:

+ Class 10-mark sheet

+ Proof/affidavit that the student is a single girl child (no siblings)

+ School fee receipts or a fee structure showing the tuition fee

+ Undertaking/affidavit by parents: Any income certificate (if required)

For renewal: Class 11-mark sheet to show promotion and marks

+ Bank passbook/account details

+ School’s verification/attestation (signature & stamp from Principal)

Once a student completes their application, it must be verified by the principal of their current school. CBSE has clearly stated that applications without verification will be rejected, and no further action will be taken on them. Therefore, applicants must ensure that their school completes the verification process within the given deadline.