Bihar has opened the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) window for AY 2024-25 from August 25 to September 25, 2025, with applications to be filed online only. The Times of India education desk reported the start date, categories covered and last date, and the state’s PMS portal splash banner repeats the same window (25.08.2025–25.09.2025).
Who can apply & where: Eligible students from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Backward Class (BC) and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) domiciled in Bihar must apply on the official portals: pmsonline.bihar.gov.in (BC/EBC) and scstpmsonline.bihar.gov.in (SC/ST). Institutions perform verification via instpmsonline.bihar.gov.in; the institute-side notice also reiterates that the portal is open for all eligible courses during this window.
What’s funded: The PMS covers reimbursement of tuition fees and provides maintenance/hostel allowance, book allowance, and thesis typing allowance for studies beyond Class 10 (Class 11 onward, including diplomas, UG/PG, and professional programmes). These components are explicitly listed in the TOI explainer for the current session.
Eligibility snapshot: Applicants must have passed the previous qualifying exam and satisfy the annual family-income ceiling of ₹2.5 lakh (as stated in the current-cycle coverage). Category-wise income relaxations vary across states; for this Bihar window, TOI’s criteria note the ₹2.5-lakh limit alongside the SC/ST/BC/EBC categories. Always cross-check your category’s current rule on the official portal before filing.
Key documents to keep ready (per PMS portal guidance):
- Aadhaar number
- Caste certificate (valid & issued to the applicant)
- Residence certificate (valid & issued to the applicant)
- Income certificate (valid for 2024-25, issued to father/mother or self, as applicable)
- Bank account details (in the applicant’s name)
These requirements are listed on the student registration page for the 2024-25 cycle.
How to apply (step-by-step):
- Go to pmsonline.bihar.gov.in (BC/EBC) or scstpmsonline.bihar.gov.in (SC/ST).
- Register for Post-Matric Scholarship 2024-25, then log in.
- Fill personal, academic and income details; upload documents (Aadhaar, bank passbook, caste & income certificates).
- Submit and save a print/PDF of the form for your records.
- Track status on the PMS portal; institutes are responsible for timely verification and have been cautioned not to delay.
Institute verification matters: The institute portal instructs principals/nodal officers to ensure all eligible students apply within the window and notes that currently the portal is open for “all types of eligible courses.” This verification is what ultimately green-lights disbursal; students should follow up with their college nodal officer if status remains “pending.”
Why this window is important: Media advisories and the PMS site both urge students to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute traffic and documentation errors. Third-party education bulletins (NDTV, Free Press Journal, CareerIndia) also echo the Sept 25 cut-off and portal details—useful as secondary confirmations alongside the state portals. www.ndtv.comFree Press Journalhttps://www.careerindia.com
Pro tips before you submit:
- Use your own bank account (name matches application).
- Ensure certificates are valid/current and legible; mismatches often cause rejections.
- After submission, monitor your application status on the PMS site and respond promptly to any correction requests. The PMS FAQ and status-check pages are available from the portal menu.
