Department of Collegiate Education, Government of Kerala, invites online applications for State Merit Scholarships (SMS) for the academic year 2023-24. The online application process began on February 2, 2024. Students who have enrolled in first-year undergraduate courses in the academic year 2023-24 are eligible to apply for the award. Interested students may visit the Kerala DCE Scholarship Portal (dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in) and complete the online application form before the deadline. For the academic year 2023-24 the last date for Kerala State Merit Scholarship is 13th March 2024.
Kerala State Merit Scholarship 2023-24
Kerala State Merit Scholarship (SMS) has been launched to give underprivileged and meritorious students with financial support as they pursue their undergraduate and graduate degrees. The Department of Collegiate Education, which operates under the direction of the Kerala government is offering this scholarship. 300 graduate students and the remaining 150 post-graduate students make up the total of four hundred scholarship seats. Further, for the session 2023-24, the amount of scholarship has been increased to Rs 10,000 and the number of scholarships has also been increased.
| Name of Scholarship | State Merit Scholarship (SMS) |
| Run by | Department of Collegiate Education, Government of Kerala |
| Academic year | 2023-24 |
| Benefits | Monetary Assistance |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Eligible Courses | UG/PG |
| Amount | Rs. 10,000/- p.A |
| Start date of application | February 2, 2024 |
| Last date to Apply | 13th March 2024 |
| Official Website | www.dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must fulfill the eligibility criteria mentioned below to apply for the Kerala State Merit Scholarship (SMS) 2023-24.
- Applicant must be a citizen of Kerala state.
- Applicants must have secured at least 85% marks in the previous qualifying examination.
- Candidates should be carrying every necessary document.
- The annual income of the family should not exceed Rs. 2.5 Lakh.
- Students must be enrolled in the 1st year UG programme in an Arts, Science, Music or Sanskrit College recognized by the Central / State Government or Government aided.
- The applicant must be enrolled in an officially recognized college or institution in the academic year 2023-24.
- Students must have their own bank account.
Required Documents
- Self Attested copy of SSLC and Plus 2 mark sheet
- BPL Income certificate of the candidate’s parent
- Caste Certificate
- Residential Certificate
- PWD certificate (if any)
- Fee Receipt of the school
- Address proof
- Copy of Aadhaar Card
- Self Attested copy of Bank passbook
- Photograph of the candidate
Scholarship Amount
| Amount | Marks | Category/Income Limit | No. of Scholarship |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,000/- per annum | 85% or above | BPL Category | 1050 |
| 10,000/- per annum | 95% or above | No limitation | 1050 |
| 10,000/- per annum | 90% or above | Rs, 10,000 to Rs. 2.5 lakh | 1050 |
How to Apply for Scholarship?
To apply for the Kerala State Merit Scholarship 2023 24, candidates can follow the instructions mentioned below.
Steps need to be followed:
- Step 1-
Candidates need to go to the official website of the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE).
- Step 2-
From the navigation panel on the left, select “Online Registration.”
- Step 3
To fill out registration form, complete the necessary details.
- Step 4-
Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Father’s Name, Occupation and Aadhar No..
- Step 5-
In the next step fill the address details like city, state, pin code, mobile number, email and resident of Kerala (yes/no).
- Step 6-
Provide education details like Institution State/Name/District, Course Type/Name, Admission Date/Number, and other details.
- Step 7-
Next, enter your account details then click on the “Submit” button
- Step 8-
Now select Scholarship type (State Merit Scholarship) and click on Next.
- Step 9-
Upload the required documents.
- Step 10-
Then submit the form by clicking on “Submit” button.
- Kerala DCE Scholarship 2023-24
- Kerala Snehapoorvam Scholarship
- Vidya Samunnathi Scholarship
- Joseph Mundassery Scholarship
How To Login?
- To begin with, you must click on the below link to go to the Kerala DCE Scholarship portal.
- Your screen will open to the homepage. Select the “candidate login” option.
- Fill in your date of birth and registration ID.
- Type the Password correctly.
- Complete the required fields and submit whatever document is needed.
- Select “Login”.
How to Fill State Merit Scholarship Renewal Form?
To renew the scholarship, one can follow the instructions below:
- Step 1: First, navigate to https://www.dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in.
- Step 2: Navigate to Login and choose Candidate login.
- Step 3: Enter your Registration ID, Date of Birth, and Password.
- Step 4: Now select “Renewal” and Year, then click on Login.
- Step 5: Add current course details as well as additional details.
- Step 6: Upload mandatory documents as mentioned.
- Step 7: Submit the application form and Print it for future reference.
Steps to Check Application/Registered Student Status
- You must first go to the scholarship’s official website: (https://dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in).
- From homepage, navigate to “More Menu”.
- Choose “Registered Student Status” option.
- You’ll see a new page on your screen.
- Enter your Scholarship Status (Fresh/Renewal), Year, Scholarship Type.
- After that select state, district, Institution Type and Name of the College/institution.
- Wait for the page to load completely.
- You’ll see the status on your screen.
State Merit Scholarship’s Portal
| Official Website | DCE Scholarship Portal |
| Online Application | Click to apply |
| Application Status | Check |
| Renewal | Online Renewal |
| Instructions | View |
Kerala State Merit Scholarship 2024 – FAQs
Applicants may visit https://www.dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in to apply for the scholarship.
The application opening date for the scholarship is February 2, 2024.
As it sounds, scholars will be selected on the basis of their academic performance.
