Getting a scholarship for higher education in Delhi NCR is not a big deal these days, regardless of what college or course you apply to. Any Tom, Dick, and Harry can get a partial scholarship for MBA in India based on their academic, athletic, or meritorious performance, or if they come from a specific category, exceeding 25% of the total financial aid. However, securing a 100% full scholarship at the best MBA colleges in Delhi NCR is a tough nut to crack.
It’s true that an MBA can change your career path. But let's be honest, it can also drastically deplete your finances. MBA colleges in UP or Delhi NCR charge tuition ranging from a few lakhs to well over 25 lakhs for a two-year MBA program. That is a substantial amount of money, especially if you are a working professional with low savings or a recent graduate.
The good news is that, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to pursue a free MBA program in India in 2026. There are genuine, acceptable options to lower or eliminate your entire MBA costs, including Government Scholarships for MBA in India, merit-based university rewards, and free online MBA courses from international platforms.
This guide breaks everything down for you step-by-step.
Why enroll in a scholarship for MBA students in India in 2026?
As the need for MBA graduates in India grows, so does the expense of obtaining an MBA. An increasing number of students and working people are actively looking for ways to earn an MBA without taking on crippling debt these days. Knowing why the idea of an MBA with a scholarship is so crucial right now can help you make smarter decisions.
Growing MBA Expenses and ROI Issues
The average cost of attending the best MBA colleges in Delhi NCR has risen dramatically during the last five years. Even mid-tier private B-schools now charge between 8 and 15 lakhs for a full program. When you factor in accommodation costs, study materials, and exam fees, the total rises.
Furthermore, the return on investment is typically not immediate. Many MBA grads have to wait two to four years to get salary increases that will allow them to recover their entire investment. This makes the idea of a 100% funded MBA scholarship in India particularly appealing to students from middle-class backgrounds.
What benefits are covered by the MBA scholarships in India?
It's helpful to know what MBA scholarships for students in India usually cover and what they don't before delving into the different kinds. This is a simple image:
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The majority of MBA scholarships in India pay for all or a portion of the tuition, which is the program's biggest expense.
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In addition to the fee waiver, a smaller number of MBA scholarships additionally pay for living expenses, hostel fees, or a monthly stipend.
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Sometimes corporate and foundation scholarships come with a cash grant instead of a tuition waiver, allowing you to use the money however you see fit.
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Under federal and state programs, government MBA scholarships frequently pay for all or part of the tuition as well as a modest monthly stipend for living expenses and books.
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Instead of offering a separate cash payout, university-specific scholarships are typically applied directly to the fee structure and lower your semester fee.
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MBA scholarships in India are rarely entirely combinable; that is, if you are eligible for two scholarships, the best MBA colleges in Delhi NCR would apply the greater one rather than stacking them.
100% Funded Government MBA Scholarships in India
The Indian government provides several 100%-funded scholarship programs for postgraduate students, particularly those seeking an MBA. If you qualify, these can cover all of your living expenses as well as your tuition. It is worthwhile to spend some time researching each of them before concluding that a sponsored MBA is not feasible.
Notable instances include:
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UGC Post Graduate Merit Scholarship: Top rank holders in undergraduate studies are eligible for this scholarship, which offers ₹2,000 per month for two years.
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Central Sector Scheme: Students from economically disadvantaged groups can apply for scholarships under this scheme.
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The Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minority Communities: Available to minority students whose household income is less than ₹2.5 lakh per year and who received at least 50% on their prior exam.
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The National Scholarship Program: Available via the National Scholarship Portal and is contingent upon both financial and academic qualifications. Academic achievement, financial requirements, and institutional recognition are used to determine eligibility.
MBA Student's Private Scholarship
Significant MBA scholarships in India are offered by a variety of corporate companies, charitable organizations, and academic institutions, particularly in the areas of quality, need, and institutional excellence. Notable initiatives include:
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The Aditya Birla Group Scholarship: Provides exceptional MBA candidates with either full or partial tuition assistance.
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BML Munjal Scholarship: Students with excellent academic records and high scores on entrance exams like the CAT, XAT, or GMAT receive this.
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PNB Housing Finance Protsahan Scholarship: Awarded to candidates in marketing or finance with low family incomes (less than ₹3 lakh annually).
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ONGC Scholarship: Awarded to the First-year MBA students from SC, ST, OBC, and general categories who have yearly household incomes under ₹2 lakh.
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Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) Scholarship: Up to ₹1 Lakh annual assistance is provided to Second-year MBA students who demonstrate merit and financial constraints.
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OP Jindal Engineering and Management Scholarships (OPJEMS): Awarded to the Top-performing students in engineering and management disciplines.
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IDFC FIRST Bank Scholarship: Need-based financial assistance for students whose families make less than ₹6 lakh annually.
Summary Table of MBA Scholarships in India
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Type
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Examples
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Eligibility Highlights
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Benefits
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Government
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UGC PG Merit Scholarship, Central Sector Scheme, Minority Scholarships
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Academic rank, category, income limit (₹2–2.5 lakh p.a.)
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Monthly stipends, tuition fee coverage
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Private
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Aditya Birla, BML Munjal, PNB Housing, ONGC, HUL, OPJEMS, IDFC FIRST, UPES
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Strong academics, CAT/XAT/GMAT, UPESMET scores, income thresholds
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Full/partial fee waiver, annual stipend
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National (NSP)
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National Scholarship Portal (umbrella for Govt + Private schemes)
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Academic merit + financial need, across India
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Transparent, single-window access to schemes
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Institutional (IIMs)
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IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Lucknow, ISB, XLRI, FMS scholarships
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Based on income (₹4–8 lakh p.a.) + academic performance
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Tuition fee waiver (20%–100%)
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Who is eligible for a fully-funded MBA Scholarship in India?
To be eligible for a full 100% MBA scholarship in India in various categories, students usually need to secure exceptional entrance exam scores (95% in CAT, XAT, MAT) or a top rank with extreme financial need, or belong to specific demographic groups under targeted institutional policies.
Academic Requirement
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A recognized three-year bachelor's degree with at least 50% of the aggregate marks —45% for students in the reserved category—is the prerequisite for consideration for any MBA scholarship in India.
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For Merit-based admission, students need to score at least 60% or higher.
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MBA admission examinations (CAT, XAT, GMAT, etc.) and/or a solid academic record upon graduation.
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A family's annual income must fall within a certain range, usually between ₹2 and ₹6 lakh.
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The age limit must not exceed 30 years.
Income Limits and Reservation Quotas
Government MBA scholarships in India follow reservation guidelines. Here's a quick rundown of what typically applies:
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SC/ST candidates often qualify for full fee waivers under federal and state government programs.
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OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) applicants may be eligible for full or partial scholarships, depending on the program.
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Several options to pursue an MBA with a scholarship are available to candidates from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) who possess a current income certificate.
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Depending on the program, the annual family income cap for many need-based scholarships varies from 2.5 lakhs to 8 lakhs.
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Merit-based MBA scholarships for students in the general category are available regardless of their financial circumstances.
How to Apply for an MBA Scholarship in India?
Candidates who qualify for an MBA scholarship in India may apply online by completing the application form on the scholarship's official website. The following are the procedures for applying for MBA scholarships in India:
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Step 1: Visit the National Scholarships Portal's official website.
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Step 2: Before registering, carefully read the instructions provided on the website.
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Step 3: Select the scholarship type.
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Step 4: Enter the necessary information.
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Step 5: Upload the necessary document scans
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Step 6: Press the "Register" button.
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Step7: Download and save a copy for your records.
Documents Needed To Apply for MBA Scholarships for Students in India
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A current passport-sized photo
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Front and rear views of an Aadhaar card
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The bank passbook scan's first page
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India's Permanent Residential Certificate
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Class Pass Memos for Grades 10, 12, and Graduation
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A properly signed caste certificate from an authorized revenue officer
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A properly signed birth certificate from an authorized revenue officer; the parents' income certificate.
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Note: Every document must not exceed 500 KB.
Best MBA Colleges in Delhi NCR offering Scholarships
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Top MBA Colleges
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NIRF 2025
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Total Fees/Seats
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Eligibility / Exams
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MBA Salary
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IIT Delhi
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4
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INR 12 lakh
Seats: 120
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Graduation: 60%
CAT
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INR 22.5 LPA
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Amity University Noida
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49
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INR 6.4-26.4 Lakh
Seats: 500
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Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CAT, NMAT, CMAT, GMAT, CUET-PG
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INR 6.5 LPA
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KCC Institute of Technology and Management
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-
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INR 2.60 Lakhs
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Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CAT, NMAT, CMAT, GMAT, CUET-PG
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INR 5-8 LPA
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BML Munjal University
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77
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INR 14.6–20 Lakh
Seats: 750
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Graduation: 50%
MAT, XAT, CMAT, CAT, NMAT, UGAT, CUET PG, SAT
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INR 9 LPA
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IIFT
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17
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INR 17.2-21.8 lakh
Seats: 780
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Graduation: 50%
CAT, IIFT
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INR 25 LPA
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JMI
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28
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INR 53.8K-1.4 Lakh
Seats: 254
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Graduation: 50%
JMI Exam
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INR 12 LPA
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GGSIPU
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76
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INR 1.5-4.4 Lakh
Seats: 3.5K-4K
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Graduation: 50%
CAT, XAT, MAT, IPU CET, CUET PG, CMAT
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INR 6-10 LPA
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FMS
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-
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INR 2.4 Lakh
Seats: 314
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Graduation: 50%
CAT
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INR 32 LPA
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Galgotias University
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-
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INR 90K-6.3 Lakh
Seats: 900
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Graduation: 50-60%
CUET-PG, MAT, CAT, NMAT, CMAT, CUET
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INR 3.5 LPA
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Delhi School of Management
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-
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INR 3.1 Lakh
Seats: 271
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Graduation: 60%
CAT, MAT
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INR 8-10 LPA
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NSUT
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-
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INR 1.9 Lakh
Seats: 90
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Graduation: 60%
CAT, MAT, CMAT
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INR 15-18 LPA
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Gautam Buddha University
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-
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INR 1.3-4.8 Lakh
Seats: 120
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Graduation: 50%
CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, CUET PG
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INR 4-5 LPA
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J. C. Bose University of Science and Technology
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-
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INR 1-10 Lakh
Seats: 120
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Graduation: 50%
CAT, MAT, CMAT, XAT, CUET PG, NPTI
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INR 5-10 LPA
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Gurugram University
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-
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INR 66K-1.8 Lakh
Seats: 360
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Graduation: 50%
CAT, MAT, CMAT, CUET PG, SAT India
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INR 4-6 LPA
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FAQs for 100% scholarship for MBA
Q1. How much does an MBA scholarship in India typically cost?
In Indian institutes, the average MBA scholarship value is INR 1 LPA.
Q2. Which are the best MBA colleges in Delhi NCR offering scholarships?
Best MBA colleges in Delhi NCR include IIT Delhi, KCC ITM, FMS, IIFT, GGSIPU, and others.
Q3. Which Indian MBA scholarships are the best?
BML Munjal Scholarship, Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses, CS Minorities, IDFC FIRST Bank Scholarship, Post Graduate Scholarship for Professional Courses for SC/ST, ONGC Scholarship, IIM Scholarships, and NMAT Scholarships are the top MBA scholarships in India.
Q4. What are the requirements for Indian government MBA scholarships?
The prerequisites for each program vary. Most government scholarships require a valid entrance exam score, a recognized bachelor's degree, and either income-based criteria or a merit criterion. Certain central and state programs are open to candidates from SC, ST, OBC, and EWS.