Pune: The Maharashtra government has announced an extension of the application deadline for the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Yojana to December 31, 2024.

This scheme provides critical support to students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Neo-Buddhist communities who are pursuing post-matric education but could not secure admission in government hostels.

The Swadhar Yojana aims to offer essential facilities such as meals, accommodation, educational materials, and a subsistence allowance to eligible students. Earlier, the deadline for submitting online applications was December 16, 2024.

However, due to technical difficulties faced by students and demands from student organizations and regional authorities, the government decided to grant an additional extension.

For students who had applied online for hostel admissions but were not allocated a spot, their applications will be automatically redirected to the Swadhar Yojana through the online system, eliminating the need for a separate application.

The Swadhar Yojana is designed to ensure that students’ educational journeys are not disrupted due to logistical challenges. Despite the previous extension, many students were still unable to submit their applications, prompting the government to consider their concerns.

With the new deadline of December 31, eligible students now have additional time to complete the application process and benefit from the scheme.