Karnataka Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme

Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme is an education assistance scheme implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka. The scheme provides annual scholarship support ranging from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 11,000 to eligible students belonging to farmer and allied worker families. Applications can be submitted through the SSP Portal using a valid FRUITS ID and Kutumba ID.

Introduction of Karnataka Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme: A Brief Insight

For many farming families, a child’s education often depends on the success of the harvest. When crop yields are low or market prices fall, managing school and college expenses becomes difficult. To ensure that financial challenges do not interrupt a student’s education, the Government of Karnataka launched the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme on 7 August 2021.

The scheme is implemented by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka. Its primary objective is to provide financial assistance to the children of farmers and other eligible rural working families, helping them continue their studies without financial stress.

Under the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme, eligible students can receive annual scholarship assistance ranging from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 11,000, depending on their class, course level, and gender. Girl students receive additional support in several categories, and the scholarship for Classes 8 to 10 is specifically designed to encourage girls’ education in rural areas.

Initially introduced for the children of registered farmers, the scheme has gradually expanded to include the children of agricultural labourers, weavers, fishermen, and taxi/ auto drivers. The government verifies eligibility through the parent’s FRUITS ID and the family’s Kutumba ID, ensuring that benefits reach eligible households.

Students can apply online through the SSP Portal by linking their educational details with their FRUITS ID and Kutumba ID. Those who face difficulties with online registration may also seek assistance from the nearest Agriculture Department office. Once approved, the scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.

Students from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities can also explore the Vidyarthi Sahayahasta Scheme, which offers interest-free education loans for higher studies. Young individuals from farming families who wish to start their own business can check the Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Programme, while students planning to pursue education abroad may benefit from the Dr. BR Ambedkar International Scholarship Scheme.

Students, parents, and rural families looking for more education, agriculture, and welfare initiatives can explore additional programmes available on our Karnataka Government Welfare Schemes List page.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

The Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme provides annual financial assistance to eligible students from farmer and other notified beneficiary families to support their education and reduce the financial burden on households.

Note: Female students receive a higher scholarship amount in most categories. The benefit for Classes 8 to 10 is available exclusively to girl students to encourage continued education among daughters of eligible families.

Additional Advantages of the Scheme

• Financial assistance is provided directly to the student’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
• Students can continue receiving the scholarship every academic year, subject to eligibility and successful promotion to the next class or course level
• Supports school education, technical education, higher education, professional courses, postgraduate studies, and research programmes
• Helps reduce educational expenses for farmer families and other eligible beneficiary groups

Payment and Renewal

• Scholarship amount is credited annually through DBT
• The student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account must remain active for successful payment
• Renewal is generally available each year after verification of academic progression and eligibility conditions

Impact of the Scheme

• More than 10 lakh students have benefited from the scheme since its launch
• The Government has continued to increase coverage by extending benefits to additional eligible occupational groups
• The scheme plays an important role in improving access to education among rural and economically vulnerable families across Karnataka

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Department of Agriculture of the Government of Karnataka has prescribed the following eligibility conditions under the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme:

• The student must be a permanent resident of Karnataka
• The student’s parent(s) must be a registered farmer with a valid FRUITS ID
• Generally, the farmer family should own not more than 5 hectares of agricultural land
• The scheme also covers eligible families belonging to categories such as agricultural labourers, weavers, fishermen, auto drivers, and taxi drivers, as notified by the Government
• The student must be studying in a recognised educational institution within Karnataka
• Benefits are available from Class 8 onwards (for girl students at the school level) and extend to PUC, ITI, Diploma, Degree, Professional Courses, Postgraduate Courses, and PhD programmes
• A valid Kutumba ID linked to the family is mandatory
• The student must maintain continuity in education and satisfy the academic requirements prescribed by the authorities

Income Limit

The income limit applicable under the scheme may vary based on the latest government guidelines and beneficiary category. Students are advised to verify the currently applicable family income ceiling through the Department of Agriculture, SSP Portal, or their educational institution before submitting the application.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Students whose family does not fall under the eligible beneficiary categories notified under the scheme
• Students who fail to provide a valid FRUITS ID or Kutumba ID, wherever applicable
• Students already receiving a similar scholarship from another State Department, where dual benefits are not permitted
• Students who do not fulfil the academic or verification requirements prescribed by the concerned authorities
• Applicants found submitting incorrect or incomplete information during verification

Documents Required to be Attached

Students applying for the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme should keep the following documents ready while submitting their application through the SSP Portal or the concerned department:

• Aadhaar Card of the student
• Parent’s FRUITS ID (Farmer Registration and Unified Beneficiary Information System)
• Farmer registration certificate or eligible occupation proof (Agricultural Labourer, Weaver, Fisherman, Auto/ Taxi Driver, etc., as applicable)
• Income Certificate
• Caste Certificate (if applicable)
• Previous year’s marksheet or academic records
• Admission receipt or bonafide certificate from the educational institution
• Bank passbook linked with Aadhaar for DBT transfer
• Kutumba ID (Family Identification Number)
• Residence Certificate/ Domicile Certificate of Karnataka
• Recent passport-size photograph

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of the Scheme

Students can apply for the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme through the SSP Portal after ensuring that their family’s Kutumba ID and parent’s FRUITS ID are active and updated.

Step 1: Visit the Kutumba Portal and ensure your family has a valid Kutumba ID.

Step 2: Verify that your parent has an active FRUITS ID through the FRUITS Karnataka Portal.

Step 3: Open the SSP Post-Matric Portal (or SSP Pre-Matric Portal for eligible school students).

Step 4: Complete student registration using your Aadhaar number and mobile number.

Step 5: Finish Aadhaar e-KYC verification and create your login account.

Step 6: Log in and select Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme from the scholarship list.

Step 7: Enter your academic details, institution information, and other required educational records.

Step 8: Provide your family’s Kutumba ID and parent’s FRUITS ID for eligibility verification.

Step 9: Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.

Step 10: Review all details carefully and submit the application form.

Step 11: Save or print the acknowledgement receipt for future reference.

Step 12: Your application will be verified by the institution and the concerned department.

Step 13: After approval, the scholarship amount will be credited directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT.

Offline Option: Students facing issues with online submission can visit the nearest Agriculture Department office or SSP Help Centre for assistance.

Important: Ensure that your Aadhaar, bank account, FRUITS ID, and Kutumba ID details are correct to avoid delays in scholarship approval and payment.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Official Scheme Page, Department of Agriculture
• SSP Post-Matric Portal Online Application
• Kutumba Portal Family Registration
• FRUITS Karnataka Portal Farmer ID Registration

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Nodal Department: Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka
• Agriculture Department Helpline: 1800-425-3553
• SSP Helpline (all scholarships): 1902
• Kutumba Support: 080-22371030, kutumbasupport@karnataka.gov.in
• Grievance Email: raithavidyanidhigrievences@gmail.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme?

Ans. Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme is a scholarship programme launched by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka on 7 August 2021. The scheme provides annual financial assistance to eligible students from farming and other approved families to support their education from Class 8 onwards.

Q. Who can apply for the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme?

Ans. Students whose parents are registered farmers with a valid FRUITS ID can apply. The scheme also covers children of eligible agricultural labourers, weavers, fishermen, and taxi/auto drivers studying in recognised educational institutions in Karnataka.

Q. How much scholarship is provided under the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme?

Ans. The scholarship amount ranges from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 11,000 per year, depending on the student’s course level and gender. Female students generally receive a higher amount, while the Class 8 to Class 10 benefit is available only for girl students.

Q. Is there any income limit for this scheme?

Ans. Different sources mention different income limits. Some references mention Rs. 2.5 lakh annual family income, while others mention Rs. 8 lakh. Students should verify the latest applicable income criteria from the Department of Agriculture before submitting their application.

Q. How can I apply for the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme?

Ans. Eligible students can apply online through the SSP Scholarship Portal using their family’s Kutumba ID and parent’s FRUITS ID. Applications may also be submitted through the nearest Agriculture Department office, wherever applicable.

Q. Is FRUITS ID compulsory for receiving the scholarship?

Ans. Yes. A valid FRUITS ID is one of the most important requirements because it verifies the parent’s farmer or eligible worker status under the scheme.

Q. Can a student receive another government scholarship along with the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme?

Ans. No. Students already receiving another scholarship from a State Government department are generally not eligible. In addition, only one scholarship benefit per family is permitted under this scheme.

Q. What happens if a student fails the academic year?

Ans. The scholarship is renewed only when the student successfully passes and moves to the next class or course level. Students who fail or repeat a year may lose eligibility for that academic session.

Q. Is the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme only for children of land-owning farmers?

Ans. No. Although the scheme initially focused on farmers’ children, it was later expanded to include students from the families of agricultural labourers, weavers, fishermen, and taxi/auto drivers.

Q. What is the last date to apply for the scholarship?

Ans. Applications are usually accepted up to 31 December of the academic year. However, students should always check the SSP Portal for the latest schedule and deadline notifications.

Q. How is the scholarship amount paid?

Ans. The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system after approval of the application.

Q. Where can I get help regarding the Chief Minister Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme?

Ans. Students can contact the Agriculture Department helpline at 1800-425-3553, call the SSP helpline at 1902, or send their queries to raithavidyanidhigrievences@gmail.com for assistance.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.