Raitha Vidya Nidhi is a flagship scholarship scheme launched by the Government of Karnataka to support the education of children from farming families. Initially proposed in 2021 by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, this significant initiative was created to encourage higher education among rural communities and reduce the financial burden on farmers . The scheme was launched with a substantial budget of ₹1,000 crores and has since become one of the most impactful welfare programmes in the state .
The scheme was designed to address a critical gap in educational support for rural students. As of August 2022, scholarships worth ₹439.95 crore had been distributed to 10.03 lakh children of farmers . The programme was subsequently extended to include children of landless agricultural labourers, weavers, fishermen, and commercial taxi drivers, broadening its reach across multiple vulnerable communities .
The Raitha Vidya Nidhi scheme operates on a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) model, ensuring that scholarship amounts are directly credited to the bank accounts of eligible students . This eliminates intermediaries and ensures transparency in fund distribution.
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Raitha Vidya Nidhi Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Raitha Vidya Nidhi / Mukhyamantri Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scholarship |
| Launched By | Government of Karnataka |
| Launch Year | 2021 |
| Initial Budget | ₹1,000 crore |
| Total Beneficiaries (2022) | 10.03 lakh students |
| Scholarship Amount (2022) | ₹439.95 crore |
| Target Beneficiaries | Children of farmers, landless agricultural labourers, weavers, fishermen, taxi drivers |
| Scholarship Range | ₹2,500 to ₹11,000 per year |
| Disbursement Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts |
| Implementing Department | Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka |
| Official Portal | raitamitra.karnataka.gov.in |
| Application Portal | State Scholarship Portal (SSP) |
| Key Requirement | FRUITS ID / Farmer ID |
Key Objectives of the Scheme
The Raitha Vidya Nidhi scheme has several important objectives:
- Encourage higher and advanced education among children of farmers
- Reduce the financial burden on farming families for educational expenses
- Prevent dropouts among rural students, especially girls
- Improve literacy rates and reduce unemployment in the state
- Promote educational equity by extending benefits to landless agricultural labourers and other vulnerable communities
- Support students from Class 8 through post-graduation
- Provide financial stability to farming families pursuing education
Scholarship Amount Details by Course
The scholarship amount varies based on the course of study and gender of the student. The following table provides the complete breakdown :
| Course Level | Boys Scholarship | Girls Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| PUC / ITI / Diploma | ₹2,500 | ₹3,000 |
| Degree (BA, BSc, BCom) [excluding professional courses] | ₹5,000 | ₹5,500 |
| Professional Courses (LLB, Paramedical, B-Pharm, Nursing, etc.) | ₹7,500 | ₹8,000 |
| Engineering (BE/BTech), MBBS, and all Post-Graduation courses | ₹10,000 | ₹11,000 |
| Secondary Education (8th to 10th Std) – Girls only | – | ₹2,000 |
Additional Benefit: Girls of farmer families receive ₹2,000 per annum for secondary education (8th to 10th standard) to encourage education and prevent dropouts .
Eligibility Criteria for Raitha Vidya Nidhi
To be eligible for the Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions :
Residential Requirement
- The applicant must be a permanent resident of Karnataka
Parent’s Occupation
- The applicant must be the child of a farmer who owns agricultural land and conducts agricultural activities in Karnataka
- OR the child of a landless agricultural labourer (included after August 2022 extension)
- OR the child of a weaver, fisherman, or commercial taxi driver
Farmer Registration
- The farmer parent must be registered under Raitha Samparka Kendra (RSK)
- A valid FRUITS ID or Farmer ID is mandatory
Educational Qualification
- For higher education scholarships: Must have completed SSLC (10th standard) from a recognised board
- Must be enrolled in PUC, ITI, Diploma, Degree, or Post-Graduation programme at a recognised institution in Karnataka
Family Definition
- A farmer family means a family registered with the e-governance department’s app
- If both parents are farmers, children are eligible for only one scholarship under the scheme
Exclusions
- Students who have repeated their studies or taken a re-examination are not eligible
- Students who have failed any year are not eligible
Required Documents for Application
Keep the following documents ready before applying :
Identity Documents
- Student Aadhaar Card
- Parent’s Aadhaar Card
- Farmer ID / FRUITS ID / RSK Registration Number
Educational Documents
- SSLC Marksheet (for higher education applications)
- Bonafide / Study Certificate from current institution
Financial and Other Documents
- Bank Passbook (must be Aadhaar-linked)
- Income Certificate (if applicable)
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Active Mobile Number linked with Aadhaar
Important Note: Ensure that your bank account is linked to your Aadhaar as the scholarship amount is disbursed through DBT .
How to Apply Online for Raitha Vidya Nidhi
The application process for Raitha Vidya Nidhi is integrated with the State Scholarship Portal (SSP). There is no separate application form for this scheme :
Step 1 – Visit the State Scholarship Portal (SSP)
Go to the official SSP portal of Karnataka government
Step 2 – Complete SSP Registration
Register as a student on the SSP portal with your details
Step 3 – Fill the Scholarship Application Form
Provide all required information including personal, educational, and family details
Step 4 – Enter Farmer Details
Provide the FRUITS ID or Farmer ID of your parent
The system will automatically match this with the Agriculture Department database
Step 5 – Upload Required Documents
Upload Aadhaar, bank passbook, study certificate, and other required documents
Step 6 – Submit Application
Verify all details carefully and submit the application
Step 7 – Automatic Eligibility Check
Based on the information provided in SSP, eligible students are automatically identified for Raitha Vidya Nidhi scholarship
Step 8 – Receive Scholarship Amount
The scholarship amount is directly credited to your Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT
Extension of Scheme to New Beneficiary Groups
On August 15, 2022, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced a significant expansion of the Raitha Vidya Nidhi scheme :
New Beneficiary Groups Added
- Landless agricultural labourers
- Weavers
- Fishermen
- Yellow board taxi drivers and commercial taxi drivers
Impact of Extension
- The expansion added approximately six lakh new beneficiaries
- The government planned to pilot the extension in Belagavi, Haveri, and Kolar districts
- MGNREGA data was used to identify landless agricultural labourers
Government’s Vision
- The Chief Minister estimated that the scheme would eventually cover 20 lakh beneficiaries
- Total budget outlay for the expanded scheme was projected at ₹1,042 crore
Impact and Reach of the Scheme
Raitha Vidya Nidhi has had a significant impact across Karnataka:
Financial Impact
- ₹439.95 crore distributed to 10.03 lakh children (as of August 2022)
- Initial budget of ₹1,000 crore allocated for the scheme
- During a six-month review, approximately 4.50 lakh students had benefited
Regional Distribution
- More than half of the beneficiaries are from North Karnataka districts
- North Karnataka is a key political catchment area for the BJP
- Agriculture Commissioner noted that more farmers in North Karnataka contribute to higher beneficiary numbers
Comparison with Other Scholarships
- The scheme appears to be overshadowing pre- and post-matric scholarships for backward classes
- Pre-matric scholarship outlay fell from ₹105.34 crore in 2020 to ₹81.91 crore in 2021
- Post-matric scholarships were not paid at all in 2020 and 2021
Important Rules and Conditions
One Scholarship Per Family
- If both parents are farmers, children are eligible for only one scholarship under the scheme
No Duplicate Benefits
- Students can now apply even if already receiving other scholarships
- The government identifies eligible students based on data available with various departments
Course Type Restriction
- Scholarship will be given for any one type of course only
Academic Performance
- Students who have repeated their studies, taken a re-examination, or failed are not eligible
Direct Transfer
- Scholarship amount is directly deposited into the student’s bank account
Application Tips for Students
Start Early
- Applications are typically accepted from August onwards
- Keep all documents ready before starting the application
Ensure Aadhaar Linking
- Link your bank account with Aadhaar before applying
- Ensure mobile number is linked with Aadhaar
Verify FRUITS ID
- Ensure your parent has a valid FRUITS ID / Farmer ID
- If not, register through the Agriculture Department
Use SSP Portal
- Apply through the State Scholarship Portal
- No separate application form needed
Check Status
- Track your application through the SSP portal
- Contact the helpdesk for any issues
Important Links and Notifications
Official Portals
- Agriculture Department Portal: raitamitra.karnataka.gov.in
- State Scholarship Portal (SSP) – Primary application portal
Department Contact
- Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka
- Agriculture Commissioner’s Office
Key Documents
- FRUITS ID / Farmer ID – Mandatory for application
- Student ID available on SSP portal
Application Centres
- Raitha Samparka Kendras (RSK) for farmer registration
- District Agriculture Offices
- Online application only through SSP portal
Helpline Information
- Contact district agriculture offices for offline assistance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scheme?
Raitha Vidya Nidhi is a flagship scholarship scheme of the Government of Karnataka launched in 2021. It provides annual financial assistance from ₹2,500 to ₹11,000 to children of farmers, landless agricultural labourers, weavers, fishermen, and taxi drivers .
Who is eligible for this scholarship?
Students who are permanent residents of Karnataka, children of registered farmers or the newly included groups, studying in Class 8, PUC, ITI, Diploma, Degree, or Post-Graduation in recognised institutions . Farmer parents must have a valid FRUITS ID .
How much scholarship amount do I get?
Amounts range from ₹2,500 to ₹11,000 depending on the course and gender: PUC/ITI (₹2,500-3,000), Degree (₹5,000-5,500), Professional courses (₹7,500-8,000), Engineering/MBBS/PG (₹10,000-11,000), and ₹2,000 for girls in 8th-10th standard .
How do I apply for the Raitha Vidya Nidhi Scholarship?
You do not need to apply separately. Apply through the State Scholarship Portal (SSP). Based on the information provided, eligible students are automatically identified and awarded the Raitha Vidya Nidhi scholarship .
What documents are required for application?
Student Aadhaar, Parent Aadhaar, FRUITS ID/Farmer ID, Bank Passbook (Aadhaar-linked), SSLC marksheet, Study Certificate, and active mobile number .
My parent is a landless agricultural labourer. Can I apply?
Yes. The scheme was extended to children of landless agricultural labourers on August 15, 2022. The government uses MGNREGA data to identify such families .
Can I apply if I am already receiving another scholarship?
Yes. The government has modified the rules to allow students to avail benefits of multiple scholarships simultaneously .
What is FRUITS ID and why is it important?
FRUITS ID is a farmer registration number issued by the Agriculture Department. It is mandatory for the Raitha Vidya Nidhi scholarship. Without it, your parent will not be recognised as a farmer in the system .
How many students have benefited from this scheme?
As of August 2022, 10.03 lakh students had benefited with scholarships worth ₹439.95 crore. The scheme is expected to eventually cover 20 lakh beneficiaries .
Is there any separate application form for Raitha Vidya Nidhi?
No. There is no separate application form. Eligible students are identified through the State Scholarship Portal (SSP). You just need to ensure your parent’s FRUITS ID is registered .