Education is one of the most powerful tools to change a person’s future. But for many families, especially those working in the unorganized sector like construction, continuing education can be a financial struggle. To support these families, the Karnataka government offers a Labour Card Scholarship, which provides financial aid to students whose parents are registered construction workers.
For the 2025–26 academic year, eligible students can receive ₹20,000 directly into their bank account to help with educational expenses. This initiative aims to reduce the dropout rate and ensure that children from labourer families can continue their studies without financial stress.
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about the scholarship—eligibility, benefits, application process, required documents, and important tips.
What is the Labour Card Scholarship?
The Labour Card Scholarship is a financial support scheme launched by the Karnataka government for children of construction workers. Construction labourers often face unstable income, which makes it difficult to meet educational expenses. By providing direct financial aid, the scholarship helps ease this burden.
Each eligible student receives ₹20,000 once per year, and the amount is transferred directly to the linked bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
Who is Eligible?
The scheme is targeted at a specific group of students. To apply, you must meet the following conditions:
- The student must be the child or dependent of a registered construction worker in Karnataka.
- The parent or guardian must have registered for a Labour Card before May 25, 2024.
- The student must be enrolled in a recognized school, college, or educational institution in Karnataka.
- The applicant’s Aadhaar number and bank account must be linked and active under NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).
- Only one application per student is required.
If all these conditions are satisfied, the student can move ahead with the application process.
Benefits of the Scholarship
The scheme offers several direct and indirect benefits for students and their families:
- Financial Support – ₹20,000 provided annually reduces the financial burden on parents.
- Encourages Education – Helps students continue their studies without worrying about dropping out due to lack of money.
- Direct Transfer – The scholarship amount goes straight into the beneficiary’s account, ensuring full transparency.
- Covers Various Needs – The amount can be used for tuition fees, books, uniforms, travel, or even digital learning materials.
Application Process
The application process is completely online and designed to be simple. Here’s how students can apply:
- Visit the official State Scholarship Portal of Karnataka.
- Register as a new user or log in if you already have an account.
- Fill in the required details including Labour Card number, Aadhaar, and bank account information.
- Upload scanned copies of necessary documents.
- Review the application carefully and submit it before the deadline.
Once submitted, you don’t need to reapply for the next academic year if your details remain valid.
Required Documents
Applicants should keep the following documents ready before applying:
- Labour Card of the parent or guardian.
- Aadhaar card of the student.
- Aadhaar card of the parent or guardian.
- Bank account passbook (linked with Aadhaar and Labour Card).
- Recent passport-size photograph of the student.
- Admission or bonafide certificate from the current school or college.
Important Dates
For the 2025–26 academic year, the deadline for applications was set as October 31, 2024. Students and families are advised to complete the process well before the closing date to avoid last-minute issues.
Scholarship Disbursement
After the verification process, the approved scholarship amount of ₹20,000 is transferred directly to the registered bank account of the parent or guardian. This transfer is made through the DBT system, ensuring that the full benefit reaches the family without delay or deductions.
Why This Scholarship Matters
Education is not just about classrooms and textbooks—it is about providing equal opportunities. Children of construction workers often face challenges such as financial instability, frequent migration, and lack of resources. These issues increase the risk of students dropping out.
By providing a consistent financial grant, the Karnataka Labour Card Scholarship helps:
- Reduce dropout rates.
- Encourage students to pursue higher education.
- Relieve families from worrying about school-related expenses.
- Build confidence among students to aim for bigger career goals.
This initiative is not only a support system for families but also an investment in the future workforce of the state.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many applications get delayed or rejected because of small errors. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Submitting applications after the deadline.
- Entering incorrect Aadhaar or bank details.
- Failing to link Aadhaar with the bank account.
- Uploading unclear or invalid documents.
Double-checking all details before submission ensures a smooth process.
Tips for Applicants
- Make sure the Labour Card is valid and renewed on time.
- Keep digital copies of documents ready in the required format and size.
- Track your application status regularly on the scholarship portal.
- Save the acknowledgment or application number after submission.
Long-Term Impact
While ₹20,000 may not cover all educational expenses, it acts as a strong foundation. Families can use this support to keep their children in school or college, while also planning for additional expenses. Over time, the scheme will create a ripple effect—improving literacy rates, reducing child labour, and giving students from disadvantaged backgrounds a fair shot at success.
By investing in the education of construction workers’ children today, the state is helping build a stronger, more skilled generation for tomorrow.
Important links
Official website
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Final Thoughts
The Karnataka Labour Card Scholarship for 2025–26 is more than just financial aid. It is a symbol of inclusion, recognizing the hard work of construction labourers and ensuring that their children get the same chance at education as anyone else.
For families struggling to balance daily wages with school costs, this scheme provides timely relief. And for students, it opens the door to continue their journey with dignity and hope.
Education should never stop because of money—and with schemes like this, Karnataka is taking meaningful steps to make sure it doesn’t.
