Scholarships for Backward Class (BC) and Economically Backward Class (EBC) students are intended to encourage educational pursuits and avoid financial difficulties. Various government portals, such as the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and state government social welfare department portals, offer scholarships to students.

But the popularity of these scholarship schemes has also led scammers to target these schemes. Scammers are developing fake scholarship portals, links, and phishing websites that mimic government portals. The motive of these scammers is to obtain personal information, money, and bank account details from students and their parents.

Over the last few years, several scholarship fraud cases and fake scholarship portals have been reported in India.

This article will guide you on how scholarship scams are conducted, how they are identified, and how you can avoid them.

What Are BC / EBC Scholarship Fake Portals?

A fake scholarship portal is a fraudulent website or application that pretends to be an official government scholarship platform.

These fake portals often:

The objective is usually to collect sensitive information like:

Scammers may later use this information for identity theft, financial fraud, or illegal transactions.

Why Scholarship Scams Are Increasing

Scholarship scams are on the rise due to the growing use of online government schemes. Students use Google, social media, or messaging apps to search for scholarships. Therefore, they become victims of scholarship scams.

According to reports, scholarship scams trick students with the promise of a scholarship or guaranteed approval, asking them to pay fees or share their bank details.

During the scholarship season, which is from February to June, scholarship scams promise quick “scholarships” from fake portals or agents.

Authorities have found cases of massive scholarship scams involving fake educational institutions and fake students claiming their scholarships.

Real Scholarship Scam Cases in India

Scholarship scams have been reported in various states in India. These cases demonstrate the severity of the problem.

1. ₹144 Crore Minority Scholarship Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case regarding the benefits received by 830 fake institutions under the minority scholarship scheme, resulting in a loss of more than ₹144 crore for the government.

2. Fake Applicants in Scholarship Schemes

During an investigation, it was discovered that there were over 6.7 lakh fake applicants in the minority scholarship scheme. This is an example of how fake identities are misused for fraudulent purposes.

3. Fake Educational Institutions

In some cases, the scammers even opened fake colleges and uploaded documents to receive scholarships for the students.

4. Scholarship Phone and QR Code Fraud

Parents of the students have been tricked by the scammers, who claimed to be education officials asking them to scan the QR codes to receive the scholarship amount, leading to bank withdrawals.

The above cases are examples of how scholarship schemes are frequently targeted by cybercriminals.

Check: Fake Offer Letter Check Online Free in India – Step-by-Step Verification Guide (2026)

How Fake BC / EBC Scholarship Portals Work

Most scholarship scams follow a similar pattern.

Step 1: Creating Fake Websites

Scammers create websites with names similar to official portals, such as:

These sites often look professional and include fake government logos.

Step 2: Promoting the Portal

Fraudsters promote these portals through:

The posts usually claim:

Step 3: Collecting Data or Fees

Once students visit the site, they are asked to:

Some websites also request OTP verification, which scammers use to access bank accounts.

Signs That a Scholarship Portal Is Fake

Students should watch for these red flags when applying online.

1. Suspicious Domain Names

Government scholarship portals usually end with:

If the website uses domains like .xyz, .online, or .info, it may be fraudulent.

2. Asking for Application Fees

Most government scholarships are completely free to apply.

If a website asks for a processing fee or registration charge, it may be a scam.

Experts warn students to avoid platforms asking for upfront payments for scholarship approvals.

3. “Guaranteed Scholarship” Claims

No government scholarship guarantees approval.

Fake portals often promise:

4. Contact Only Through WhatsApp

Fake portals often provide only:

Official portals usually have government emails and helpline numbers.

5. Urgent Deadlines

Scammers create pressure using messages like:

This is designed to make students submit information quickly.

Official Scholarship Portals Students Should Use

To avoid fraud, students should apply only through official government portals.

Some trusted platforms include:

For example, Bihar students applying for BC/EBC scholarships use the official Post-Matric Scholarship portal managed by the government.

These portals handle applications and payments through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), which sends scholarship money directly to the student’s bank account.

How Students Can Stay Safe from Scholarship Scams

Follow these safety tips before applying for any scholarship online.

1. Verify the Website

Always check the URL carefully. Official government portals will usually have secure domains ending in .gov.in.

2. Avoid Unknown Links

Never click scholarship links shared through:

3. Do Not Pay Registration Fees

Government scholarships generally do not charge application fees.

If someone asks for payment to “process” a scholarship, it is likely a scam.

4. Protect Personal Documents

Do not upload documents like:

Unless you are certain the website is legitimate.

5. Verify Through College or Government Sources

Students can confirm scholarship information through:

Also Read: Fake UPI Payment Screenshot Scam — How Shopkeepers Are Getting Fooled

What To Do If You Find a Fake Scholarship Portal

If you encounter a suspicious scholarship website:

  1. Do not enter any personal information
  2. Take screenshots of the website
  3. Report it to the Cyber Crime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in)
  4. Call the cybercrime helpline 1930
  5. Warn other students and classmates

Reporting these scams helps authorities shut down fake websites faster.

Conclusion

BC and EBC scholarships are providing financial assistance to millions of students across India. However, scammers are misusing these schemes by creating fake portals, phishing sites, and even by making fake calls.

In recent times, investigations have revealed fake institutions, fake documents, and crores of rupees spent on scholarship scams. This shows the gravity of the problem.

Students should be careful while filling up forms online.

Remember these simple rules:

Awareness and verification are the best ways to avoid scholarship scams.