Introduction Mahtari Dular Yojana is an education assistance scheme introduced by the Government of Chhattisgarh for children whose mother, father or both parents died due to COVID-19. Implemented from the 2021-22 academic session, the scheme is managed by the School Education Department, with district-level administration handling beneficiary identification, verification and approval. The scheme aims to protect the education of children affected by the pandemic, particularly those whose families have lost their earning member. Eligible students can receive free education in government schools, priority admission to Swami Atmanand English Medium Schools and financial support for schooling. Children who lost both parents to COVID-19 are eligible for the government to bear the full cost of education, subject to the scheme rules. Eligible students studying in government or recognised private schools may receive ₹500 per month in Classes 1 to 8 and ₹1,000 per month in Classes 9 to 12. Certain private-school expenses may also be covered under prescribed limits. Applications are handled offline through the District Education Officer (DEO), while the official scholarship portal supports beneficiary records, verification, renewal and publication of eligible or ineligible lists. Benefits Free school education: Eligible children can study in government schools without education costs covered by the scheme. Monthly scholarship: Students in Classes 1 to 8 can receive ₹500 per month, while students in Classes 9 to 12 can receive ₹1,000 per month. Annual scholarship limit: The listed maximum is ₹5,000 for Classes 1 to 8 and ₹10,000 for Classes 9 to 12. Support for children who lost both parents: The state government bears the full education cost for eligible children whose parents died due to COVID-19. Priority admission: Beneficiaries receive priority for admission to Swami Atmanand English Medium Schools. Private-school fee assistance: Eligible children who have already studied in a private school for at least one year may continue there, with fees covered under the scheme's conditions. School choice: Eligible students may shift to a Swami Atmanand English Medium School. Assistance for new private-school admissions: Reimbursement is limited to the prescribed academic cost of a Navodaya or Eklavya residential school, or the actual private-school expense, whichever is lower. Higher education encouragement: The scheme promotes further education after school and coaching support for meritorious students preparing for professional courses. Private-school fee conditions: For children already enrolled in a private school for at least one year, the government may cover school fees if they continue at the same school or move to a Swami Atmanand school. For newly admitted private-school students, reimbursement is subject to the prescribed ceiling. The supplied information mentions ₹1,09,000 as the annual cost of an Eklavya Model Residential School; applicants should confirm the applicable limit with the district authorities. Eligibility The child must be a resident of Chhattisgarh. The child's earning mother or father, or both parents, must have died due to COVID-19. The applicant must meet the age requirements applicable to school education. The family must face a livelihood difficulty because no earning adult member remains in the household. The child must be studying in a government school or a recognised private school in Chhattisgarh. Important: The scheme's conditions may be relaxed by the General Administration Department where permitted. Its decision is stated to be final in case of a dispute. Documents Death certificate of the parent or parents showing death due to COVID-19. Chhattisgarh residence certificate. Aadhaar card of the child. School certificate or marksheet. Bank account details for scholarship payment. Any additional documents requested by the District Education Officer during verification. Process to Apply Offline application through the DEO Visit the District Education Officer's office in the district where the child resides. Confirm whether fresh applications are being accepted and obtain the prescribed application format. Ask the office to confirm the required supporting documents. Complete the application and submit it with the documents to the DEO. Keep the application acknowledgement or other proof of submission, if provided. Identification through the District Collector Information about an eligible child can be submitted to the District Collector. The Collector forwards the case to the DEO for further action. The district administration initiates verification based on the information received. Verification and approval A district committee chaired by the DEO examines the case. The supplied guidelines state that it includes one representative each from the Health Department and Social Welfare Department. The committee sends its recommendation to the District Collector. The Collector makes the approval decision based on the recommendation. The DEO maintains the beneficiary records, while the Collector periodically reviews implementation. Renewal and beneficiary status According to the supplied information, existing beneficiaries are renewed through the portal after district-level verification rather than submitting a fresh application themselves. District authorities enter beneficiary data and upload the required certificates before the renewal facility is made available. Visit the Chhattisgarh Scholarship Portal and check the Mahtari Dular Yojana section or latest circulars. Open the relevant district-wise eligible/ineligible list to check the published status. Contact the DEO office if the beneficiary details need correction or the application status is unclear. Note: Renewal availability can vary by academic session and district. Confirm the current status directly through the official portal or the DEO office. Important Links and Contact School Education Department: Official Website Scholarship portal: Chhattisgarh Scholarship Portal Eligible/ineligible list: View Published List Scholarship portal helpline: 0771-2511192 Helpdesk email: scholarshiphelp.cg@gov.in Application assistance: Contact the District Education Officer in your district. FAQs Q1. What is Chhattisgarh Mahtari Dular Yojana?It is a state government scheme that provides educational and financial support to eligible children whose parent or parents died due to COVID-19. Q2. Who can receive benefits under this scheme?Eligible Chhattisgarh residents whose earning mother or father, or both parents, died due to COVID-19 and who meet the scheme's other conditions may qualify. Q3. How much monthly scholarship is available?Eligible students can receive ₹500 per month for Classes 1 to 8 and ₹1,000 per month for Classes 9 to 12. Q4. What is the maximum annual scholarship amount?The listed maximum is ₹5,000 for Classes 1 to 8 and ₹10,000 for Classes 9 to 12. Q5. Can students studying in private schools apply?Yes, students in recognised private schools may qualify, subject to the scheme's eligibility conditions and applicable fee-reimbursement limits. Q6. Does the government cover the full education cost for children who lost both parents?The scheme provides for the government to bear the full education cost for eligible children who lost both parents to COVID-19, according to the applicable rules. Q7. Which documents are required?Commonly listed documents include the COVID-19-related death certificate, Chhattisgarh residence certificate, child's Aadhaar card, school certificate or marksheet, and bank account details. Q8. How can a child apply for Mahtari Dular Yojana?The student or guardian should contact the district DEO, confirm the application requirements and submit the prescribed form with supporting documents. Q9. How is an application verified and approved?A district committee examines the case and forwards its recommendation to the District Collector, who decides on approval. The DEO maintains beneficiary records. Q10. Where can applicants check the beneficiary list or get help?Applicants can check the Chhattisgarh Scholarship Portal or contact the DEO. The supplied portal helpdesk number is 0771-2511192 and the email is scholarshiphelp.cg@gov.in.