Table of Contents
India is a developing nation, thus many people there are below the poverty level and unable to send their kids to school. One of the finest methods to assist these underprivileged children and young people in India is through scholarships, which allow them to continue their education without any obstacles.
However, scholarships aren’t just for the underprivileged in India. You can apply for numerous scholarships sponsored by the government or private organizations if you want to study for free in India, providing you meet the necessary eligibility requirements. Current scholarship programs in India are offered on a state, national, and college-by-college basis.
Scholarship in India
In India, scholarships are essentially financial aid given to students to support their study. Any government, trust, commercial, or non-governmental entity may provide scholarships. This means that some scholarships in India are provided to uplift the poor and underprivileged students, some are granted to the deserving students, some are offered for a specific course/program, etc. These scholarships are awarded based on various criteria set by the scholarship offering authority.
In India, students have access to thousands of scholarship programs that fund both their education and professional development. These financial aids in the form of scholarships are made available at a variety of levels, including the federal, state, college, and even the individual levels. From kindergarten through research fellowship programs, financial aid for education is offered through a number of scholarships. Anyone interested in receiving a scholarship in India should be qualified and submit an application.
Numerous scholarship programs have been around for a while in India, but neither students nor the general public are aware of them. We wrote this particular post for you while keeping that fact in mind. We have included all the pertinent information about all the scholarships that are currently offered in India in one article. You will learn more about the names of centrally funded scholarships, state funded scholarships, college/university level scholarships, etc. as you continue reading this page.
Attempt Free General Knowledge Mock test! Download Entri App!
List of Central Government Scholarships
The Central Scholarship Schemes are developed by several ministries with the goal of reaching a particular student demographic. The table below lists all central programs along with who they are intended for and their objectives.
Name of the Scholarship Scheme | Ministry/Department |
NEC Merit Scholarship | Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region |
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme For RPF/RPSF | Ministry of Railways |
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme For Central Armed Police Forces And Assam Rifles, and
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme For Wards Of States/UTs Police Personnel Martyred During Terror/Naxal Attacks |
Ministry of Home Affairs |
Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships For College And University Students | Department of Higher Education |
National Means Cum Merit Scholarship | Department of School Education and Literacy |
National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students | Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
Financial Assistance for Education of the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Post-Matric | Ministry of Labour and Employment |
Financial Assistance for Education of the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Pre-Matric | Ministry of Labour and Employment |
Aam Aadmi Bima Yojna Scholarship for Andhra Pradesh | Ministry of Labour and Employment |
Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
Pre-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
Post-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
Pre Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities | Ministry of Minority Affairs |
Post Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities | Ministry of Minority Affairs |
Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses | Ministry of Minority Affairs |
Central Scholarship Schemes for Education: Details
Scholarship Scheme by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
- NEC Merit Scholarship
- Financial Support to The Students Of NER For Higher Professional Courses is the full name of the NEC Merit Scholarship.
- It only offered financial aid to permanent NER residents who were enrolled in school anywhere in India and whose parents’ combined annual income did not exceed Rs. 8 lakhs.
- It is not given to NER students who are currently receiving assistance from another program.
- Students with a diploma, degree, post-graduate degree, or registration in an M.Phil. or PhD program from any government-recognized institution are eligible.
Scholarship Scheme by Ministry of Railways
- Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme For RPF/RPSF
- It first published in 2005.
- The program’s goal is to support higher technical and professional education for dependent wards of former and current RPF/RPSF members as well as widows (below the Rank of Gazetted officer)
- Each academic session, 150 students are chosen, with 50% of them being girls.
- The following professional degree programs are acceptable: BE, B.Tech, BDS, MBBS, BEd, BBS, BCA, MCA, B. Pharma, etc.
- Except for MBA and MCA programs, it is not suitable for master’s degree courses.
Scholarship Scheme by Ministry of Home Affairs
- Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme For Central Armed Police Forces And Assam Rifles
- Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme For Wards Of States/UTs Police Personnel Martyred During Terror/Naxal Attacks
The features of both schemes are as follows:
- Scholarships are awarded to dependent children or widows of martyred members of the CAPF, Assam Rifles, or state police who died in acts of terrorism or naxal attacks.
- For the children of the CAPF and Assam Rifles, 2000 scholarships are offered.
- For the children of state police officers, 500 scholarships are offered.
- It is given to programs leading to professional degrees.
Attempt Free General Knowledge Mock test! Download Entri App!
Scholarship Scheme by Ministry of Human Resources and Development
- Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships For College And University Students
- Under this program, 82,000 scholarships are given to deserving kids from low-income families.
- For ordinary graduate, post-graduate, and professional degree programs, it is given out.
- Students between the ages of 18 and 25 from various state boards who received more than 80% of the possible points in Class 12 are eligible.
- National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
- This program awards 1 lakh scholarships to deserving ninth-grade students with families earning no more than Rs. 1.5 lakh per year.
Scholarship Scheme by Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students
- For “Formerly Top Class Education for Scheduled Tribe Students,” a scholarship is available.
- National Fellowship and Scholarship for ST Students Higher Education was created by combining the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (RGNF) for ST students and Top Class Education for ST students, two central sector programs.
- It consists of two parts: the Scholarship (introduced in 2014) and the Fellowship (Introduced in 2015.)
- Scholarships for ST students to choose graduation or post-graduate courses in public or private institutions are granted, as well as Fellowships for ST students to enroll in higher education programs like PhD, M.Phil, etc.
Scholarship Scheme by Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Financial Assistance for Education of the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Post-Matric and Pre-Matric
- For the kids of the Iron Ore, Manganese Ore & Chrome Ore Mine (IOMC) and the Iron Ore, Manganese Ore & Chrome Ore Mineworkers in Beedi, Cine, and the aforementioned locations.
- Courses taken via correspondence are prohibited.
Scholarship Scheme by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students
- The program received approval in 2007.
- There are 4200 scholarships offered (30 percent slots for SC Girls.)
- SC students who meet the general admission requirements set forth by any of the notified institutions and who have been admitted to a full-time prescribed course there in accordance with those requirements will be eligible for financial aid under the Scheme up to the number of scholarships (slots) allotted to the institution for the course.
Scholarship Scheme by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
- Pre-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
- Post-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
- Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities
- National Overseas Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
- National fellowships for PwDs
- Free Coachings for Students with Disabilities
The following are the key components of the six above-mentioned schemes:
- For students who are Indian citizens and have a disability of at least 40%, there are six different programs.
- There can be no more than two kids from the same parents.
Prepare for General Knowledge Exam! Download Entri App!
Scholarship Scheme by Ministry of Minority Affairs
- Pre Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities
- In 2006, it was announced.
- It is given to deserving students.
- Students who earned at least 50% on their most recent final exam and are enrolled in grades 1 through 10 are eligible to receive it. Additionally, the household income of such students should not be higher than Rs. 1 Lakh.
- Post Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities
- In 2006, it was announced.
- It is given out for graduating, technical, and vocational courses at public or private institutions of higher learning. (Certificate programs are prohibited.)
- Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses
- It is given for graduate- and post-graduate-level technical and professional courses.
- Students who earned at least 50% on their previous final exam and whose yearly household income does not exceed Rs. 2 lakh are eligible.
State Level Scholarship in India
State Scholarship Schemes |
||
State/UT | Scholarship Schemes | Official Portal for State Scholarship Program |
Assam | Pre Matric:
|
Click Here |
Post Matric:
|
||
Arunachal Pradesh | Pre Matric:
Scholarship (Class IX & X) for ST Students |
Click Here |
Post Matric:
|
||
Andaman &/or Nicobar | Pre-Matric:
Central-sponsored Scholarship Scheme For St Students(Class IX,X) |
— |
Post-Matric:
|
||
Chandigarh | Pre Matric:
Scholarship Scheme For SC Students Of Class IX and X |
Click Here |
Post-Matric:
|
||
Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu | Pre Matric Scholar Scheme for OBC, SC, ST respectively | — |
Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC, ST, SC respectively | ||
Goa | Centrally Sponsored Scheme Of Pre Matric Scholarship For Needy ST Students (Class IX & X) | Click Here |
Centrally Sponsored Scheme Of Post Matric Scholarship For ST Students | ||
Himachal Pradesh | Centrally-sponsored Pre-Matric Scholarship Schemes for SC,ST and OBC respectively. | Click Here |
Centrally-sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes for SC,ST and OBC respectively. | ||
Dr.Ambedkar Medhavi Chatravriti Yojana For OBC Students | ||
Dr.Ambedkar Medhavi Chatravriti Yojana For SC Students | ||
Swami Vivekanand Utkrisht Charavriti Yojana | ||
Thakur Sen Negi Utkrisht Chatravriti Yojana | ||
Indira Gandhi Utkrisht Chatravriti Yojana | ||
Kalpana Chawla Chatravriti Yojana | ||
Integrated Rural Development Program(IRDP) | ||
Maharishi Balmiki Chatravriti Yojana | ||
Mukhya Mantri Protsahan Yojana | ||
Dr.Ambedkar Post Matric Scholarship For Economically Backward Class Students | ||
Jammu and Kashmir | Post Matric Scholarship To ST Students | Click Here |
Ladakh | Centrally-sponsored Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes for ST Students respectively | Click Here |
Lakshadweep | Lakshadweep Scholarship Scheme | Click Here |
Manipur | Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes for ST Students | Click Here |
Meghalaya | Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Schemes for ST Students | Click Here |
Puducherry | Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Class IX & X) | Click Here |
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students | ||
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre Matric Scholarship for Needy ST Students (Class IX & X) | ||
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students | ||
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre Matric Scholarship for OBC Students | ||
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre Matric Scholarship for OBC Students | ||
Dr Ambedkar for the Grant of Financial Assistance to SC Students Studying in Professional Colleges | ||
Grant of Adhoc Merit Grant to SC Students | ||
Retention Scholarship to SC Girl Students | ||
Opportunity Cost to Parents of SC Girl Students | ||
Stipend to SC Trainers in Government ITI | ||
Tripura | NEC Merit Scholarship Tripura | Click Here |
Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana | ||
Uttarakhand | Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minority | Click Here |
Post Matric Scholarship for EBC Students | ||
Pre-Matric Disability Scholarship (State Sector) |
Attempt Free General Knowledge Mock test! Download Entri App!
College/University Level Scholarship in India
Look at some of the university or college level scholarships offered by various private and public universities in various parts of the nation.
Name of the scheme | Provider |
SRM Founder’s | SRM University |
Scholarship based on LPU NEST | Lovely Professional University |
Scholarship based on BITSAT Performance | Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences (BITS) |
Support the Advancement of Rural Students (STARS) | Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) |
Other Scholarship in India
In addition to the above-mentioned programs, there are a few other scholarships that offer educational help to students in India at different levels. Private businesses, NGOs, trusts, PSUs, and other institutions all give these scholarships. Take a short look at these other scholarships supporting students in education across the nation by doing so:
Name of the scheme | Provider |
Atul Maheshwari Scholarship | Amar Ujala |
Dr. Ambedkar Post Matric Scholarship | Government of India |
Akash ANTHE | Aakash Institute |
Tata Trust Means Grant for School | Tata Trusts |
ISRO Young Scientist Program | ISRO |
HP Udaan Scholarship Program | HP Inc. India |
HDFC Scholarship | HDFC |
Aditya Birla Group Scholarship (ABGS) Program | Aditya Birla Group |
Teach for India Fellowship | Teach for India |
OP Jindal Engineering & Management Scholarships (OJEMS) | Jindal Group |
Google Women Techmakers Scholars Program | |
Savitribai Phule Scholarship (Maharashtra) | Maharashtra Government |
L’Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarships | L’Oréal India |
Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship Scheme | Sitaram Jindal Foundation |
Indian Oil Educational Scholarship | Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) |
Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarship Fund | Reliance Foundation |
Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarship for Doctoral Studies | Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF) |
Nationwide Education and Scholarship Test [NEST] | Shrimanji’s Events Management Centre International [SEMCI] |
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited Scholarship | ONGC |
L&T Build India Scholarship | Larsen & Toubro [L&T] Limited |
Nirankari Rajmata Scholarship Scheme | Sant Nirankari Charitable Foundation |
Prepare for General Knowledge Exam! Download Entri App!
In India, how do you apply for a scholarship?
The majority of the scholarship program’s application process is now done online. Students must submit their applications through the National Scholarship Portal for all national level scholarships. In addition, some of the scholarships may have their own websites. Through the official websites of the relevant authorities, such as the SCERTs of the states, application forms for national level scholarships like NMMS can be filled out.
Students may submit an offline or online application for state-level scholarships. The majority of scholarship applications must be submitted online through the relevant websites. Similar to high school scholarships, college scholarships require qualified students to apply through the appropriate education portals.
Documents Required for scholarship in India
Before submitting an application for a scholarship, every student should first and foremost review the qualifying requirements. After that, they need to have the necessary paperwork to demonstrate their eligibility. Depending on the type of scholarship they desire to apply for, several documentation are required. For instance, if a scholarship is only available to students who live below the poverty line, candidates must present a BPL certificate, ration card, income certificate, or any other required supporting documentation. As a result, we advise all of our readers to carefully read the official notification before applying.
Here is a list of some of the information that is often needed for all scholarships:
- Identity Proof
- Educational certificates
- Birth certificate
- Residential proof (generally in state level scholarships)
- Income Certificate (As applicable)
- Physical Disability certificate (as applicable)
- Bank Details
- Passport sized photograph
For detailed information, students should visit the official portal of the scholarship concerned.
Conclusion
The information in this page should have made it obvious that scholarships are available in India for people from all economic backgrounds, not just the impoverished and economically disadvantaged. Simply choose the best scholarship in India for their requirements and qualifications, then apply within the allotted time frame to avoid missing out on the opportunity.
To learn and practice daily and monthly current affairs, GK quizzes, daily rank-booster, and current affairs quiz sections, download the Entri app. To succeed in your study efforts, take practice exams. Entri is a great online resource that offers up-to-date resources prepared by Entri Experts for all competitive exams. Entri offers the greatest platform with complete mock exams that include question questions from prior years. You can join the required lessons and get the app for free.