Education is not just a privilege but also a fundamental right. However, financial limitations often pose significant challenges to many students in our country. Many students dream of studying in top colleges but fail to get admission because of financial conditions. To overcome this hurdle, both the state and central governments have instituted various scholarship programs to support students across different levels of education. So, if you are a student and want to learn about various scholarships, this blog is for you.
In this blog, we will discuss:
- Central government scholarships
- State-government scholarships
Central Government Scholarships:
As the name suggests, these scholarships are provided by various central government departments like MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource and Development), MoMA (Ministry of Minority Affairs), DAE (Department of Atomic Energy), DST (Department of Science and Technology), etc. There are many scholarships for different categories of students, some of which are given below:
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Post Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities-
This scheme comes under the Ministry of Minority Affairs and aims to help students of minority communities like Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, etc. It is offered to students studying in classes 11th and 12th in various streams, like technical, vocational, ITI, etc. Their family’s annual income must be less than or equal to Rs. 2 lakhs. Students must have scored at least 50 per cent on marks in the previous final exam to be eligible for this scholarship.
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PM Yasasvi’s Scheme of Top-Class Education in Schools for OBC, EBC, and DNT Students-
This scheme is provided by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to OBC, EBC, or DNT category students. Students must be in class 9th or 11th in any government school, and their family income must be less than Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
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Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses-
This scholarship is provided by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) to students from minorities like Muslims, Sikhs, etc. The student must pursue technical or professional courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and have secured at least 50 per cent marks in the previous final examination. Their annual family income must not be more than Rs. 2.5 lakhs.
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Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship-
This scholarship is provided by the MoMA and aims to fund the education of girls coming from minority communities. The student must be in classes 9 to 12. The family income must equal or less than Rs. 2 lakhs per annum.
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Post-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities-
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities provides this scholarship. The candidate must have a 40% benchmark disability. The family must not have an annual income of more than Rs. 2.5 lakhs. However, more than two children from the same parents can’t apply for the scholarship. Also, the students pursuing integrated courses can’t apply for the same.
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Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students-
This scheme is provided by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to SC students with family incomes up to Rs. 8 lakhs per annum. The student must have secured admission in a full-time course in a notified institution. Thiry per cent of the slots are reserved for the SC girl students. Moreover, the students who have completed class 10th from any of the Central/State/Municipal Govt. or Govt. aided schools (except KVS schools) shall be automatically qualified under the scheme.
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National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students – Scholarship-
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides this scholarship to ST students registered for M.Phil or PhD programmes at a recognised institute. The annual income of the family must be less than Rs. 6 lakhs. The candidate must also pass the post-grad exam after receiving the scholarship.
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Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships For College And University Students-
The Department of Higher Education provides this scholarship to the students of reserved categories of SC, ST, OBC and PWD. The applicants must be in the top 20th percentile merit list of class 12th results of recognised boards (SEB/CBSE/ICSE). The candidates’ annual family income must not exceed Rs. 8 LPA, and must not get scholarships from other sources.
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Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme For Wards Of States/UTs Police Personnel Martyred During Terror/Naxal Attacks-
The Ministry of Home Affairs provides this scholarship and aims to help wards of martyrs. The student must pursue a professional programme in engineering, medicine, BSc, MBA, etc., and have at least 60% in 12th grade, diploma, or graduation.
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ISHAN UDAY – Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region-
The University Grants Commission – MHRD provides this scholarship to students belonging to the states of the Northeast. The family income of the students must be less than Rs. 4.5 lakhs per annum. The student must have passed class 12th and enrolled in the first year of any degree program. The scholarship is also applicable to transgenders.
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PG Scholarship for University Rank Holders-
This scholarship is also provided by the UGC to students pursuing postgraduate studies. The age limit is 30 years (at the time of admission to the PG program). The student must have completed UG in life science, physics, earth and mathematical sciences and have got first or second rank. Humanities stream students can also apply for this scheme. However, students enrolled in remote programs are not eligible for the scholarship.
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Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students-
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) provides this scholarship to female students. The scholarship is extended for two girl children per family whose family income is less than Rs. 8 Lakh per annum. The candidates must be in the 1st year of their degree in any recognised institutes. It is provided for both technical and diploma degrees.
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Swanath Scholarship Scheme (Technical Diploma)-
The AICTE provides this scholarship to orphan students whose parents died due to Covid-19 as well as to the wards of martyrs. The annual family income must be less than Rs. 8 lakhs. The student must be studying in any AICTE-recognised institute. This scholarship is provided for both technical and diploma degrees.
These are some of the most popular central government scholarships. You can visit their official websites to learn about application procedures in detail. Also, remember that the benefit amount in the central government is not fixed and depends on categories and various other factors. Sometimes, the direct amount is not paid to beneficiaries, but the scheme manages their fees and other finances.
State Government Scholarships:
Every state has its own education board and education system. There are various scholarships offered by state governments to the students of its state. It is not possible to discuss each scholarship scheme of each state; some of the major schemes are given below:
Scholarships for Uttar Pradesh-
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UP Post Matric Scholarship:
This scholarship is for students studying in 11th and 12th classes from any board. The annual family income of the students must be less than Rs. 2 lakhs. A similar scholarship scheme is available for students who passed class 12th. It is important to have a domicile certificate to apply for the scholarship.
Scholarships for Bihar-
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Chief Minister Kanya Utthan Yojana:
This scholarship is for all female students who passed class 12th from the Bihar board. It offers Rs. 10,000 to the candidates. There is also a similar scholarship for female students who have completed their graduation. It provides them with a benefit of Rs. 25,000.
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Post Matric Scholarship:
This scholarship is for students who have passed class 10th. The family income must be less than Rs. 1.5 lakhs and class 11 and above students can apply for this scholarship. It benefits students at various stages, like class 12th (with Rs. 2000), graduation and post-graduation (with Rs. 5000 per year), and engineering or medical courses (with Rs. 15,000 per year).
Scholarships for West Bengal-
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Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Minority:
This scholarship is for students from minority communities in West Bengal. The scholarship covers financial assistance starting from class 11th. Students get Rs. 8000 per month based on their degree programmes.
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West Bengal Post- Matric Scholarship:
This scholarship is for OBC, ST, and SC students studying in class 11th and above. Depending on the degree, it offers Rs. 160 to Rs. 1200 per month.
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Bigyani Kanya Medha Britti Scholarship:
This scholarship is especially for female students enrolled in UG and PG degrees. It offers Rs. 3000 per month and Rs. 2000 as the book grant per annum
Scholarships for Karnataka-
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Post Matric Scholarship:
This scholarship is for students from minority communities like Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains in Karnataka. This scholarship covers the admission and tuition fees along with other maintenance allowances. Depending on the group, this scholarship amounts to between Rs. 1600 and Rs. 3500.
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Research Guidance PhD Fellowship for Backward Classes:
This scholarship is for PhD scholars in various fields like science, social science, etc. The candidates must be from backward classes. The scholarship offers Rs. 5000 per month.
Scholarships for Gujarat-
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Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana:
This scholarship is for students in the first year of their degree. The candidates must have obtained 80% in class 12th. The annual family income must not be greater than Rs. 6 lakhs. It offers Rs. 2 lakhs as tuition fees, hostel fees of Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 10,000 for books.
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Post SSC Scholarship for Girls:
This scholarship is for female students. All girls studying in classes starting from 11th to Ph.D. can apply for this scholarship. It offers about Rs. 25,000.
Similarly, each state offers similar scholarships to its students. The main focus of governments is to promote education and reduce college dropout rates. These scholarships are of great help to students with financial difficulties.
| Name of Scholarship | Providing Authority | Eligibility | Benefits |
| Post Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Minority community students in classes 11th and 12th, family income ≤ Rs. 2 lakhs, ≥ 50% marks in previous final exam | Financial assistance for studies in various streams |
| PM Yasasvi’s Scheme of Top-Class Education in Schools for OBC, EBC, and DNT Students | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | A student must belong to OBC, EBC, or DNT category. Students must be in class 9th or 11th in any government school, and their family income must be less than Rs. 2.5 lakhs. | Financial support for school-level education |
| Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses CS | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Minority community students pursuing technical or professional courses at UG and PG levels, family income ≤ Rs. 2.5 lakhs, ≥ 50% marks in previous final exam | Financial support for technical or professional education |
| Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Girls from minority communities in classes 9 to 12, family income ≤ Rs. 2 lakhs | Scholarship fund for education |
| Post-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities | Students with 40% benchmark disability, family income ≤ Rs. 2.5 lakhs, limitations on siblings applying, not for integrated courses | Financial assistance for disabled students |
| Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | SC students with family income ≤ Rs. 8 lakhs, admission in notified institutions, special reservation for SC girl students | Full-time course funding in reputed institutions |
| National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students – Scholarship | Ministry of Tribal Affairs | ST students pursuing M.Phil or PhD, family income ≤ Rs. 6 lakhs, post-grad exam pass after scholarship receipt | Financial support for higher education |
| Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships For College And University Students | Department of Higher Education | Reserved category students in top 20th percentile of class 12th results, family income ≤ Rs. 8 LPA, not receiving scholarships from other sources | Financial assistance for college and university education |
| Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme For Wards Of States/Uts Police Personnel Martyred During Terror/Naxal Attacks | WARB, Ministry of Home Affairs | Wards of martyrs pursuing professional courses, ≥ 60% in 12th/diploma/graduation | Support for education of children of police personnel martyred during attacks |
| ISHAN UDAY – Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region | University Grants Commission – MHRD | Students from Northeast states, family income ≤ Rs. 4.5 lakhs, enrolled in first year of degree program, also applicable to transgenders | Scholarship for students from Northeast region |
| PG Scholarship for University Rank Holders | University Grants Commission – MHRD | UG rank holders pursuing PG studies, age ≤ 30 years, completed UG in specified fields with first or second rank | Financial assistance for postgraduate studies |
| Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students | All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) | Female students from families with income ≤ Rs. 8 lakhs, enrolled in 1st year of degree at recognized institutes | Scholarships for technical and diploma degrees |
| Swanath Scholarship Scheme (Technical Diploma) | All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) | Orphan students or wards of Covid-19 martyrs, family income ≤ Rs. 8 lakhs, studying in AICTE-recognized institute, for technical and diploma degrees | Financial assistance for orphan students or children of Covid-19 martyrs |
| UP Post Matric Scholarship | Uttar Pradesh State Government | Students in 11th and 12th classes, family income ≤ Rs. 2 lakhs, domicile certificate required | Financial aid for students from Uttar Pradesh |
| Chief Minister Kanya Utthan Yojana | Bihar State Government | Female students who passed class 12th from Bihar board, also for female graduates, with specific monetary benefits | Scholarships for female students in Bihar |
| Post Matric Scholarship | Bihar State Government | For students who passed class 10th, family income ≤ Rs. 1.5 lakhs, varying benefits for different academic stages | Financial assistance for students in Bihar |
| Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Minority | West Bengal State Government | Minority community students in West Bengal, financial assistance from class 11th onwards | Financial support based on degree programs |
| West Bengal Post-Matric Scholarship | West Bengal State Government | OBC, ST, and SC students in class 11th and above, varying monthly benefits | Financial assistance for OBC, ST, and SC students |
| Bigyani Kanya Medha Britti Scholarship | West Bengal State Government | Female students enrolled in UG and PG degrees, monthly and annual benefits | Scholarships for female students pursuing higher education in science |
| Post Matric Scholarship | Karnataka State Government | Minority community students in Karnataka, covering admission and tuition fees and other allowances, benefits depend on group | Financial support for minority community students in Karnataka |
| Research Guidance PhD Fellowship for Backward Classes | Karnataka State Government | PhD scholars from backward classes, monthly stipend | Research fellowship for backward class PhD scholars |
| Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana | Gujarat State Government | First-year degree students with 80% in class 12th, family income ≤ Rs. 6 lakhs, specified financial benefits | Scholarship for high-achieving students in Gujarat |
| Post SSC Scholarship for Girls | Gujarat State Government | Female students from class 11th to PhD, offering financial assistance | Scholarships for female students in Gujarat |
Conclusion:
Scholarships greatly help promote fair access to education and develop talent among youths. These initiatives have made an important contribution to India’s educational scene, enabling deserving students and reducing financial constraints. Now, students don’t hesitate to go for their dream careers, and financial constraints are decreasing in numbers. After all, education is the key to unlocking a better future for both people and the country as a whole.
Now, after learning about scholarships, if you want to know what top research institutes you can apply to, check out our blogs on IISERs, IISc, NISER, and ISERC.
FAQs:
Ques: How can I apply for the scholarships?
Ans: You must keep looking at their official websites for the registration dates and other details.
Ques: Are there scholarships for students below class 10th?
Ans: Yes, there are many central and state government scholarships available. Every state government provides scholarships for students below class 10th, depending on their financial conditions.
Ques: What documents are required for scholarship application?
Ans: Commonly required documents include proof of identity (such as Aadhar card), proof of residence, academic transcripts or mark sheets, income certificate of parents/guardians, caste/category certificate (if applicable), and bank account details.
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