Compare central government, state, merit-based and private scholarships for engineering, medical, MBA, law and research courses. Every amount, income limit and date below was checked against official notices and recent reports, and flagged where sources disagree.
The National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) is the single application route for most central and many state scholarships in 2026-27. Applications opened on June 1, 2026 and close on October 31, 2026 for most schemes. One-Time Registration (OTR), an Aadhaar-seeded bank account and an institute that verifies your form are mandatory. In summary:
The 2026-27 cycle brings tighter verification, earlier portal opening and several policy debates. Students who applied in earlier years should not assume the process is unchanged. These are the developments that matter most as of October 10, 2026.
| Update | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| NSP opened June 1, 2026 | Fresh and renewal applications have been open for more than four months. Most schemes close October 31, 2026, so the safe window is almost over. |
| One-Time Registration (OTR) and Aadhaar | OTR linked to Aadhaar is mandatory. A bank account that is not seeded with Aadhaar cannot receive the scholarship. |
| One student, one benefit | States have been asked to integrate their portals with NSP and to enforce a single benefit per student, with Aadhaar-based authentication and the Aadhaar Payment Bridge System. |
| AICTE Pragati, Saksham and Swanath open | AICTE opened its portal on June 19, 2026 for fresh and renewal cases. Institute verification closes November 15 and state nodal verification on November 30, 2026. |
| SC/ST post-matric income limit under review | The ₹2.5 lakh limit has stood since 2013-14. The government has proposed ₹4.5 lakh for the 2026-27 to 2030-31 cycle. Check the live NSP guideline before assuming you are ineligible. |
| Gujarat widens SC post-matric support | In May 2026 Gujarat approved a ₹18 crore scheme covering SC male students from families earning ₹2.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh, funded by the state, for about 3,000 additional students. |
| MANF payments delayed | Existing Maulana Azad National Fellowship holders have reported stipend delays. The 2026-27 allocation is ₹36.14 crore, down from ₹42.84 crore in 2025-26. |
Central scholarships are funded by ministries of the Government of India and are paid by Direct Benefit Transfer. They are the most dependable awards because eligibility rules are published and nationwide. Use the filter bar above to narrow the list by course or category.
For girl students admitted to the first year (or second year via lateral entry) of an AICTE-approved degree or diploma course. Paid for the full course, up to four years for degree and three for diploma. A maximum of two girl children per family can benefit, and the student must not hold another central or state scholarship for the same purpose.
For students with at least 40% disability in AICTE-approved technical degree and diploma courses. A disability certificate is mandatory. The scheme runs on the same NSP timetable as Pragati, with fresh and renewal applications accepted until October 31, 2026.
Supports technical degree and diploma students who are orphans or wards of armed forces and paramilitary personnel in specified categories. Refer to the AICTE guideline for the full list of eligible categories and for any documentary proof needed.
For students who scored above the 80th percentile in their Class 12 board and stream and are enrolled in a regular, full-time degree at a recognised college. Reported rates are ₹12,000 a year for the first three undergraduate years and ₹20,000 a year for later professional or postgraduate years. Renewal needs at least 50% marks and regular attendance. Some listings quote slightly different UG amounts, so confirm the figure on NSP.
For wards and widows of ex-servicemen and ex-Coast Guard personnel admitted to the first year of a professional or technical course such as MBBS, BDS, veterinary, engineering, MBA or MCA. Boys receive ₹2,500 a month (₹30,000 a year) and girls ₹3,000 a month (₹36,000 a year). Roughly 5,500 awards are made each year, at least 60% in the qualifying exam is expected, and only two wards per family can apply. This page previously showed higher figures; the amounts above are the current ones.
The Scholarship for Higher Education targets students in the top 1% of Class 12 results who take up natural and basic sciences such as BSc or an integrated MSc. The package of about ₹80,000 a year includes a mentorship component. Apply on the INSPIRE portal, not on NSP. The date shown previously was December 1, 2026; confirm it on the portal.
A school-level scheme for meritorious Class 8 students from economically weaker families, selected through a state-level examination. ₹12,000 a year is paid from Class 9 to Class 12, with renewal tied to marks. Family income must be under ₹3.5 lakh. Earlier versions of this page showed ₹75,000, which was incorrect.
A centrally sponsored scheme for SC and ST students after Class 10, covering compulsory fees and a maintenance allowance. The parental income ceiling is ₹2.5 lakh a year in the published guideline. The government has proposed raising it to ₹4.5 lakh for the 2026-27 to 2030-31 cycle, so confirm the limit on NSP. The scheme is funded 60:40 by the Centre and states (90:10 in the North-East).
For Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain and Parsi students studying after Class 10. Amounts depend on the course and whether you are a hosteller. Family income should be under ₹2 lakh a year. The Ministry of Minority Affairs also runs a merit-cum-means scheme for professional and technical courses on NSP.
This listing was previously shown as open. The fellowship was discontinued for fresh admissions from 2022-23 on the ground that it overlaps other fellowships. Existing fellows continue until their tenure ends. New minority research scholars should look at UGC-NET JRF and the National Fellowship schemes for SC, ST and OBC students, which also cover eligible minority candidates in those categories.
No scholarship in this filter. Choose another category.
Use this table to compare award size, who can apply and where to apply. Income limits are those in the latest published guidelines; where a revision is under discussion it is noted.
| Scholarship | Amount | Who can apply | Income limit | Deadline | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AICTE Pragati | ₹50,000 / year | Girls in AICTE degree or diploma | ₹8 lakh | Oct 31, 2026 | NSP |
| AICTE Saksham | ₹50,000 / year | 40%+ disability, AICTE courses | ₹8 lakh | Oct 31, 2026 | NSP |
| AICTE Swanath | ₹50,000 / year | Orphans and wards of personnel | See guideline | Oct 31, 2026 | NSP |
| Central Sector (CSSS) | ₹12,000 (UG) to ₹20,000 | Above 80th percentile, regular course | ₹4.5 lakh | Oct 31, 2026 | NSP |
| PM Scholarship (PMSS) | ₹30,000 (boys), ₹36,000 (girls) | Ex-servicemen wards, professional courses | No income limit | Check KSB / NSP | KSB / NSP |
| INSPIRE (SHE) | ≈ ₹80,000 / year | Top 1% Class 12, basic sciences | No income limit | Verify on portal | online-inspire.gov.in |
| NMMS | ₹12,000 / year | Class 9 to 12, state exam selection | ₹3.5 lakh | State / NSP date | NSP |
| Post-Matric SC / ST | Fees + allowance | SC / ST, post-Class 10 | ₹2.5 lakh (₹4.5 lakh proposed) | Oct 31, 2026 | NSP |
| Minority Post-Matric | Varies by course | Notified minorities | ₹2 lakh | Oct 31, 2026 | NSP |
| AICTE PG (GATE / GPAT) | ≈ ₹12,400 / month | AICTE-approved PG students | Valid GATE / GPAT score | Check AICTE portal | AICTE |
Course-wise scholarships make it easier to shortlist. The schemes below combine central, institute and state options. Always confirm that your institute is registered on NSP, because a form from an unregistered institute cannot be verified.
Engineering students have the widest choice. AICTE runs Pragati for girls, Saksham for students with disabilities and Swanath for orphans and wards of armed forces personnel, each at ₹50,000 a year. Beyond AICTE, the Central Sector Scheme rewards Class 12 toppers, and the IITs and NITs offer merit-cum-means fee waivers to students from lower-income families. Diploma and polytechnic students can apply to the same AICTE schemes. Postgraduate students with a valid GATE or GPAT score can apply for the AICTE PG scholarship, reported at ₹12,400 a month.
Central awards specific to medicine are limited, so MBBS and BDS students should combine routes. The PM Scholarship Scheme covers wards of ex-servicemen in medical, dental and veterinary courses. Post-matric schemes for SC, ST, OBC and minority students reimburse fees at eligible institutes. State governments run their own schemes for students in government medical colleges, and many private colleges give institutional fee concessions on merit. Check your state portal first because medical fee waivers are often decided at state level.
MBA scholarships come mostly from institutes, corporates and trusts. PMSS covers ex-servicemen wards in MBA and MCA, and post-matric schemes extend to postgraduate management programmes for eligible categories. Business schools publish merit and need-based waivers during admission, so ask the admissions office for the scholarship brochure before paying the first instalment. Education loans paired with scholarships are common at this level, as covered in the private funding section below.
Students in law, humanities and commerce are eligible for the Central Sector Scheme and for category-based post-matric schemes. Science students who score in the top 1% in Class 12 should look at INSPIRE-SHE. National Law Universities and state universities often provide fee waivers, which are worth checking before looking elsewhere.
Research scholars rely on UGC and CSIR fellowships, notably the Junior Research Fellowship through UGC-NET. The National Fellowship schemes serve SC, ST and OBC candidates. The Maulana Azad National Fellowship no longer takes fresh applicants. Fellowship payments have also faced delays in recent months, so confirm disbursal timelines with your university.
Choosing by category helps you find every scheme you qualify for. Remember the one-benefit rule: pick the scheme with the highest value or the one that covers your fees, then confirm that holding it does not block another.
| Category | Main schemes | Typical benefit | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Girl students | AICTE Pragati; state girl-education schemes | ₹50,000 a year (Pragati) | AICTE institute, income under ₹8 lakh, two girls per family |
| SC students | Post-Matric Scholarship; National Fellowship for SC | Fees plus maintenance allowance | Caste certificate, income under ₹2.5 lakh (under review) |
| ST students | Post-Matric Scholarship for ST; National Fellowship for ST | Fees plus allowance | Caste certificate; ST income limit proposed at ₹4.5 lakh |
| OBC / EBC / DNT | PM YASASVI and OBC post-matric schemes | Varies by class and course | OBC certificate; income limit per guideline, with a revision recommended by a parliamentary panel |
| Minority communities | Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means schemes | Varies by course | Notified minority, income under ₹2 lakh |
| Persons with disability | AICTE Saksham; state disability schemes | ₹50,000 a year (Saksham) | 40%+ disability certificate |
| Ex-servicemen wards | PM Scholarship Scheme; AICTE Swanath (specified categories) | ₹2,500 to ₹3,000 a month (PMSS) | Ex-servicemen certificate, two wards per family |
| Orphans | AICTE Swanath | ₹50,000 a year | Proof of orphan status, AICTE course |
Scholarship rules change from year to year, and many blogs still carry outdated figures. These are the corrections that matter most for 2026-27.
| Scheme | Old information | Current position (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Maulana Azad National Fellowship | Listed as open for M.Phil / PhD | Discontinued for fresh admissions from 2022-23; existing fellows continue, with reported payment delays |
| PM Scholarship Scheme | ₹3,000 (boys) and ₹3,600 (girls) per month | ₹2,500 (boys) and ₹3,000 (girls) per month |
| NMMS | Shown as ₹75,000 a year | ₹12,000 a year from Class 9 to Class 12 |
| SC / ST post-matric income limit | Fixed ₹2.5 lakh | ₹2.5 lakh in guideline; ₹4.5 lakh proposed for the 2026-27 to 2030-31 cycle |
| Pre-matric minority scholarship | Classes 1 to 10 | Restricted to Classes 9 and 10 since late 2022 |
Every state runs its own portal for students who are domiciled in that state or studying in its institutions. Most states are integrating with NSP under the one-student-one-benefit rule. Deadlines differ, so check the state portal as well as NSP. For example, Goa has set November 30, 2026 for both NSP and its state portal, while Bihar's post-matric window closed on September 15, 2026 and Odisha's post-matric applications are expected in late November.
Digital Gujarat portal for SC, ST, OBC, EWS and minority students. New in 2026-27: SC male students with income up to ₹6 lakh gain post-matric support.
↗ scholarships.gujarat.gov.inMahaDBT portal with Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, EBC and OBC schemes.
↗ mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.inRegistrations for 2026-27 are active. SC/ST fee concession and post-matric schemes.
↗ sw.kar.nic.inAdi Dravidar, BC and MBC scholarships and calls for ST candidates for the post-matric scheme.
↗ tnscholars.tn.gov.inSJE Rajasthan schemes including EBC higher education and Kalibai Bheel Medhavi Chhatra.
↗ sje.rajasthan.gov.inPre-matric registrations for 2026-27 are open; post-matric for SC/ST/OBC/General EWS.
↗ scholarship.up.gov.in| State | Portal | Note for 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Odisha | scholarship.odisha.gov.in | Post-matric applications expected in late November |
| Punjab | scholarships.punjab.gov.in | Dr. Ambedkar post-matric portal |
| Kerala | dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in | Directorate of Collegiate Education schemes |
| Goa | cmscholarship.goa.gov.in | Last date November 30, 2026 for NSP and the state portal |
| Bihar | State post-matric portal | Window ran from July 15 to September 15, 2026 |
Answer three questions: what is your course, which category do you belong to, and what is your family income? Then use the table below to shortlist.
| If you are... | Start with | Backup option |
|---|---|---|
| A girl in B.Tech or diploma, income under ₹8 lakh | AICTE Pragati | State girl-education scheme |
| A student with 40%+ disability in a technical course | AICTE Saksham | State disability scholarship |
| An orphan or ward of armed forces personnel in technical course | AICTE Swanath | PM Scholarship Scheme |
| A Class 12 topper in any regular degree, income up to ₹4.5 lakh | Central Sector Scheme | Institute merit waiver |
| A top 1% Class 12 science student | INSPIRE-SHE | Central Sector Scheme |
| A ward of an ex-serviceman in MBBS or B.Tech | PM Scholarship Scheme | Post-matric or state scheme |
| An SC or ST student | Post-Matric Scholarship | State post-matric top-up |
| A minority student, income under ₹2 lakh | Minority Post-Matric / Merit-cum-Means | State minority scholarship |
| A PhD aspirant | UGC-NET JRF | National Fellowship (SC / ST / OBC) |
The National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) brings central and many state schemes onto one platform. Plan about 45 minutes with your documents ready. The process below matches the 2026-27 cycle.
Visit scholarships.gov.in and choose "New Registration". Enter your Aadhaar-linked details and mobile number, verify the OTP and create your login. OTR is permanent, so you only do it once.
After login, open the application form and pick the ministry and scheme that match your category, course level and state. For AICTE schemes choose Pragati, Saksham or Swanath and the degree or diploma variant.
Enter Class 10 and 12 results, current course and institute, and family income. The bank account must be in your own name and Aadhaar-seeded. Match your name and date of birth exactly with Aadhaar and your marksheet.
Upload a passport photograph, signature, domicile and income certificates, caste or disability certificate where relevant, marksheets, admission proof and a passbook copy. Use the sizes the portal asks for.
Submit before October 31, 2026. Your institute nodal officer then verifies the form (by November 15 for AICTE schemes), followed by state or ministry verification. Approved scholarships are paid by Direct Benefit Transfer.
Missing documents are the easiest reason to lose a scholarship. Gather these before you log in.
| Document | Needed for | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar card and Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook | All schemes | Confirm seeding with your bank branch |
| Class 10 and 12 marksheets | All schemes | Names must match Aadhaar |
| Income certificate | Income-linked schemes | Issued by Tahsildar / SDM; keep it current |
| Caste certificate | SC / ST / OBC schemes | Issued by a competent authority |
| Disability certificate (40%+) | AICTE Saksham | Use the official UDID or medical board certificate |
| Admission proof / bonafide certificate | All schemes | Must show the current academic year |
| Ex-servicemen certificate | PMSS | PPO, discharge book or KSB record |
| Domicile certificate | State schemes | Needed for the state portal |
| Passport photo and signature | All schemes | Match size and format requirements |
Most rejections are avoidable. Review the points below before pressing submit.
Government schemes are not the only source. Corporate foundations, trusts and universities offer awards that do not follow the one-benefit rule in the same way. Some well-known 2026 calls have already closed, for example the SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship (September 4) and the Geojit scholarship of ₹25,000 a year (August 31). Mark those names so you can apply early next cycle. The J N Tata Endowment continues to offer loan scholarships for higher education.
| Feature | Scholarship | Education loan |
|---|---|---|
| Repayment | None for grants | Required, with interest |
| Eligibility | Merit, income or category | Admission and co-applicant |
| Amount | Usually partial | Can cover full fees |
| Speed | Slow, cycle-based | Faster after admission |
| Best used | First choice | To close the funding gap |
Start by reading the selection criteria and writing to them, not around them. Keep your academic record, achievements and any community work in one document. Write a short statement that explains why you need the money and what you will do with the education. Ask referees early, proofread twice, and submit at least a week ahead.
Every year students lose money to fake websites and agents. Remember the following rules:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NSP | National Scholarship Portal, the central platform at scholarships.gov.in |
| OTR | One-Time Registration linked to Aadhaar, required before applying |
| DBT | Direct Benefit Transfer, payment straight into your bank account |
| APBS | Aadhaar Payment Bridge System used for scholarship payments |
| INO / nodal officer | Institute Nodal Officer who verifies your application |
| Post-matric | Education after Class 10, including diploma, degree and PG |
| Merit-cum-means | Awards that need both good marks and income below a ceiling |
| KSB | Kendriya Sainik Board, which handles the PM Scholarship for ex-servicemen wards |
| Fresh vs renewal | Fresh is a first-time application; renewal continues an existing award |
This page is reviewed by the UniPortal editorial team and updated when official notices change. Figures were cross-checked against government notices and recent reporting in October 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so and ask you to confirm on the official portal. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Disclosure: This page contains clearly labelled sponsored placements and advertisements. They do not influence which scholarships we list or how we describe them. Scholarship details can change without notice, so verify with the official portal before applying.
