Scholarships: From School to PhD

Scholarships

School to PhD, step by step

• India has hundreds of scholarships, but many go unused because families don't know about them or miss the deadline. In 2025-26 the SC post-matric scheme reached only about 36 lakh of its 76 lakh target (reported).
• Most central scholarships go through one website: the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Your state has its own portal too, and many companies run genuine private scholarships.
• You usually need: an Aadhaar card, a bank account in the student's name linked to Aadhaar, an income certificate, a caste or disability certificate if relevant, and last year's marksheet.
• A real scholarship never asks you to pay a fee or share an OTP.

Official sources

• National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in)

Inside this branch

• Deadlines now
• How to apply on NSP
• School: Class 1–12
• College and university
• For girls
• Students with disabilities
• State scholarship portals
• Private scholarships
• Education loans
• Avoid scholarship scams

Deadlines now

Checked 5 Oct 2026

• NSP 2026-27: post-matric and college scholarships, NMMSS renewals, AICTE Pragati and Saksham, and disability post-matric close 31 October 2026. Institutes must verify by 15 November.
• NSP pre-matric (Class 9–10): the date was extended to 30 September; some reports say 31 October. Check the portal today.
• Private: Aditya Birla Capital about 30 October and HDFC Parivartan ECSS about 31 October (reported). Azim Premji girls' scholarship round 2: 10–31 January 2027 (reported).
• Reliance Foundation and SBI Asha 2026 have closed; they reopen next year (usually July–September).

Official sources

• Careers360: NSP 2026-27 last dates

How to apply on NSP

One registration for all years

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  NSP One Time Registration (OTR)Every applicant needs this 14-digit number before applying.
• OfficialFree
  NSP Student FAQsOfficial answers to common problems.
• AppFree
  NSP OTR app (official)For the face check; also install UIDAI's AadhaarFaceRD app.
• VideoFree
  NSP 2026: step-by-step application and OTR (Buddy4Study, Hindi)OTR, face check and documents explained simply.
• OfficialFree
  PFMS: Know Your PaymentCheck whether your scholarship money was credited or failed.
• VideoFree
  Aadhaar seeding of your bank account (NPCI)No Aadhaar link = no payment.

Inside this branch

• Step 1: One Time Registration (OTR)
• Step 2: Apply and get verified
• Step 3: Get paid

How to apply on NSP

Step 1: One Time Registration (OTR)

• Since 2024-25 every student needs an OTR number (14 digits) made with Aadhaar. It stays the same for your whole education.
• Do the face check on the "NSP OTR" app together with UIDAI's "Aadhaar FaceRD" app. A school or Common Service Centre can help.

Official sources

• NSP: One Time Registration FAQ (PDF)

How to apply on NSP

Step 2: Apply and get verified

• Log in with your OTR, pick the scheme, upload documents, and submit before the deadline.
• Your school or college verifies first (Level 1), then the district or state (Level 2). Keep checking: if your school misses its date, your application dies.

How to apply on NSP

Step 3: Get paid

• Money goes straight into the Aadhaar-linked bank account (Direct Benefit Transfer). Most payment failures happen because the account is not linked to Aadhaar or is inactive.
• Payments can be months late, especially for post-matric schemes; the Supreme Court has told states to clear pending dues.

Official sources

• The Tribune explainer: why SC scholarships get delayed

School: Class 1–12

What still exists

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  NMMSS (Ministry of Education)₹12,000 a year, Class 9–12, via a Class 8 test.
• OfficialFree
  NMMSS guidelines on NSP (PDF)Exact rules for eligibility and renewal.
• PracticeFree
  NMMS past papers and answer keys (Tamil Nadu DGE)Free official MAT/SAT papers: good practice for any state.
• OfficialFree
  PM YASASVI (Ministry of Social Justice)OBC, EBC and DNT students, income up to ₹2.5 lakh.
• OfficialFree
  Kasturba Gandhi Balika VidyalayaFree residential schools for girls, Class 6–12.

Inside this branch

• Class 1–8
• NMMSS: the Class 8 exam
• Class 9–10 pre-matric
• PM YASASVI Top Class School (OBC, EBC, DNT)

School: Class 1–12

Class 1–8

• Since 2022-23, central pre-matric scholarships for SC, ST, OBC and minority students cover only Class 9–10; schooling up to Class 8 is free under the Right to Education Act.
• Exception: children of parents in unclean or hazardous jobs get help from Class 1 to 10, with no income limit (₹3,500 a year, ₹8,000 in a hostel, reported).
• Girls from poor families can study free in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya residential schools (Class 6–12).

Official sources

• ETV Bharat: Class 1–8 pre-matric scholarships withdrawn (2022)
• Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (Samagra Shiksha)

School: Class 1–12

NMMSS: the Class 8 exam

• Pass your state's NMMS exam in Class 8 and get ₹12,000 a year from Class 9 to 12 (₹48,000 total). One lakh new awards every year.
• Family income up to ₹3.5 lakh, at least 55% in Class 7 (50% for SC/ST), government or aided school only.
• Your state announces the exam around August–November: ask your school.

Official sources

• CareerIndia: NMMSS 2026-27 deadline extended to 31 October

School: Class 1–12

Class 9–10 pre-matric

• SC: family income up to ₹2.5 lakh; about ₹3,500 a year, ₹7,000 in a hostel (reported). ST, minority and OBC students have similar schemes (income limits ₹1–2.5 lakh).

School: Class 1–12

PM YASASVI Top Class School (OBC, EBC, DNT)

• For students at listed top schools: ₹75,000 a year in Class 9–10 and ₹1,25,000 in Class 11–12. Family income up to ₹2.5 lakh.
• The entrance test (YET) has reportedly been dropped; selection is now on marks (reported).

College and university

After Class 12

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship82,000 a year on Class 12 marks; half for girls.
• OfficialFree
  Central Sector Scheme guidelines (PDF)Official rules and renewal conditions.
• OfficialFree
  AICTE: Pragati, Saksham and Swanath₹50,000 a year for technical courses; apply on NSP.
• OfficialFree
  INSPIRE Scholarship (DST)₹80,000 a year for natural-science degrees.
• OfficialFree
  UGC: PG scholarship for a single girl child₹36,200 a year for a master's degree.

Inside this branch

• Post-matric scholarships
• Central Sector Scheme
• Science and research

College and university

Post-matric scholarships

• For SC, ST, OBC and minority students from Class 11 to PhD: covers fees plus a monthly allowance. Family income usually up to ₹2.5 lakh (₹2 lakh for minority post-matric).
• A plan to raise the SC limit to ₹4.5 lakh from 2026-27 was reported in March 2026 but is not yet notified.

Official sources

• Careers360: SC post-matric changes proposed for 2026-27

College and university

Central Sector Scheme

• Score above the 80th percentile of your board in Class 12, family income up to ₹4.5 lakh, regular college course.
• ₹12,000 a year for the first three years of a degree, ₹20,000 for postgraduate years. 82,000 awards a year, half for girls. Apply on NSP.

College and university

Science and research

• INSPIRE-SHE: ₹80,000 a year for B.Sc, BS or integrated M.Sc in natural sciences if you are in the top 1% of your board, have a JEE/NEET rank up to 10,000, or an Olympiad medal. Open to boys and girls.
• For M.Tech with GATE: ₹12,400 a month stipend. For PhD at IITs and IISc: the PM Research Fellowship, ₹70,000–80,000 a month.

For girls

Extra help, by stage

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  CBSE Single Girl Child scholarshipGuidelines, apply and renewal links.
• OfficialFree
  AICTE Pragati guidelines (PDF)For girls in technical degree courses.
• OfficialFree
  Azim Premji Scholarship₹30,000 a year for girls from government schools; not merit-based.
• OfficialFree
  Kotak Kanya ScholarshipUp to ₹1.5 lakh a year for professional degrees.
• OfficialFree
  Kanyashree Prakalpa (West Bengal)₹1,000 a year plus ₹25,000 at 18.
• OfficialFree
  Aditya Birla Capital ScholarshipGirls, Class 9 to PG; apply only through this page.

Inside this branch

• Central and board scholarships
• Big private scholarships for girls
• State schemes for girls

For girls

Central and board scholarships

• CBSE Single Girl Child: ₹1,000 a month in Class 11–12 for an only daughter with 70% in Class 10.
• AICTE Pragati: ₹50,000 a year for girls in engineering degrees or diplomas, family income up to ₹8 lakh. Apply on NSP by 31 October.
• UGC PG scholarship for a single girl child: ₹36,200 a year for two years of a regular master's course.
• Note: the Begum Hazrat Mahal scholarship was stopped in 2023; sites still listing it are out of date.

For girls

Big private scholarships for girls

• Azim Premji Foundation: ₹30,000 a year for the whole degree or diploma, for girls who did Class 10 and 12 in government schools. Up to 2.5 lakh girls a year in 18+ states.
• Kotak Kanya: ₹1.5 lakh a year for professional degrees (engineering, MBBS, law, etc.), 75% in Class 12, family income under ₹6 lakh.
• Aditya Birla Capital: ₹25,000–60,000 for girls in government schools and colleges (reported).

Official sources

• ThePrint: Azim Premji scholarship for up to 2.5 lakh girls

For girls

State schemes for girls

• West Bengal Kanyashree: ₹1,000 a year (age 13–18) plus ₹25,000 at 18 if still studying and unmarried.
• Bihar Kanya Utthan: ₹25,000 on passing Class 12 and ₹50,000 on graduating (reported).
• UP Kanya Sumangala: ₹25,000 in six stages from birth to graduation. MP Ladli Laxmi: payments in Class 6, 9, 11 and 12, then ₹25,000 for college (reported).
• Most other states have similar schemes: ask your school or check your state portal.

Students with disabilities

40% or more disability

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  DEPwD scholarshipsPre-matric, post-matric and Top Class schemes.
• OfficialFree
  DEPwD scholarship guidelines (PDF)Amounts and rules; apply on NSP.
• OfficialFree
  Top Class Education and fellowshipsFor top institutions, M.Phil and PhD.
• OfficialFree
  AICTE Saksham guidelines (PDF)₹50,000 a year for technical courses.
• OfficialFree
  UDID card portalFree disability ID card, sent by post.

Inside this branch

• Central schemes on NSP

Students with disabilities

Central schemes on NSP

• With a disability certificate or UDID card (40% or more) and family income up to ₹2.5 lakh: pre-matric (Class 9–10), post-matric (Class 11 to PG) and Top Class (top colleges) scholarships.
• Post-matric pays a monthly allowance (about ₹500, or ₹2,500 in a hostel), fees up to ₹10,000 a year, and extra for readers or aids (reported).
• AICTE Saksham: ₹50,000 a year for technical courses. Get a UDID card first: it is free.

State scholarship portals

Apply here too

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  MahaDBT (Maharashtra)All Maharashtra scholarships.
• OfficialFree
  UP ScholarshipReal site ends .gov.in, not .up.in.
• OfficialFree
  Bihar Post Matric ScholarshipSC/ST/BC/EBC, income up to ₹3 lakh.
• OfficialFree
  Karnataka SSP (post-matric)School scholarships at ssp.karnataka.gov.in.
• OfficialFree
  Telangana ePASSFee reimbursement and maintenance.
• OfficialFree
  West Bengal SVMCMClass 11 to PG, 60% marks, income up to ₹2.5 lakh.
• OfficialFree
  Rajasthan scholarship portal (SJED)Log in with SSO Rajasthan.
• OfficialFree
  Tamil Nadu UMIS scholarship portalTamil Nadu post-matric applications.

Inside this branch

• Your state's portal

State scholarship portals

Your state's portal

• States pay the larger part of post-matric scholarships and run their own schemes. Examples: UP scholarship.up.gov.in, Maharashtra MahaDBT, Karnataka SSP, Telangana ePASS, Tamil Nadu ssp.tn.gov.in, Gujarat Digital Gujarat, West Bengal Oasis and SVMCM, Bihar PMS and MedhaSoft.
• You can often get a central and a state scholarship for different things; you cannot take two scholarships for the same fees.

Private scholarships

Companies and foundations

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  Reliance Foundation ScholarshipsUG up to ₹2 lakh; PG up to ₹6 lakh.
• OfficialFree
  SBI Asha Scholarship₹15,000 (Class 9–12) to ₹2 lakh and more.
• OfficialFree
  HDFC Bank Parivartan ECSSFor families facing a crisis, Class 1 to PG.
• OfficialFree
  LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship 2026 (PDF)General and girls-only scholarships after Class 10/12.
• OfficialFree
  Sitaram Jindal Foundation scholarshipsClass 11 to PG; girls get more.
• OfficialFree
  Vidyasaarathi (Protean)Many company scholarships, one profile, no fee.
• ArticleFree
  Buddy4StudyPrivate listing site and application partner for many companies; never pay anyone.

Inside this branch

• Large genuine scholarships

Private scholarships

Large genuine scholarships

• Reliance Foundation: up to ₹2 lakh for a degree (5,000 awards, aptitude test) and up to ₹6 lakh for PG in science and engineering. Opens around July.
• SBI Asha: ₹15,000 (Class 9–12) up to ₹2 lakh (IIT, MBBS); half for girls. HDFC Parivartan ECSS: ₹15,000–75,000 from Class 1 to PG, family income up to ₹2.5 lakh.
• LIC Golden Jubilee, ONGC (₹48,000 a year, half for girls), Tata Capital Pankh and Sitaram Jindal also run yearly.
• Vidyasaarathi and Buddy4Study list many company scholarships in one place: free to use, never pay them.

Education loans

When scholarships aren't enough

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  PM-Vidyalaxmi portalApply to many banks at once. The real site ends .co.in.
• OfficialFree
  Interest subsidy on education loans (CSIS)Full interest paid during study + 1 year for income up to ₹4.5 lakh.
• OfficialFree
  PIB backgrounder: PM-Vidyalaxmi (July 2026, PDF)Latest official summary.
• OfficialFree
  SBI education loansLoan types and rates.
• OfficialFree
  IBA model education loan schemeThe banks' common rules on collateral and repayment.

Inside this branch

• PM-Vidyalaxmi and interest help

Education loans

PM-Vidyalaxmi and interest help

• PM-Vidyalaxmi (since November 2024): loans for listed top institutions with no collateral and no guarantor; for family income up to ₹8 lakh, the government pays 3% of the interest on loans up to ₹10 lakh.
• For family income up to ₹4.5 lakh, the government pays all the interest during the course plus one year (CSIS scheme), on loans up to ₹10 lakh.
• Apply through the PM-Vidyalaxmi portal; compare banks there.

Official sources

• PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme guidelines (PDF)

Avoid scholarship scams

Check before you click

Learn from these

• OfficialFree
  PIB Fact CheckForward suspicious messages to +91 8799711259 on WhatsApp.
• OfficialFree
  Cyber crime reporting portal (helpline 1930)Report fraud fast: call 1930 the same day.
• OfficialFree
  RBI: never share OTP, PIN or CVVNot even with someone claiming to be from a bank.
• VideoFree
  CyberDost (Ministry of Home Affairs)Short Hindi videos on online fraud.
• OfficialFree
  PIB: how NSP now verifies applications (2024)Why face checks and two-level verification exist.

Inside this branch

• Red flags

Avoid scholarship scams

Red flags

• Never pay a "registration" or "processing" fee, and never share an OTP, bank PIN or Aadhaar OTP with a caller.
• Apply only on scholarships.gov.in, your state portal, or the sponsor's own website. WhatsApp forwards about "PM scholarship", "laptop scheme" or "national sports scholarship" are usually fake: PIB Fact Check has flagged several in 2026.
• In a CBI case, 830 of 1,572 institutions checked under the minority scholarship scheme were fake or not functioning. Make sure your school or college is real and recognised.
• Cheated? Call 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Official sources

• PIB Fact Check: fake "National Sports Scholarship 2026-27"
• All India Radio: fake "student laptop scheme 2026" warning
• ThePrint: CBI case on the minority scholarship scam
• Report cyber fraud (or call 1930)