Amount: ₹75,000 per year for Class 9 students • ₹1,25,000 per year for Class 11 students
Eligibility: OBC, EBC, and DNT students in Class 9 and 11. Studying in schools with 100% Class 10 and 12 board pass rate. Family income below ₹2.5 lakhs per year. Aadhaar-linked bank account mandatory.
Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Status: Fresh 2026–27 applications open July–August 2026 at scholarships.gov.in

Why it matters: One of the highest-value school-level scholarships in India. ₹1.25 lakhs per year covers most or all school fees and living expenses for Class 11 students from backward communities.

Amount: ₹80,000 per year for up to 5 years (total up to ₹4 lakhs)
Eligibility: Students who scored in the top 1% in Class 12 Science (PCM or PCB) in any recognised State or Central Board. Must be pursuing a BSc, BS, or Integrated MSc in Natural and Basic Sciences at a recognised college or university in India. Not available to engineering, medical, or applied science students.
Ministry: Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Status: Fresh cycle opens August–October 2026 at online-inspire.gov.in

Why it matters: ₹80,000 per year for pursuing pure science — Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics — at the undergraduate level. One of the most generous undergraduate science scholarships in India. Intended to encourage the best minds into basic research careers.

Amount: ₹10,000 per year for undergraduate students • ₹20,000 per year for postgraduate students
Eligibility: Students in the top 20th percentile (above 80 percentile) of their Class 12 board results. Must be pursuing a full-time regular UG or PG degree — not distance or correspondence. Family income below ₹8 lakhs per year.
Ministry: Department of Higher Education
Seats: 82,000 new scholarships per year
Status: Fresh 2026–27 applications open July–September 2026 at scholarships.gov.in

Why it matters: Open to all category students — General, OBC, SC, ST — based purely on board exam merit and income. With 82,000 seats, one of the most accessible merit scholarships in India for top-performing Class 12 students from any stream.

Amount: ₹50,000 per year plus contingency grant
Eligibility: Female students admitted to a first-year Degree or Diploma programme at an AICTE-approved institution. Family income below ₹8 lakhs per year. Maximum 2 girl children per family. All categories eligible.
Conducted by: All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Seats: 5,000 per year (Degree) + 5,000 per year (Diploma)
Status: Annual cycle through NSP. Opens August–November 2026.

Why it matters: Specifically designed to increase female participation in technical education — engineering, architecture, pharmacy, and applied sciences. Open to all categories including General. One of the most important scholarships for girl students in technical courses.

Amount: ₹50,000 per year plus contingency grant
Eligibility: Students with 40% or more disability (locomotor, visual, speech or hearing impairment) pursuing AICTE-approved technical Degree or Diploma. Family income below ₹8 lakhs.
Conducted by: AICTE
Status: Annual cycle through NSP. Opens August–November 2026.

Why it matters: Specifically ensures differently abled students can access technical education without financial barriers. One of the most important scholarships for PwD students in India.

Amount: Full tuition fee reimbursement plus maintenance allowance (₹250 to ₹1,200 per month depending on level and hostel status) plus book allowance and other academic expenses
Eligibility: Scheduled Caste students pursuing post-matriculation courses — Class 11 onwards through PhD — at recognised institutions. Family income below ₹2.5 lakhs per year.
Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Status: Fresh 2026–27 applications open August–October 2026 at scholarships.gov.in

Why it matters: One of the most comprehensive scholarship schemes in India — covering full tuition for SC students from Class 11 through PhD. The single biggest driver of higher education access for SC students in India.

Amount: Full tuition fee reimbursement plus maintenance allowance plus incidental charges
Eligibility: Scheduled Tribe students at post-matric level (Class 11 and above). Income below ₹2.5 lakhs per year.
Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Status: Fresh 2026–27 applications open August–October 2026 at scholarships.gov.in

Why it matters: Covers full tuition for Scheduled Tribe students across India. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs disbursed ₹20.23 crore under this scheme to students pursuing higher education in a recent cycle.

Amount: ₹1,000 per month maintenance allowance plus full tuition fee reimbursement
Eligibility: Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, and Parsi students from Class 11 through postgraduation. Family income below ₹2 lakhs per year. Must have secured at least 50% in previous year’s examination.
Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs
Status: Fresh 2026–27 cycle opens August–October 2026 at scholarships.gov.in

Why it matters: One of the most widely used minority scholarships in India. Covers six minority communities. The pre-matric version of this scholarship starts from Class 1 — making it one of the earliest financial interventions for minority students.

Amount: ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month)
Eligibility: Class 9 students in government schools whose family income is below ₹3.5 lakhs per year. Must clear a state-level selection examination (Mental Ability Test and Scholastic Aptitude Test). Renewable for Class 10, 11, and 12 on satisfactory performance.
Conducted by: Ministry of Education through State governments
Seats: 1,00,000 new scholarships per year nationally
Status: State examination and fresh applications typically September–November 2026.

Why it matters: 1 lakh scholarships per year for government school students from economically weaker backgrounds. Covers Classes 9 to 12. Open to all categories based on merit and income. One of the most accessible school-level scholarships in India.

Amount: ₹2,500 per month for boys and ₹3,000 per month for girls
Eligibility: Wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, AR) personnel who were killed or disabled in service. Must be pursuing first professional degree programmes (MBBS, BDS, BEd, BE, BTech, LLB, MBA, BPharm etc.).
Status: Annual cycle through NSP at scholarships.gov.in

Why it matters: One of the most important welfare scholarships in India. ₹3,000 per month for girl students whose parent died or was disabled serving the nation.

What it covers: Full tuition fees at the foreign university plus living allowance (approximately USD 15,400/year), visa fees, travel, and health insurance. Fully funded for the entire duration of the Master’s or PhD programme.
Eligibility: Scheduled Caste, Denotified Nomadic Tribe, and other specified categories. Below 35 years of age. Family income below ₹8 lakhs per year. For Master’s and PhD programmes at recognised foreign universities in the US, UK, Europe, and other countries.
Seats: 125 scholarships awarded per year
Status: Annual. Check maaw.nic.in for 2026–27 notification — typically released February–April each year.

Why it matters: One of the most prestigious and comprehensive government-funded overseas scholarships in India. Full funding for study at world’s top universities — including Oxford, Harvard, MIT, and equivalent — for SC and DNT students who would otherwise not be able to afford it.

Amount: ₹31,000 per month (Junior Research Fellow) and ₹35,000 per month (Senior Research Fellow) plus contingency grant of ₹10,000 (Humanities) or ₹12,000 (Sciences) per year
Eligibility: SC and ST students who have cleared UGC-NET. For full-time MPhil and PhD research at recognised Indian universities. Maximum 5 years duration.
Ministry: University Grants Commission (UGC)
Status: Annual. UGC releases notification typically February–April. Check ugc.gov.in.

Why it matters: ₹35,000 per month for SC and ST PhD researchers — one of the most financially generous research fellowships in India. Allows students from marginalised communities to pursue full-time doctoral research without financial pressure.

Amount: Up to ₹20 lakhs at 2% simple interest — a loan scholarship with the most favourable repayment terms of any comparable scheme
Eligibility: Indian nationals pursuing postgraduate studies (Master’s, PhD, postdoctoral) at reputed universities abroad. Strong academic record, leadership potential, and commitment to contributing to India after completing studies.
Status: Applications January to March 2026 — closed for this cycle. Next cycle opens January 2027 at jntataendowment.org

Why it matters: Arguably the most prestigious Indian private scholarship for study abroad. The Tata name, interest rate of only 2%, and loan amount of up to ₹20 lakhs makes this the single best option for Indian students going abroad from private funding sources.

Amount: Up to ₹20 lakhs — interest-free loan repayable in easy instalments starting from the second year of study
Eligibility: Indian national, below 30 years, graduated from accredited Indian university. For postgraduate study in India and abroad. Strictly merit-based after multi-stage evaluation including personal interview in Mumbai.
Status: Application window typically January–April annually. 2026 cycle closed. Next cycle opens January 2027 at pg.nsfoundation.co.in

Why it matters: One of the most generous interest-free loan scholarships available to Indian students for postgraduate study. ₹20 lakhs at zero interest is a significantly better deal than any commercial education loan. Covers both India and abroad options.

Amount: Grant and interest-free loan combination up to ₹8 lakhs
Eligibility: Indian students pursuing postgraduate studies abroad at recognised universities. Merit and need-based selection. Typically deadline in April annually.
Status: 2026 cycle closed. Next cycle expected March–April 2027 at kcmet.org

Why it matters: A combination of grant and interest-free loan — the grant portion does not need to be repaid. One of India’s most respected private scholarship foundations with a long track record of supporting Indian students internationally.

Amount: Up to USD 100,000 covering full tuition, travel, and living at select universities in the US, UK, and Europe
Eligibility: Indian citizens below 30 years. Exceptional academic record. For postgraduate study at world’s top universities. Extremely competitive — fewer than 20 scholarships awarded per year.
Status: Typically deadline April 25 annually. 2026 cycle closed. Applications open January 2027 at inlaksfoundation.org

Why it matters: One of the most generous private scholarships for Indian students going abroad — up to USD 100,000 covering all costs. Fewer than 20 awards per year making it highly prestigious. Suitable for truly exceptional candidates targeting Oxford, Harvard, LSE, and equivalent.

Amount: ₹30,000 per year renewable for the full duration of the undergraduate or diploma course (2 to 5 years)
Eligibility: Girl students who completed both Class 10 and Class 12 from a government school. Must be enrolled in the first year of an undergraduate or diploma course. From economically disadvantaged background. Available in 19 selected states and UTs.
Status: New cycle expected July–September 2026 at azimpremjifoundation.org

Why it matters: Launched in 2024 by one of India’s largest philanthropic foundations. Specifically targets girl students from government schools — a group with the highest dropout rates at college entry. ₹30,000 per year renewable for up to 5 years.

Amount: Up to ₹6 lakhs for postgraduate studies
Eligibility: Indian students pursuing postgraduate programmes at premier institutions in India and abroad. STEM, humanities, and social sciences. Merit and potential-based selection.
Status: Annual. Check reliancefoundation.org for 2026–27 notification and deadline.

Why it matters: One of the largest private scholarship funds in India, backed by Reliance Foundation. Up to ₹6 lakhs for postgraduate study — covering a significant portion of fees at Indian institutions or reducing loan burden for study abroad.

Amount: $35,000–$45,000 per year (₹29–37 lakhs) covering full tuition, airfare, living expenses at monthly stipend rate, health insurance, and US visa support
Categories: Master’s Fellowships (requires 3 years professional experience), Doctoral Research Fellowships, Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, Senior Research Fellowships, APEX Fellowships
Eligibility: Indian citizen. Strong academic record. Professional experience (varies by category). No age limit.
APEX Fellowship deadline: July 1, 2026
Apply at: usief.org.in

Apply NOW: The Fulbright-Nehru APEX Fellowship deadline is July 1, 2026 — less than 6 weeks away. This is one of the most prestigious fellowships available to Indian students and professionals for study and research in the United States. Acceptance rate is extremely competitive. Start your application immediately at usief.org.in.

What it covers: Full tuition, airfare, monthly living allowance of £1,236, arrival and departure allowance, thesis grant
Eligibility: Indian citizen. Good Bachelor’s degree (equivalent to UK 2:1). Commitment to development. Applied through the Ministry of Education nomination route.
MoE Nomination deadline: May 31, 2026 — apply immediately through the Ministry of Education India portal
Apply through: Ministry of Education India for nomination. Then cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk

Apply NOW: Commonwealth MoE route deadline is May 31, 2026 — days away. Acceptance rate under 1% making it one of the most competitive scholarships in the world. For students with exceptional development-focused profiles.

What it covers: Full tuition, monthly stipend of approximately ¥117,000–143,000 (₹62,000–76,000), travel allowance, Japanese language training
Eligibility: Indian students for undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes in Japan. Age limits vary by category.
Deadline: May 15, 2026 — extremely urgent
Apply through: Japanese Embassy in India at in.emb-japan.go.jp

Apply NOW: MEXT deadline is May 15, 2026. This is one of the most comprehensive government scholarship programmes in the world — fully funded study in Japan with monthly living stipend. Applications through the Japanese Embassy in India.

Amount: Full tuition, monthly living allowance, return economy airfare, travel grants to Chevening events
Eligibility: Indian citizen with at least 2 years of work experience. For any subject 1-year Master’s in the UK. Acceptance rate 4–8%.
Status: 2026–27 cycle closed. Applications for 2027–28 open August 2026 with deadline November 2026.
Apply at: chevening.org — bookmark and check August 2026

Prepare now: Chevening requires a strong professional track record, 4 essays, and 2 reference letters. Begin preparing your essays and identifying referees now — before applications open in August.

Amount: Monthly stipend of €934 (UG/PG) or €1,300 (doctoral) plus travel allowance and health insurance. Note: DAAD does not cover tuition — because German public universities charge near-zero tuition already.
Eligibility: Indian students pursuing degrees or research in Germany. Multiple programmes with different eligibility criteria by subject and level.
Status: Multiple DAAD programmes open throughout the year. Check daad.de/en for all currently open calls.

Why it matters: Germany has zero tuition. DAAD covers your living costs on top of that. This combination makes Germany with DAAD the most financially efficient study abroad option available to any Indian student globally in 2026.

Amount: NZD 5,000 per postgraduate scholarship (28 awards) and NZD 10,000 per undergraduate scholarship (3 awards) — specifically for Indian students
Funded by: Education New Zealand and New Zealand universities jointly
Eligibility: Indian students applying to New Zealand universities for postgraduate or undergraduate programmes
Status: Deadlines typically March and August annually. Check enz.govt.nz for 2026 notification.

Why it matters: One of the few scholarships specifically designed for Indian students going to New Zealand — funded jointly by the government and universities. 31 awards total per year specifically for Indian applicants.

MAY 15, 2026 — MEXT Japan scholarship closes — Apply immediately at in.emb-japan.go.jp

MAY 31, 2026 — Commonwealth UK Masters MoE deadline — Apply immediately through Ministry of Education India

JULY 1, 2026 — Fulbright-Nehru APEX Fellowship closes — Apply at usief.org.in

JULY–AUGUST 2026 — NSP 2026–27 fresh applications open for PM YASASVI, CSSS, INSPIRE, AICTE Pragati, AICTE Saksham, Post-Matric SC/ST/OBC/Minority, NMMS

AUGUST 2026 — Chevening 2027–28 applications open (deadline November 2026) • Azim Premji Foundation new cycle opens • DAAD annual programmes continue

OCTOBER 2026 — Erasmus Mundus 2027–28 applications open • National Overseas Scholarship 2026–27 expected

NOVEMBER 2026 — Chevening 2027–28 closes • NSP applications close for most central schemes

JANUARY 2027 — JN Tata Endowment opens • Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation opens • KC Mahindra opens • Inlaks Shivdasani opens • Fulbright-Nehru Master’s and Doctoral cycle opens

The best government scholarship depends on your category, level, and goal. For OBC, EBC, and DNT school students: PM YASASVI offers ₹75,000 to ₹1.25 lakhs per year. For Science undergraduates in the top 1% of Class 12: INSPIRE SHE offers ₹80,000 per year. For general merit students after Class 12: Central Sector Scheme (CSSS) offers ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per year. For SC and ST postgraduate and PhD students: Post-Matric Scholarship covers full tuition plus the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship offers ₹35,000 per month for PhD. For SC and DNT students wanting to study abroad: National Overseas Scholarship is fully funded. Apply through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.

Apply for NSP scholarships at scholarships.gov.in. Create an account with your Aadhaar number and mobile number. Link your Aadhaar to your bank account (NPCI mapping mandatory for DBT). Keep your income certificate issued after April 1, 2025, caste certificate (if applicable), previous marksheets, and admission letter ready. Fresh applications for 2026–27 typically open in July–August 2026. NSP is free — never pay anyone to help you apply. All verification is done by your institution after you submit. Apply early — do not wait for the last date.

Major scholarships for Indian students to study abroad include: Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship (USA — $35,000–45,000/year, APEX deadline July 1, 2026), Commonwealth Scholarship (UK — fully funded, MoE deadline May 31, 2026), MEXT Scholarship (Japan — fully funded, deadline May 15, 2026), Chevening Scholarship (UK — fully funded, opens August 2026), DAAD Scholarship (Germany — monthly stipend, multiple deadlines), JN Tata Endowment (any country — up to ₹20L at 2% interest, opens January 2027), Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation (any country — up to ₹20L interest-free, opens January 2027), National Overseas Scholarship (any country, SC/DNT — fully funded, 125 seats), and New Zealand Excellence Awards (specifically for Indian students, NZD 5,000–10,000).

The PM YASASVI scholarship (PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India) is a flagship Government of India programme managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It provides ₹75,000 per year to Class 9 students and ₹1,25,000 per year to Class 11 students from OBC, EBC, and DNT communities. Eligibility requires studying in schools with a 100% Class 10 and 12 board pass rate and family income below ₹2.5 lakhs per year. Apply through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in when fresh applications open in July–August 2026. Funds are transferred directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Major scholarships for girl students in India in 2026 include: AICTE Pragati Scholarship (₹50,000/year for girl students in technical Degree or Diploma at AICTE-approved institutions, income below ₹8 lakhs), Azim Premji Foundation Scholarship (₹30,000/year for girl students from government schools in 19 states, opens July–September 2026), Indira Gandhi PG Scholarship for Single Girl Child (UGC scheme for single daughters pursuing postgraduation), Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship (for minority girl students in Class 9 to 12, ₹5,000 to ₹6,000), Lady Meherbai D Tata Education Trust (for Indian women pursuing professional studies abroad), and IIT Bombay WINGS Scholarship (100% tuition waiver for women in STEM from 2026–27).

Generally, a student can receive one central government scholarship at a time through NSP — Aadhaar-based deduplication prevents receiving two central government scholarships for the same course in the same year from the same category. However, a central government scholarship and a state government scholarship can sometimes be combined. Private foundation scholarships (JN Tata, Narotam Sekhsaria, Inlaks) are separate from government schemes and can typically be received alongside government scholarships. College-specific fee waivers are also separate. Always declare any other scholarship you are receiving in your application to avoid rejection or recovery of funds.