Top 10 Government Scholarships for Indian Students 2026 – Complete Application Guide
The Indian government offers numerous scholarships for students at all levels. This comprehensive guide covers the top 10 government scholarships with eligibility, benefits, and step-by-step application process.
1. National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Scholarships
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Rs. 5,000 – 50,000 per year |
| Eligibility | Class 9 to PhD students |
| Income Limit | Rs. 2.5 – 6 Lakhs (varies by scheme) |
| Application Period | July – November |
| Website | scholarships.gov.in |
Schemes Under NSP
- Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities
- Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional Courses
- Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship
2. INSPIRE Scholarship (DST)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research |
| Amount | Rs. 80,000 per year (BSc/BS/Int. MSc) |
| Eligibility | Top 1% in Class 12 OR JEE/NEET qualified |
| Income Limit | No limit |
| Duration | Up to 5 years |
| Website | online-inspire.gov.in |
Eligibility Criteria
- Top 1% in Class 12 board exam, OR
- Qualified JEE Advanced / NEET / KVPY / JBNSTS / Olympiad
- Must pursue natural/basic sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths)
3. Prime Ministers Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| For | Students from J&K and Ladakh |
| Amount | Rs. 1.25 – 3 Lakhs per year + hostel |
| Eligibility | Class 12 passed from J&K/Ladakh |
| Courses | Engineering, Medical, General Degrees |
| Website | aicte-jk-scholarship-gov.in |
4. KVPY Fellowship (Now INSPIRE-SHE)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Rs. 5,000-7,000/month + contingency |
| Eligibility | Class 11 to BSc students |
| Selection | Aptitude test + Interview |
| For | Basic science research career |
5. AICTE Pragati & Saksham Scholarships
Pragati (For Girls)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Rs. 50,000 per year |
| Eligibility | Girl students in AICTE approved colleges |
| Income Limit | Rs. 8 Lakhs per annum |
| Seats | 5,000 per year |
Saksham (For Differently-Abled)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Rs. 50,000 per year |
| Eligibility | 40%+ disability in technical courses |
| Income Limit | Rs. 8 Lakhs per annum |
6. Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Full tuition fee + Rs. 3,000-13,000 maintenance |
| Eligibility | SC students, Class 11 to PhD |
| Income Limit | Rs. 2.5 Lakhs per annum |
| Apply Through | NSP Portal |
7. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Rs. 12,000 per year |
| Eligibility | Class 9 students in government schools |
| Selection | State-level exam (MAT + SAT) |
| Income Limit | Rs. 3.5 Lakhs per annum |
| Duration | Class 9 to 12 |
8. Ishan Uday (North-East Students)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Rs. 5,400/month (general) to Rs. 7,800/month (professional) |
| Eligibility | Students from NE states |
| Income Limit | Rs. 4.5 Lakhs per annum |
| Selection | Merit-based |
9. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS)
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Rs. 10,000-20,000 per year |
| Eligibility | Top 20 percentile in Class 12 board |
| Income Limit | Rs. 8 Lakhs per annum |
| Duration | Up to 5 years |
| Seats | 82,000 per year |
10. Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | Rs. 5,000-6,000 per year |
| Eligibility | Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi girls |
| Income Limit | Rs. 2 Lakhs per annum |
| For | Class 9 to 12 |
How to Apply
Step 1: Register on NSP
- Visit scholarships.gov.in
- Click on “New Registration”
- Enter Aadhaar number for verification
- Create username and password
Step 2: Complete Profile
- Fill personal details
- Upload documents (Aadhaar, photo, income certificate)
- Add bank account details
- Verify mobile number
Step 3: Apply for Scholarship
- Select applicable scholarship scheme
- Fill application form
- Upload required documents
- Submit application
Step 4: Institute Verification
- Institute verifies your application
- District/State level verification
- Final approval and disbursement
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Income Certificate (from Tehsildar/SDM)
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Previous year marksheet
- Bank passbook (students own account)
- Passport size photo
- Fee receipt
- Bonafide certificate from institution
Important Tips
- Apply early – dont wait for deadline
- Keep documents ready before applying
- Ensure bank account is in students name
- Aadhaar should be linked to bank account
- Check application status regularly
- Renew scholarship every year on time
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