Govt Scholarship 2025: Educating the youth of India is crucial for the country’s development. And the Government of India is offering educational scholarships to youngsters from varied backgrounds for their empowerment. Well, scholarships can help promote educational equality while narrowing the socio-economic gap.
This type of financial aid is beneficial in various ways. It helps to reduce the rate of dropouts, support meritorious students, and extend financial assistance to those who need it.
Now, a significant percentage of Indian students have financial problems, which is why they do not get access to quality education. The central and various state governments of India help impart education to specific communities, enabling them to overcome financial hardship.
National-Level Government Scholarship Schemes 2026 (Central Government)
| Scholarship Name | Managed By | Eligible Students | Level of Study | Official Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026 | Ministry of Education, Government of India | All categories (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS) | Class 1 to PhD | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS) 2026 | Department of Higher Education | Meritorious students from low-income families | Undergraduate | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) 2026 | Department of Science & Technology (DST) | Top 1% science students in Class 12 | UG & PG in Science | https://online-inspire.gov.in |
| AICTE Pragati Scholarship 2026 | All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) | Girl students in technical courses | Diploma & Degree | https://www.aicte-india.org |
| AICTE Saksham Scholarship 2026 | AICTE, Ministry of Education | Differently-abled students in technical courses | Diploma & Degree | https://www.aicte-india.org |
| Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) 2026 | Ministry of Education | PhD aspirants in IITs, IISc, IISERs, NITs | Doctoral | https://pmrf.in |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) 2026 | Ministry of Education | Meritorious students from low-income families | Class 9–12 | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Scholarships for Minorities 2026 | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Minority students (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi) | Class 1–PG | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional Courses 2026 | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Minority students in technical/professional courses | UG & PG | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students (NFST) 2026 | Ministry of Tribal Affairs | Scheduled Tribe students | MPhil & PhD | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| ISHAN UDAY Special Scholarship for North Eastern Region 2026 | UGC (University Grants Commission) | Students from NE states | Undergraduate | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) 2026 | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Minority students pursuing MPhil/PhD | Postgraduate Research | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) 2026 | NCERT, Ministry of Education | Class 10 students with high academic merit | Secondary & Higher Secondary | https://ncert.nic.in |
| Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) 2026 | Department of Science & Technology | Science stream students with research aptitude | UG & PG | https://kvpy.iisc.ac.in |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students 2026 | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | Scheduled Caste students | Class 11 to PhD | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students 2026 | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | SC students in top institutions | UG & PG | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students 2026 | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | OBC category students | Class 11 to PG | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2026 | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | SC/ST students pursuing studies abroad | PG & PhD | https://nosmsje.gov.in |

| National Scholarship Portal | Central Sector Scholarship | Pre-matric Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Scholarship | Post-Matric Scholarship | Postgraduate Scholarship |
Types of Government Scholarship
The two broad categories of government scholarships in India are seen herein:
Centrally Funded Scholarships are awarded to students throughout India. They are offered by various ministries, including Tribal Affairs, Social Justice, Minority Affairs, and Education.
State-funded Scholarships are given to residents of specific states to fund their education.
Government Scholarship Schemes 2026
| Scholarship Name | Launched By | Eligible Students | Level of Study | Website |
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026 | Ministry of Education, Govt. of India | SC/ST/OBC/Minority & General (EWS) Students | School to Postgraduate | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST Students 2026 | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment | SC/ST students | Class 11 to PhD | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities 2026 | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Minority community students (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi) | Class 1–10 | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| AICTE Pragati & Saksham Scholarship 2026 | AICTE, Ministry of Education | Girl students & differently-abled students in technical courses | Diploma & Degree | https://www.aicte.gov.in/ |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS) 2026 | Department of Higher Education | Meritorious students from low-income families | Undergraduate | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| NSP Merit Cum Means Scholarship 2026 | Ministry of Minority Affairs | Minority students with strong academics | Professional & Technical Courses | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) 2026 | Ministry of Education | PhD aspirants in top institutions | Doctoral | https://pmrf.in |
| National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) 2026 | Ministry of Education | Meritorious students from low-income families | Class 9–12 | https://scholarships.gov.in |
| INSPIRE Scholarship 2026 | Department of Science & Technology (DST) | Students pursuing science in higher education | UG & PG (Science) | https://online-inspire.gov.in |
| State Government Scholarships 2026 | Respective State Governments | Domicile students of each state | School to PG | Check state Website |
Government Scholarships: Why Are They Important?
Promotes Educational Equity: Because of financial constraints, many youngsters cannot complete their higher education. By offering scholarships, governments can help students gain access to quality education.
Offers Financial Support to Backward Communities: Scholarships are available for students of varied communities to enable them to complete their basic education and promote social equity. Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), economically weaker sections (EWS), and Scheduled Castes (SC) are among the communities that are eligible for scholarships.
Provides Technical Education: Students can apply for scholarships to enroll in tech-oriented courses. They can enrol in STEM, skill training, and digital literacy courses, which equip them to compete in today’s tech-based environment.
Listing the Different Types of Government Scholarships in India
Among the prominent national-level and state-level scholarship schemes offered under the Government Scholarship 2025 are:
Central Government Scholarships in India are offered by the different ministries of the Union Government of India.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes are provided by the Central government, State Governments, and government bodies such as the AICTE and UGC.
Merit-cum-Means Scholarships are designed for those students who demonstrate academic excellence and face financial problems.
Post Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC Students is offered to students from marginalized communities to support higher studies after completing Class 10.
Pre-Matric Scholarship for Minorities is offered to students from minority communities who are studying from Class 1 to Class 10.
AICTE Pragati Scholarships for Girl students is an AICTE initiative to support meritorious female students to enrol in technical education courses at AICTE-approved institutions.
AICTE Saksham Scholarships for Differently-abled Students have been devised for students with 40% or more disability who want to pursue technical courses.
The PM Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) is offered by the central government of India to help children of armed forces personnel and ex-servicemen pursue higher education.
The INSPIRE Scholarship has been introduced by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. High-performing science students who want to build careers in natural and social sciences are eligible to apply for this scholarship, which is an initiative of the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE).
Step-By-Step Guide on How To Apply For Government Scholarships
Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) to check the different scholarships for students across India. On this centralized platform, you can apply for scholarships and track your application status online. Follow the given steps to apply for the government scholarships posted on the portal:
- Start by registering on the National Scholarship Portal.
- Provide some personal and academic details to get registered.
- It is mandatory to upload the list of compulsory documents. Among the documents you need to submit are a caste certificate, an income certificate, an Aadhaar Card, educational documents, and bank details.
- Select the relevant scholarship scheme and fill out the application form for the same.
- Go on to submit your application online.
- You can check your application status regularly by signing in to your account.
Key Dates
The application deadlines for most scholarships fall between the months of July and October every year. It’s important to visit official websites to read the latest notifications and avoid missing application timelines.
Useful Tips for Scholarship Applicants
Ø Start applying for scholarships early when they open between June and October.
Ø Read the scholarship eligibility norms and submit your application only if you fulfil the given criteria.
Ø Apply only through official websites for safety.
Ø Strive to improve your academic performance to avail scholarships.
State-Wise Government Scholarship Schemes 2026
| State | Scholarship Scheme Name | Conducting Department | Eligible Students | Official Portal / Website |
| Andhra Pradesh | Jnanabhumi Scholarship 2026 | Social Welfare Dept., Govt. of AP | SC/ST/OBC/EBC/Minority students | https://jnanabhumi.ap.gov.in |
| Assam | Assam Scholarship 2026 | Directorate of Higher Education | SC/ST/OBC/Minority students | https://directorateofhighereducation.assam.gov.in |
| Bihar | Bihar Scholarship 2026 | Education Department, Govt. of Bihar | SC/ST/OBC/Minority students | https://pmsonline.bih.nic.in |
| Chhattisgarh | CG Scholarship 2026 | ST & SC Development Dept. | SC/ST/OBC students | https://postmatric-scholarship.cg.nic.in |
| Delhi | Delhi Scholarship 2026 | Dept. for Welfare of SC/ST/OBC/Minorities | SC/ST/OBC/Minority students | https://edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in |
| Gujarat | Digital Gujarat Scholarship 2026 | Education Department, Govt. of Gujarat | SC/ST/OBC/Minority students | https://www.digitalgujarat.gov.in |
| Haryana | Har-Chhatravratti Scholarship 2026 | Higher Education Department | SC/BC/Minority students | https://harchhatravratti.highereduhry.ac.in |
| Jharkhand | e-Kalyan Jharkhand Scholarship 2026 | Dept. of SC/ST, Minority & Backward Class Welfare | SC/ST/OBC/Minority students | https://ekalyan.cgg.gov.in |
| Karnataka | SSP Scholarship 2026 | Social Welfare & Minority Welfare Dept. | SC/ST/OBC/Minority students | https://ssp.karnataka.gov.in |
| Kerala | Kerala eScholarship 2026 | Dept. of Collegiate Education | SC/ST/OBC/Minority students | https://www.dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in |
| Madhya Pradesh | MPTAAS / MP Scholarship Portal 2.0 | Tribal Affairs & Social Justice Dept. | SC/ST/OBC students | https://scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in |
| Maharashtra | MahaDBT Scholarship 2026 | Higher & Technical Education Dept. | SC/ST/OBC/SBC/VJNT/Minority students | https://mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in |
| Manipur | Manipur State Scholarship Scheme 2026 | Directorate of University & Higher Education | SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS students | https://scholarship.manipur.gov.in |
| Odisha | Odisha State Scholarship Portal 2026 | ST & SC Development Dept. | SC/ST/OBC/Minority students | https://scholarship.odisha.gov.in |
| Punjab | Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship 2026 | Dept. of Welfare of SC & BC | SC/OBC students | https://scholarships.punjab.gov.in |
| Rajasthan | Raj Scholarship 2026 | Department of Social Justice & Empowerment | SC/ST/OBC/Minority students | https://scholarship.rajasthan.gov.in |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu Scholarship 2026 | Directorate of Collegiate Education | SC/ST/Minority students | https://ssp.tn.gov.in |
| Telangana | ePASS Telangana Scholarship 2026 | BC Welfare Dept., Govt. of Telangana | SC/ST/OBC/EBC/Minority students | https://telanganaepass.cgg.gov.in |
| Uttar Pradesh | UP Scholarship 2026 (Pre & Post Matric) | Social Welfare Department, Govt. of UP | SC/ST/OBC/Minority/General students | https://scholarship.up.gov.in |
| West Bengal | Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM) 2026 | Higher Education Department | Meritorious & minority students | https://svmcm.wbhed.gov.in |
Conclusion
Government scholarships hold importance for various reasons. Going beyond financial aid, they help to promote social equity and support the nation’s development. Also, centrally funded and state-funded scholarships are offered to meritorious students to equip them to complete their education.
So, do not let financial constraints come in the way of higher studies. Apply for government scholarships and adhere to all the given instructions to increase your chances of getting scholarships.