Top 20 Scholarships for Indian Students 2027: Class 10, 12 & UG Level

Why Scholarships Matter More Than Ever in 2027

The cost of education in India has risen sharply over the past decade. A private engineering degree that cost Rs 4 lakh in 2015 now costs Rs 8–12 lakh. Medical education at a private college can exceed Rs 50 lakh for the full course. Even arts and commerce degrees at reputable private universities cost Rs 3–6 lakh per year. For middle-class families, these numbers can be overwhelming — and for economically weaker households, they can seem impossible.

Scholarships change this equation entirely. A single scholarship can cover tuition fees, provide a monthly stipend for living expenses, and even fund books and equipment. Some scholarships, like INSPIRE, provide Rs 80,000 per year for five years. The Central Sector Scheme offers Rs 12,000–20,000 per year to meritorious students from families earning under Rs 8 lakh annually. PM YASASVI covers full tuition and maintenance for OBC, EBC, and DNT students. And private scholarships from organisations like Tata Trusts and Reliance Foundation can cover the entire cost of a degree at top institutions.

The most important thing to understand is that scholarships are not only for toppers or students from extremely poor families. Many scholarships target specific communities, specific streams, specific states, women in STEM, students with disabilities, or students pursuing particular courses. With over 100 scholarship schemes available across government and private platforms, almost every student in India qualifies for at least one — but only if they know where to look and apply on time.

National Government Scholarships (NTSE, INSPIRE, PM YASASVI & More)

The central government runs some of the most prestigious and generous scholarship programmes in India. These are competitive but offer substantial financial support and carry significant prestige on your academic profile.

1. National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) Scholarship

The NTSE is India's most prestigious scholarship exam for Class 10 students, conducted by the NCERT. It identifies and nurtures talented students by providing a monthly scholarship from Class 11 all the way through PhD.

NTSE is a two-stage exam. Stage 1 is conducted by individual states and union territories, and top performers advance to the national-level Stage 2 conducted by NCERT in Delhi. The exam tests Mental Ability (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude (SAT) covering Science, Mathematics, and Social Science. Preparing for NTSE also strengthens your foundation for competitive exams like JEE and NEET.

2. INSPIRE Scholarship (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)

Run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), INSPIRE is one of India's most generous scholarships for science students. It targets the top 1% of Class 12 scorers who pursue natural and basic science courses at the undergraduate level.

What makes INSPIRE special is that it does not require a separate exam — your Class 12 board performance automatically qualifies you. Students who score in the top 1% of their respective board exams and choose to study BSc or integrated MSc in natural sciences are directly eligible. The scholarship provides Rs 80,000 per year for five years, plus a summer research grant of Rs 20,000 for a mentorship project at a recognised research institution.

3. PM YASASVI Scholarship (PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India)

Launched under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, PM YASASVI is designed for OBC, EBC (Economically Backward Classes), and DNT (De-Notified Tribes) students pursuing education from Class 9 onwards. The scholarship covers tuition fees and maintenance charges at top schools and colleges across India.

PM YASASVI is one of the most comprehensive scholarship schemes for students from backward classes. It covers not just tuition fees but also hostel charges and maintenance allowance at designated schools including Sainik Schools, Navodaya Vidyalayas, and other recognised residential institutions. The selection is through a computer-based entrance test conducted by the NTA, similar in format to other national-level exams.

4. KVPY Fellowship (Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana)

Although KVPY was discontinued as a separate exam in 2022, the fellowship continues under the INSPIRE umbrella for top science performers. Students who would have qualified for KVPY are now covered through the INSPIRE SHE programme. We include it here because many families still search for KVPY — and the equivalent funding is available through INSPIRE with the same Rs 80,000/year support for BSc and integrated MSc students in basic sciences.

5. Kishore Vigyanik Protsahan Yojana — INSPIRE Integration Note

Students who previously targeted KVPY should now apply through the INSPIRE SHE programme. The eligibility criteria remain similar — top 1% in Class 12 board exams in Science stream or top 10,000 ranks in JEE Advanced or NEET. The financial support (Rs 80,000/year plus summer mentorship) is identical. Apply at online-inspire.gov.in.

Post-Matric and Central Sector Scholarships

These scholarships target students who have passed Class 10 (matric) and are pursuing higher education. They are primarily need-based and cater to students from SC, ST, OBC, and economically weaker sections.

5. Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students

This is one of India's largest scholarship schemes by beneficiary count, covering lakhs of SC students every year. Funded by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, it provides full tuition fee reimbursement and a maintenance allowance for students from Class 11 through postgraduate studies.

6. Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students

Identical in structure to the SC scholarship but administered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Covers full tuition fees and provides a maintenance allowance for ST students studying in Class 11 and above. The income ceiling is Rs 2.5 lakh per year, and applications are processed through the NSP portal. This scheme is available for all recognised courses including professional degrees.

7. Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students

Administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this scholarship supports OBC students with family income below Rs 1 lakh per year (for some states, the ceiling may vary). It covers tuition fees and provides maintenance allowance, though the amounts are slightly lower than the SC/ST schemes. Students must secure admission at a recognised institution and apply through the NSP.

8. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students

This is one of the most underutilised yet valuable scholarships for meritorious students from non-wealthy families. It targets students who score in the top 20 percentile of their Class 12 board exams and have family income below Rs 8 lakh per year — a criterion that covers a large portion of India's middle class.

The Central Sector Scheme is remarkable because it does not require a separate entrance exam and is open to students from all categories (general, OBC, SC, ST). The only requirements are academic merit (top 20 percentile) and a family income ceiling of Rs 8 lakh. With over 82,000 scholarships awarded annually, this is one of the easiest government scholarships to secure if you are a strong student from a middle-class family.

AICTE Pragati & Saksham: For Engineering and Technical Students

9. AICTE Pragati Scholarship (for Girls)

Pragati is a flagship scheme by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) specifically designed to support girl students in technical education. It provides tuition fee reimbursement up to Rs 30,000 per year plus Rs 2,000 per month as a contingency allowance for up to four years of study in any AICTE-approved institution.

10. AICTE Saksham Scholarship (for Differently-Abled Students)

Saksham provides equivalent financial support to differently-abled students pursuing technical education at AICTE-approved institutions. The award structure is the same as Pragati — Rs 30,000/year for tuition and Rs 2,000/month as contingency allowance. Family income must be Rs 8 lakh or below. Up to 1,000 scholarships are awarded each year.

Major State Government Scholarships

In addition to central government schemes, every state runs its own scholarship programmes. These are often less competitive and easier to secure because they target students within a specific state. Here are some of the most significant state-level scholarships:

11. West Bengal Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM)

One of the most generous state scholarships in India, SVMCM supports students from West Bengal pursuing higher education at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. Students who scored 75% or above in their Class 12 (Madhyamik Higher Secondary or equivalent) and have family income below Rs 2.5 lakh are eligible. The scholarship provides Rs 1,000–5,000 per month depending on the course level, directly transferred to the student's bank account.

12. Karnataka Vidyasiri Scholarship

The Vidyasiri scholarship by the Karnataka government supports SC/ST, OBC, and minority students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Karnataka. It covers tuition fees and provides a maintenance allowance. Application is through the Karnataka state scholarship portal, and the scheme benefits tens of thousands of students annually.

13. Maharashtra Post-Matric Tuition Fee and Examination Fee Scholarship

Maharashtra offers comprehensive fee waivers for SC, ST, VJNT, SBC, and OBC students studying in the state. The scheme covers full tuition and examination fees for students from Class 11 through postgraduate level. Applications are processed through the MahaDBT portal (mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in), which is one of the best-designed state scholarship platforms in India.

14. Tamil Nadu Government Scholarships (BC/MBC/SC/ST)

Tamil Nadu runs multiple scholarship schemes covering backward classes, most backward classes, SC, and ST students. These include full tuition fee waivers at government and government-aided colleges, hostel maintenance allowance, and special scholarships for first-generation graduates. The state also offers the Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship and the EVR Nagammai Scholarship for girl students from SC/ST communities.

15. Uttar Pradesh Scholarship (Pre-Matric and Post-Matric)

UP runs one of the largest state scholarship programmes by volume, covering SC, ST, OBC, minority, and general category EWS students. The scholarship covers tuition fees and provides maintenance allowance. Applications are processed through the UP Scholarship portal (scholarship.up.gov.in). Given the large student population in UP, early application is critical as delays are common.

Private Scholarships: HDFC, Tata, Reliance & Others

Private scholarships are an underexplored avenue for many students. Several major corporations and foundations run scholarship programmes that are often more generous than government schemes and are open to students from all categories.

16. HDFC Badhte Kadam Scholarship

HDFC Limited, in partnership with Buddy4Study, offers the Badhte Kadam Scholarship for school and college students from economically weaker backgrounds. The scholarship provides up to Rs 35,000–75,000 depending on the course level. It is open to students pursuing Class 11–12, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses with family income below Rs 6 lakh per year. Applications are typically open from March to September through the Buddy4Study platform.

17. Tata Trusts Scholarships

Tata Trusts operates several scholarship programmes under the broader education initiative. These include need-based scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students at select institutions, scholarships for students from northeastern states, and special grants for women in STEM fields. The Tata Education and Development Trust also offers scholarships for students admitted to prestigious international universities. Award amounts vary from Rs 50,000 to Rs 6 lakh per year depending on the programme. Applications are typically through the Tata Trusts website or partner institution portals.

18. Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships

The Reliance Foundation Scholarship programme supports 5,000 meritorious students annually across undergraduate programmes in STEM, humanities, and commerce. The scholarship provides up to Rs 2 lakh per year for up to four years and is open to students from all categories with family income below Rs 15 lakh. Selection is based on academic merit, a written assessment, and an interview. This is one of the few private scholarships that explicitly targets students in first and second year of college, making it ideal for students who missed earlier deadlines.

19. Kotak Kanya Scholarship

The Kotak Mahindra Group Foundation offers the Kanya Scholarship to meritorious girl students who have secured admission in the first year of professional courses (engineering, medical, architecture, law, etc.). The scholarship provides up to Rs 1.5 lakh per year for the full course duration. Family income must be below Rs 3.5 lakh per year. Applications open in July and are processed through Buddy4Study.

20. Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship

The Sitaram Jindal Foundation runs one of India's largest private scholarship programmes, distributing over Rs 35 crore annually to approximately 22,000 students. The scholarship is available for students from Class 1 through postgraduate studies and covers tuition fees based on economic need. The income ceiling varies by course level, and applications are accepted directly through the Sitaram Jindal Foundation website. What makes this scholarship unique is its broad eligibility — it is not restricted by caste, category, or specific streams.

The NSP Portal: One Platform for Most Scholarships

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in is the centralised platform for applying to most government scholarships in India. Launched by the Ministry of Electronics and IT, it hosts over 100 scholarship schemes from central and state governments.

Here is how to navigate the NSP effectively:

Critical tip: NSP applications require institute-level verification after you submit. This means your college or school must log in to the NSP portal and verify your details. If your institution delays this step, your application may lapse. Always inform your institution's scholarship coordinator immediately after submitting your application.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process and Common Mistakes

Applying for scholarships is not difficult, but many students lose out due to avoidable errors. Here is a systematic approach to maximise your success rate:

Documents You Must Keep Ready

Top 7 Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected

1. Mismatched Aadhaar and bank details: Your name on Aadhaar must exactly match the name on your bank account. Even minor spelling differences (Ravi Kumar vs Ravi Kumar Singh) will cause rejection.
2. Expired income certificate: Most schemes require the income certificate to be issued within the current financial year. An older certificate will be rejected.
3. Wrong category selection: Selecting “renewal” instead of “fresh” or choosing the wrong scholarship scheme can lead to automatic disqualification.
4. Uploading blurry documents: Scan documents at 200 DPI minimum. Photographs of documents taken from a phone camera in poor lighting are frequently rejected.
5. Missing institute verification: Even if you submit a perfect application, it will not proceed without your institution's verification on the NSP portal. Follow up actively.
6. Applying after the deadline: NSP deadlines are strict. Applications close at 11:59 PM on the last date, and the portal does not accept late submissions under any circumstances.
7. Not checking the “defect” status: If your application has defects (flagged by the verifying officer), you must correct and resubmit within the given window. Many students never check and their applications lapse.

2027 Scholarship Calendar: Month-Wise Deadlines

Timing is critical for scholarship applications. Missing a deadline by even one day means waiting an entire year for the next cycle. Here is the typical schedule for 2027 (exact dates are announced on respective portals):

Pro tip: Set calendar reminders for July 1 (NSP opening), the NTSE registration date (August), and the last date for Central Sector Scheme (November). These three dates alone cover access to most government scholarships.

Complete Comparison: All 20 Scholarships at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions