Most government scholarships in India are applied for online, and many sit on one portal, the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). Below is a category-wise list of well-known schemes with the portal where you apply. Eligibility, amounts and dates change every year, so always read the current guidelines on the official site (last checked October 2026).
Merit-based scholarships
| Scheme | Who it is for | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS) | College students with high Class 12 board marks (top percentile of their stream, as reported) | scholarships.gov.in |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | Class 8 pass students, for Class 9 to 12 studies, selected through a state-level test | scholarships.gov.in; state SCERT notice |
| INSPIRE (SHE) | Top science students pursuing natural and basic sciences, run by the Department of Science and Technology | online-inspire.gov.in |
Need-based and category scholarships
These are linked to family income and, in many cases, social category.
| Scheme | Who it is for | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC and ST students | Students from Class 11 onward, including degree and postgraduate courses, within the income limit | scholarships.gov.in |
| Pre-Matric Scholarships | School students from eligible categories, as per the scheme | scholarships.gov.in |
| PM YASASVI | OBC, EBC and DNT students from Class 9 to 12 | scholarships.gov.in |
| Top Class Education Scheme | SC students in notified top institutions | scholarships.gov.in |
Scholarships for girls
| Scheme | Who it is for | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| AICTE Pragati | Girl students in AICTE-approved technical diploma and degree courses | scholarships.gov.in |
| CBSE Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship | Single girl children who passed Class 10 with CBSE and continue in Class 11 and 12 | cbse.gov.in |
| Kanyashree Prakalpa (West Bengal) | School-going girls in West Bengal | wbkanyashree.gov.in |
Minority scholarships
The Ministry of Minority Affairs runs pre-matric, post-matric and merit-cum-means scholarships for students from notified minority communities, and applications are routed through scholarships.gov.in. In West Bengal, the state’s Aikyashree scheme is applied for on its own portal (wbmdfcscholarship.gov.in). Rules for each year are in the scheme guidelines.
State government scholarships
Every state runs its own schemes, often with separate portals. Examples:
- West Bengal: Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (svmcm.wbhed.gov.in)
- Maharashtra: MahaDBT (mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in)
- Uttar Pradesh: scholarship.up.gov.in
- Karnataka: State Scholarship Portal (ssp.karnataka.gov.in)
We could not verify the current-year status of every state portal. Some states also route their schemes through NSP, so check your state’s education or welfare department website first.
Scholarships for students with disabilities
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities offers pre-matric, post-matric and top-class education schemes through NSP, and AICTE Saksham supports students with disabilities in technical courses.
Private and corporate scholarships
Many foundations offer scholarships too, and listing sites such as Buddy4Study collect them. Apply only through the official website of the foundation and never pay a fee to “guarantee” a scholarship. Genuine scholarships do not charge money to apply.
How to choose and apply
- List your class, course, marks, family income, category, gender and state.
- Match them to the schemes above and read the official guidelines.
- Collect documents: Aadhaar, marksheet, income certificate, caste certificate, bank passbook.
- Register once on NSP (OTR) and apply before the last date.
- Ask your school or college to verify the application.
Documents and fraud warning
Keep a folder with scanned copies of your Aadhaar, marksheets, income certificate, caste or minority certificate, bank passbook and passport photo. Many scholarships fail only because a certificate is old or the name does not match.
Do not trust calls or messages saying you have won a scholarship and must pay a processing fee. Verify the website address, and prefer sites ending in .gov.in or .nic.in for government schemes.
Eligibility changes every year
Income limits, number of seats and amounts are revised by the ministries. We have deliberately not quoted amounts here, because they differ by course and year. Open the guideline PDF of each scheme for the current figures.
Which category should you start with?
If your family income is low, start with need-based and category scholarships on NSP. If your marks are high, check CSSS and INSPIRE. Girl students should check AICTE Pragati, the CBSE scheme (if they studied in CBSE) and their state’s girl-child scheme. Minority students should check the minority-affairs schemes on NSP and any state minority scholarship. Students from a state like West Bengal, Maharashtra or Karnataka should open the state portal at the same time, because state schemes often have separate dates.
Frequently confused points
- A scholarship is different from an education loan. PM Vidyalaxmi, for example, is a loan scheme with its own portal, not a scholarship.
- Institute verification is different from submission. Your form moves ahead only after the institute checks it.
- Pre-matric means up to Class 10 and post-matric means after Class 10, including college.
Finally, set a reminder for the last dates. Central and state portals open at different times of the year, and renewal students often have an earlier deadline than new applicants. A short checklist on your phone, with the portal name, login ID and last date for each scheme, saves a lot of last-minute stress.
Conclusion
Start with scholarships.gov.in, then look at your state’s portal and any corporate options. Keep documents ready, apply early, and use only official websites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which portal do most Indian scholarships use?
The National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in hosts many central schemes, including post-matric, PM YASASVI and several AICTE schemes.
Is there a scholarship for girl students?
Yes. Examples are AICTE Pragati for technical courses and the CBSE Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship. Some states, like West Bengal with Kanyashree, run their own.
Do I have to pay to apply for a scholarship?
No. Government scholarships on official portals are free to apply for. Be careful of agents asking for money.
Where do I apply for state scholarships?
On your state government’s scholarship portal, or through NSP if your state routes the scheme there.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
Often yes, but many schemes do not allow two benefits for the same purpose. Read each scheme’s rules.
