Scholarships in India 2026: Complete List with Eligibility and Last Dates
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Scholarships in India 2026 are offered by the central government, state governments, corporate houses, and individual institutions to students at every level of education, from Class 9 all the way through postgraduate and doctoral programmes. Whether you are preparing for engineering admission through UPTAC 2026 counselling or tracking medical seats via the NEET 2026 expected cutoff guide, knowing which scholarship you qualify for can significantly reduce your financial burden. Keep reading this article for the complete list of scholarships in India 2026, category-wise eligibility, scholarship amounts and last dates.
Scholarships in India 2026: Who is Eligible?
Before applying for any scholarship in India 2026, candidates must fulfil the following basic eligibility criteria that are common across most central and state government schemes:
- Must be an Indian citizen enrolled in a recognised school, college, university or technical institution
- Should have passed the previous qualifying exam with the minimum percentage prescribed by the respective scheme
- Annual family income must be within the limit specified for the scholarship category — generally ₹2,50,000 for need-based central schemes, ₹6,00,000 for corporate need-based schemes
- Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, EWS, Minority and PwD categories are eligible for additional reserved-category scholarship benefits
- Must not be availing more than one major scholarship at the same time unless specifically allowed under scheme regulations
Types of Scholarships in India 2026
Scholarships available for Indian students in 2026 can broadly be divided into four types based on the funding source and eligibility criteria.
Table
| Type | Examples | Who It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Central Government Scholarship | PM Yasasvi, Central Sector Scholarship, National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Minority students from Class 9 to PG level |
| State Government Scholarship | UP Post-Matric Scholarship, Maharashtra Scholarship, Bihar Post-Matric Scholarship | Domicile students of respective states, all categories |
| Corporate / Foundation Scholarship | Aditya Birla Scholarship, IDFC First Bank MBA Scholarship, OP Jindal Scholarship | Merit and need-based for UG/PG/MBA students |
| Institute / College Scholarship | IIM Need-Based Scholarships, IILM University Merit Scholarship, KCC ITM Scholarships | Students enrolled in respective institutes based on entrance score or income |
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Complete List of Government Scholarships in India 2026
The central and state governments of India run several flagship scholarship schemes through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and state-level portals. Students applying for engineering admission through UPTAC 2026 document verification can apply for most of these schemes using the same set of documents.
Table
| Scholarship Name | Eligible Level | Category | Amount (Indicative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM Yasasvi Central Sector Scheme of Top Class Education | Class 9 to PG | OBC/EBC/DNT | Up to ₹1,25,000 per annum |
| Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) | Class 12 pass, UG/PG | All categories (merit-based) | ₹10,000 per annum for UG; ₹20,000 per annum for PG |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | Class 9 to 12 | All categories (income below ₹3.5 lakh) | ₹12,000 per annum |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students | Class 11 and above | SC | Maintenance allowance + tuition fee reimbursement |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students | Class 11 and above | ST | Maintenance allowance + tuition fee reimbursement |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students | Class 11 and above | OBC | Tuition fee and maintenance allowance as per course |
| Minority Pre-Matric Scholarship | Class 1 to 10 | Minority (Muslim/Christian/Sikh/Buddhist/Parsi/Jain) | ₹1,000 to ₹10,000 per annum |
| Minority Post-Matric Scholarship | Class 11 and above | Minority | Tuition fee + maintenance allowance |
| Minority Merit-cum-Means Scholarship | UG/PG Professional Courses | Minority | ₹30,000 per annum |
| AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls | Technical diploma/degree | Girl students (family income < ₹8 lakh) | ₹30,000 per annum + ₹2,000 contingency |
| AICTE Saksham Scholarship | Technical diploma/degree | PwD students | ₹30,000 per annum + ₹2,000 contingency |
| GATE Research Fellowship (MHRD) | M.Tech / Ph.D. | GATE-qualified students | ₹12,400 per month (M.Tech); ₹31,000 per month (Ph.D.) |
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Scholarships in India 2026 are a vital tool for bridging the financial gap for millions of deserving students and ensuring that talent, not money, determines who gets to access higher education.
Corporate Scholarships for Students in India 2026
Several leading corporations and foundations offer scholarships to students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA programmes in India. The three most prominent ones that students commonly apply for are listed below.
Aditya Birla Scholarship
The Aditya Birla Scholarship, launched in 1999, supports students at IIMs and XLRI. Amount: ₹3,00,000 per annum. Eligibility: Candidates must be enrolled at IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Kolkata, IIM Lucknow, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode, IIM Shillong, or XLRI Jamshedpur. Selection: Based on entrance exam scores, co-curricular achievement and a personal interview.
IDFC First Bank Scholarship
The IDFC First Bank Scholarship is a need-based scheme for students who cannot afford their MBA fees. Amount: ₹2,00,000 for a two-year MBA programme, available to up to 700 students. Eligibility: Indian citizen, annual family income up to ₹6,00,000, first-year MBA student at an IDFC-listed college, valid Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
O.P. Jindal Scholarship for Engineering and Management
The O.P. Jindal Scholarship covers 100 individuals across 40-43 partner management institutes. Amount: ₹1,50,000 per annum per person. Eligibility: Top-10 entrance exam rankers at partner institutes and academically strong second-year students. Selection: Business proposal submission, online aptitude test, and virtual interview.
College and Institute Scholarships in India 2026
Most top-ranked institutes in India offer their own institutional scholarships over and above government and corporate schemes. Students shortlisting engineering and management colleges can check scholarship details directly on college pages. Some institutes with active scholarship cells include:
- IILM University School of Management, Greater Noida — 100% fee waiver for CAT/XAT 95+ percentile; 10% fee waiver for girl students with family income below ₹8 lakh
- GNIOT Institute of Management Studies, Greater Noida — merit-based scholarship reviewed after academic record evaluation
- KCC Institute of Technology and Management, Greater Noida — 12,000+ scholarship categories including AICTE Pragati Scholarship for girls (₹30,000/year), Defence Personnel Scholarship and UP Post-Matric Scholarship
- IIM Rohtak — need-based and merit-based MBA scholarship schemes considering both academic performance and family income
- School of Business Management, NMIMS Mumbai — merit-based and need-based scholarships for MBA students
- SRCC GBO Executive MBA, Delhi — scholarship and fee-waiver support for eligible executive MBA candidates
- Management Education & Research Institute (MERI), Delhi — merit-based scholarship for top-performing management students
- Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), Delhi — merit-based scholarship for outstanding students in graduate and postgraduate engineering programmes
- Maharaja Surajmal Institute of Technology (MSIT), Delhi — merit-based scholarship for top GGSIPU students
Scholarships in India 2026: Last Dates at a Glance
Table
| Scholarship Scheme | Application Portal | Typical Last Date |
|---|---|---|
| PM Yasasvi Scholarship | National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) | October–November 2026 (as notified) |
| Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS) | National Scholarship Portal | October 2026 (as notified) |
| National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | State Education Department / NSP | As notified by respective state |
| Post-Matric Scholarship SC/ST/OBC | National Scholarship Portal / State portals | November–December 2026 (as notified) |
| AICTE Pragati / Saksham Scholarship | AICTE Scholarship Portal | As notified by AICTE after academic year start |
| Minority Scholarships (Pre/Post-Matric/MCM) | National Scholarship Portal | October–November 2026 (as notified) |
| Aditya Birla Scholarship | Concerned IIM/XLRI Dean's office | Within 30 days of admission |
| IDFC First Bank MBA Scholarship | IDFC First Bank official website | As notified post-admission |
| OP Jindal Scholarship | OP Jindal Foundation website | As notified by partner institutes |
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How to Apply for Scholarships in India 2026
Students applying for government scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal and those going through admission routes like UPTAC 2026 counselling or comparing programmes via the CUET vs JEE 2026 guide can follow this standard application process:
- Research all scholarships you are eligible for based on your category, income level and course of study
- Register on the relevant portal — National Scholarship Portal for central schemes, state scholarship portal for state schemes, or the institute scholarship cell for institutional awards
- Fill in your personal, academic, bank account and category details accurately
- Upload all required documents in the specified file format and within the prescribed size limit
- Submit the application before the last date and note down the application reference number
- Track the application status regularly and respond to any correction or verification request within the given window
- Once approved, the scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account via PFMS
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Aadhaar card — front and back scanned copies (must be linked to bank account and mobile)
- Scanned copy of the first page of the bank passbook showing name, account number and IFSC code
- Permanent residential address certificate or domicile certificate
- Scanned copies of Class 10, 12 and latest academic marksheets and passing certificates
- Caste certificate (SC/ST/OBC) authorised by the relevant revenue authority — for central schemes, this must be a central-format certificate
- Income certificate of parent or guardian, not older than the prescribed validity period
- Bonafide / admission / enrollment certificate from the current institute
- Birth certificate where required by the specific scheme
Scholarships and College Admission — Plan Both Together
Smart students plan their scholarship applications alongside their college admission strategy. Engineering aspirants targeting AKTU-affiliated colleges can check the scholarship pages of Inderprastha Engineering College, Ghaziabad and the CAT College Predictor for MBA admissions. Management students can additionally explore the Institute of Management Studies (IMS), Noida and shortlist B-schools using the JMI MBA Exam and College Predictor. Research scholars can also review financial aid structures at NIT Jalandhar's Department of Research and Doctoral Studies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best scholarship for students in India 2026?
The Central Sector Scholarship Scheme (CSSS), PM Yasasvi Scholarship and AICTE Pragati Scholarship are among the most accessible and widely applied-for government scholarships in India 2026, covering students from Class 9 to postgraduate level across categories.
What is the income limit for government scholarships in India 2026?
Most central government need-based scholarships require annual family income to be below ₹2,50,000 to ₹3,50,000. Corporate scholarships like IDFC First Bank MBA Scholarship allow income up to ₹6,00,000 per annum.
What documents are required to apply for scholarships in India 2026?
Common documents include Aadhaar card, bank passbook copy, income certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), domicile certificate, academic marksheets, bonafide certificate from the current institute and a recent passport-size photograph.
How are scholarships in India 2026 disbursed?
Government scholarships are disbursed directly to the student's Aadhaar-linked bank account through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) after successful document verification and approval.
Can a student avail more than one scholarship in India 2026?
Generally, students cannot hold more than one major government scholarship at a time. However, some institutional or corporate scholarships can be combined with government schemes if the respective scheme regulations allow it.
What is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and how does it work?
The National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) is the single digital platform managed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for applying to central government scholarship schemes. Students register, fill the application form, upload documents and track status on this portal.
Are scholarships available for engineering students in India 2026?
Yes, engineering students can access the AICTE Pragati Scholarship for girls, AICTE Saksham Scholarship for PwD students, GATE Research Fellowship, Post-Matric Scholarships for SC/ST/OBC category students, and numerous institutional merit scholarships at AKTU-affiliated and other technical colleges.
When do scholarship applications open for India 2026?
Most central government scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal open between August and October 2026, after the start of the academic year. State government and institutional scholarships typically open after admission confirmation, usually between July and September.
Is the AICTE Pragati Scholarship only for girl students?
Yes, the AICTE Pragati Scholarship is exclusively for girl students pursuing a technical diploma or degree at AICTE-approved institutions, with a family income limit of ₹8 lakh per annum. The amount is ₹30,000 per annum plus a ₹2,000 contingency grant.
Can MBA students apply for government scholarships in India 2026?
Yes, MBA students from SC, ST, OBC, Minority and EWS categories can apply for the Post-Matric Scholarship, PM Yasasvi Scheme, and other central and state government schemes in addition to corporate scholarships such as the Aditya Birla Scholarship, IDFC First Bank Scholarship and OP Jindal Scholarship.
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