Scholarships & Aid

Scholarships and government schemes that can reduce the cost of your education.

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students
Ministry of Education, Government of IndiaScholarship
Merit-based scholarship for students in regular degree courses at recognised institutions after Class 12.
Who can apply: Top 20 percentile in the Class 12 board exam and a family income cap (commonly stated as Rs 8 lakh per year); check current notice.
How to apply: Register and apply on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) every year.
Cut-offs and income limits change; confirm on NSP before each cycle.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
Department of Science and TechnologyScholarship
Annual scholarship for top Class 12 performers who pursue natural and basic sciences (B.Sc, integrated M.Sc).
Who can apply: Top-percentile Class 12 performers (reported top 1% of boards) taking basic sciences; reported benefit Rs 80,000 per year.
How to apply: Apply on the INSPIRE online portal during the announced window.
Check current percentile cut-offs and amount.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
PM YASASVI (OBC / EBC / DNT)
Ministry of Social Justice and EmpowermentScholarship
Scholarship support for OBC, EBC and DNT students from school to higher education levels.
Who can apply: OBC / EBC / DNT category students with family income below the stated cap.
How to apply: Apply through the National Scholarship Portal.
Details differ by level; verify the scheme page on NSP.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)
Ministry of EducationScholarship
Scholarship for students who qualified the Class 8 exam; it continues through Classes 9-12 after annual renewal.
Who can apply: Students who qualified in the state NMMS exam and keep the required marks each year.
How to apply: Renew every year on NSP; keep marks and school records ready.
Renewal requires minimum marks; missing renewal can stop the scholarship.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls (technical diploma/degree)
AICTEScholarship
Annual support for girl students admitted to AICTE-approved technical degree or diploma programmes (listed benefit about Rs 50,000 per year).
Who can apply: Girl students in AICTE-approved programmes with the family income cap stated in the notice.
How to apply: Apply through NSP.
Seat counts and income caps are set each year.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
Telangana ePASS (fee reimbursement and scholarships)
Telangana GovernmentFee reimbursement
Post-matric scholarships and fee reimbursement for eligible SC, ST, BC, EBC, minority and disabled students in Telangana.
Who can apply: Telangana students with valid caste and income certificates; income limits vary by category.
How to apply: Apply through the Telangana ePASS portal each academic year with certificates and Aadhaar-linked bank details.
Income limits, payment mode and release timing change; check the current government order.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
Andhra Pradesh Jnanabhumi (Vidya Deevena / Vasathi Deevena)
Andhra Pradesh GovernmentFee reimbursement
Fee reimbursement and hostel support for eligible students in Andhra Pradesh.
Who can apply: AP students with valid income and caste certificates; attendance conditions apply (reported 75%).
How to apply: Apply through the AP Jnanabhumi portal.
Scheme names and rules change with government orders; confirm current status.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
Vidya Lakshmi education loan portal
Government of India / participating banksEducation loan
Single-window portal to apply for education loans from many banks and track them. Collateral-free options exist for lower loan amounts.
Who can apply: Admission to a recognised course; bank rules on collateral, co-applicant and amount apply.
How to apply: Create a profile on Vidya Lakshmi and apply to up to several banks with one form.
Compare interest rates, processing fees and moratorium across banks. Do not pay any agent.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
PM-Vidyalaxmi
Ministry of EducationEducation loan
Collateral-free, guarantor-free education loans for students admitted to eligible high-ranking institutions, with interest support for lower-income families.
Who can apply: Admission to an institution that qualifies under the scheme (NIRF-based) and income criteria for interest support.
How to apply: Apply on the PM-Vidyalaxmi portal.
Loan caps and subvention depend on income and institution; verify before applying.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
Interest subsidy during moratorium (CSIS)
Ministry of EducationEducation loan
Interest subsidy on education loans during the study period plus one year for students from economically weaker families.
Who can apply: Family income cap (commonly cited around Rs 4.5 lakh) and loans for approved courses.
How to apply: Apply through the bank / Vidya Lakshmi when taking the education loan.
Rules on combining with other support differ; ask your bank.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
Government of IndiaApprenticeship
Employers train apprentices on the job and a part of the stipend is supported by the government. Open to 10th/12th pass, ITI and diploma holders.
Who can apply: Age and qualification as per the apprenticeship trade.
How to apply: Register on the Apprenticeship India portal and apply to listed establishments.
Never pay for placement. Stipend depends on the employer and trade.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
PM Internship Scheme
Ministry of Corporate AffairsApprenticeship
A paid internship scheme with top companies for young people not in full-time education or employment.
Who can apply: Age and education rules apply (reported 21-24); eligibility for students who have just passed Class 12 is unclear.
How to apply: Apply on the official PM Internship portal when the window opens.
Read the current eligibility; third-party websites often repeat outdated rules.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
PMKVY and Skill India short-term training
Ministry of Skill Development and EntrepreneurshipSkilling
Short, often free, job-oriented skill training with certification through Skill India partners.
Who can apply: Open to youth who have left school or college; courses differ by trade.
How to apply: Find approved training centres on the Skill India Digital portal.
Training quality varies by centre; check placement records.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
Vidyadhan Scholarship
Sarojini Damodaran FoundationScholarship
Scholarship and mentoring for meritorious students from low-income families after Class 10 and Class 12 (state-wise programmes).
Who can apply: Good marks and low family income; the states open each year are listed on the site.
How to apply: Apply on the Vidyadhan website when applications open for your state.
Open states and dates change each year; use only the official site.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site
Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship
Reliance FoundationScholarship
Financial support for first-year undergraduate students based on an aptitude test and family income.
Who can apply: Indian students admitted to regular UG courses; income criteria apply.
How to apply: Apply on the Reliance Foundation scholarships portal.
Selection is competitive and annual deadlines are strict.
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2026
Official site

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students

INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)

PM YASASVI (OBC / EBC / DNT)

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)

AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls (technical diploma/degree)

Telangana ePASS (fee reimbursement and scholarships)

Andhra Pradesh Jnanabhumi (Vidya Deevena / Vasathi Deevena)

Vidya Lakshmi education loan portal

PM-Vidyalaxmi

Interest subsidy during moratorium (CSIS)

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)

PM Internship Scheme

PMKVY and Skill India short-term training

Vidyadhan Scholarship

Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship