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National Scholarships

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students

The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor families to meet part of their day-to-day expenditure for pursuing their higher studies.

The scholarships are awarded by Ministry of Education, Government of India on the basis of results of Higher Secondary / Class XII Board Examination. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships per annum are provided for pursuing graduate / postgraduate degree in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical, Engineering etc. 50% of the scholarships are earmarked for girls.

The total number of scholarships is divided among the State Boards on the basis of the population of the State in the age group of 18-25 years, the number of students passing from various Boards in the country after setting aside the share of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE). Out of the total scholarship slots earmarked for UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, 3% slots shall be earmarked for the students from the UT of Ladakh. The number of scholarships allotted to a State Education Board is distributed amongst pass outs of the Humanities, Science and Commerce streams in the ratio of 3:3:1. In case of shortfall in the number of applications, the scholarship slots shall be interoperable among categories (Gen, OBC, SC & ST), gender (Female, Male) and State Quota to maximize use of slots for fresh scholarships with effect from academic year 2022-23, subject to the condition that guidelines of Ministry of Finance and NITI Aayog regarding SC/ST fund allocation of the schemes are adhered to.

Students studying regularly (not through correspondence or distance education mode) in recognized educational institutions in 10+2 pattern or equivalent class XII who have passed the relevant subject for the particular board examination and are not availing any other scholarship scheme and whose family income is upto Rs. 4.5 lakhs are eligible to be considered under this scheme.

Students belonging to reserved categories/weaker sections /minorities etc. are eligible to get benefit of reservation on the basis of merit, subject to Central Reservation Policy [i.e. 15% seats are earmarked for SCs, 7.5% for STs and 27 % for OBCs and 5% horizontal reservation for students with Benchmark Disabilities (Disability of 40% or more) in all the categories].

The rate of scholarship is Rs.12,000/-per annum at Graduation level for first three years of College and University courses and Rs.20,000/-per annum at Post- Graduation level. Students pursuing professional courses, in case, where the duration of course is five (5) years/Integrated course will get Rs. 20,000/-per annum in the 4th and 5th year. However, students pursuing technical courses such as B.Tech, B.Engg. will get scholarship up to graduation level only i.e. Rs. 12,000 p.a. for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year and Rs. 20,000 in the 4th year.

The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students is covered under Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) w.e.f. 1.1.2013. The scholarships are deposited directly into the Aadhaar seeded bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

‘Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students’ has on boarded the National Scholarship portal http://www.scholarships.gov.in with effect from 1.8.2015. The students can see the scheme guidelines as well as can apply online through this portal only.

The Closing date of the National Scholarship Portal
1. For inviting the scholarship applications: 31.10.2025
2. Institute Level Verification: 15.11.2025
3. SNO Level verification: 30.11.2025

PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh

The PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh aims at encouraging the youth from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to take advantage of the educational institutions outside the State, which would provide them an opportunity to interact with their counterpart from the rest of the country. It is envisaged to provide 5000 fresh scholarships every year. There is a provision of inter-changeability of slots among Medical and Engineering stream, subject to the savings accruing from any shortfall in the number of students opting for General Degree courses. Scholarship is provided towards Tuition fee and Maintenance allowance. The rate of scholarship towards tuition fee for General Degree courses is Rs.30,000 per annum, for Engineering course Rs.1.25 lakh per annum and for medical studies Rs.3.0 lakh per annum. Fixed Maintenance allowance of Rs. 1.0 lakh per annum is provided to all students under the scheme. An Inter-Ministerial Committee oversees the implementation and monitoring of the scheme.

Eligibility criteria

The students of Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh whose family income is less than Rs. 8.0 lakh per annum and have passed class XII or diploma from the UTs and secured admission outside the two UTs in the institutions which are either approved under Section 12B of the UGC Act or recognized by AICTE or respective regulatory body are eligible to apply for the scheme. The students have to apply online on the AICTE web portal – http://www.aicte-jk-scholarship-gov.in and the National Scholarship Portal (https://scholarships.gov.in/Students). For more details on the scheme such as scheme guidelines, students may visit https://www.aicte-india.org/bureaus/jk. One can also visit - https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/pm-usp-sssjkl

Disbursement of scholarship

Scholarship towards academic fee is paid directly to the institution as per claim or as per rate fixed by respective State Fee Regulatory Authority, whichever is less and within overall ceiling for the course. If fee charged by the institution is more than the ceiling, AICTE/ DHE shall not reimburse additional amount.

Scholarship amount towards maintenance allowance is disbursed directly into the bank account of the students through the Direct Benefit Transfer mode using PFMS gateway.

In case of any grievances/complaint regarding the above schemes the same may be registered to the following link http://pgportal.gov.in/grievancenew.aspx / Email : es3.edu[at]nic[dot]in

EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Application Form

The Ministry of Education, Government of India has initiated Programme Vidyanjali to help meritorious and deserving students pursuing higher education. A Not-for-Profit Company, the Vidyanjali Foundation, has been set up under Section 8 of the Companies Act 1956 to address this in a focused manner. Operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of EdCIL (India) Limited, Vidyanjali is a collaborative programme mobilizing corporate participation through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Philanthropic funds, fostering a collaborative synergy between the government and the corporate sector. To begin with, the Vidyanjali Foundation shall process the applications from meritorious students of the Navodaya Vidyalayas who have completed their higher secondary in 2023 and got admission in a college/ higher education institution to help them get scholarships from the CSR funds received by the Vidyanjali Foundation. The criteria for receipt of the scholarships are provided by the Companies who are providing the CSR funds and final decision on award of scholarships are with them.

Please send the filled-in form to the email IDs: edvidf[at]edcil[dot]co[dot]in; es3[dot]edu[at]nic[dot]in

Contact us:

National Scholarship Division,
Ministry of Education,
Department of Higher Education,
West Block 1, 2nd Floor, Wing 6, Room No. 6,
R. K. Puram, Sector 1, New Delhi 110066.
Tele: 011-26172917, 26172491, 26165238

Last Updated by admin on Tuesday, 29 July 2025 - 1:38pm