Understanding the Need
The rising cost of higher education in India is no longer just a concern, it’s a crisis impacting the dreams of many. With tuition fees surging across both public and private institutions, financing a college education has become a heavy burden for most families. A notable example is the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), which increased their annual fees for general category students from ₹90,000 to ₹2 lakh in 2016 — more than double the previous rate. Adding to this trend, private institutions have seen even steeper hikes. For instance, Ashoka University’s annual undergraduate cost rose from around ₹8 lakh in 2018 to ₹12.28 lakh in recent years.
The widening affordability gap forces many students to either give up on their academic ambitions or rely on education loans that come with long-term repayment burdens. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, the outstanding education loan balance skyrocketed from ₹65,336 crore in 2020 to ₹1,29,116 crore in 2024. This doubling in just four years reflects a growing dependence on loans, which can leave students burdened with debt even before entering the job market. In contrast, scholarships for higher education provide a far more sustainable and empowering path. Unlike loans, scholarships are non-repayable financial aid. This relieves students from the stress of future debt while enabling access to top-tier institutions across the country and abroad.
Furthermore, research by the Ministry of Education (2023) found that students receiving scholarships were 1.8 times more likely to complete their degrees successfully compared to those relying on loans or self-financing. In light of these facts, it becomes evident that scholarships are not just helpful, they are essential. In the next section, we explore some of the most impactful scholarships available in India that are helping students overcome financial barriers and chase their academic dreams.
Key National Scholarships for Higher Education 2025
Scholarships can be funded by various bodies — including government-funded scholarships, private scholarships, and internationally acclaimed scholarships. Today, we will delve into the top scholarships offered by each of these bodies.
Government Funded Scholarships: Government-funded scholarships are financial aid programs supported by central or state authorities to promote access to education among economically disadvantaged, meritorious, or socially underrepresented students.
Slots Reserved For:
| Priority Category | Slot Allocation | Number of Slots |
| Divyangjan | 5% of 750 | 38 |
| PVTG (List at Annexure-VIII) | Fixed | 25 |
| Female | 30% of 750 | 225 |
| ST Others | Remaining slots | 462 |
| Total | 750 | |
Awards for National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students:
| Course | Stream | Scholarship (Monthly) | Contingency (Annually) |
| M.Phil | Humanities & Social Sciences | ₹31,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Science / Engineering / Technology | ₹12,000 | ||
| Ph.D | Humanities & Social Sciences | ₹31,000 (first 2 years), ₹35,000 (next 3 years) | ₹20,500 |
| Science / Engineering / Technology | ₹25,000 |
2. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students: With a target of 82,000 scholarships per year, the objective of the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students scheme is to provide financial assistance to meritorious students whose family income is less than Rs.4.5 lakh per annum. The scholarships help fund a part of their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies.
Eligibility Criteria for Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students:
| Particulars | Details |
| Merit | Students who are above 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from a particular Board of Examination in Class 12. |
| Course | Students pursuing regular courses (not correspondence or distance mode). |
| Income limit | Having family income up to Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum. |
| Other scholarships | Students not receiving any other scholarship or fee reimbursement of any kind. |
| Course type | Diploma students are not eligible under the scheme. |
| Drop year | Students who had taken a drop year after Class 12 are not eligible for the scheme. |
| Course Type | Year | Amount (per annum) |
| Graduation (General) | 1st Year to 3rd Year | ₹12,000 |
| Post-Graduation | 1st Year and 2nd Year | ₹20,000 |
| Technical (5-year) | 4th Year and 5th Year | ₹20,000 |
| B.Tech / B.E (4-year) | 1st Year to 3rd Year | ₹12,000 |
| 4th Year | ₹20,000 |
3. Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses CS (Minorities): The objective of the Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses CS (Minorities) scheme is to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged yet meritorious students from minority communities, enabling them to pursue professional and technical courses at recognized institutions. Each financial year, 60,000 new scholarships will be awarded in addition to renewals, benefiting students from minority communities across all States and Union Territories in the country.
Eligibility Criteria for Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses CS (Minorities):
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Admission through competitive exam | Students who gain admission to technical/professional courses through a competitive examination are eligible. |
| Admission without competitive exam | Students who gain admission without a competitive exam must have secured at least 50% marks at the higher secondary/graduation level. Selection will be strictly based on merit. |
| Continuation of scholarship | Continuation in subsequent years is subject to successful completion of the course each year. |
| Income limit | The annual income of the beneficiary or their parent/guardian must not exceed ₹2.50 lakh from all sources. |
Awards for Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses CS (Minorities):
| Component | Details |
| Maintenance allowance | ₹1,000 per month for hostellers (10 months) = ₹10,000 per annum |
| ₹500 per month for day scholars (10 months) = ₹5,000 per annum | |
| Course fee reimbursement | Full course fee up to ₹20,000 per annum or actual fee, whichever is less |
Private Funded Scholarships: Corporate scholarships are initiatives by private companies aimed at supporting students through financial grants, often as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts or talent development programs.
1. JK Tyre Shiksha Sarthi Scholarship Program: The JK Tyre Shiksha Sarthi Scholarship Program, launched by JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., is a dedicated initiative to empower deserving female students. The program offers financial assistance to daughters of heavy vehicle drivers who are pursuing undergraduate or diploma courses across both technical and non-technical disciplines.
Eligibility Criteria for JK Tyre Shiksha Sarthi Scholarship Program:
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Eligible applicants | Female students who are daughters of heavy vehicle drivers |
| Course enrollment | Must be enrolled in technical or non-technical undergraduate or diploma courses |
| Academic performance | Minimum of 55% marks in the previous academic year |
| Family income limit | Annual family income should be less than or equal to ₹5,00,000 |
| Residential eligibility | Applicants must be residents of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, or Tamil Nadu |
| Exclusion criteria | Children of employees of JK Tyre and Buddy4Study are not eligible to apply |
Awards for JK Tyre Shiksha Sarthi Scholarship Program:
| Course Type | Scholarship Amount |
| Technical Undergraduate Courses | ₹25,000 |
| Non-Technical Undergraduate Courses | ₹15,000 |
| Diploma Courses | ₹15,000 |
2. Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships: This scholarship aims to make higher education more accessible to young people in India. Each year, it supports 5,000 talented students through a merit-cum-means selection process. By easing the financial burden, the Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships empowers students to achieve their goals, build successful careers, and contribute to the growth and development of their communities and the nation.
Eligibility Criteria for Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships:
| Level | Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Undergraduate | Academic qualification | Passed Class 12 with a minimum of 60% marks |
| Course type | Enrolled in a regular full-time undergraduate degree program in India | |
| Household income | Less than ₹15,00,000 per year (preference given to income below ₹2,50,000) | |
| Postgraduate | Course type | Enrolled in the first year of a full-time regular postgraduate program |
| Eligible fields | Engineering, Technology, Energy, and Life Sciences | |
| GATE score (if applicable) | Between 550 and 1,000 | |
| Alternative academic criteria (if GATE not attempted) | CGPA of 7.5 or above (or equivalent percentage converted to CGPA) |
Award for Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships:
| Program | Scholarship Amount |
| Undergraduate Program | Up to ₹2,00,000 for the duration of the program |
| Postgraduate Program | Up to ₹6,00,000 for the duration of the program |
3. Virtusa Engineering Excellence Scholarship: The Virtusa Engineering Excellence Scholarship, launched by the Virtusa Foundation, aims to support high-performing students from low-income backgrounds in pursuing higher education. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5, the initiative promotes access to affordable, quality education and advances gender equality.
Eligibility Criteria for Virtusa Engineering Excellence Scholarship :
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Academic standing | Must be enrolled in the 1st or 2nd year of a full-time B.Tech/BE program at a recognized institution in India |
| Academic excellence | Minimum 70% marks in Class 12 examinations |
| Financial need | Annual family income should not exceed ₹6,00,000 from all sources |
| Exclusion clause | Children of employees of Virtusa Corporation and Buddy4Study are not eligible to apply |
Awards for Virtusa Engineering Excellence Scholarship:
| Benefit Type | Details |
| Scholarship amount | ₹50,000 for 1 year |
| Tuition fees | Can be used to cover part or full tuition fees charged by the institution |
| Hostel fees | Supports accommodation expenses for students residing in hostels |
| Examination fees | Covers costs associated with university or college examinations |
| Learning resources | Funds the purchase of textbooks, stationery, and other essential academic materials |
| Educational travel | Supports travel expenses for academic purposes such as conferences, workshops, or industry visits |
| Digital learning tools | Helps purchase laptops, tablets, or other digital devices required for academic use |
| Living expenses | Assists with essential living costs like food and lodging to reduce financial burden |
Internationally Acclaimed Scholarships: These prestigious awards are recognized globally, often funded by international organizations, foundations, or foreign governments, and are open to high-achieving students based on academic merit or leadership potential.
1. The Cadence Scholarship Program: The Cadence Scholarship Program was created and launched through a partnership between Cadence Design Systems Private Limited and Concern India Foundation. Its goal is to support talented students from underprivileged backgrounds by helping them stay engaged in education, ultimately improving their opportunities for a better livelihood.
Eligibility for The Cadence Scholarship Program:
| Criteria | Details |
| Eligible locations | Delhi NCR, Bangalore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad (Indian nationals only) |
| Course level | Undergraduate courses |
| Academic requirement | Passed Class 12 with minimum 60% overall score, current Class 12 students can apply based on previous records |
| Income criteria | Applicants must belong to a lower-income group |
Awards for The Cadence Scholarship Program:
| Key Area | Description |
| Financial assistance | Covers essential academic expenses such as tuition fees, exam fees, and other educational costs |
| Support for underprivileged | Provides aid to economically disadvantaged and underprivileged students |
| Empowerment of women in STEM | Encourages gender diversity by supporting women pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics |
| Inclusive access to education | Ensures opportunities for specially-abled and transgender students |
| Career development support | Reduces financial burden during undergraduate studies, enabling students to focus on career growth |
2. Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship, UK: Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), UK, in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India is offering the Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship 2025 for students willing to pursue full-time Master’s degree courses commencing from September/October 2025 at a UK University. The scholarship aims to enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development, thus supporting their academic journey.
Eligibility for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship:
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Citizenship status | Must be a citizen or permanent resident of India |
| Academic year availability | Must be available to begin academic studies in the UK by September 2025 |
| Financial need | Must be unable to afford studying in the UK without a scholarship |
| Educational qualification | Must hold either: A first degree with at least upper second class (2:1) honours, or- A second class degree (2:2) with a relevant postgraduate qualification by September 2025 |
Awards for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship:
| Benefit | Details |
| Full tuition fees | Complete coverage of tuition fees |
| Monthly stipend | Living allowance of up to GBP 1,652 per month |
| Round trip airfare | Cost of travel to and from the UK covered |
| Warm clothing allowance | Provided if applicable |
| Study travel grant | Financial support for academic-related travel |
| Child allowances | For widowed, divorced, or single parents:– GBP 576.61/month for the first child– GBP 143/month for second and third child under 16 years |
3. Rolls-Royce Unnati Scholarships for Women in STEM: The Rolls-Royce Unnati Scholarships for Women in STEM is an initiative by Rolls-Royce India to support and encourage female students pursuing STEM education in India. The scholarship aims to promote gender equity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by providing financial assistance to meritorious women from underprivileged backgrounds.
Eligibility for Rolls-Royce Unnati Scholarships for Women in STEM:
| Eligibility Criteria | Details |
| Eligible applicants | Female students currently pursuing engineering courses |
| Course enrollment | Must be enrolled in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of undergraduate engineering programs in fields such as Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or related STEM disciplines |
| Academic performance | Minimum of 60% marks in the previous academic year |
| Family income limit | Annual family income should be less than or equal to ₹4,00,000 |
| Residential eligibility | Open to applicants from across India |
| Exclusion criteria | Children of employees of Rolls-Royce India and Buddy4Study are not eligible to apply |
Award for Rolls-Royce Unnati Scholarships for Women in STEM:
| Course Type | Scholarship Amount |
| Undergraduate Engineering Courses (STEM) | ₹25,000 |
FAQs
What makes a student 'scholarship-ready' in India?
Being 'scholarship-ready' goes beyond academic excellence. While strong academic performance is crucial, most scholarships in India also evaluate a student’s financial background, leadership qualities, extracurricular involvement, and clarity of academic or career goals. Many private and government-funded programs also prioritize applicants from specific communities, regions, or disciplines. Preparing early, keeping documents updated, writing a compelling personal statement, and tracking deadlines are key to being a competitive applicant.
Can a student apply for multiple scholarships at once?
Yes, students can apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously, and doing so is often encouraged to increase chances of securing financial aid. However, many scholarships, especially government-funded ones, have a non-duplication clause, which prevents a student from receiving benefits from more than one major source at a time. In such cases, if selected for multiple scholarships, the student may be required to choose one. It’s important to read the terms and conditions of each scholarship carefully.
Are there scholarships available for students scoring below 80% marks?
Absolutely. While many merit-based scholarships require high academic scores, several need-based or community-focused scholarships are open to students scoring 55–70% as well. These programs prioritize financial hardship, marginalized backgrounds, or specific personal circumstances over pure academic performance.
Do scholarships in India cover only tuition fees, or other expenses too?
Many scholarships in India go beyond tuition support. Depending on the funding body, scholarships may also cover hostel fees, books and stationery, internet/data charges, travel allowances, and even one-time grants for laptops. For example, the AICTE Pragati and Saksham scholarships provide both tuition and incidental expenses. Some private scholarships also include mentorship, internships, and access to career-building platforms.
How do students track and manage scholarship deadlines across various platforms?
With hundreds of scholarships offered by government portals, private foundations, and international bodies, managing applications can be overwhelming. Students are encouraged to create a scholarship calendar and subscribe to official updates from portals like NSP (National Scholarship Portal). Some students also set reminders for key deadlines and keep scanned copies of documents ready to avoid last-minute delays.