Government Scholarships for JEE Main Students
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (CSSS)
Administered through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) by the Ministry of Education, Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (CSSS) aims to help students meet some of their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies through an annual scholarship amount of up to ₹20,000.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open for Indian nationals who have passed Class 12 from a recognised institution with a minimum score of 80% in their chosen stream i.e. Science, Commerce, or Humanities from a relevant Board of Examination (10+2 pattern or equivalent).
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate (UG) or postgraduate (PG) program in a professional field at a college/institution recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or other relevant regulatory bodies.
- Students must have an annual parental/family income of not more than ₹4,50,000.
Note: This scholarship is not applicable to students in distance education, correspondence, or diploma programs. Scholarship recipients who have taken transfer to a different college or university will remain eligible if their new program qualifies under the scholarship guidelines and their new institution has a valid All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) code.
Benefits: Eligible candidates receive annual scholarships in the following amounts:
| Level | Course Duration | Scholarship Amount (₹ per annum) |
| Graduation (1-3 years) | Regular Courses | 12,000 |
| Graduation (4-5 years) | Professional Courses (including Integrated Courses) | 20,000 |
| Graduation (Up to 3 year) | Technical Courses (B.Tech, B.Engg. etc.) | 12,000 |
| Postgraduation | All Courses | 20,000 |
Application Process: Eligible students can apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in at the beginning of the academic year.
INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
An initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India that aims to financially support meritorious students who are pursuing degrees in basic and natural sciences at the college and university level. The main motive is to encourage research careers in fundamental and applied science fields, including engineering, medicine, agriculture, and veterinary sciences, through various components.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be between 17 and 22 years old in age.
- Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in one of the following disciplines:
| Physics | Biology | Geophysics |
| Chemistry | Statistics | Geochemistry |
| Mathematics | Geology | Atmospheric Sciences |
| Astrophysics | Botany | Oceanic Sciences |
| Astronomy | Biochemistry | Anthropology |
| Electronics | Zoology | Microbiology |
Students must meet one of the following criteria:
- Score in the top 1% of their Class 12 examination.
- Secure a rank within the top 10,000 in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) of IIT, All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
- Be a scholar of the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE), Jagadish Bose National Science Talent Search (JBNSTS), or an International Olympiad medalist.
Students pursuing degrees in fields outside of this defined scope are ineligible for consideration. Similarly, this initiative does not extend to individuals undertaking their studies through open universities or distance learning programs. Finally, only applicants who have completed their Class 12 examinations in the current academic year will be considered eligible.
Application Process: Applications are invited on the official DST portal during the start of the academic year. Students meeting the eligibility criteria can apply from the portal.
AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls
AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls is an initiative by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with a primary objective to encourage and support meritorious female students to pursue technical education at the diploma and degree levels in AICTE-approved institutions. It recognizes that empowering women through technical education is crucial for their overall development and contribution to the nation.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open for female Indian nationals.
- The applicant has been admitted to the first year of a diploma or degree program at an AICTE-approved institution OR
- The applicant has been admitted to the second year of a diploma or degree program through lateral entry at an AICTE-approved institution for the respective year.
- The applicant’s family’s annual income is less than ₹8,00,000.
- Up to two female members from the applicant’s family are eligible for this scholarship.
Benefits: Selected students will receive an annual scholarship of ₹50,000 intended to cover expenses such as college fees, the purchase of computers, laptops, and software, stationery and books, as well as necessary equipment for their studies.
Note: Please note that this scholarship is limited to tuition fees, and does not include provisions for hostel, medical, or other supplementary expenses. In addition to the above-mentioned number of scholarships, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) will also award scholarships to all eligible females from the following 13 Union Territories and North Eastern States who submit an online application:
| Union Territories | North Eastern States |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Assam |
| Ladakh | Manipur |
| Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu | Meghalaya |
| Lakshadweep | Mizoram |
| Nagaland | |
| Sikkim | |
| Tripura |
Application Process: Eligible students can apply through AICTE’s official portal and NSP at the beginning of the academic year.
Also Read: Low Rank in JEE Main? Don’t Worry – Here’s How You Can Still Study Engineering with Scholarships
State Government Scholarships for JEE Main Students
- Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship, West Bengal
- PRERANA Post Matric Scholarship, Odisha
- Post-matric Scholarship for OBC/Minorities, Uttar Pradesh
- Suvarna Jubilee Merit Scholarship, Kerala
- Nagaland State Merit Scholarship
- Technical Education Scholarships for PG/Degree/Engineering Courses, Himachal Pradesh
- Post-matric Scholarship for Disabled, Maharashtra
- NEC Merit Scholarship for Students of NER
- Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Scholarship, Maharashtra
- Bihar Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana
Private Scholarships for JEE Main Students
- Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
- Aditya Birla Capital Scholarship for Professional Graduation
- Foundation for Excellence (FFE) Scholarship
- IET India Scholarship Award
- North South Foundation (NSF) Scholarship
- Bharti Airtel Scholarship Program
- Swami Dayanand Education Foundation Merit-cum-Means Scholarships
- Yashad-Sumedha Scholarship Programme
- Appinventiv ‘Edu Boost’ Scholarship Program
- Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship Program
- HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme
Documents Required to Apply for Scholarships for JEE Main Students
Before applying for any scholarship, JEE Main aspirants should keep the following documents readily available.
- Passport-sized photograph
- Identity Proof (any one):
- Aadhaar Card
- Passport
- Voter ID Card
- Driving License
- PAN Card
- Date of Birth Proof such as Class 10 certificate, birth certificate, etc.
- Address proof such as Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Electricity bill, etc.
- Class 10 and 12 Marksheet and Certificate
- JEE Main admit card
- JEE Main scorecard/Rank card
- Entrance exam scorecard (if applicable)
- Financial documents (for need-based or merit-cum-means scholarships)
- Family income certificate (issued by a competent authority)
- Parents’ PAN Card (if required)
- Parents’ Aadhar Card (if required)
- Bank account details (yours or parents as specified, with proof)
- Category Certificate (if applicable):
- Caste certificate
- EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) Certificate
- PwD (Person with Disability) Certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) or Essay (if required)
- Letters of Recommendation (if required)
- Extracurricular Activity Certificates (if applicable)
- Admission letter or College ID Card (if already admitted)
- Undertaking/Declaration form (usually part of the application)
Also Read: Top Scholarships for Women in Engineering – Girls from Class 12 Must Read This
Tips for JEE Main Students Applying for Scholarships
- Focus on Your JEE Main Score: Many engineering scholarships place significant weight on your JEE Main rank or percentile. A strong performance can pave your ways to various opportunities.
- Don’t Neglect Your Class 12 Performance: While your JEE Main results are important, some scholarships also consider Class 12 marks. It is important to maintain a strong academic record in the board exams, as some institutions may have minimum percentage requirements.
- Research Scholarship Criteria Early: Once you’ve set a target JEE Main score, begin your research for the scholarship criteria for the colleges you’re interested in. Navigate whether they have rank cutoffs, subject-specific requirements, or other conditions before applying for the scholarship.
- Check College Websites Regularly: After the JEE Main results are out, it is advisable to constantly check the official admission and financial assistance sections of the IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other engineering colleges you’re considering. Scholarship announcements are often posted there.
- Explore National Scholarship Portals: Websites like the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) list various government and private scholarships you might be eligible for based on your JEE Main rank and other relevant criteria.
- Check for Category-Specific Scholarships: If you belong to a specific category such as SC/ST/OBC/EWS, look out for scholarships designed for students from those backgrounds. Such scholarships often come with distinct eligibility criteria.
- Be Mindful of Application Timelines: Scholarship application deadlines may differ from college admission deadlines. Stay organized and ensure you submit your applications well in advance of the closing dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of scholarships are generally available for JEE Main qualified students at the start of the academic year?
JEE Main students can apply for merit-based scholarships based on rank or percentile, institute-specific awards from IITs/NITs, private scholarships, coaching institute incentives, and government schemes relevant to their score or background.
What are the typical eligibility criteria to apply for these scholarships?
Eligibility often includes a qualifying JEE Main rank/percentile, Class 12 performance, income certificate for need-based scholarships, and may be restricted by category (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) or gender.
How do I find and apply for these JEE Main scholarships at the beginning of the academic year?
Check college/university websites, scholarship portals like Buddy4Study, and coaching institute notices. Stay informed through educational news and official JEE Main announcements.
What documents are commonly required when applying for a JEE Main scholarship?
You’ll typically need your JEE Main scorecard, Class 12 marksheet, ID and address proof, income certificate, category certificate (if applicable), passport-size photo, bank details, and a completed application form.
Is there a specific timeline to apply for these scholarships at the start of the academic year?
Timelines vary, but many scholarships open around JEE Main result and college admission dates. Some are auto-awarded during admission, while others require separate applications with fixed deadlines.