List of Top Merit Scholarships in India
- INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
- Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM)
- Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students
- National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
- NEC Merit Scholarship
Merit Scholarships in India: Eligibility Criteria
Each Merit scholarship in India follows its own set of eligibility criteria, primarily based on a student’s academic performance, course level, and the guidelines laid down by the respective central or state authority offering the scholarship.
INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
- Students must be among the top 1% performers in Class 12 board examinations (state/central boards)
- OR rank within top 10,000 in recognised national-level exams such as JEE Advanced, JEE Main, NEET, IISER Aptitude Test, etc
- Age should be between 17 and 22 years at the time of application
- Must be enrolled in BSc, BS, Integrated MSc/MS courses in basic or natural sciences
- Admission should be in a recognised Indian university or institution
- The scholarship is strictly merit-based; no income criteria is applicable
SVMCM
1. Must have secured minimum qualifying marks in the last examination:
- ≥60% in Class 10 for higher secondary level
- ≥60% in Class 12 for undergraduate courses
- ≥53% in graduation for postgraduate courses (≥55% for engineering)
2. Should be enrolled in a regular full-time course (UG/PG/Professional)
3. Course must be pursued in a recognised institution under the appropriate regulatory body
4. Distance, correspondence or part-time courses are not eligible
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students
- Must score above the 80th percentile in Class 12 from a recognised board
- Should be enrolled in a regular undergraduate or postgraduate degree course
- Course must be pursued in a recognised college/university with a valid AISHE code
- Distance, correspondence, and diploma courses are not eligible
- Must secure at least 50% marks in the annual examination for scholarship renewal
- Minimum 75% attendance is mandatory for continuation of the scholarship
National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
1. Must have secured at least 60% marks in Class 8 to qualify the NMMS examination
2. Should obtain minimum 60% marks in Class 10 for continuation of the scholarship
- 5% relaxation applicable for SC/ST students
3. Student must get clear promotion in the first attempt from:
- Class 9 to Class 10
- Class 11 to Class 12
4. Scholarship is awarded purely on merit through a national-level examination
NEC Merit Scholarship
1. Applicant must be a permanent resident of a North Eastern state (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura)
2. Must be admitted to a regular diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, M.Phil. or PhD course
3. Course must be pursued in a government-recognised institution or university
4. Must have secured minimum 60% aggregate marks in the qualifying examination:
- Diploma: HSLC / HSSLC or equivalent
- Degree: HSSLC / Senior Secondary
- Postgraduate: Bachelor’s degree
- M.Phil/PhD: Postgraduate degree
5. Scholarship is applicable from the year of course commencement only (subsequent years are renewals)
6. Integrated course students are eligible for the full course duration as per norms
7. Scholarship duration:
- MPhil: up to 2 years
- PhD: up to 3 years
8. Selection is primarily merit-based, subject to fulfilment of prescribed academic standards
Also Read: National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2025 – Last Date, Login & Eligibility
Merit Scholarships in India: Benefits and Rewards
| Scholarship Name | Benefits |
| INSPIRE Scholarship For Higher Education (SHE) | ₹80,000 per year |
| SVMCM Scholarship | ₹1,000-₹8,000 (Depending on the course and level of study) |
| Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarships For College And University Students | UG: ₹12,000 per annum for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year
PG: ₹20,000 per annum Integrated / Five-Year Professional Courses: ₹20,000 per annum in the 4th and 5th year Technical courses (BTech/BE): ₹12,000 per annum for the first three years and ₹20,000 in the 4th year only |
| National Means Cum Merit Scholarship | ₹12,000 per annum |
| NEC Merit Scholarship | Diploma: ₹20,000 per year
Degree: ₹22,000 per year Postgraduate: ₹25,000 per year M.Phil/PhD: ₹30,000 per year |
Also Read: AICTE Scholarships 2025 – Dates, Eligibility and Application Process
Documents Required for Merit Scholarships in India
- Previous qualifying examination marksheets (Class 10 / 12 / graduation, as applicable)
- Proof of admission / Bonafide certificate from the institute or university
- Aadhaar card
- Bank account details (Student’s name, linked with Aadhaar)
- Income certificate (where applicable, as per scheme guidelines)
- Caste / category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS, if applicable)
- Domicile / residence certificate (for state or region-specific scholarships)
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Institution verification or enrollment certificate
Also Read: Central Sector Scholarship 2025 – For College and University Students
FAQs
What are merit scholarships in India?
Merit scholarships are financial aid schemes awarded to students based on academic excellence, talent, or performance in competitive examinations, irrespective of financial background.
Are merit scholarships in India only offered by the government?
No, merit scholarships are offered by government bodies, universities, private institutions, corporate organisations and non-profit foundations across India.
Can a student apply for more than one merit scholarship in India?
Generally, students cannot avail multiple scholarships simultaneously, especially government-funded ones, unless the scheme guidelines explicitly permit it.
Do merit scholarships in India require an income certificate?
Pure merit-based scholarships usually do not require income proof, while some merit-cum-need schemes mandate submission of an income certificate.
Are distance or online courses eligible for merit scholarships in India?
Most merit scholarships are applicable only to regular full-time courses; distance, correspondence, or part-time courses are usually not eligible.
How are merit scholarships in India renewed every year?
Renewal depends on maintaining minimum academic performance, required attendance, and meeting the continuation criteria specified by the scholarship authority.
Where can students apply for government merit scholarships in India?
Most central and state government merit scholarships are applied for through the National Scholarship Portal or respective official state scholarship websites.