Need-Based Scholarships after 12th in India: A Certain Financial Aid for Your Education

Need-Based Scholarships after 12th in India: Need-based scholarships offer a definite financial support mainly to those students who are faced with limited financial resources. Unlike merit-based aid, these scholarships primarily focus on a student’s financial need rather than merit criteria exclusively. Their primary purpose is to ensure that financial constraints don’t prevent deserving students from accessing high quality educational opportunities. These scholarships help improve the efficiency of an education system and the students  in the following ways:

1. Promote equity and diversity – By addressing socioeconomic disparities, need-based scholarships aim to create a level playing field, offering talented students from all backgrounds the same educational opportunities. This is especially crucial for underrepresented groups, as it alleviates racial, ethnic, and economic inequalities in education.

2. Reduce financial burden on students – Skyrocketing educational expenses create a significant financial burden for many families. Need-based scholarships ease this by helping with the tuition fee, costs incurred on housing, books, and living. As a result, students can concentrate more on his studies.

3. Higher student retention and success rates – Students who receive such support are more likely to continue their education. The reduced financial stress motivates them to pursue higher education. 

Need-Based Scholarships after 12th in India: Central Government Scholarships 

Central government scholarships meant for the students after Class 12 offer support to deserving students for higher education. This helps students hailing from all backgrounds, especially those with fewer resources. The goal is to boost access to higher education and academic success nationwide, promoting social mobility. Some of these are listed below:

NSP Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

This scholarship provides financial assistance to students with benchmark disabilities (40% or above) pursuing post-secondary education (Class 11 onwards) in recognised institutions. It covers maintenance allowances, book grants, and disability-specific support to reduce financial barriers and promote inclusive education. Scholars can receive annual support of ₹2,00,000 under this scheme. 

NSP Financial Assistance for Education of the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Post-Matric 

Offered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, this scholarship aims to prevent children from working in hazardous industries. This scheme extends financial aid for education of children of workers in the Beedi, Cine, Iron Ore Mines, Manganese Ore & Chrome Ore Mines, Limestone & Dolomite Mines, or Mica Mines sectors from Class 11 to post-graduation. Selected candidates can receive an annual scholarship of up to ₹25,000.

NSP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students

This scheme is administered through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) by the Ministry of Education. It helps students from lower income families meet their day to day expenses while pursuing higher education. Scholars will receive an annual award of up to ₹20,000.

Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship For Single Girl Child

Offered by the University Grants Commission, this scholarship offers ₹ 36,200 annually for the entire PG course duration to single girl children admitted in the first year of postgraduate studies in any of the recognised universities or colleges in India.

Need-Based Scholarships after 12th in India: State-Aided Scholarships

Governments of various states in India extend financial support to students pursuing higher education. By reducing the economic burden, these scholarships promote educational access and equity within the state. Here is a comprehensive list of state-specific scholarships for the benefit of students:

State	Scholarships
Goa	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC students, Goa
	Centrally Sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students, Goa
Telangana	Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC/ST/BC/Disabled Category, Telangana
Maharashtra	Post-Matric Scholarship to VJNT Students, Maharashtra
	Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Government of India, Maharashtra
	Post-Matric Scholarship for Persons with Disability, Maharashtra
	Post-Matric Tuition Fee and Examination Fee (Freeship), Maharashtra
	Government of India Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Maharashtra
	Post Matric Scholarship to OBC Students, Maharashtra
	Post Matric Scholarship to SBC Students, Maharashtra
Chandigarh	PM Yasasvi Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC, EBC and DNT Students, Chandigarh
	Centrally Sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Chandigarh
	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Chandigarh
West Bengal	Post-Matric Scholarship, West Bengal
Odisha	Post-Matric Scholarship for ST, SC and MBC Students, Odisha
Andaman and Nicobar	Centrally Sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students, Andaman and Nicobar
	PM Yasasvi Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Andaman and Nicobar
	Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship for EBC Students, Andaman and Nicobar
Tripura	Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Tripura
	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Tripura
Manipur	Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students, Manipur
	PM Yasasvi Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Manipur
	Centrally Sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Manipur
Himachal Pradesh	Centrally Sponsored Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students, Himachal Pradesh
	PM YASASVI Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC/EBC/DNT Students – Himachal Pradesh
	Indira Gandhi Utkrisht Chatravriti Yojana, Himachal Pradesh
Assam	Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students, Assam
	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Assam
	Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Assam
Tripura	Dr Ambedkar Post-Matric Scholarship for Economically Backward Classes (EBC), Tripura
	Umbrella Scheme Post-Matric Scholarships for ST Students, Tripura
Meghalaya	Umbrella Scheme Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students, Meghalaya
	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Meghalaya
Arunachal Pradesh	Umbrella Scheme for Education of ST Children Post-Matric Scholarship, Arunachal Pradesh
Sikkim	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Sikkim
	PM Yasasvi Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC, and DNT Students, Sikkim
Uttar Pradesh	Post-Matric Intermediate Scholarship for Minorities, Uttar Pradesh
	Post-Matric Other State Scholarship for ST, SC, General Category, Uttar Pradesh
	Post-Matric Intermediate Scholarship for SC, ST & General Category, Uttar Pradesh
	Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities (Other Than Intermediate), Uttar Pradesh
	Post-Matric Intermediate Scholarship for OBC Students, Uttar Pradesh
Jammu and Kashmir	Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for ST Students, Jammu and Kashmir
	Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Jammu and Kashmir
Haryana	Post-Matric Scholarship for BC, EWS, and DNT Students, Haryana
	Post-Matric Scholarship to Lower Income Group Students, Haryana
	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Haryana
Uttarakhand	Post-Matric Scholarship for EBC Students, Uttarakhand
	Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students, Uttarakhand
	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Uttarakhand
	Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Uttarakhand
Delhi	Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, Delhi
	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, Delhi
Puducherry	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students – Puducherry
	Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students – Puducherry
	Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students – Puducherry
Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu	Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students – DNHDD
	Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students – DNHDD
	PM Yasasvi Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC Students-DNHDD

Need-based scholarships have a profound long-term impact. They are vital for making higher education fair and accessible. Individuals who benefit from it pave their way to a brighter future and often give back by mentoring and supporting students in real need. These scholarships not only reduce financial barriers, promote diversity, increase student success but also create a lasting beneficial impact for individuals and society as a whole.

Need-Based Scholarships after 12th in India: FAQs

What is a need-based scholarship?

A need-based scholarship provides financial aid to students with limited economic resources, focusing on financial need rather than academic performance.

What is the primary focus of need-based scholarships and how do they differ from merit-based scholarships?

Need-based scholarships prioritize a student’s financial background, aiming to eliminate economic barriers to education, unlike merit-based scholarships that reward academic excellence.

What is the Post Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child?

This UGC scholarship provides ₹36,200 annually throughout the PG course for single girl children admitted to the first year of any postgraduate program in a recognised institution.

What are the benefits of the NSP Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities?

Selected students receive up to ₹2,00,000 annually to support educational expenses.

What is the NSP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students?

This Ministry of Education scheme provides up to ₹20,000 annually to help low-income students cover their daily educational expenses while in college or university.

How do need-based scholarships promote equity and diversity in education?

They reduce socioeconomic inequalities by enabling students from underrepresented and disadvantaged communities to access quality education and thrive academically.

Name two need-based scholarships offered by the central government to students after Class 12.

1) NSP Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities – Up to ₹2,00,000 annually; 2) NSP Financial Assistance for Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Up to ₹25,000 annually.

What financial support does the Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child provide, and who is eligible?

It provides ₹36,200 per year for single girl children enrolled in the first year of a PG course in any recognised Indian university or college.

What is the major underlying objective of need-based scholarships?

To promote social equity by ensuring students from low-income or disadvantaged backgrounds can pursue and complete their education without financial constraints.