Securing a scholarship after class 10 or 12 can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education. For the academic year 2026–27, numerous scholarships are available for Indian students across government, private and institutional categories. Programs such as the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS), PM YASASVI Scheme and INSPIRE SHE offer financial aid ranging from ₹12,000 to over ₹80,000 annually.
These scholarships support students from economically weaker sections, SC/ST communities, girls in STEM and differently-abled individuals. Below mentioned are the top scholarships for Class 10 & 12 passed students, along with eligibility criteria, benefits, and application details.
Importance of Scholarships for Class 10 & 12 Passed Students
Purpose of Scholarships
| Financial Support | They ease the financial burden by covering tuition fees, study materials, and other academic expenses |
| Promoting Merit and Equity | Scholarships reward academic achievement and encourage students to pursue higher education, irrespective of their financial background |
| Encouraging Gender Equality | Many scholarships specifically target female students, particularly in fields where women are underrepresented, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) |
| Expanding Opportunities | They open doors for students from diverse backgrounds, offering access to quality education that might otherwise be unaffordable |
As a result, scholarships become a critical enabler for talented students, helping them reach their academic and professional goals.
Types of Scholarships Available
Scholarships come in many forms, and students can find numerous opportunities based on their needs, academic performance, and area of interest. Here are some of the major types of scholarships available for Class 10 and 12 passed students:
Government Scholarships
Government scholarships are often the most popular, as they are widely available and typically offer substantial financial aid.
Private Scholarships
Private organizations and corporate foundations also offer a wide range of scholarships, often with specific goals such as promoting education in underrepresented fields or helping students from particular regions.
Institutional Scholarships
Educational institutions, both public and private, also offer scholarships to attract talented students and support their education. These scholarships can cover partial or full tuition fees. Some institutions also offer merit-based scholarships for students excelling in academics or extracurricular activities.
Top Scholarships for Class 10 & 12 Passed Students
Below is a list of prominent scholarships available for Class 10 & 12 passed students, along with their providers and basic details:
Scholarships for Class 10 & 12
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Application Deadline |
| Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship | Girl students studying in class 9-12 must belong to notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis) and total annual family income must not exceed ₹2,00,000. | December 2026 (Tentative) |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child | Central Board of Secondary Education | December 2026 (Tentative) |
| National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | Students studying in class 8 at a government, local body, or aided school, have passed class 7 with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST) and have a total annual family income under ₹3,50,000. | November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities | Students studying in Class 1 to Class 10 in government or private schools and belonging to minority communities (Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains); annual family income not exceeding ₹1,00,000. | November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | Be an Indian national
have a disability of 40% or more, as defined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 Be pursuing a graduation/postgraduation/diploma course in a recognised institution/university, notified* by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD); Have an annual family income of not more than ₹8,00,000. |
December 2026 (Tentative) |
| Financial Assistance for Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Pre-Matric | Student must study in class 1 to 10 in a government-recognised school; Applicant should be a child of Beedi, Cine, IOMC, LSDM, or Mica mine workers; Parent must have at least 6 months of service, including contract/home-based workers; Student must pass the previous exam in the first attempt; Family income should be below ₹10,000/month for mine and Beedi workers; Family income should be below ₹8,000/month for cine workers. | August 2026 (Tentative) |
| National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) | All students of class 10 studying in recognised schools are eligible for the Stage-I examination irrespective of their domicile. The students selected after Stage-I will be eligible for Stage-II examination. | October 2026 (Tentative) |
| Kind Circle Scholarship for Meritorious Students | Students from class 1 to postgraduate level enrolled in any Indian school or college; Annual family income below INR 6 lakh; At least 60% marks in the previous academic year | March 31, 2027 |
| Ujjwal Bhavishya Scholarship | The student must have passed class 10th from the recognized board whether State/ CBSE/ AICTE.
The student must qualify for the class 10th examination of the year 2026.
Family Incomes should not exceed 2 lakh per annum. He/she must have cleared Class 10th at the first attempt only. The age of the candidate must be less than 15 years. |
May 2027 (Tentative) |
| L’Oreal India For Young Women in Science Scholarships | Female students who passed Class 12 in science with 85%+ marks, family income \(\le \) ₹6,00,000, and pursuing undergraduate studies in STEM. | July 2026 (Tentative) |
| HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme | The students must be currently studying in Classes 1 to 12, or pursuing diploma, ITI, and polytechnic | December 2026 (Tentative) |
| JBNSTS Junior Scholarship Program | Must have passed Class 10 (Madhyamik/equivalent) in 2025
Minimum 75% marks or equivalent CGPA required Must be studying in Class 11 Science stream in 2025-26 Should have at least 3 subjects from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Statistics, or Computer Science Only West Bengal residents or students who passed Class 10 from West Bengal are eligible |
July 31, 2026 |
| NIER Foundation’s National Scholarship Exam (NSE) | Be studying in Class 5 to 12 (SSC/ICSE/CBSE board) OR
Be enrolled in a Diploma course (any stream and any year) OR Be enrolled in a Degree (any stream and any year) |
October 2026 (Tentative) |
| Combined Counselling Board Scholarship (CCB) | Students (10th/12th/Graduation passed) with 40%-55% marks in qualifying exams. | July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam International Mathematics Bright Student Award Scholarship | The applicants studying in class 4 to 10 are eligible to apply for the scholarship. | August 2026 (Tentative) |
| All India Scholarship Test Exam (AISTE) | Passed or appearing in Class 12 (from 2019–2026) from a recognized board, with a minimum of 50% marks. Applicants must be appearing in or preparing for engineering (JEE) or medical (NEET) entrance exams. | May 15, 2026 |
| Hindustan Times Scholarship Programme | Students studying in classes 5th to 10th in Mumbai
Students studying in classes 5th to 9th in Pune and Chandigarh Should have scored more than 60% in their last year’s final examination |
October 2026 (Tentative) |
| SOF Girl Child Scholarship Scheme (GCSS) |
|
December 31, 2026 |
| Aakash National Talent Hunt Junior Exam (ANTHE) | Indian national students enrolled in class 7 to 12 or passed class 12 | October 2026 (Tentative) |
| Medhavi National Scholarship Scheme |
|
December 2026 (Tentative) |
| National Science Concours (NSC) | A candidate must be studying in Class 6 to 12 under following three categories –
Class 6 and 7 – Pegasus Class 8 and 9 – Phoenix Class 10, 11 and 12 – Unicorn |
June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Vidyadhan Scholarship |
|
June 20, 2026 |
| Legrand Empowering Scholarship Program |
|
September 2026 (Tentative) |
| PM YASASVI Central Sector Scheme of Top-Class Education in Schools for OBC, EBC and DNT Students |
|
August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana Scholarship for ST/SC/OBC/SEBC/GENERAL/EBC Communities, Odisha | Wards of registered construction workers (active BOC card holders) studying in Class 6 to PG levels | July 31, 2026 |
| Unnati 2 – Towards a Better Future Scholarship |
|
August 2026 (Tentative) |
| NSP Sainik School Scholarship Scheme, Himachal Pradesh 2025-26 |
|
August 2026 (Tentative) |
| Muskaan Scholarship Program 2.0 |
|
September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Umbrella Scheme Pre-Matric ST Scholarship Class 9 and 10 |
|
September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Physics Wallah National Scholarship-cum-Admission Test (PWNSAT) 2026 |
|
May 25, 2026 |
| Nagaland State Merit Scholarship |
|
September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Dr. Ambedkar Medhavi Chhatravriti Yojana for SC Students, Himachal Pradesh |
|
October 2026 (Tentative) |
| Vahani Scholarship |
|
November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Assistance to Meritorious Students Scholarship, Junior Level |
|
March 2026 (Tentative) |
| Savitribai Phule Scholarship for SC Girl Students Studying in 5 to 10 |
|
March 2026 (Tentative) |
| Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship |
|
June 30, 2026 |
| INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) |
|
January 2027 (Tentative) |
| National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Scholarships | Applicant must be an Indian citizen; Minimum 50% marks or equivalent grade in the previous final examination. | July to October 2026 (Tentative) |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) |
|
December 2026 (Tentative) |
| Dr. Rajendra Prasad Scholarship Program 2026-27 |
|
June 28, 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships
The eligibility criteria for scholarships vary depending on the type of scholarship and the institution offering it. However, most scholarships have some common requirements:
- Academic Performance: Many scholarships require students to have a minimum percentage of marks in their Class 10 and 12 exams. For instance, some scholarships may require students to have at least 60% marks in Class 12 to be eligible.
- Family Income: Scholarships, particularly need-based ones, often have an income limit. This helps ensure that financial assistance is provided to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. For example, many scholarships are available only to students whose family income is below ₹6 lakh per annum.
- Course Enrollment: Scholarships are generally available only to students who have been admitted to an accredited institution in India or abroad. Some scholarships are specific to certain fields of study, such as engineering, medicine, or science.
- Gender and Community-Based Scholarships: Certain scholarships focus on promoting education for underprivileged groups, such as girls, students from backward classes (SC/ST), or students with disabilities.
Also Read: Types of Bonafide Certificate & Usage
Application Process
The application process for scholarships typically involves the following steps:
- Online Registration: Most scholarships require students to register online through their official website or a scholarship portal.
- Document Submission: Students are required to submit necessary documents, including their academic transcripts (Class 10 and 12 marksheets), income certificates, proof of admission, and personal identification documents like Aadhaar or passport.
- Personal Statement: Many scholarships require students to submit a personal statement or essay, explaining their educational goals, why they deserve the scholarship, and how it will benefit them.
- Interviews and Further Evaluation: Some scholarships may include an interview process to assess the student’s motivation, achievements, and potential.
- Final Selection: After reviewing applications, a committee or panel will select scholarship recipients based on the eligibility criteria and the strength of their application.
Benefits of Scholarships
Scholarships offer several advantages to students, including:
- Financial Support: Scholarships can cover tuition fees, living expenses, and the cost of books and materials, reducing the burden of student loans.
- Academic Growth: Scholarships often come with mentorship opportunities, helping students to excel academically and professionally.
- Career Opportunities: Scholarship recipients often have access to internships, industry exposure, and networking opportunities, improving their chances of securing high-paying jobs in the future.
- Recognition: Receiving a scholarship validates a student’s hard work and academic achievements, boosting their confidence and motivation.
Tips for Maximizing Scholarship Opportunities
To increase the chances of winning a scholarship, students should:
- Apply Early: Start researching scholarships early and make sure to apply well before the deadline.
- Keep Documents Ready: Ensure that all required documents are up-to-date and ready for submission.
- Write a Strong Personal Statement: Highlight achievements, future goals, and reasons for applying.
- Research Thoroughly: Look for scholarships that align with your academic strengths and future aspirations.
Additional Resources
- Buddy4Study: A platform that provides information on various scholarships and helps students in the application process.
- National Scholarship Portal (NSP): The official portal for applying to government scholarships in India.
Scholarships for Class 10 & 12 Passed Students – FAQs
What is the importance of scholarships for Class 10 and 12 passed students?
Scholarships provide financial support to students, enabling them to pursue higher education without the burden of student loans. They also promote academic excellence, encourage merit-based admissions, and help students from underprivileged backgrounds achieve their academic and career goals.
What types of scholarships for Class 10 and 12 passed students are available?
Scholarships are available in various forms: Government Scholarships (e.g., PM Narendra Modi Scholarship Scheme, NMMS), Private Scholarships (e.g., Reliance Foundation, Foundation for Excellence), and Institutional Scholarships offered by universities and colleges based on merit or need.
What are the general eligibility criteria for these scholarships for Class 10 and 12 passed students?
Eligibility typically includes a minimum percentage in Class 10 and 12 (usually 60% or more), a family income below ₹6 lakh per annum, enrollment in an undergraduate course, and in some cases, criteria based on gender, caste, or disability.
How can I apply for scholarships for Class 10 and 12 passed students?
Most scholarships require online applications through official websites or portals. The process generally includes registration, document submission (e.g., marksheets, income proof), and sometimes personal statements or interviews.
What are the common documents required for scholarship applications?
Typically required documents include Class 10 and 12 marksheets, income certificate, admission proof, Aadhaar or government ID, and bank account details for disbursement.
How do I know if I am eligible for a specific scholarship for Class 10 and 12 passed students?
Each scholarship has unique eligibility criteria. Check the official website for details. Most are based on academic merit, financial need, or target specific groups like girls or economically weaker sections.
What benefits do these scholarships provide?
Benefits may include tuition coverage, books and study materials, living expenses, mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to workshops and internships.
Are there any scholarships for Class 10 and 12 passed students specifically for female students?
Yes, programs like the AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls and Rolls-Royce Unnati STEM Scholarship are specifically for female students, especially in STEM fields.
What is the application deadline for these scholarships?
Deadlines vary. For example, PM Narendra Modi Scholarship closes by September, and Reliance Foundation Scholarships around August. Always refer to the official website for current dates.
How do I maximize my chances of winning a scholarship?
Apply early, ensure accuracy in documents, highlight achievements and extracurriculars, write a compelling personal essay, and apply to multiple scholarships.
What is the role of mentorship in scholarship programs?
Many scholarships offer mentorship programs for career guidance, industry exposure, and long-term academic support.
Are there any scholarships specifically for students with disabilities?
Yes. Scholarships like the AICTE Pragati Scheme and Dr. Moopen’s Legacy Scholarship offer financial and educational support to students with disabilities.
How long do the scholarships for Class 10 and 12 passed students last?
Most scholarships are renewable annually for the duration of the undergraduate program, provided the student maintains good academic standing.
Where can I find more information on scholarships for Class 10 and 12 passed students?
Websites like Buddy4Study, Scholarships.com, and government portals like scholarships.gov.in are great resources. Also check with your college or school for available options.