Scholarships for EWS Students in India – The journey towards higher education often presents financial challenges that can hinder the academic aspirations of students from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of society. Recognising the importance of supporting talented students, the government, educational institutions, and private organisations offer several scholarships to students hailing from the economically weaker sections. The scholarships for EWS students in India aim to bridge the gap by providing financial assistance and make education more accessible to EWS students across India.
Scholarships for EWS students include financial support for tuition fees, books, accommodation, and other academic expenses, allowing students to focus on their studies without financial burden. This article explores the list of popular EWS scholarships, their eligibility criteria, application processes, and application deadlines.
Scholarships for EWS Students in India: Benefits
The scholarship opportunities become essential for bridging the gap between financial limitations and access to quality education. For students coming from the EWS backgrounds, scholarships not only help in reducing the financial burden but also help enhance the quality of life by enabling access to better educational resources. These scholarships serve the following objectives:
- Encouraging students to pursue higher education without the worry of tuition fees
- Reduction of dropout rates due to financial constraints
- Provisioning support for academic excellence and personal growth
- Improving social and economic mobility by fostering skills and knowledge
Scholarships for EWS Students in India: List of Scholarships
The government scholarships for Economically Weaker Section (EWS) students are vital for promoting accessible education, providing financial relief, and uplifting young talents from disadvantaged backgrounds. These scholarships enable students to pursue higher education without worrying about the tuition fees and other educational costs, offering them an equal opportunity to excel academically and professionally. Top government scholarships for EWS students in India, outlining eligibility, benefits, and their application processes are as follows:
1. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS): The National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) is a government initiative aimed at supporting economically weaker students in India by providing financial assistance to help them continue their education from Class 9 onwards till Class 12. Initiated by the Ministry of Education, this scholarship aims to reduce dropout rates at the secondary level by offering financial support to meritorious students from low-income backgrounds. The NMMS encourages students to complete their secondary and higher secondary education, preparing them for their future.
Eligibility Criteria: Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship:
- The NMMS scholarship is open to students currently pursuing their studies in Class 8 in schools run by the government and local bodies including government-aided schools.
- The applicant’s annual family income should not exceed ₹1,50,000 from all sources combined.
- Academic Performance:
- Students should have scored at least 55% marks in Class 7 (with a relaxation of 5% for SC/ST students).
- They must continue to meet the minimum required academic performance in Class 8 and subsequent classes to retain the scholarship.
Benefits: The NMMS provides a fixed amount of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) to selected students pursuing their studies in Class 9 to Class 12.
How to Apply: Students can apply for NMMS through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). A step-by-step guide follow hereafter:
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal and register as a new user, providing essential details like name, date of birth, and contact information.
- Fill in the required details in the profile section, which includes academic, bank, and personal details.
- Under the “Apply for Scholarship” section, choose the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship and complete the application form.
- Attach necessary documents, including income proof, academic records, and identification details.
- After thoroughly reviewing the information, submit the application and save the acknowledgement for future reference.
- Students can track their application status through the NSP portal.
2. PM CARES for Children Scholarship Scheme: The PM CARES for Children Scheme is a sub-scheme of the PM CARES Fund, designed to support children who have lost both parents to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry responsible for implementing this scheme in collaboration with states and union territories. The primary objective of this scheme is to ensure comprehensive care and protection for children who became orphans due to the impact of COVID-19. The scheme provides financial support, health insurance, education assistance, and other resources to help these children develop into healthy, educated, and capable individuals.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply for this scheme. This ensures that benefits are provided to children who have lost their families within India due to the pandemic.
- Children under the age of 18 who meet the eligibility criteria are eligible for benefits available under this scheme.
- Children who have lost both parents, a surviving parent, a legal guardian, adoptive parents, or a single adoptive parent due to COVID-19 since March 11, 2020 (Date of declaration of COVID-19 pandemic by WHO) are eligible for benefits under this scheme.
- Children must be residing in India at the time of application. This includes children who may have been temporarily relocated due to the loss of their parents or guardians but continue to live within the country.
Benefits: Under this scheme, the successful applicants will receive the following benefits:
- Financial Aid: A one-time grant of ₹10,00,000 for any purpose.
- Health Coverage: ₹5,00,000 health insurance for five years.
- Education Support:
- ₹20,000 annual scholarship until Class 12.
- Boarding and lodging assistance until age 18.
- Higher education support (scholarship or loan).
- Rehabilitation Services: Counseling, training, and placement assistance for special needs children.
How to Apply: The application process for the PM CARES for Children Scheme is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that children or their guardian(s) can easily receive the benefits.
- Registration: Create an account on the PM CARES for Children portal and fill the application form with accurate information and upload the required documents.
- Verification: Submitted applications are verified by district authorities to ensure eligibility.
- Approval and Disbursement: Once approved, the scheme provides benefits like lump sum amounts, monthly stipends, educational scholarships, and health insurance.
3. PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI): This scheme is being offered by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, which provides Post-Matric Scholarships to Economically Backward Category students. Additionally, starting 2024, the Department is implementing the following sub-schemes under PM-YASASVI to enhance the quality of education for students coming from Economically Backward Category:
- Top-Class School Scheme for OBC, EBC, and DNT Students: This scheme provides financial assistance to OBC, EBC, and DNT students in order to pursue their studies in top-tier schools selected by the Central Government. The assistance covers tuition fees and other related expenses, up to a maximum of ₹75,000 per year for students enrolled in Class 9 and 10, and ₹1,25,000 per year for students enrolled in Class 11 and 12. Selection of students is based on merit in the YASASVI Entrance Test (YET), conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
- Top Class College for OBC, EBC and DNT Students: This scheme provides financial assistance to OBC, EBC, and DNT students pursuing higher education in top institutions like IIMs, IITs, IIITs, AIIMS, NITs, NIFTs, NIDs, Indian Institutes of Hotel Management, National Law Universities, and other Central Government Institutions. This scheme covers tuition fees, living expenses, books, stationery, and a one-time allowance for purchasing a computer or laptop.
How to Apply:
- Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal.
- Create an account on the NSP portal and provide the personal and academic details.
- Complete the online application form for the PM-YASASVI scholarship, providing accurate information about the course, institution, and financial details.
- Upload scanned copies of necessary documents like income certificate, caste certificate, academic certificates, and Aadhaar card.
- Review the application carefully and submit it before the deadline.
4. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students: It is a merit-cum-means scholarship scheme offered by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. This scheme aims to financially assist meritorious students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of society to pursue their higher education in India. The scholarship is disbursed directly into the bank account of the selected students through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. The scheme is renewed every year subject to the student’s continued good academic performance. Those students pursuing professional courses such as engineering, medicine, law, etc., are also eligible for the scholarship.
Benefits: The selected applicants will receive the benefits as follows:
| Course Level | Duration | Annual Scholarship Amount (₹) |
| Undergraduation | 3 years | ₹12,000 |
| Postgraduation | 2 years | ₹20,000 |
| 5-Year Integrated Programs (Law, Medicine, etc.) | 4-5 years | ₹20,000 |
| 4-Year Technical Programs (B.Tech, B.Engg.) | 1-3 years | ₹12,000 |
| 4-Year Technical Programs (B.Tech, B.Engg.) | 4 years | ₹20,000 |
How to Apply:
- Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal.
- Create an account on the NSP portal and provide the personal and academic details.
- Complete the online application form for the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students, providing accurate information about the course, institution, and financial details.
- Upload scanned copies of necessary documents like income certificates, caste certificates, academic certificates, and Aadhaar card.
- Review the application carefully and submit it before the deadline.
5. Post-Matric Scholarship for EBC Students (Economic Backward Classes): This opportunity provides financial support to economically backward class students who are pursuing post-secondary education. Eligible students must have a family income below ₹1 lakh per annum and they should be enrolled in recognised institutions at the intermediate, diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate level in order to become eligible for this scholarship scheme.
Benefits: Financial support under this scheme includes a maintenance allowance, reader charges for blind students, reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees, study tour charges/thesis typing/printing charges, and a book allowance for students pursuing correspondence courses.
How to Apply:
- Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal.
- Create an account on the NSP portal and provide the personal and academic details.
- Complete the online application form for the Post-Matric Scholarship for EBC Students (Economic Backward Class), providing accurate information about the course, institution, and financial details.
- Upload scanned copies of necessary documents like income certificates, caste certificates, academic certificates, and Aadhaar card.
- Review the application carefully and submit it before the deadline.
Also Read: Free Coaching Scheme for SC and OBC Students – Ensuring Good Quality Education for Competitive Exams
Scholarships for EWS Students in India: Required Documents
While specific requirements may vary depending on the scholarship and institution, the common documents required in order to apply for scholarships meant for students from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) are as under:
- Aadhaar Card
- PAN Card
- Voter ID Card
- Passport (if applicable)
- Income Tax Returns (ITR) of the previous year (if applicable)
- Salary slips of the family’s earning members
- Bank statement
- Income certificate issued by a competent authority
- Marksheets of previous examinations (Class 10, 12, etc.)
- Degree certificates
- Admission confirmation letter from the current institution
- A certificate issued by a designated authority, such as a Tehsildar or a Revenue Officer, confirming the family’s annual income.
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Domicile certificate (if applicable)
Also Read: ST Scholarships – Meaningful Opportunities for Students from Scheduled Tribe (ST) Communities
Top Scholarships for EWS Students in India: FAQs
What is the EWS scholarship?
The EWS scholarships are financial aid programs designed to support students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) of Indian society. These scholarships help cover educational expenses for eligible students, enabling them to pursue higher education without facing financial constraints.
Who qualifies for an EWS scholarship?
Generally, the students coming from families with an annual income below a specified threshold are eligible. Additionally, the applicants may be required to present an EWS certificate to confirm their eligibility.
What are the top scholarships available for EWS students in India?
Some of the notable scholarships offered by the central and state governments, as well as private organisations include the following:
- Dr. Ambedkar Medhavi Chhattar Sansodhit Yojna
- Vidyadhan Scholarship
- EWS-specific Scholarships
What are the documents required in order to apply for the EWS Scholarship?
The required documents for EWS scholarship application include the following:
- EWS certificate issued by the competent authority
- Income certificate issued by a government authority
- Copies of recent marksheets or transcripts to confirm academic performance
- Identity proof such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, or passport for identification
- Domicile certificate
- Bank account details
- Passport-size photographs
Can the EWS students apply for multiple scholarships?
Yes, the EWS students can apply for multiple scholarships if they meet the eligibility criteria. However, it’s crucial to review the terms and conditions of each scholarship programme carefully. Some of the opportunities may have restrictions on receiving multiple awards simultaneously. Additionally, some of the scholarships may require applicants to disclose any other financial aid received, which could potentially impact the eligibility or the amount of financial support. It’s advisable to thoroughly review the terms before applying.
How do I apply for the EWS scholarship?
The applicants usually need to submit applications online on the official portals like the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or state-specific scholarship portals in order to apply for an EWS scholarship. Some of the private organisations have their own application platform. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility criteria, fill in the application forms, and upload necessary documents such as income certificates, EWS certificates, and academic records. Following the instructions carefully and adhering to deadlines are crucial steps for a successful application.
Are there scholarships meant for the EWS students pursuing studies abroad?
Yes, while most EWS scholarships are designed for pursuing studies within India, there are some of the private foundations that offer scholarships for international studies based on both need and merit. These scholarships often have additional eligibility criteria, such as a minimum academic score or confirmed enrollment into a recognised foreign institution.
What is the selection process for EWS scholarships?
The selection process for EWS scholarships typically involves several key steps:
- Evaluation of Academic Records: Academic performance of the applicants is reviewed to assess their eligibility and potential for success in their studies.
- Financial Need Assessment: Financial documentation, such as income certificates, is analysed to determine the financial situation of the applicants and need for assistance.
- Interviews or Tests: Some of the scholarships may require applicants to participate in an interview or pass a test to further evaluate their suitability for the scholarship.
- Shortlisting: Based on the criteria mentioned above, the applicants are shortlisted and selected finally on the basis of specific guidelines of scholarship programmes.
Is there a deadline applicable for EWS Scholarships?
Yes, most of the EWS scholarships have an annual application deadline. It’s crucial for applicants to visit the official website or portal for exact dates, as deadlines can vary significantly.
How can I check the status of my EWS scholarship application?
Most of the online scholarship portals, such as the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), offer a feature to track the status of your application. Applicants can log in to their accounts and navigate to the “Application Status” section, where they can view updates on the progress of their application, including whether it has been approved, is under review, or requires additional information. It’s advisable to regularly visit this section for latest notifications or updates.