Scholarships for General Category Students: The scholarship ecosystem in India, more often than not, is solely based on merit and academic performance (CGPA) without income restrictions applicable to the general category students. This can get challenging especially because of a vast number of scholarship programmes targeting specific categories (SC/ST/OBC/Minority/Financial Aid) and availability of limited options open to all categories. Every year, the governments both at the center and states and their institutions, including private academic institutions offer various scholarships to General category students. These scholarships provide fee concessions, full-fee refunds, and educational benefits.
The scholarship for General category students aims to support those with academic merit, financial need, or specific skills and interests creating a level playing field. This article attempts to provide a list of relevant opportunities available to General category students in India, including their provider, application deadline, eligibility criteria, benefits, including their application link.
Scholarships for General Category Students in India: An Overview
| Type of Scholarship | Scholarship for the General Category |
| Academic Year | 2024-25 |
| Eligibility | General category students |
| Awards | Up to ₹50,000 annually |
| Application Mode | Online |
Scholarships for General Category Students in India: Available Scholarship Schemes
The list of scholarships meant for the General category students in India along with other relevant details are as under:
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students
The NSP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students provides financial assistance to meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds for pursuing their higher education.
Eligibility Criteria
- Indian nationals who have passed Class 12 with a minimum score of 80% marks.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in a UG, or PG program in a professional field in a college/institution recognised by the AICTE or other relevant regulatory bodies.
- The annual parental/family income must not exceed ₹4,50,000.
Awards
Up to ₹20,000 annually during the course duration
Application Link
Interested students can apply for the scholarship program on the National Scholarship Portal.
National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
The NSP National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme 2024 is an initiative of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Government of India for students enrolled in Class 9 in government, government-aided, and local body schools.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is open to Indian nationals enrolled in Class 9 in a government, government-aided or local body school.
- Applicants must have secured at least 60% of marks or equivalent grades in Class 8.
- The annual family income must be less than ₹3,50,000 from all sources combined.
Awards
The selected scholars will receive scholarship benefits of ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month).
Application Link
The applicants can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for Railway Protection Force (RPF)
The Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for Railway Protection Force (RPF) 2024-25 offers financial assistance to the wards of ex-serving and serving Railway Protection Force (RPF) or Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel, below the rank of gazetted officer.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be dependent wards (children) or widows of ex-serving and serving Railway Protection Force (RPF)/Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) personnel below the rank of gazetted officer.
- Students must have taken regular admission in the academic year 2023-24 and he or she should have applied for the PMSS in the same academic year.
- Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in their Minimum Entry Qualification (MEQ) such as Class 12, diploma, or graduation.
- Students should be enrolled in professional degree courses (B.E., B.Tech, BDS, MBBS, B.Ed., LLB, BCA, MCA, B.Pharma, etc.) recognised by the relevant government regulatory bodies like AICTE, MCI, UGC, or NCTE.
Awards
The selected applicants will receive a monthly scholarship of ₹3,000 meant for the female students and ₹2,500 for male applicants.
Application Link
The applicants can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
AICTE – Swanath Scholarship Scheme (Technical Diploma/Degree)
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) offers scholarships to students enrolled in technical diploma or degree courses in Indian institutions recognised by AICTE.
Eligibility Criteria
- This opportunity is open to Indian nationals.
- Applicants must be a ward impacted by COVID-19 i.e., having lost one or both of their parents due to COVID-19) or a ward of Armed Forces and Central Paramilitary Forces personnel martyred in action (Shaheed).
- Students should be enrolled in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of a full-time degree or diploma program at an AICTE-approved institution.
- The annual family income must be less than ₹8,00,000 per annum.
Awards
The selected candidates will receive a lump sum amount of ₹50,000 per year.
Application Link
The applicants can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
AICTE – Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students (Technical Diploma/Degree)
Offered by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), this scholarship scheme is specifically designed for female students pursuing technical courses. The scholarship amount varies depending on the course and the student’s annual family income.
Eligibility Criteria
- This opportunity is open to female Indian nationals.
- Students must be admitted in the first year of a diploma or degree program at an AICTE-approved institution or those enrolled in the second year of a diploma or degree program through lateral entry at an AICTE-approved institution for the respective year.
- The family income must be less than ₹8,00,000 per annum.
Awards
The selected students will receive one-time scholarship of ₹50,000 per year for each year of their studies till the completion of the course.
Application Link
Interested students can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
AICTE – SAKSHAM SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR SPECIALLY-ABLED STUDENTS (DEGREE/DIPLOMA)
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) offers this scholarship to students who are faced with disabilities and pursuing studies in a degree/diploma program in the current-year in an AICTE-approved institution.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is open to Indian nationals belonging to a specially-abled category with a benchmark disability of not less than 40%.
- Applicants must be admitted in the first or second year (through lateral entry) of a degree/diploma program in AICTE-approved institutions.
- The family income must be less than ₹8,00,000 per annum.
Awards
The selected applicants will receive one-time scholarship of ₹50,000 per year for each year of their studies till the completion of course.
Application Link
Interested students can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
National Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies
The University Grants Commission (UGC) offers National Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies to students pursuing a PG degree course in India.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is open to Indian nationals enrolled in the first year of a postgraduate degree program in a recognised university/college/institution in India.
- Applicants must be below 30 years of age as on the admission date.
- The annual family income must be less than ₹2,50,000 from all sources combined.
Awards
The selected scholars will receive a monthly stipend of ₹15,000 for a maximum duration of 10 months per academic year for 2 years.
Application Link
Interested students can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
The INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) 2024 is an initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It aims to provide financial help to meritorious students willing to pursue studies and research in basic and natural sciences at the college and university level.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be between 17 and 22 years old and meet the eligibility criteria.
- They must be pursuing a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc./B.S.), or Integrated Master of Science (Int. M.Sc.)/Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree course in one of the specified subjects.
Awards
The scholarship amount under the SHE component is ₹5,000 per month with a mentorship grant of ₹20,000 per annum.
Application Link
Interested students can apply on the INSPIRE portal.
Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM – Pre-Matric Scholarship
The NSP Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Pre-Matric Scholarship is an initiative meant for the wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM workers who are pursuing their studies in Class 1 to 10. The scholarship is being offered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is open to students pursuing their studies in Class 1-10 in a government-recognised institution.
- Applicants must be a child of the workers in Beedi, Cine industries and IOMC, LSDM, or Mica mines with at least six months of service
(Note: This also includes contract/gharkhata or home-based workers).
- Students must have passed the last qualifying examination in their first attempt.
- The annual family income of the applicants/wards are as follows:
- For supervisory and managerial employees and workers in Beedi industry: Not exceeding ₹10,000 per month
- For cine workers: ₹8,000 per month
Awards
The selected students will receive financial assistance of up to ₹2,000 per annum.
Application Link
Interested students can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM – Post-Matric Scholarship
The Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Pre-Matric Scholarship is an opportunity provided by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India. It seeks to provide financial help to students pursuing their studies in Class 11 to postgraduate level to continue their education in any of the government institutions or universities.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is open to Indian nationals enrolled in a regular course of general or technical education in a government-recognised institution.
- Students must have passed the last qualifying examination in their first attempt.
- Applicants must be a child of a Beedi, Iron Ore, Manganese, Chrome Ore, Limestone, or Dolomite Mines worker, or a Cine worker with at least six months of service rendered.
- The annual family income of the applicants/wards are as follows:
- ₹1,20,000 per annum for supervisory and managerial employees and Beedi industry workers
- ₹96,000 per annum for workers in cinema industry
Awards
The selected candidates will receive financial assistance up to ₹25,000 per annum.
Application Link
Interested applicants can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles
The Ministry of Home Affairs offers the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles to provide financial assistance to wards of CAPFs & AR personnel for pursuing higher education.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be a ward (dependent child) of CAPFs & AR personnel (serving, retired, or deceased) who died in harness/election duty or due to service-related causes. It also includes those who are disabled due to service-related causes and ex-personnel with gallantry awards and the ward/widow of retired or serving CAPFs & AR personnel below officer rank.
- Applicants must be pursuing a first professional degree in an institution recognised by a government regulatory body (e.g., AICTE, MCI, UGC).
- Candidates must fulfill all the eligibility criteria.
Awards
The scholarship provides financial assistance of ₹3,000 per month for female and ₹2,500 per month for male students.
Application Link
Interested students can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India provides financial assistance to students faced with disabilities and pursuing their studies at pre-matric to post-matric levels, ensuring access to quality education.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is open to Indian nationals faced with disability of 40% or more, as defined in the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016
- Applicants must be pursuing graduation/postgraduation/diploma courses in a recognised institution/university, notified by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
- The annual family income should not be more than ₹8,00,000.
Awards
The selected students will receive a maintenance allowance up to ₹3,000 and a special allowance of ₹2,000 & other benefits.
Application Link
Interested students can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
The Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2024-25 is an initiative of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India to support students who are faced with disabilities but pursuing their higher education from Class 11 onwards.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is open to Indian nationals pursuing studies in Class 11 to postgraduate level in a school/university recognised by the University Grant Commission (UGC)/All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE).
- Applicants faced with disability of at least 40% as defined in ‘Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 are eligible.
- The annual family income must be less than ₹2,50,000.
Awards
The selected candidates will receive a monthly maintenance allowance of up to ₹1,600 and a disability allowance of ₹4,000 including other benefits.
Application Link
Interested students can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities is an initiative of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India to support students who are faced with disabilities but pursuing their studies in Class 9 or 10 in a recognised school.
Eligibility Criteria
- This is open to Indian nationals who are pursuing their studies in Class 9 or 10 in a school recognised by the Government or Central/State Board of Secondary Education (CBSE/SBSE).
- Applicants faced with disability of at least 40% or more as defined in Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 are eligible.
- The annual family income must be less than ₹2,50,000 from all sources.
Awards
The selected candidates will receive a monthly maintenance allowance of up to ₹1,000 and a disability allowance of up to ₹4,000 including a book grant.
Application Link
Interested students can apply on the National Scholarship Portal.
Scholarships for General Category Students in India: Application Timeline
| Scholarship Name | Last Date of Application |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students | 15 November, 2024 |
| National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship | 15 November, 2024 |
| Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for Railway Protection Force (RPF) | 15 November, 2024 |
| AICTE – Swanath Scholarship Scheme (Degree/Diploma) 2024-25 | 15 November, 2024 |
| AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls 2024-25 | 15 November, 2024 |
| AICTE-Saksham Scholarship Scheme 2024-25 | 15 November, 2024 |
| National Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies | 15 November, 2024 |
| INSPIRE-Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) | 15 November, 2024 |
| Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM – Pre-Matric Scholarship | 15 November, 2024 |
| Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM – Post-Matric Scholarship | 15 November, 2024 |
| Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles | 15 November, 2024 |
| Scholarship for Top-Class Education for Students with Disabilities | 15 November, 2024 |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | 15 November, 2024 |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | 15 November, 2024 |
Scholarships for General Category Students in India: University and College Scholarships
Last but not least there are several universities and colleges that offer merit-based scholarships for their own students. Interested applicants must visit the official websites of their colleges and universities for scholarship opportunities specifically meant for general category students. Some private universities offer merit-based scholarships irrespective of any other categories and eligibility criteria. Research universities with renowned academic programs and scholarships offer opportunities to deserving students and this equally applies to students hailing from the General category.
Scholarships for General Category Students in India: FAQs
What is the primary basis of offering scholarships to General category students in India?
Most of the scholarships are merit-based or a combination of merit and financial need. However, there are few scholarships that also include income limits in the form of eligibility criteria.
Why is the scholarship ecosystem in India very competitive for the General category students?
Most of the scholarships in India focus on specific categories like SC/ST/OBC or income-based criteria, which limits the multiplicity of options available for General category students without income restrictions. This makes it challenging to find scholarships open to all students based on merit alone.
What is the primary eligibility criterion for scholarships offered to General category students?
Scholarship schemes meant for General category students are generally aimed at those with high academic merit, specific skills, or financial need. This ensures a level playing field where students can receive support based on talent and circumstances and not just the financial background.
Who offers scholarships for General category students in India?
Scholarships for General category students are offered by both the central and state governments as well as private institutions. These scholarships often include fee concessions and refunds, making higher education more accessible to these students.
Where should students check for scholarships specific to their college or university?
Many universities and colleges offer merit-based scholarships specifically for their enrolled students. Therefore, interested applicants should regularly visit their institution’s official website to stay informed about scholarship opportunities tailored for them.
What are the benefits of these scholarships meant for students from the General category?
The financial assistance ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 per year, depending on the scholarship scheme. Some of these scholarships offer additional grants to the students.
Do these scholarships cover postgraduate studies?
Yes, there are several scholarships that target students pursuing postgraduate studies. These include the following:
- National Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies
- Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
- Scholarship for Top-Class Education for Students with Disabilities
I am a dependent ward of a worker in the Beedi industry, which scholarship scheme can help me pursue my pre-matric studies?
Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM – Pre-Matric Scholarship is the most suitable scholarship scheme for the dependent/ward or children of a worker in the Beedi industry.