Scholarship For Medical Students – General Overview
| Providers | Government and Private organizations |
| Types of Scholarship | Grants and Stipends |
| Beneficiaries | Medical students pursuing MBBS, nursing, dental and other related courses |
| Scholarship category | Means and Merit based |
Scholarships For Medical Students – Important Dates
| Scholarship Name | Application Date |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students | June 2, 2025 – October 31, 2025 |
| Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities | June 25, 2025 – October 31, 2025 |
| Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme For NER | June 25, 2025 – October 31, 2025 |
| Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for Wards of States/UTs Police Personnel | June 2, 2025 – October 31, 2025 |
| Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards Of Beedi/Cine/Iomc/LSDM Workers | June 2, 2025 – October 30, 2025 |
| All India Pre-Medical Scholarship Test (AIPMST – Secondary) | October 1, 2025 – November 30, 2025 |
| Kotak Kanya Scholarship | June 2, 2025 – September 30, 2025 |
| Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships | October 4, 2025 |
| Parivartan ECSS Programme for Undergraduate Students | October 30, 2025 |
| Vivek Medical Students Scholarship Program | October 20, 2025 – November 30, 2025 |
| SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship | September 19, 2025 – November 15, 2025 |
Scholarships For Medical Students – List of Medical Scholarships
There is a diverse number of scholarships available for students from medical backgrounds, provided by both government and private organisations. Below is the list of top scholarships provided by both organisations:
Government Funded Scholarships:
1. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students: This scheme offers deserving students from low-income families the chance to receive financial aid for their higher study. This program, which is run by the Ministry of Education through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), attempts to assist students in covering part of their daily costs while they pursue higher education.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- They must have completed Class 12 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate score of 80% in the chosen stream (Science, Commerce, or Humanities) under the 10+2 pattern or its equivalent.
- They must be currently pursuing an undergraduate (UG) or postgraduate (PG) program in a professional discipline at a college/institution approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or any other relevant regulatory authority.
- Must belong to a family with an annual income not exceeding ₹4.5 lakh.
Awards:
- Graduation (1st, 2nd, 3rd year) in regular courses: ₹12,000
- Graduation (4th & 5th year) in professional courses (including Integrated Courses): ₹20,000
- Graduation (up to 3rd year) in technical courses (B.Tech, B.E., etc.): ₹12,000
- Postgraduation in any course: ₹20,000
2. Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities: The scheme provides full financial assistance for pursuing diploma, graduate and postgraduate in any discipline at premier institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and NITs, along with other institutions notified as Institutes of Excellence by the concerned Department or Ministry. Every year, 300 scholarships are awarded. To ensure inclusivity, 50% of Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities are reserved for female candidates.
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- They must have a benchmark disability of 40% or more (as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016) with a valid disability certificate.
- The scheme is only for graduate and postgraduate degree/diploma courses in Institutes of Excellence notified by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
- Annual family income should not exceed ₹8 lakh.
Awards:
- Reimbursement of admission and tuition fees: Up to ₹1.90 lakh per annum
- Miscellaneous allowances (library, sports, medical, and other compulsory fees): Up to ₹10,000 per annum
- Computer/laptop with accessories: ₹45,000 (one-time grant, in the first year)
- Aids and assistive devices: ₹30,000 (one-time grant, in the first year)
- Maintenance allowance: ₹3,000 per month (hostellers) / ₹1,500 per month (day scholars)
- Special allowances (reader, escort, helper, etc., depending on type of disability): ₹2,000 per month
- Book allowance: ₹5,000 per annum
3. Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme For NER: This is a scheme for students from the North Eastern region who are pursuing a general or professional degree after completing their Class 12 education. It is offered by the University Grants Commission (UGC), and a total of 10,000 scholarships are offered annually. Under this scheme, selected students receive a monthly scholarship amount until the completion of their course.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must be a domicile of one of the North-Eastern states, namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, or Tripura. A valid domicile certificate from the respective state is mandatory.
- The candidate’s annual family income from all sources should not exceed ₹4.5 lakh.
- Only students who passed Class 12 in the year immediately preceding the application are eligible to apply.
- The scholarship is open to students pursuing a recognised undergraduate (UG) degree program approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
- Only students enrolled in the first year of a UG degree program in India are eligible. Candidates already holding a UG degree are not eligible.
Awards:
- General degree courses: ₹5,400 per month (for 10 months every year), available till completion of the course
- Technical/Medical/Professional/Paramedical courses: ₹7,800 per month (for 10 months every year), available till completion of the course
Eligibility Criteria:
- Eligible only for dependent wards of Police personnel martyred during terror or naxal attacks.
- Must be pursuing the first professional degree in approved fields such as Engineering, Medicine, Dental, Veterinary, BBA, BCA, B.Pharma, B.Sc. (Nursing, Agriculture, etc.), MBA, MCA, and related courses.
- Academic requirements:
- New applicants: Minimum 60% marks in 10+2 / Diploma / Graduation (as applicable).
- Renewal applicants: Must pass each academic year with at least 50% marks.
Awards:
- Girls: ₹3,000 per month (₹36,000 per year)
- Boys: ₹2,500 per month (₹30,000 per year)
5. Post-Matric Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards Of Beedi/Cine/Iomc/LSDM Workers: The scholarship is managed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, it provides support to the children of workers engaged in beedi rolling, the cinema industry, iron ore and manganese/chrome ore mines (IOMC), and limestone/dolomite mines (LSDM). Administered through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), Post-Matric Financial Assistance for Education to the Wards Of Beedi/Cine/Iomc/LSDM Workers promotes access to higher education, discourages child labour, and helps break the cycle of poverty by funding post-matric studies in recognised institutions.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The applicant must be an Indian national.
- The student should be enrolled in a full-time regular course of General or Technical education (including Medical, Engineering, and Agricultural studies) at a government-recognised institution.
- The applicant must be the child of a Beedi worker, Iron Ore/Manganese/Chrome Ore/Limestone/Dolomite Mines worker, or a Cine worker with at least six months of continuous service.
- The student must have passed the last qualifying examination in the first attempt.
- The family’s monthly income should not exceed:
- ₹10,000 for Mine supervisory and managerial employees and Beedi workers
- ₹8,000 for Cine workers
Awards:
- Class 11 and 12: ₹3,000 per annum
- ITI (Industrial Training Institute): ₹6,000 per annum
- Polytechnic Diploma: ₹6,000 per annum
- Undergraduate Degree (B.A., B.Sc., B.Sc. Agriculture, etc.): ₹6,000 per annum
- Professional Courses (MBBS, B.Tech, B.E., Law, etc.): ₹25,000 per annum
6. All India Pre-Medical Scholarship Test (AIPMST – Secondary): This is a scholarship examination conducted by the Scholarship and Admission Eligibility Testing Agency (SAET). It is aimed at providing financial assistance to students aspiring to pursue MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, and BUMS at government-approved medical colleges and universities across India. The scholarship seeks to ease the financial burden of medical education and encourage students, particularly those from weaker economic backgrounds, to achieve their career goals in medicine.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must have passed or be appearing in the 10+2 (Senior Secondary) examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as compulsory subjects from a recognized board such as CBSE, ICSE, or state boards.
- Students who have already registered for or will apply for NEET are eligible to apply for the scholarship examination.
- Candidates aspiring to pursue MBBS, BDS, BHMS, BAMS, or BUMS courses can apply.
- General category candidates must be born on or after 1 October 1997.
- SC, ST, and PH candidates are eligible if born on or after 1 October 1992 (with a 5-year relaxation).
Awards: Based on performance in the AIPMST (Secondary) examination, candidates may receive the following benefits:
- Complete tuition fee waiver for the entire duration of the medical course.
- One-year tuition fee waiver for selected candidates.
- A standard laptop for academic support.
Private Organisations Funded Scholarships:
1. Kotak Kanya Scholarship: The scholarship is a collaborative CSR Project of Kotak Mahindra Group companies and Kotak Education Foundation to promote education and livelihood among economically disadvantaged sections of society. Kotak Kanya Scholarship aims to offer financial assistance to meritorious girl students from low-income families to empower them to pursue higher studies in professional education after Class 12.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to meritorious girl students from across India.
- Applicants must have secured at least 75% marks or equivalent CGPA in their Class 12 board examinations.
- The annual family income of the applicant should be less than ₹6 lakh.
- The scholarship is applicable for girl students who have gained admission into the first year of graduation programs at reputed institutes (NIRF/NAAC accredited) for professional degrees such as, Engineering , MBBS, Integrated LLB (5 Years), Integrated BS-MS / BS-Research or other recognized professional courses (Design, Architecture, etc.).
- Children of employees of Kotak Mahindra Group, Kotak Education Foundation, and Buddy4Study are not eligible for this scholarship.
Awards:
- A scholarship amount of ₹1.5 lakh per year will be given to each selected scholar till completion of her professional graduation course/degree.
2. Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships: This scheme aims to empower first-year undergraduate students across all streams to pursue their professional aspirations and contribute to India’s socio-economic development. The program is designed to support students from low-income families, with special emphasis on encouraging applications from female students and differently-abled candidates.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be a resident Indian citizen.
- Applicants must have completed class 12 with a minimum 60%.
- Applicants must be currently studying in the 1st year (academic year 2025-26) in a regular full-time degree course in any stream.
- Household income of an applicant must be less than ₹15 Lakhs (preference given to students having total household income less than ₹2.5 Lakhs).
Awards:
- Up to ₹6,00,000 over the duration of the degree programme.
3. Parivartan ECSS Programme for Undergraduate Students: Made for Undergraduate Students, this is an initiative by HDFC Bank designed to support deserving students from economically weaker backgrounds. Through this programme, students facing financial hardships, personal or family crises, and at risk of discontinuing their education are provided financial assistance to help them continue their academic journey.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to Indian nationals only.
- Applicants must be pursuing graduation in recognized colleges or universities in India, in either general courses (B.Com, B.Sc, B.A, BCA, etc.) or professional courses (B.Tech, MBBS, LLB, B.Arch, Nursing).
- Candidates should have secured at least 55% marks in their previous qualifying examination.
- The annual family income must be less than or equal to ₹2.5 lakh.
- Preference will be given to students who have faced personal or family crises in the past three years, making it difficult for them to continue funding their education and putting them at risk of dropping out.
Awards:
- For general undergraduate courses: ₹30,000
- For professional undergraduate courses: ₹50,000
4. Vivek Medical Students Scholarship Program: The Vivek Medical Students Scholarship Program, offered by Karuna Trust, is designed to support meritorious medical students from economically weaker backgrounds who aspire to pursue an MBBS degree.
Eligibility Criteria:
- First-year MBBS students of Bangalore Medical College or Mysore Medical College who have secured at least 85% marks in 2nd PUC and obtained a rank of 2000 or below in the entrance exam.
- Second, third, and fourth-year MBBS students who have not availed any scholarship other than VMS in previous years and have secured more than 70% marks in the last university examination.
- Applicants must belong to families with an annual income not exceeding ₹3 lakh.
Awards:
- Selected applicants will receive the scholarship amount determined by the Karuna Trust.
5. SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship for Medical Students: This scheme is one of India’s largest scholarship programs, and is an initiative of the SBI Foundation. This program aims to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from low-income families across India, ensuring the continuity of their education.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to students from across India.
- Applicants must be pursuing a medical degree (any year) from a premier university/college in India, listed among the Top 300 institutes as per the latest NIRF rankings.
- Candidates must have secured a minimum of 7 CGPA or 75% marks in their previous academic year.
- The applicant’s gross annual family income should not exceed ₹6 lakh.
Awards:
- Up to ₹4.5 lakh
6. Vidyavridhi Medical Scholarship: The Vidyavridhi Medical Scholarship is a 4-year scholarship programme introduced by the Yashoda Foundation, the CSR initiative of Yashoda Hospitals Group. Established in 2011, the foundation aims to support financially disadvantaged students and contribute to the medical fraternity by offering aid to MBBS students studying in esteemed medical colleges in Hyderabad.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The candidate must be pursuing an MBBS degree from a recognized medical college in Hyderabad.
- A total of 10 students will be selected per academic batch.
- In the launch year, 40 students (10 from each of the 4 academic batches) will be taken on board.
- Students must apply for a scholarship extension every academic year.
Awards:
- Tuition fee assistance ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 per student, per academic year.
- Support available for 4 academic years of MBBS.
FAQs
What are scholarships for medical students in India?
Scholarships for medical students are financial aid programs offered by government bodies, private organizations, and foundations to support students pursuing MBBS, BDS, nursing, pharmacy, and other allied health courses.
Who can apply for medical scholarships in India?
Eligibility varies, but most scholarships are available to students enrolled in recognized medical or allied health courses, who meet academic merit criteria and belong to families with income below a specified limit.
Are medical scholarships only for MBBS students?
No, many scholarships also cover related fields like BDS, B.Sc. Nursing, B.Pharm, BPT (Physiotherapy), and paramedical courses, depending on the scheme guidelines.
What is the average award amount of medical scholarships?
The award ranges widely, from ₹20,000 per year under central schemes to as much as ₹4.5 lakh under large private programs such as the SBI Asha Scholarship.
Can students from private medical colleges apply for these scholarships?
Yes, some scholarships are open to students studying in private or deemed universities, provided the institute is recognized by a regulatory authority and the student meets the eligibility criteria.
Are there scholarships specifically for girl students in medicine?
Yes, programs like the Kotak Kanya Scholarship and similar CSR initiatives are designed to support meritorious girl students pursuing professional courses, including MBBS.
How can students apply for medical scholarships?
Applications are usually submitted online through official portals like the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), university websites, or partner platforms such as Buddy4Study.