School scholarships in India are financial aid programs designed to support students from economically weaker or disadvantaged backgrounds in completing their school education. These scholarships aim to reduce the financial burden on families by covering tuition fees, providing stipends, and offering additional support like book grants and hostel allowances, ensuring that deserving students do not have to discontinue their studies due to a lack of funds.
School scholarships in India are financial aid programs that support students from economically weaker sections to continue their education from Class 1 to 12.
School scholarships are offered by the Ministry of Education, MoMA, CBSE, NCERT, and private entities like V-Mart, HDFC Bank, L’Oréal India, Hindustan Times, and others.
Yes, scholarships are available for students from Class 1 to 12, and even for diploma, ITI, and polytechnic students in some schemes.
School Scholarships – The Complete List
Government and private organizations offer numerous school scholarships to support students’ education. Prominent private providers include V-Mart, HDFC Bank, L’Oréal India, Hindustan Times Media Limited, and the Combined Counselling Board. The table below lists major government and private scholarships, along with their providers and tentative application timelines for 2025.
Government Funded School Scholarships (2025)
| Scholarship name | Provider | Application Deadline |
| Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship | Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) | 31 October, 2025 |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child | Central Board of Secondary Education | 8 February, 2025 |
| National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | Ministry of Education | 2 June, 2025 – 31 August , 2025 |
| Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities | Ministry of Minority Affairs | April–June (Tentative) |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | Department. of Empowerment of Persons with Disability | 31 August , 2025 |
| Financial Assistance for Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Pre-Matric | Ministry of Labour & Employment | 31 August , 2025 |
| National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) | National Council of Educational Research and Training | August–September (Tentative) |
Private Funded School Scholarships (2025)
| Scholarship Name | Provider | Application Deadline |
| Kind Circle Scholarship for Meritorious Students | Unspecified | December 31, 2025 |
| Ujjwal Bhavishya Scholarship | V-Mart Retail Ltd. | June–September (Tentative) |
| L’Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarships | L’Oréal India | 5 February, 2025 |
| HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme | HDFC Bank | 4 September, 2025 |
| JBNSTS Junior Scholarship Program | JBNSTS | June 1st – July 31st, 2025 |
| NICE Foundation’s National Scholarship Exam (NSE) | NICE Foundation | 26 May, 2025–30 September, 2025 |
| Combined Counselling Board Scholarship (CCB) | Combined Counselling Board | December–April (Tentative) |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam International Mathematics Bright Student Award Scholarship | APJ Abdul Kalam Welfare Society | February 20, 2025 – April 30, 2025 |
| All India Scholarship Test Exam (AISTE) | AISTE | December–March (Tentative) |
| Hindustan Times Scholarship Programme | Hindustan Times Media Ltd. | July–October (Tentative) |
| SOF Girl Child Scholarship Scheme (GCSS) | Science Olympiad Foundation | 2 June, 2025–31 October, 2025 |
| Aakash National Talent Hunt Junior Exam (ANTHE) | Aakash Institute | July–August (Tentative) |
| Medhavi National Scholarship Scheme | HRD Mission (NGO/Private) | November–December (Tentative) |
| National Science Concours (NSC) | Foundation for Innovation & Experiential Learning (FIEL) | October–November (Tentative) |
Eligibility Criteria for School Scholarships
The following tables outline the eligibility requirements for both government-funded and privately-funded school scholarships for 2025.
Government Funded School Scholarships Eligibility Criteria (2025)
| Scholarship name | Eligibility criteria |
| Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship | Minority girl students studying in Classes 9 to 12 with at least 50% marks in the previous exam and annual family income below ₹2 lakh. |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child | Single girl students who have secured at least 60% or above in Class 10 and are continuing studies in Classes 11 and 12 in CBSE-affiliated schools. |
| National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | Students of Class 9 from government, government-aided, or local body schools with at least 55% marks (50% for SC/ST) in Class 8 and parental income below ₹3.5 lakh per year. |
| Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities | Minority community students from Classes 1 to 10 with at least 50% marks and annual family income below ₹1 lakh. |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | Students with more than 40% disability studying in Classes 9 or 10 with a valid disability certificate and family income below ₹2.5 lakh per year. |
| Financial Assistance for Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Pre-Matric | Children of workers in Beedi, Cine, IOMC, and LSDM sectors studying in Classes 1 to 10 with parental income below ₹10,000 (₹8,000 for cine workers) per month. |
| National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) | Class 10 students studying in recognized schools. No income or caste restriction. Selection based on a two-stage examination conducted by NCERT. |
Private Funded School Scholarships Eligibility Criteria (2025)
| Scholarship name | Eligibility criteria |
| Kind Circle Scholarship for Meritorious Students | Students from Class 1 to postgraduate level can apply. They must be enrolled in any Indian school or college. The annual family income should be below ₹6 lakh. Applicants must have secured at least 75% marks in the previous academic year. |
| Ujjwal Bhavishya Scholarship | Students who have lost an earning parent during their schooling, studying in Classes 9 to 12, and family income below ₹3 lakh. |
| L’Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarships | Female students who have passed Class 12 with at least 85% marks in science/PCM/PCB and annual family income below ₹6 lakh. |
| HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme | The scholarship is open to Indian nationals currently studying in Classes 1 to 12 or pursuing diploma, ITI, or polytechnic courses in private, government, or government-aided schools, with at least 55% marks in the previous examination, an annual family income of up to ₹2.5 lakh, and preference given to those who have faced a significant personal or family crisis in the past three years that threatens their education. |
| JBNSTS Junior Scholarship Program | Class 11 science students in West Bengal with high academic performance and interest in research. |
| National Scholarship Exam (NSE) | Students from Class 5 to graduate level can apply; selection is based on a national-level exam. |
| Combined Counselling Board Scholarship (CCB) | Students from Classes 10, 12, or graduation level with at least 40–50% marks (varies by program) and admission through CCB counseling. |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam International Mathematics Bright Student Award Scholarship | Students from Classes 5 to 10 with aptitude in mathematics; selection through a competitive exam. |
| All India Scholarship Test Exam (AISTE) | Students from Classes 4 to 12; selection based on online scholarship test performance. |
| Hindustan Times Scholarship Programme | Students from Classes 5 to 9 in Mumbai, Pune, or Chandigarh regions with strong academic and co-curricular records. |
| SOF Girl Child Scholarship Scheme (GCSS) | Girl students from Classes 1 to 10 with parental income below ₹15,000 per month and good academic performance. |
| Aakash National Talent Hunt Junior Exam (ANTHE) | Students from Classes 7 to 12; selection based on Aakash’s national-level talent exam. |
| Medhavi National Scholarship Scheme | Indian citizens aged 16 to 40 years with at least matriculation qualification; selection through an online test. |
| National Science Concours (NSC) | Students from Classes 6 to 12 across India interested in science and innovation; selection via an online test. |
School Scholarships – Award Details
Students applying for school scholarships in India can receive financial assistance in the form of stipends, tuition fee waivers, book grants, and other benefits. The award amounts vary based on the type of scholarship, academic level, and provider. The tables below present the award amounts for government and private funded scholarships in 2025.
Government Funded Scholarship Award Amount (2025)
| Scholarship name | Award amount |
| Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship | Up to ₹5,000 annually for Classes 9–10 and up to ₹6,000 annually for class 11–12 students. |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child | ₹500 per month for 2 years (Classes 11 and 12). |
| National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month) till Class 12. |
| Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities | ₹100 per month for Classes 1–5, ₹600 per month for Classes 6–10 (hostellers), ₹100 per month (day scholars), plus admission and tuition fees. |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | ₹500–₹800 per month for hostelers and ₹350–₹600 per month for day scholars, along with book allowance and other benefits. |
| Financial Assistance for Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Pre-Matric | ₹250 per month for Classes 1–8, ₹500 per month for Classes 9–10, plus an additional ₹1,000 for purchasing dresses/books. |
| National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) | ₹1,250 per month for Classes 11–12, ₹2,000 per month for undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and Ph.D. level as per UGC norms. |
Private Funded Scholarship Award Amount (2025)
| Scholarship name | Award amount |
| Kind Circle Scholarship for Meritorious Students | ₹6,000–₹12,000 (varies based on student’s academic level and need). |
| Ujjwal Bhavishya Scholarship | One-time financial assistance of up to ₹10,000. |
| L’Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarships | Up to ₹2,50,000 each for covering tuition fees of science graduation courses. |
| HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme | The scholarship offers ₹15,000 for Classes 1–6 and ₹18,000 for Classes 7–12, diploma, ITI, and polytechnic students, and is open to Indian nationals with at least 55% marks, annual family income up to INR 2.5 lakh, and preference for those facing a recent personal or family crisis affecting education. |
| JBNSTS Junior Scholarship Program | Monthly scholarship of ₹1,250 plus annual book grant of ₹2,500 and travel assistance for academic events. |
| NICE Foundation’s National Scholarship Exam (NSE) | Cash rewards ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹35,000 depending on ranks, plus certificates. |
| Combined Counselling Board Scholarship (CCB) | Up to ₹60,000–₹70,000 per student as tuition fee concessions or waivers. |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam International Mathematics Bright Student Award Scholarship | Certificates, medals, and cash prizes (₹2,000–₹10,000) based on rank. |
| All India Scholarship Test Exam (AISTE) | Scholarships up to ₹90,000, plus consolation prizes and free e-learning resources. |
| SOF Girl Child Scholarship Scheme (GCSS) | ₹5,000 annually awarded to selected girl students. |
| Aakash National Talent Hunt Junior Exam (ANTHE) | Up to 100% tuition fee waiver, plus cash awards for top-ranking students. |
| Medhavi National Scholarship Scheme | Scholarships up to ₹8,000 for top performers in the online test. |
| National Science Concours (NSC) | Cash awards, gadgets, and sponsored educational trips for top winners. |
School Scholarships – How to Apply?
To apply for government and private school scholarships in India, students must submit their applications through official portals managed by the respective authorities or organizations. The table below provides direct website links for each scholarship, ensuring that applicants can access authentic platforms for registration and submission of forms.
Government Funded School Scholarships Application Website (2025)
| Scholarship name | Application website |
| Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship | maef.nic.in |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child | cbse.gov.in |
| National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS) | scholarships.gov.in |
| Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities | scholarships.gov.in |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities | scholarships.gov.in |
| Financial Assistance for Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers – Pre-Matric | scholarships.gov.in |
| National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) | ncert.nic.in |
Private Funded School Scholarships Application Website (2025)
| Scholarship name | Application website |
| Kind Circle Scholarship for Meritorious Students | buddy4study.com |
| Ujjwal Bhavishya Scholarship | buddy4study.com |
| L’Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarships | buddy4study.com |
| HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme | hdfcbank.com |
| JBNSTS Junior Scholarship Program | jbnsts.ac.in |
| NICE Foundation’s National Scholarship Exam (NSE) | nseexam.in |
| Combined Counselling Board Scholarship (CCB) | ccbnic.in |
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam International Mathematics Bright Student Award Scholarship | apjabdulkalamfoundation.org |
| All India Scholarship Test Exam (AISTE) | aistescholarships.com |
| Hindustan Times Scholarship Programme | hindustantimes.com |
| SOF Girl Child Scholarship Scheme (GCSS) | sofworld.org |
| Aakash National Talent Hunt Junior Exam (ANTHE) | aakash.ac.in |
| Medhavi National Scholarship Scheme | medhavionline.org |
| National Science Concours (NSC) | nationalscienceconcours.com |
FAQs
What are school scholarships in India?
School scholarships are financial aid programs from government bodies, private organizations, and NGOs that help students from weaker economic backgrounds pursue education. They typically cover tuition, books, stipends, and related expenses.
Who provides school scholarships in India?
Who is eligible for government-funded school scholarships?
Eligibility usually includes securing 50–60% marks, falling under annual income limits (₹1–₹3.5 lakh), and belonging to categories like minorities, differently-abled, or children of workers.
What types of financial assistance do school scholarships offer?
They offer tuition fee waivers, monthly stipends, free textbooks, hostel allowances, or even complete coverage of educational costs depending on the scheme.
Are there scholarships specifically for girl students?
Yes, schemes like Begum Hazrat Mahal, CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship, and SOF GCSS support girl students financially to promote girls' education.
What is the typical award amount for school scholarships?
Amounts vary—NMMS offers ₹12,000/year, Begum Hazrat Mahal up to ₹6,000, and private schemes like Aakash ANTHE may cover 100% fees. HDFC ECSS gives ₹15,000–₹18,000.
Are school scholarships available to students of all classes?
Do private scholarships have different eligibility requirements from government ones?
Yes, private schemes may target specific groups—e.g., L’Oréal India supports girls in science, while Ujjwal Bhavishya helps students who lost a parent.