Sikkim Scholarships 2025 - List, Eligibility Criteria and Rewards

The Government of Sikkim offers a wide range of scholarships exclusively for students domiciled in the state. Sikkim Scholarships are designed to support deserving and meritorious students in pursuing their academic goals without being burdened by financial constraints. By extending financial assistance across various educational levels, the government ensures that talented students receive equal opportunities required to excel, regardless of their economic background.

Through these scholarship schemes, Sikkim continues to promote education as a means of empowerment, encouraging young minds to achieve their aspirations and contribute meaningfully to the development of the state and the nation.

Sikkim Scholarships 2025 – List of Scholarships

Sikkim Scholarship list consists of numerous state and central funded scholarships. These initiatives aim to support students across various educational levels and fields of study. A total of 9 state government-sponsored scholarships and 5 central government-sponsored scholarships are available for eligible students domiciled in Sikkim. The detailed list of these scholarships is provided below.

Sikkim Scholarships: State Sponsored

Sl.No.	Scholarship Name	Administered By
1	Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme (HCMMSS)	Government of Sikkim
2	Cash Award for Local Student Toppers in CBSE	Government of Sikkim
3	Prerna & Merit Scholarship	Government of Sikkim
4	Post Matric Scholarship (Merit and General Category)	Government of Sikkim
5	Fellowship Grant for M.Phil & Ph.D Scholars	Government of Sikkim
6	North East Council (NEC) Grant	North East Council, Shillong (through State Government)
7	Financial Assistance to Local Students Admitted in Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun	Government of Sikkim
8	Financial Assistance to Local Students Admitted in Sainik School Goalpara, Assam	Government of Sikkim
9	Admission of Meritorious Girl Students to Him Jyoti School, Dehradun	Government of Sikkim

Also Read: Assam Scholarship

Sikkim Scholarships: Central Sponsored

Sl. No.	Scholarship Name	Administered By
1	Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe Girl Students in Banasthali University, Rajasthan	Government of India
2	National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)	NCERT / Government of India
3	National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)	Ministry of Education, Government of India
4	National Foundation for Teachers’ Welfare (NFTW) – Support for Professional Education of Children of School Teachers	Ministry of HRD, Government of India
5	National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE)	Ministry of Education, Government of India
6	Pre Matric Scholarship for SC Students Studying In Class IX and X	Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
7	Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship For SC Students	Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
8	PM YASASVI Pre-Matric Scholarships for OBC,EBC,DNT Students	Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
9	PM YASASVI Post Matric Scholarship For OBC,EBC And DNT Students	Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
10	Pre-Matric Scholarships for ST Students Class IX And Class X	Ministry of Tribal Affairs
11	Post Matric Scholarship Scheme For ST Students	Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Also Read: Manipur Scholarship

Sikkim Scholarships 2025 – Eligibility and Rewards

The details of each scholarship have been outlined below, highlighting their respective eligibility criteria and award amounts. Sikkim Scholarships have been carefully designed to assist students at different stages of their academic journey, ensuring that deserving candidates receive the financial support they need to pursue their studies without interruption.

1. Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme (HCMMSS) Eligibility Criteria

Students from government schools who have studied from Class 1 to 5 and secured the first position in the Class 5 annual examination are eligible to appear for the scholarship examination.
The student or their parents must hold a Certificate of Identification (COI) of Sikkim.
Applicants are required to submit all necessary documents to their respective district offices before applying for and appearing in the competitive examination.
The age limit under this scholarship scheme is between 11 and 12½ years, verified through school records and the student’s birth certificate.
Reservation quotas are applicable as per government norms.
Furthermore, beneficiaries of the HCMMSS enrolled in institutions within or outside Sikkim who have qualified in the Class 12 Board Examination and wish to pursue higher education up to the graduation level are also eligible under the extended HCMMSS scheme, as per the issued notification.

Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme (HCMMSS) Reward Amount

A) School Level: Under the HCMMS Scheme, financial assistance is provided to selected students for their schooling within and outside Sikkim.

School Level Benefits Provided

Academic Fees	Covered as per school norms
Hostel & Mess Fees	Covered as per school norms
Uniform & Textbooks	Provided as per school norms
Sports & Games Expenses	Covered as per school norms
Stationery Charges	Covered as per school norms
Toiletry Grant (Outside Sikkim)	One-time grant of up to ₹15,000 per student
Toiletry Grant (Within Sikkim)	One-time grant of ₹10,000 per student
Annual Travelling Grant (Within Sikkim)	Up to ₹5,000 for student and one escort, based on actual fare and distance
Travelling Grant (Outside Sikkim)	3-Tier AC train fare twice a year (after summer and winter vacations)
Other Travel Outside Prescribed Norms	To be borne by parents; voluntary family participation encouraged

B) Undergraduate Level: The HCMMS has been extended up to the graduation level. It provides comprehensive financial assistance covering various academic and living expenses both within and outside Sikkim.

Covered Expenses

Registration Fees
Admission Fees
Tuition Fees
Hostel Fees
Examination Fees
Travelling Allowance (3-Tier AC train fare twice a year for students studying outside Sikkim)
Reimbursement is provided upon submission of original, duly authenticated bills from the respective colleges.

2. Cash Award for Local Student Toppers in CBSE

To encourage academic excellence among students, the Hon’ble Chief Minister has announced special cash incentives for the state toppers of the CBSE examinations. The awards are presented under the following categories:

Class 12 (CBSE):

Cash prizes are awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd state toppers in each stream — Science, Arts, Commerce, and Vocational.

The cash awards are as follows:

1st position: ₹50,000
2nd position: ₹35,000
3rd position: ₹25,000

Class 10 (CBSE):

Cash prizes are awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd state toppers.

The cash awards are as follows:

1st position: ₹50,000
2nd position: ₹35,000
3rd position: ₹25,000

3. Prerna & Merit Scholarship

The Merit Scholarship is awarded to outstanding students from government schools based on their performance in examinations conducted by the HRD Department. The details are as follows:

Prerna & Merit Scholarship Eligibility

Students securing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions in the following examinations are eligible:

Class 5 open competitive examination conducted at the sub-divisional level.
Class 8 annual examination conducted at the district level.

Prerna Scholarship:

In addition to the above, the next three girl students from the merit list at both the sub-divisional and district levels are selected for the Prerna Scholarship.

Prerna & Merit Scholarship Scholarship Amount

Class 5: ₹600 – ₹1,200 per year.
Class 8: ₹700 – ₹1,500 per year.

4. Post Matric Scholarship (Merit and General Category)

The Post Matric Scholarship is offered to all local students, under both the merit and general categories, who are pursuing various courses within or outside Sikkim.

Merit Scholarship

Awarded to students who secure 80% or above marks in the Class 12 Board Examination or its equivalent, in a single sitting.
The scholarship amount ranges from ₹1,600 to ₹2,000 per month.
In addition, a reimbursement of up to ₹10,000 per year is provided for specific subjects as notified by the department.
The percentage of marks is calculated based on English and three main subjects.

General Scholarship

Granted to students who secure between 60% and 80% marks in a single sitting (70% for certain honours subjects).
Applicable only if the parents’ combined monthly income is less than ₹10,000.
The scholarship is awarded for selected courses as specified by the department.
A reimbursement of up to ₹10,000 per year is also available for certain notified subjects.

Diploma Courses

Students pursuing diploma courses are also eligible under both categories:

Merit Category: Minimum 80% marks
General Category: Minimum 60% marks

The scholarship amount is ₹800 per month, subject to a combined parental income of less than ₹10,000 per month.

5. Fellowship Grant for M.Phil & Ph.D Scholars

The Ph.D. Scholarship is awarded to support research scholars pursuing doctoral studies in subjects relevant to the State of Sikkim.

For Regular Candidates:

Scholarship amount: ₹6,000 per month
Contingency grant: ₹15,000 per year
Duration: Up to three years

For In-Service Candidates:

Scholarship amount: ₹3,000 per month
Contingency reimbursement: ₹12,000 per year

6. North East Council (NEC) Grant Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must be a permanent resident of any North Eastern state.
The annual family income of the applicant’s parents or guardians must not exceed ₹8 lakh from all sources.
- An income certificate issued by a competent authority is required.
The applicant must not be receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance from another source during the scholarship period.
Sponsored or in-service candidates (those in full-time employment) are not eligible.

North East Council (NEC) Grant Academic Qualification Requirements

Level of Study	Qualifying Examination	Minimum Marks
Diploma	HSLC / HSSLC / Secondary or Senior Secondary examination from a recognized State or Central Board	60% aggregate
Degree	HSSLC / Senior Secondary examination from a recognized State or Central Board	60% aggregate
Postgraduate	Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (BA, BSc, BE, B.Tech, MBBS, LLB, BCA, BBA, etc.) from a recognized university	60% aggregate
M.Phil / Ph.D	Postgraduate degree from a recognized university	60% aggregate

North East Council (NEC) Grant Course and Duration Coverage

The scholarship is available for students admitted to diploma, degree, postgraduate, M.Phil, or Ph.D. courses in institutions recognized by the government.
The scholarship will not cover internships or practical training.
For M.Phil students, the scholarship is available for 2 years, and for Ph.D. students, for 3 years.
Students enrolled in integrated courses are eligible for the full duration of the course, as per the approved scholarship rates.
The scholarship is valid only for the prescribed duration of the course and cannot be extended beyond that.

7. Financial Assistance to Local Students Admitted in Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun Eligibility Criteria

The scholarship is available to local students of Sikkim who are studying at the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun.
Candidates must qualify in the entrance examination conducted by the Home Department for admission to RIMC.
The entrance examination is held twice a year, in the months of June and December.

Financial Assistance to Local Students Admitted in Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC), Dehradun Scholarship Amount

Selected students receive financial assistance of ₹20,000 per year from the government.

8. Financial Assistance to Local Students Admitted in Sainik School Goalpara, Assam Eligibility Criteria

The scholarship is available to local students of Sikkim who are admitted to Sainik School Goalpara, Assam.
Candidates must qualify in the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination to be eligible for admission and the scholarship.

Financial Assistance to Local Students Admitted in Sainik School Goalpara, Assam Scholarship Amount

Selected students are awarded financial assistance of ₹20,000 per year by the government.

9. Admission of Meritorious Girl Students to Him Jyoti School, Dehradun Eligibility Criteria

The scheme is open to meritorious underprivileged girl students from Sikkim.
Every year, two Class 4 toppers from the state are nominated for admission to Him Jyoti School, Dehradun.

Admission of Meritorious Girl Students to Him Jyoti School, Dehradun Scholarship Benefits

The selected students receive free education from Class 5 to Class 12I at Him Jyoti School, Dehradun.

10. Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe Girl Students in Banasthali University, Rajasthan Eligibility Criteria

Open to girls belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
Candidates must be within the age group of 9 to 10 years.
Selected students are nominated by the Government of Sikkim for admission.

Scholarship for Scheduled Tribe Girl Students in Banasthali University, Rajasthan Scholarship Benefits

Admitted students receive full sponsorship for education up to the Ph.D. level at Banasthali University, Rajasthan, specializing in the Hindi language.

11. National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) Eligibility Criteria

Applicable for students studying in Class 10.
The selection process involves two stages:
- Stage I: Conducted at the state level.
- Stage II: Conducted at the national level by NCERT.
Each year, 25 students from Sikkim qualify for Stage II based on their performance in Stage I.

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) Scholarship Benefits

Students who qualify at the national level receive a scholarship from Class 12 up to Ph.D. studies.

12. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) Eligibility Criteria

Open to meritorious students from economically weaker sections.
The annual parental income must not exceed ₹1,50,000 from all sources.
Selection is based on a competitive examination conducted by the HRDD, Government of Sikkim.

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) Scholarship Benefits

Selected students receive ₹6,000 per annum (₹500 per month).
The scholarship supports students from Class 9 to Class 12 studying in state government, government-aided, or local body schools.
The main goal is to prevent dropouts after Class 8 and encourage continued education at the secondary level.

13. National Foundation for Teachers’ Welfare (NFTW) Eligibility Criteria

Available for children of school teachers.
The candidate must be pursuing a recognized professional course in engineering, medical, management, or technical education.
Only one ward per teacher is eligible for this financial assistance.

National Foundation for Teachers’ Welfare (NFTW) Scholarship Benefits

Provides financial assistance up to ₹15,000 per year per candidate.

14. National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE) Eligibility Criteria

Open to unmarried SC and ST girl students.
The girl must be below 16 years of age (as of 31st March) at the time of joining Class 9.
The student must be enrolled in a secondary school recognized under the scheme.

NSIGSE Scholarship Benefits

A sum of ₹3,000 is deposited as a fixed deposit in the name of each eligible girl upon enrolment in Class 9.
The amount, along with interest, can be withdrawn after passing Class 10 and attaining 18 years of age.
The scheme promotes girls’ enrolment and retention in secondary education, aiming to reduce dropout rates among SC and ST students.

15. Pre Matric Scholarship for SC Students Studying In Class IX and X Eligibility Criteria

Open only to Indian nationals.
Students must be studying full-time in classes IX or X.
Must belong to a Scheduled Caste.
Parent’s or guardian’s annual income should not exceed ₹2.5 lakh.

Pre Matric Scholarship for SC Students Studying In Class IX and X Eligibility Criteria Benefits

Day scholars: ₹3,500 per annum.
Hostellers: ₹7,000 per annum.
Additional allowance: Divyang (disabled) students will receive an extra 10% allowance.
- Disability is defined as per the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
- The government will appoint qualified and experienced authorities to issue valid disability certificates.

16. Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship For SC Students Eligibility Criteria

Open only to Indian nationals.
Only Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates belonging to the State or Union Territory where they are domiciled are eligible.
Applicants must have passed Matriculation, Higher Secondary, or any higher examination from a recognized Board or University.
Parents’ or guardians’ total annual income should not exceed ₹2,50,000 from all sources.
Students studying the same level again in a different subject (e.g., B.A. after B.Com) are not eligible.
Students enrolled in correspondence, distance, or online courses from Central or State Universities are eligible.
- Only non-refundable fees will be covered.
- No academic allowance will be provided.
All children of a parent or guardian can receive the benefits of this scheme.
A student cannot hold more than one scholarship or stipend at the same time.
Seats filled through non-transparent or arbitrary means (like management quota, NRI quota, or spot admissions) are not eligible for the scholarship.
Fees for such seats will not be reimbursed.

Centrally Sponsored Post Matric Scholarship For SC Students Benefits

Category of Courses	Hostellers (₹ per year)	Day Scholars (₹ per year)
Group 1: Degree and Postgraduate level professional courses	13,500	7,000
Group 2: Other professional courses leading to Degree, Diploma, or Certificate	9,500	6,500
Group 3: Graduate and Postgraduate courses not covered under Group 1 & 2	6,000	3,000
Group 4: Post-matric (Post-Class X) non-degree courses	4,000	2,500

17. PM YASASVI Pre-Matric Scholarships for OBC,EBC,DNT Students Eligibility Criteria

Must be an Indian citizen
Must be a domicile of Sikkim
Must belong to the Other Backwards Class (OBC), Economically Backwards Class (EBC), or De-Notified Tribes (DNT) category
Must be studying in Class 9 or 10 in a government-recognised school
Must have an annual parental/guardian income of less than ₹2,50,000 from all sources
Must not be receiving benefits under any other scholarship scheme for studies in Class 9 or 10

PM YASASVI Pre-Matric Scholarships for OBC,EBC,DNT Students Benefits

Selected candidates will receive an amount of ₹4,000 per annum.

18. PM YASASVI Post Matric Scholarship For OBC,EBC And DNT Students Eligibility Criteria

Must be an Indian national.
Must be a permanent resident (domicile) of Sikkim.
Must belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), or Denotified and Nomadic Tribes (DNT) communities of the state.
Must be enrolled in a post-matriculation or post-secondary course at a recognised institution, college, or university.
Must have passed Matriculation, Higher Secondary, or any higher-level examination from a recognised Board or University.
Must have a parent(s)/guardian(s) annual income not exceeding ₹2,50,000 from all sources.

PM YASASVI Post Matric Scholarship For OBC,EBC And DNT Students Benefits

Category of Courses	Academic allowance (₹ per annum)	Tuition Fees (in ₹ per annum)	Total
Group 1: Degree and Postgraduate level professional courses	10,000	10,000	20,000
Group 2: Other professional courses leading to Degree, Diploma, and Certificate	8,000	5,000	13,000
Group 3: Graduate and Postgraduate courses that aren’t covered in Groups 1 and 2	6,000	2,000	8,000
Group 4: All post-matriculation (Post Class 10 level) non-degree courses	5,000	–	5,000

19. Pre-Matric Scholarships for ST Students Class IX And Class X Eligibility Criteria

Must be a domiciled resident of Sikkim.
Must belong to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category of the state.
Must be enrolled as a regular full-time student in Class 9 or 10 at a government school or a school recognised by the government or affiliated with CBSE/SBSE.
Parent(s)/guardian(s) annual income should not exceed ₹2,50,000 from all sources.

Pre-Matric Scholarships for ST Students Class IX And Class X Students Benefits

Item	Day Scholars		Hostelers
Item	Monthly (₹)	Annually (₹)	Monthly (₹)	Annually (₹)
Scholarship for 10 months	225	2250	525	5250
Books and ad hoc Grant	—	750	—	1000

20. Post Matric Scholarship Scheme For ST Students Eligibility Criteria

The applicant must be a permanent domicile of Sikkim.
The applicant must belong to the Scheduled Tribe community.
The applicant must be pursuing post-matric studies, from Class 11 onwards, at a recognised institution.
The applicant’s annual family income from all sources must be below ₹2 lakh.

Post Matric Scholarship Scheme For ST Students Students Benefits

Courses	Hostellers (₹ for 10 months)	Day Scholars (₹ for 10 months)
1) Degree and postgraduate programmes in Medicine, Engineering, Technology, Planning, Architecture, Design, Fashion Technology, Agriculture, Veterinary and Allied Sciences, Management, Business Finance/Administration, and Computer Sciences and Applications. 2) Postgraduate diploma programmes in various branches of Management and Medicine. 3) C.A, I.C.W.A, C.S, I.C.F.A, etc. (Applicable only at the Day Scholar rate of ₹550 per month.) 4) M.Phil, Ph.D, and Post-doctoral programmes (D.Lit, D.Sc, etc.) including Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3 courses. 5) Commercial Pilot License courses (including helicopter pilot and multiengine rating). 6) L.L.M.	1,200	550
Professional degree, diploma, and certificate programmes in Pharmacy (B.Pharma), Nursing (B.Nursing), BFS, para-medical fields such as rehabilitation and diagnostics, Mass Communication, Hotel Management and Catering, Travel/Tourism/Hospitality Management, Interior Decoration, Commercial Arts, and Finance. Also includes programmes requiring minimum Class 12 qualification in vocational streams, ITI courses, and Polytechnic courses requiring Class 12 or higher.	820	530
Graduate and postgraduate programmes not included in Group 1 or Group 2, such as B.A, B.Sc, B.Com, M.A, M.Sc, M.Ed, M.Pharma, etc.	570	300
All post-matric non-degree courses where the minimum entry qualification is Class 10 (High School).	380	230

Also Read: Mizoram Scholarships

FAQs

Who is eligible to apply for Sikkim Scholarships 2025?

Only students who are domiciled in Sikkim (i.e., permanent residents of the state) are eligible to apply for scholarships offered by the Government of Sikkim. Apart from this requirement, each scholarship has differing criteria that the scholars must meet.

How many scholarships are available under the Sikkim Scholarship 2025 program?

A total of 14 scholarships are available, including 9 state government-sponsored and 5 central government-sponsored schemes.

How can students apply for these scholarships?

Applications for most scholarships can be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or through the respective department of the Government of Sikkim, depending on the scheme’s guidelines.

What is the income limit for eligibility under these scholarships?

The annual family income limit varies depending on the scheme. For example, under the NEC Grant, it is ₹8 lakh per annum, while under the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS), it is ₹1.5 lakh per annum.

Can students apply for more than one scholarship at the same time?

No, students cannot receive multiple scholarships simultaneously. Those availing financial assistance under one government scholarship are not eligible for another during the same academic period.

Are these scholarships available for students studying outside Sikkim?

Yes, several scholarships such as the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Merit Scholarship Scheme (HCMMSS) and NEC Grant also support students pursuing studies outside Sikkim, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.