Top 50 Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025

Why Scholarships Matter More Than Ever

With the cost of higher education in India rising steadily — professional courses now cost between ₹2 lakhs and ₹25 lakhs — scholarships have become essential for millions of families. The good news is that there are over 1,000 scholarships available to Indian students, offered by the central government, state governments, private trusts, universities, and international organisations.

This comprehensive guide lists 50 of the most valuable scholarships available to Indian students in 2025, organised by category. For each scholarship, we provide eligibility criteria, award amounts, application deadlines, and direct links to apply.

Government Scholarships (Central)

1. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students

• Offered By: Ministry of Education, Government of India
• Amount: ₹10,000/year (UG), ₹20,000/year (PG)
• Eligibility: Top 80th percentile in 12th board exam; family income below ₹8 lakhs/year
• Deadline: October-November 2025
• Apply At: scholarships.gov.in (National Scholarship Portal)

2. National Fellowship for Higher Education (NFHE)

• Offered By: UGC
• Amount: ₹31,000/month + contingency grant
• Eligibility: SC/ST students pursuing M.Phil or PhD
• Deadline: Throughout the year (apply via university)

3. Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities

• Offered By: Ministry of Minority Affairs
• Amount: ₹3,000 – ₹7,000/year + maintenance allowance
• Eligibility: Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi students with family income below ₹2 lakhs/year
• Deadline: September-October 2025

4. Ishan Uday Scholarship (for North Eastern students)

• Offered By: UGC
• Amount: ₹5,400/month (general degree) to ₹7,800/month (technical/professional)
• Eligibility: Students from North Eastern states pursuing first degree outside the region
• Deadline: December 2025

5. PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child

• Offered By: UGC
• Amount: ₹36,200/year for 2 years
• Eligibility: Single girl child pursuing postgraduate studies; age up to 30 years
• Deadline: March-April 2025

6. AICTE Pragati Scholarship (for girls in technical education)

• Amount: ₹50,000/year
• Eligibility: Girl students in 1st year of diploma/degree in AICTE-approved institutions; family income below ₹8 lakhs
• Deadline: October-November 2025

7. AICTE Saksham Scholarship (for differently-abled students)

• Amount: ₹50,000/year
• Eligibility: Differently-abled students in AICTE-approved technical programmes
• Deadline: October-November 2025

State Government Scholarships

8. Karnataka Minority Scholarship

• Amount: Up to ₹30,000/year
• Eligibility: Minority community students domiciled in Karnataka
• Apply At: karepass.cgg.gov.in

9. Tamil Nadu BC/MBC Scholarship

• Amount: Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance
• Eligibility: BC/MBC students in Tamil Nadu government colleges

10. Maharashtra Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Fee Reimbursement

• Amount: Full fee reimbursement
• Eligibility: SC/NT/SBC students in Maharashtra; income below ₹2.5 lakhs

11. Kerala State Scholarship (E-grantz)

• Amount: ₹1,500 – ₹10,000/year
• Eligibility: SC/ST/OBC students domiciled in Kerala

12. UP Scholarship (for General/OBC/SC/ST)

• Amount: ₹3,000 – ₹20,000/year
• Eligibility: Domiciled students of Uttar Pradesh
• Apply At: scholarship.up.gov.in

Private Trust Scholarships

13. Tata Trust Scholarship

• Amount: Up to ₹10,00,000 (need-based)
• Eligibility: Indian nationals with excellent academic records; family income below ₹5 lakhs
• Apply At: tatatrusts.org

14. Reliance Foundation Scholarship

• Amount: Up to ₹6,00,000
• Eligibility: First-year students in top 100 NIRF colleges/universities
• Deadline: November 2025

15. Aditya Birla Scholarship

• Amount: ₹1,75,000 – ₹2,00,000/year
• Eligibility: Students at IITs, IIMs, BITS, XLRI, and other select institutions
• Deadline: July-August 2025

16. K.C. Mahindra Education Trust Scholarship

• Amount: Up to ₹1,00,000 (interest-free loan)
• Eligibility: Indian nationals pursuing postgraduate studies abroad or in India

17. Azim Premji Foundation Fellowship

• Amount: ₹25,000 – ₹30,000/month stipend
• Eligibility: Graduates willing to work in education sector in rural India

18. Hinduja Foundation Scholarship

• Amount: Full tuition + living expenses
• Eligibility: Meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds

University-Specific Scholarships

19. IIM Need-Based Financial Aid

• Amount: Up to 100% tuition waiver
• Eligibility: Students with family income below ₹10 lakhs at any IIM

20. BITS Pilani Merit-cum-Need Scholarship

• Amount: 25% – 100% tuition waiver
• Eligibility: Based on semester GPA and financial need

21. IIBS Bangalore Merit Scholarship

• Amount: ₹25,000 – ₹1,00,000
• Eligibility: Based on entrance exam score and academic performance

22. Christ University Scholarship

• Amount: 25% – 100% fee waiver
• Eligibility: Academic excellence + financial need

23. VIT Chancellor's Scholarship

• Amount: Full tuition waiver + stipend
• Eligibility: VITEEE top rankers

International Scholarships for Indian Students

24. Chevening Scholarship (UK)

• Amount: Full tuition + living + travel
• Eligibility: Indian nationals with 2+ years work experience applying for UK master's

25. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship (USA)

• Amount: Full funding for master's or research
• Eligibility: Indian citizens with strong academic record

26. DAAD Scholarship (Germany)

• Amount: €934/month + tuition + travel
• Eligibility: Indian students applying to German universities

27. Australia Awards Scholarship

• Amount: Full tuition + living + travel
• Eligibility: Indian nationals from specific fields

28. Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)

• Amount: Full funding
• Eligibility: Indian nationals pursuing master's/PhD in UK

Scholarships by Community

29. Jindal Scholarship (meritorious Indian students)

30. Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship

• Amount: ₹500 – ₹2,500/month
• Eligibility: Students from economically weaker sections

31. Mom Star Scholarship (for single mothers)

32. Sikh Humanitarian Aid Scholarship

33. Muslim Educational Trust Scholarship

34. Catholic Bishop's Conference of India Scholarship

35. All India OBC Scholarship

Scholarships for Specific Fields

36. INSPIRE Scholarship (Science students)

• Amount: ₹80,000/year
• Eligibility: Top 1% in 12th board (Science) pursuing B.Sc/M.Sc

37. Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)

• Amount: ₹5,000 – ₹7,000/month
• Eligibility: Science students with aptitude for research

38. NSEP/NSEC/NSEB/NSEA (Olympiad-based)

• Amount: Various awards
• Eligibility: Science stream students

39. Indian Oil Scholarship (Engineering/Medical)

40. ONGC Scholarship (SC/ST students in engineering)

41. NTPC Scholarship (Engineering students)

Scholarships for Girls

42. Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship

• Amount: ₹5,000 – ₹6,000/year
• Eligibility: Minority community girl students

43. CBSE Udaan Scholarship

• Amount: Free tutoring + financial assistance
• Eligibility: Girl students in Class 11 (Science)

44. L'Oréal India For Young Women in Science

• Amount: ₹2,50,000/year
• Eligibility: Girl students pursuing science/medical/engineering

45. Google India Scholarship (Women in Tech)

46. Adobe India Women-in-Technology Scholarship

47. Pragati Scholarship (AICTE — already listed above)

48. Indira Gandhi Scholarship (UGC — already listed above)

49. Santoor Women's Scholarship

• Amount: ₹24,000/year
• Eligibility: Girl students from AP, Telangana, Karnataka

50. Fair & Lovely Foundation Scholarship

• Amount: Up to ₹1,00,000
• Eligibility: Girl students from economically weaker sections

Tips for Winning Scholarships

1. Start Early: Begin researching 6-8 months before application deadlines.

2. Apply to Multiple: Don't rely on one scholarship. Apply to 5-10 for which you are eligible.

3. Write a Strong Essay: Most competitive scholarships require personal statements. Tell a compelling story about your goals and challenges.

4. Get Strong Recommendations: Build relationships with teachers and mentors who can write detailed, specific letters of recommendation.

5. Keep Documents Ready: Income certificates, mark sheets, caste certificates, and bank details should be scanned and ready.

6. Follow Up: After submitting, track your application status and respond promptly to any queries.

Get Scholarship Guidance from Dreamkripa

Dreamkripa maintains a continuously updated database of scholarships available to Indian students. Our counsellors can match you with scholarships based on your profile, community, field of study, and financial need. We also assist with application forms, essay writing, and document preparation — all at no cost. Contact us today to maximise your chances of securing financial aid.