Complete Guide to Scholarships for School Students in India 2027: Central, State, and Private Scholarships You Can Apply For

In short: Thousands of crores in scholarship money go unclaimed every year in India because students and parents do not know about them. This guide lists every major scholarship available to school students from Class 1 to 12, including central government, state government, and private scholarships. For each, we cover eligibility, amount, deadline, and how to apply. If you are from an economically weaker background, there are multiple scholarships specifically designed for you.

Education in India is not as expensive as many families believe, at least not when you account for the scholarships available. The problem is not a lack of financial support. The problem is information. A student in a government school in Bihar may qualify for 3 to 4 different scholarships simultaneously but never apply for any of them because nobody told them these programs exist.

This guide fixes that. We have compiled every significant scholarship available to school students in India for the academic year 2027, organized by type. Bookmark this page and check back before application deadlines.

Central Government Scholarships

These are funded by the Government of India and available to students across all states.

PM Vidyalakshmi (Replacement for NTSE)

The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) has been replaced by the PM Vidyalakshmi scheme as part of NEP 2020 reforms. This scheme integrates multiple scholarship programs under a single platform.

Eligibility: Students from Class 9 to 12 studying in recognized schools. Selection is based on a combination of academic merit and financial need. Amount: Varies by category, ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 75,000 per year depending on the level of education and family income. How to apply: Through the PM Vidyalakshmi portal (pmvidyalakshmi.gov.in). Registration requires Aadhaar number, school details, and family income certificate. Deadline: Typically July to September each year. Check the portal for exact dates.

National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)

One of the most important scholarships for students from economically weaker families. Despite being available since 2008, many eligible students still do not apply.

Eligibility: Students in Class 9 to 12 studying in government, government-aided, or local body schools. Family income must be below Rs 3.5 lakh per year. Must have scored at least 55% in Class 8 (relaxed to 50% for SC/ST). Amount: Rs 12,000 per year (Rs 1,000 per month). How to apply: Through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). Your school must verify the application. Deadline: State-specific, usually between August and November. Contact your school principal for the exact date.

INSPIRE Awards (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)

Run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), this program has two components relevant to school students.

MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge): For students in Class 6 to 10. Submit an original science idea or innovation. Amount: Rs 10,000 for selected ideas, plus nomination for state and national exhibitions. Eligibility: Any student in Class 6 to 10 in a recognized school. How to apply: Through your school. The school nominates up to 5 ideas on the INSPIRE portal (inspireawards-dst.gov.in). Deadline: Usually August to October.

INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE): For students who scored in the top 1% in Class 12 board exams and pursue science courses in college. Amount: Rs 80,000 per year for 5 years. How to apply: Through the INSPIRE portal after Class 12 results.

Pre-Matric Scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, and Minority Students

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (for SC), Ministry of Tribal Affairs (for ST), and Ministry of Minority Affairs offer separate pre-matric scholarship schemes.

Eligibility: Students from Class 1 to 10 belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Minority communities. Family income must be below Rs 2.5 lakh per year (varies by scheme). Amount: Rs 150 to Rs 750 per month (depending on class and day-scholar/hosteller status), plus ad-hoc grants for books and stationery. How to apply: National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). Requires caste certificate, income certificate, Aadhaar, and bank account details. Deadline: August to November (varies by state).

Post-Matric Scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, and Minority Students

Similar to pre-matric but for Class 11 to 12 and beyond.

Eligibility: Students in Class 11 and above from SC/ST/OBC/Minority communities. Income limits vary by scheme. Amount: Covers tuition fees, maintenance allowance, and additional grants. Amounts vary by course and institution type. How to apply: National Scholarship Portal. Deadline: October to December typically.

PM YASASVI (Yet Another Scheme for Aspiring Students from Youthful India)

A relatively new scheme for OBC, EBC, and DNT students.

Eligibility: Students in Class 9 and Class 11 from OBC/EBC/DNT families with income below Rs 2.5 lakh per year. Selection through a written exam conducted by NTA. Amount: Rs 75,000 per year for Class 9-10 students; Rs 1,25,000 per year for Class 11-12 students. How to apply: Through the NTA website when applications open. Deadline: Usually June to July for the exam, which is typically held in September.

State Government Scholarships

Every state has its own scholarship programs. Here are some of the major ones.

Uttar Pradesh

UP Scholarship (Pre-Matric and Post-Matric): For SC/ST/OBC/Minority students. Apply through scholarship.up.gov.in. Amount ranges from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per month depending on class and category.

Bihar

Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana: For girl students in Bihar at various educational milestones, including Rs 10,000 at Class 12 completion with first division. Also has pre-matric and post-matric scholarships for SC/ST/OBC students through the Bihar Education Department portal.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra State Scholarships: Multiple schemes for SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EBC students through mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in. Covers tuition, exam fees, and maintenance.

Rajasthan

Gargi Puraskar: Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 for girls who score above 75% in Class 10 and Class 12 board exams. Also has pre-matric and post-matric scholarships through sje.rajasthan.gov.in.

Other States

Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Punjab, and every other state government offers similar schemes. Visit your state education department website or the National Scholarship Portal to find scholarships specific to your state. If you are unsure which scholarships apply to you, ask your school principal or class teacher.

Private and Corporate Scholarships

These are funded by companies, foundations, and NGOs. They often have simpler application processes than government schemes.

Buddy4Study Scholarships

India's largest scholarship platform aggregates hundreds of scholarships from private and corporate donors.

How to access: Register on buddy4study.com. Fill in your profile (class, income, state, category). The platform matches you with relevant scholarships. Amounts: Range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 2,00,000 depending on the specific scholarship.

Reliance Foundation Scholarships

Eligibility: Students from Class 9 to undergraduate level who have scored above 60% in the previous exam and have family income below Rs 2.5 lakh per year. Amount: Up to Rs 2,00,000 per year. How to apply: Through the Reliance Foundation website. Includes an aptitude test. Deadline: Usually April to June.

Tata Trusts Scholarships

Multiple scholarship programs for students from economically weaker backgrounds. The Tata Trusts website (tatatrusts.org) lists current programs and eligibility.

HDFC Bank Parivartan ECS Scholarship

Eligibility: Students from Class 1 to post-graduation with family income below Rs 2.5 lakh per year. Must have scored at least 55% in the previous exam. Amount: Up to Rs 75,000. How to apply: Through buddy4study.com (HDFC partners with Buddy4Study for applications).

Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship

Eligibility: Students from Class 1 to post-graduation from families with income below Rs 2 lakh per year. Amount: Rs 500 to Rs 4,000 per month depending on class level. How to apply: Through the SJF website or by post.

Kotak Kanya Scholarship

For girl students entering Class 12 or first year of graduation from families with income below Rs 3.6 lakh per year. Amount: Up to Rs 1.5 lakh per year. How to apply: Through Kotak Education Foundation website.

How to Apply: National Scholarship Portal Walkthrough

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in is the single platform for most government scholarships. Here is how to use it.

Step 1: Register

Click "New Registration." Select academic year, and choose whether you are applying for Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, or Merit-cum-Means scholarship. Enter your Aadhaar number, name, date of birth, mobile number, and email. Create a password.

Step 2: Fill the Application Form

Log in and fill in your details: personal information, family income, caste category, school details, and bank account information. Upload required documents: passport-size photo, income certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), Aadhaar card, and previous year marksheet.

Step 3: School Verification

After you submit, your school will verify the application. The principal or nodal officer at your school needs to log in to the NSP portal and approve your application. Follow up with your school to make sure this step is completed before the deadline.

Step 4: District and State Verification

After school verification, the application goes through district and state-level verification. You do not need to do anything for this step, but keep your phone number active as they may contact you.

Step 5: Disbursement

If approved, the scholarship amount is transferred directly to your bank account through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). Make sure your bank account is linked to Aadhaar.

Important tips:

Start early. Do not wait for the last week before the deadline.
Keep scanned copies of all documents ready before you begin.
Double-check your bank account number and IFSC code. Errors here cause payment failures.
Save your application ID and take screenshots at every step.

Students from economically weaker backgrounds who are navigating the education system without family guidance should also read our first-generation learner guide for additional resources and support.

How to Find Scholarships You Qualify For

With hundreds of scholarships available, finding the right ones can feel overwhelming. Here is a systematic approach.

Start with the National Scholarship Portal. Filter by state, class, category, and income. Apply for every government scholarship you are eligible for.
Check your state education department website for state-specific scholarships not listed on NSP.
Register on Buddy4Study and Scholarship India (scholarshipindia.org) for private scholarships.
Ask your school. Many schools receive scholarship circulars from the district education office that never reach students. Your principal or class teacher may know about local scholarships.
Apply to multiple scholarships. There is no rule that says you can only hold one scholarship. Many students receive 2 to 3 scholarships simultaneously.

Common Mistakes in Scholarship Applications

Missing the deadline: The most common reason for missing a scholarship. Set calendar reminders 2 weeks before each deadline. Incorrect bank details: Scholarship money goes directly to your bank account. A wrong account number means the money goes nowhere. Verify twice. Incomplete documents: Every missing document delays or rejects your application. Prepare all documents before starting the application. Not following up with school: Many scholarships require school verification. If your school does not verify on time, your application expires. Follow up with the principal. Applying only for one scholarship: Apply for every scholarship you qualify for. The worst that can happen is you get rejected. The best is you receive multiple.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?

Yes. There is no restriction on applying to multiple scholarships. You can hold a government scholarship and a private scholarship simultaneously in most cases. However, some government schemes do not allow you to hold two government scholarships at the same time. Read the terms of each scholarship carefully.

My family income is above the limit for most scholarships. Are there any options for me?

Yes. Merit-based scholarships like INSPIRE (for top 1% in Class 12), Reliance Foundation, and many private scholarships do not have strict income limits. Some focus purely on academic performance or talent. Also check if your school offers any internal merit scholarships funded by alumni or local donors.

I am in a private school. Can I still get government scholarships?

It depends on the specific scholarship. NMMSS is only for government and government-aided school students. However, many other scholarships including Post-Matric SC/ST/OBC scholarships, PM YASASVI, and most private scholarships are available to students in private schools. Check the eligibility for each scholarship individually.

What documents do I need to apply for most scholarships?

The standard documents are: Aadhaar card, passport-size photograph, income certificate issued by a competent authority, caste certificate (if applying under SC/ST/OBC/Minority category), previous year marksheet or report card, bank passbook or cancelled cheque (for account details), and school bonafide certificate. Some scholarships may require additional documents. Keep scanned copies of all these ready in advance.

I missed the deadline for a scholarship. What should I do?

Unfortunately, most scholarship deadlines are strict and cannot be extended. Set reminders for next year and apply early. In the meantime, check if there are other scholarships with later deadlines. Private scholarships from platforms like Buddy4Study often have rolling deadlines throughout the year. Also explore our guide on trending courses after Class 12 for scholarships specific to higher education programs.

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