India Government Scholarships For Higher Education

Every year, countless students all over India dream of continuing their education right after finishing Class 12. While this shift might feel pretty standard for many, it can be tough financially for those from lower-income families. To make sure that deserving students don’t miss out on quality education just because of money issues, the Government of India has introduced a variety of scholarship schemes. These scholarships are designed to assist students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, whether they're studying in India or abroad.

In this guide, we’ll share some of the most important Indian government scholarships, detailing eligibility, benefits, and their scope, so students can make well-informed choices about funding their education.

Indian Government Scholarships to Study in India

The government of India has divided the scholarships into two different categories. One group of Indian government scholarships caters to higher education within India, and the other caters to higher education outside the country. The second group of scholarships is a mixed bag of foreign government scholarship schemes, as well as those granted by the Indian government for higher education abroad. So, without further ado, let us take a look at some of the most prestigious Indian government scholarships.

The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College & University Students

The aim of the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students is to facilitate graduate-level education to students belonging to low-income families. This is one of those Government of India scholarships that help students meet their day-to-day expenses in the duration of their course within the country.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Students must get above the 80th percentile in class 12( 10+2 pattern or equivalent) from their respective Board of Examinations.
• Pursuing a regular UG/PG course
• Annual family income should be less than Rs. 8 lakhs.
• Not receiving any other scholarship or fee reimbursement of any kind.
• Diploma students are not eligible under the scheme.
• Students who had dropped out after class 12 are not eligible under this scheme.

Read about Abroad Education: Scholarship Vs. Self-funding Vs. Education loans

Duration of The Central Sector Scheme Of Scholarship:

• A student will be eligible to enjoy the benefits of this Indian government scholarship scheme for five consecutive years and not more than that.
• A scholarship under this scheme is renewable on a year-to-year basis for up to five years.

Rate of Scholarships Under the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship:

The rate of these Indian government scholarships is Rs. 10000/- per annum at the Graduation level for the first three years of College and University courses and Rs. 20000/- per annum at the Postgraduate level.

Students pursuing professional courses, in case the duration of the course is five years or an Integrated course, would get Rs 20000/- per annum in the 4th and 5th year. However, students pursuing technical courses such as B.Tech., B.Engg would get this Indian government scholarship up to the graduation level. 

Let us move on to understand one of the very important schemes that provides the government of India scholarships - the Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir. 

India Government Scholarships For Domestic Studies - Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir

This Government of India scholarship scheme aims to encourage youth from Jammu and Kashmir to take advantage of the presence of educational institutions outside the state. This will enable such students to interact with students outside of the state and open up several new job opportunities to higher education aspirants who wish to study within India. The scope of the Indian government scholarships that come under this scheme will be explained in the following paragraph.

Scope of the Scholarship

Under this scheme, 5000 fresh scholarships are offered per annum. Out of these, 2070 scholarships are for General Degree Courses, 2830 for Professional/Technical courses, and 100 for Medical Courses. There is a provision of interchangeability of slots among General, Medical, and Professional/Technical streams, subject to the savings accruing from any shortfall in the number of students opting for General Degree Courses.

Rate Of Scholarship:

Degree	No.of Scholarships	Academic Fees	Maintenance Allowance
General Degree	2070(fixed)	₹30,000	₹1,00,000
Professional/Engineering/B.Sc.Nursing/B.Architecture/HMCT Degree	2830(Flexible)	₹1,25,000	₹1,00,000
Medical/BDS or equivalent Medical Stream	100(Flexible)	₹3,00,000	₹1,00,000

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates should be residents of the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh
• Candidates must have passed the 12th examination from JKBOSE or CBSE-affiliated schools located in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
• The family income of the candidate should be less than or equal to ₹8,00,000 per annum.
• Candidates are compulsorily required to apply online on the AICTE web-portal and verify their documents through the nearest Facilitation Centers of UTs of J&K and Ladakh within the time frame.
• Polytechnic Diploma holders from the recognized Polytechnic Institutes of the State are also eligible to apply under the scheme. 

Duration Of Scholarships :

The scholarships granted under the government of India scholarships scheme are renewed in subsequent classes, subject to good conduct and maintenance of attendance as prescribed by the respective institution.

Students who fail to get promoted to the next class/level for any reason, including illness, get the scholarship amount of that academic year in the following academic year, subject to the condition that he/she will get the scholarship for only the regular duration of the course (i.e. three years for General Degree Courses, four years for Professional/Technical Courses and five years for Medical Courses). The scholarship will not be paid twice for the same year of study.

Indian Government Scholarships for Studying Abroad

Although the government of India rarely provides full scholarships to study abroad, the MHRD (Ministry of Human Resources Department) facilitates the application procedure for scholarships sponsored by the governments of certain friendly countries under cultural/educational exchange programs. Here is a list of some of the most prominent Indian government scholarships for studying abroad, offered by the governments of certain foreign countries.

United Kingdom Commonwealth Scholarships

Level/course of Study: Master's (one-year course)/PhD

Subjects/Fields eligible for a full scholarship to study abroad: 

• Engineering & Technology: Electrical/Electronics, Environmental Studies, Remote Sensing Technology, Communication Engineering, Biotechnology or Biochemical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Applications/Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering/Aeronautics, Civil Engineering/Architecture, Material Science, Mining Engineering, and Marine Engineering.
• Science (Pure & Applied): Mathematics, Molecular Biology, Physics, and Chemistry (including Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry). Agriculture & Allied Field: Agronomy and Forestry.
• Humanities & Social Science: History, Sociology, Management Studies, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, Law, English (Literature/Linguistics), and Political Science with International Relations.

The UK Commonwealth Scholarships are full scholarships granted to students whose academic records reflect exemplary performance throughout their academic career. Some of the basic provisions of the UK government scholarships for college students include the following:

Each scholarship provides:

1. Approved airfare to the United Kingdom and return at the end of the award (the CSC will neither reimburse the cost of fares for dependents, nor usually the cost of journeys made before the award is finally confirmed).  
2. Approved tuition and examination fees. 
3. Stipend (living allowance) at the rate of £ 1,043 per month, or £ 1,279 per month for those at universities in the London metropolitan area (rates quoted at 2016-2017 levels).

The tentative dates to apply for scholarships and grants for this particular scheme will be provided on the Ministry’s website. 

Also read about Best Study Abroad Scholarships For Indian Students

Commonwealth Scholarships to Study in New Zealand

This particular commonwealth scholarship to study in New Zealand covers the complete expenses of students who have been enrolled in Master’s or Post Doctoral level courses in the field of Agriculture Development or Renewable energy in institutions across New Zealand.

Only two slots are available for students to enrol for this scholarship every year. Some of the major benefits of this scholarship, facilitated by the Indian government, are listed below:

1. The full cost of tuition  
2. A fortnightly living allowance  
3. an establishment allowance, medical and travel insurance  travel to and from the candidates’ home country at the start and end of the scholarship  
4. Home leave or reunion travel for some scholars, and assistance with research and thesis costs for many postgraduate research students.

Similar to the above scholarships for college students, the department of scholarships to study abroad also facilitates full scholarships to study abroad in countries like Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and China. These schemes grant similar scholarships and grants to students enrolled in a variety of courses abroad.

Benefits of Taking an Educational Loan for Higher Studies

Opting for an education loan is a better way for students to fund their higher studies without putting too much financial strain on their families. These loans typically cover crucial academic expenses like tuition fees, exam fees, and institutional charges, allowing students to focus on their chosen programs without any interruptions.

For those heading abroad, education loans often cover living costs, travel expenses, insurance, and study materials, offering a comprehensive financial solution for all academic needs.

Additionally, flexible repayment options, competitive interest rates, tax benefits, and grace periods make these loans a wise choice for students from various financial backgrounds.

At WeMakeScholars, we’re here to assist students in finding the best education loan options out there! We offer unbiased education loans, personalized guidance, and complete support throughout the entire loan process. 

Conclusion

Government scholarships are incredibly important for students from varied financial backgrounds, making it easier for them to obtain quality education both in India and overseas. When paired with a suitable education loan, students can chase their academic ambitions without worrying about finances. Knowing about these options gives every student the power to plan effectively and get one step closer to achieving their dream career.