Worried about the cost of college? Don’t let finances stop you from pursuing your dream education! There are plenty of scholarships in India for college students — across science, commerce, arts, engineering, and medical fields — offered by the government, private organizations, and universities themselves.
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In this blog, we’ll walk you through the top scholarships for Indian college students, who is eligible, and how to apply — whether you’re in Class 12, undergraduate, or just starting college.
Whether you’re looking for merit-based aid, financial assistance, or scholarships for reserved categories, this guide has you covered!
💡 Types of Scholarships Available in India
- 🎓 Merit-Based Scholarships – For students with high academic scores
- 💰 Need-Based Scholarships – For students from low-income families
- 📚 Subject-Specific Scholarships – For fields like engineering, medicine, law, etc.
- 🏫 College/University Scholarships – Offered by institutions to top-performing or deserving students
- 👥 Category-Based Scholarships – For SC/ST/OBC, minority, EWS, girl students, and disabled students
🏆 Top College Scholarships in India (2025)
1. National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
- 🎯 A central government portal for multiple scholarships
- For: SC/ST/OBC/Minorities/EWS students
- Covers: Tuition, books, maintenance
- Apply on: scholarships.gov.in
2. Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC
- Offered by both central and state governments
- Eligibility: Class 11 and above, family income below ₹2.5 lakh (varies)
- Benefits: Full/partial tuition + allowance
3. INSPIRE Scholarship (For Science Students)
- Offered by: Department of Science & Technology (DST)
- Eligibility: Top 1% in Class 12 Boards + enrolled in BSc/BS/MS courses
- Award: ₹80,000 per year
- Apply at: online-inspire.gov.in
4. HDFC Educational Crisis Scholarship
- For: Students facing a personal or family financial crisis
- Classes: 6th to UG level
- Amount: Up to ₹75,000
- Apply via HDFC Bank website
5. Ishan Uday Scholarship (For NE Region Students)
- Eligibility: Class 12 pass from North-Eastern states, family income < ₹4.5 lakh
- Amount: ₹5,400/month (General), ₹7,800/month (Technical/Professional)
6. Scholarships by College / University
- Most private & public colleges offer internal scholarships:
- SRCC, DU: Merit + need-based
- Christ University: Entrance score, merit
- BITS Pilani: 25–100% tuition waiver based on 12th marks
- IITs/NITs: Merit-cum-means scholarships, fee waivers for EWS/SC/ST
7. AICTE Pragati & Saksham Scholarships
- Pragati: For girl students in technical courses (₹50,000/year)
- Saksham: For students with disabilities
- Apply via: aicte-india.org
📝 Documents Required for Scholarship Applications
Keep these ready (scanned and physical copies):
✅ Aadhaar Card
✅ Class 10/12 Marksheet
✅ Income Certificate (from govt. authority)
✅ Caste Certificate (if applicable)
✅ Admission proof / Fee receipt
✅ Bank Passbook (student’s name)
✅ Recent passport-size photo
📲 How to Apply for College Scholarships
Step-by-Step (Generic Process):
- Visit the scholarship portal (e.g., NSP, state portal, or college site)
- Register with your details
- Fill in the application form
- Upload scanned documents
- Submit the form and note your application ID
- Track status online via dashboard or SMS/email
📅 Important Dates (2025 Tentative)
| Scholarship | Application Window |
|---|---|
| NSP Scholarships | July–Oct 2025 |
| INSPIRE | Aug–Oct 2025 |
| AICTE Pragati/Saksham | Sept–Nov 2025 |
| HDFC Crisis Scholarship | March–June 2025 |
| College/University Scholarships | Varies by institute |
💬 Pro Tips to Get a Scholarship
✔️ Apply early — don’t wait for deadlines
✔️ Read eligibility carefully before applying
✔️ Write a strong Statement of Purpose (if required)
✔️ Keep your academic record updated
✔️ Always check official portals for legit info
📌 Final Thoughts
A college scholarship in India can ease your financial stress and let you focus on learning. Whether you’re from a low-income family, an academically strong student, or from a reserved category — there’s likely a scholarship you qualify for.
