📌 1. National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
A centralized platform where hundreds of scholarships from the Government of India (central + state) are listed — for school, college, UG/PG, PhD, reserved categories, merit-based, need-based and more.
📍 Apply and check deadlines at: scholarships.gov.in
📌 2. National Overseas Scholarship (NOS)
For Indian students from Scheduled Castes (SC), Denotified Nomadic & Semi-Nomadic Tribes, Landless Agricultural Labourers, Traditional Artisans to pursue Master’s/PhD abroad with expenses covered (tuition, living, travel, etc.).
📌 3. Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)
Government research scholarship for Indian students pursuing science/tech in undergraduate & beyond — provides stipend + annual grant.
📌 4. Merit + Special Scholarships
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IIT Bombay WINGS Scholarship – full tuition for women in STEM (starting 2026-27).
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PMC & Other State Merit Scholarships – cash rewards for board toppers (X/XII) and other merit categories.
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Delhi Higher & Technical Education Assistance Scheme – ₹25+ crore distributed to EWS students recently.
🌍 Top Scholarships for Indian Students to Study Abroad
🎓 1. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships (USA)
Highly prestigious program for Master’s, doctoral, and research degrees — includes tuition, living costs, travel, insurance, etc.
🎓 2. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Fully funded scholarships for one-year Master’s degrees — covers tuition, living allowance, and flights.
🎓 3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
Funding for postgraduate students with monthly stipend, travel, insurance, etc.
🎓 4. Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship
For Indian graduates pursuing Master’s/MPhil/PhD abroad — covers tuition, living, and travel (up to USD ~100,000).
🎓 5. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s
Highly competitive EU scholarship for joint international Master’s degrees with generous funding.
🎓 6. University & Country-Specific Scholarships
There are many others such as:
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Merit/fee-based scholarships at universities (e.g., UK, Australia, New Zealand)
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Aichi (Japan), DST A*STAR (Singapore), and scholarships in Australia for Indian applicants
✨ Example: University of Auckland offers India High Achievers Scholarship (NZ) — up to NZ$20,000 toward tuition.
💡 Private & Foundation Scholarships
Many corporates, NGOs, and trusts offer funding, such as:
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Aditya Birla Group Scholarships (merit + leadership support).
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Cummins India Foundation ‘Nurturing Brilliance’ Scholarship (engineering/diploma).
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Tata Steel / Azim Premji Scholarship programmes (various levels).
📌 How to Apply (Tips)
✔️ 1. Start on the National Scholarship Portal
Check eligibility, deadlines, and documents — it’s often the first step for central + state funds.
✔️ 2. For abroad scholarships:
Visit official program portals (e.g., Chevening.org, USIEF for Fulbright, DAAD.de). Applications usually open months before the academic year.
✔️ 3. Prepare early:
Many scholarships require essays (SOP), recommendation letters, test scores (like IELTS/TOEFL), and transcripts.
✔️ 4. Check eligibility carefully:
Some are need-based (family income caps), some merit-based (grades + achievements), and some have age limits. It is essential to thoroughly review the specific criteria for each scholarship opportunity as they can vary significantly. Understanding the nuances between need-based and merit-based scholarships will allow applicants to identify the most suitable options for their circumstances. Additionally, awareness of any age restrictions is crucial in ensuring compliance with eligibility requirements. Overall, a meticulous approach to evaluating these factors will enhance the chances of a successful application.