Top Government Scholarships 2026: Full List, Eligibility, Important Dates & How to Apply
- Ankit Adhikari
- 20 hours ago
- 7 min read
The Government of India has announced a wide range of scholarship schemes for the 2026-27 academic year, catering to students from various backgrounds, disciplines, and economic strata. From fully funded overseas study opportunities to postgraduate fellowships for women and minority students, these scholarships open doors to quality education both within India and abroad.
Here is a detailed guide to the biggest government scholarships for Indian students in 2026, along with eligibility criteria, benefits, and step-by-step application instructions.
National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) 2026
Aspect | Details |
Eligibility | SC, DNTs/NTs, landless agricultural labourers, traditional artisans; family income ≤ ₹8 lakh p.a.; age ≤ 35 years (as of April 1, 2026) |
Academic Requirement | For Master's: 60% in Bachelor's degree; For PhD: 60% in Master's degree |
Benefits | Full tuition fees, maintenance allowance of USD 15,400 (US/other countries) or GBP 9,900 (UK), contingency allowance of USD 1,500/GBP 1,100, visa fees, medical insurance, economy class airfare |
Application Period | Phase 1: February–March 2026; Phase 2: September–October 2026 (if seats remain vacant) |
Application Link |
Eligibility & Selection Process: This prestigious scheme, administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, awards 125 fully funded scholarships annually for Master's and PhD programmes abroad. Out of the total slots, 115 are reserved for Scheduled Caste candidates, 6 for DNT/NT communities, and 4 for landless agricultural labourers and traditional artisans. Additionally, 30% of the total slots are reserved for women candidates. Selection prioritises candidates with unconditional admission offers from QS World University Rankings top 500 institutions, with a second round expanding eligibility to other recognised universities.
Step-by-Step Application Guide:
Visit the National Scholarship Portal and check the official NOS notification.
Ensure you have a confirmed admission offer from a recognised foreign university (top 500 QS-ranked for Phase 1).
Gather the required documents: educational certificates, caste certificate, income proof, Aadhaar card, foreign university admission letter, and (if employed) your employer's NOC.
Register on the NOS portal and fill out the online application form with your personal, academic, and income details.
Upload all necessary documents and submit the form. The last date for Phase 1 is typically March 31 each year.
If selected, you must execute a bond before departure and return to India within 30 days of completing your course.
CBSE Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship – India
Aspect | Details |
Eligibility | The applicant must be the only girl child of her parents (no siblings). However, in the case of twin or multiple girls born together, each child is considered a "single girl child" and is eligible. |
Academic Requirement | Must have passed the CBSE Class X board examination with at least 70% marks and be currently enrolled in Class XI in a CBSE-affiliated school. For renewal in Class XII, a minimum of 70% marks in Class XI is required. |
Family Income | The total annual income of the family must not exceed ₹8 lakh per annum. |
Benefits | Selected students receive a scholarship of ₹1,000 per month for up to two years (covering Classes XI and XII). The amount is directly transferred to the beneficiary's bank account. |
Application Period | Applications typically open after the CBSE Class X results. For the 2026-27 session, fresh and renewal applications are being accepted. |
Application Link |
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
Visit the Official Portal: Go to the official CBSE website at cbse.gov.in and navigate to the 'Scholarship' section.
Register and Login: Click on the 'Single Girl Child Scholarship 2026' link. Fresh applicants will need to register, while renewal applicants can log in using their existing credentials.
Fill the Application Form: Provide your personal details, academic information (including Class X roll number and year of passing), and bank account information for the scholarship transfer.
Upload Required Documents: This includes: Aadhaar card, Class X marksheet, proof of admission to Class XI, proof of family income (₹8 lakh limit), a self-declaration affidavit for single girl child status, and a bank passbook copy.
Review and Submit: Before final submission, carefully check all information. Schools must then verify the online application.
UGC PG Scholarship for SC/ST Candidates 2026
Eligibility | SC/ST candidates admitted to first year of professional PG programmes (ME/M.Tech/other courses) at recognised institutions |
Benefits | ₹7,800 per month (ME/M.Tech courses); ₹4,500 per month (other professional PG courses) |
Application Status | Applications accepted – check Official UGC Website for deadlines |
Application Link |
Eligibility & Selection Process: The UGC is expected to reopen the application window for this prestigious scholarship shortly. Postgraduate scholarships for SC/ST, OBC, and minority students are expected to follow similar timelines and can be accessed through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Step-by-Step Application Guide:
Regularly check the UGC official website for the announcement of the new application window.
Keep your admission letter, caste certificate, income certificate, and academic mark sheets ready.
Once the portal opens, register on the official UGC scholarship portal or National Scholarship Portal.
Fill in the application form with accurate details and upload the necessary documents.
Submit the application before the deadline.
L'Oréal India For Young Women in Science (FYWIS) Scholarship 2026–27
Eligibility | Indian female students; 85%+ in Class 12 (Science stream); family income ≤ ₹6 lakh p.a. |
Benefits | Financial grant of up to ₹2.50 lakh for tuition, books, and academic expenses for UG science programmes |
Application Period | Application window open until April 30, 2026 (Round 2) |
Application Link |
Eligibility & Selection Process: This programme by L'Oréal India in partnership with UNESCO supports female students enrolling in science-based undergraduate courses (B.Sc, B.Tech, MBBS, BDS, Nursing, Agriculture, etc.). Since its launch in India in 2015, it has supported over 550 young women to pursue careers in STEM fields. The award is fully merit- and need-based, with no repayment required once selected.
Step-by-Step Application Guide:
Visit the Buddy4Study platform's 'Apply Now' page.
Log in with your registered ID or create a new account.
Fill out the online application form with your academic and personal details.
Upload the required documents: class 12 mark sheet, income certificate, admission proof, Aadhaar card, bank passbook copy, and proof of residence.
Review all details carefully and submit the application.
Keep your admission letter from a recognised Indian college ready, as final selection is subject to the submission of the admission proof.
Delhi Government Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC Students 2026
Eligibility | SC, ST, and OBC students enrolled in recognised institutions within Delhi |
Benefits | Financial assistance for tuition, maintenance, and other academic expenses (varies by course and category) |
Application Window | Live – Apply by April 30, 2026 |
Application Link |
Eligibility & Selection Process: The Delhi government has invited applications for scholarships for SC, ST, and OBC students for the 2025-26 academic year. Benefits vary by category and course level, with maintenance allowances up to ₹24,000 for professional students and full tuition fee waivers possible for high achievers.
Step-by-Step Application Guide:
Visit the Delhi e-District Portal at http://www.edistrict.delhigovt.nic.in.
Register as a new user and log in.
Select the appropriate scholarship scheme based on your category and course.
Fill in the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and income details.
Upload the required documents, including caste certificate, income certificate, admission letter, and academic mark sheets.
Submit the application before the April 30, 2026, deadline.
Regularly check the portal for application status updates.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – Gateway to Multiple Central Schemes
Aspect | Details |
Eligibility | Varies by scheme (Central Sector Scheme, Post-Matric, etc.) |
Benefits | Up to ₹20,000 per year for top performers under Central Sector Scheme |
Application Period | Fresh registrations for 2026-27 typically begin in July 2026 |
Application Link |
Eligibility & Selection Process: The National Scholarship Portal serves as India's unified online platform hosting over 100 central and state government scholarship schemes. Key schemes available include the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (for top 20% of Class 12 board toppers), national fellowships for SC/OBC/minority students, and Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme for ex-servicemen's wards.
Step-by-Step Application Guide:
Visit the National Scholarship Portal.
Register as a new user (one-time registration for future applications).
Log in and fill out the application form for your chosen scholarship scheme.
Upload scanned copies of all required documents.
Use OTP-based verification and double-check all details before final submission.
Track your application status through the 'Know your Status' feature.
If your application is rejected, you can apply for reconsideration through the same portal.
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) – India
Aspect | Details |
Eligibility | Students must be in Class 8 at a government, government-aided, or local body school. Their family's annual income should not exceed ₹3.5 lakh. They must have scored at least 55% in Class 7 (relaxable to 50% for SC/ST students) and must pass the state-level NMMS selection test. Students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNV), Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV), Sainik Schools, fully residential schools, or private schools are not eligible. |
Benefits | Selected students receive ₹12,000 per annum (₹1,000 per month) from Class 9 up to Class 12 for study in state government, government-aided, and local body schools. |
Application Period | Applications are typically accepted from August to November 2026. The exact schedule is state-specific, as each state/UT conducts its own selection test. (Note: For the 2025-26 session, some states had deadlines in February 2026; the dates above refer to the upcoming session.) |
State Exam Date | Tentatively November/December 2026 (state-specific). |
Application Link |
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in. This is the official central portal for the scheme.
Register as a new student on the portal and log in to your account.
Select the NMMS scholarship scheme from the available options.
Fill in your academic and personal details accurately and upload the required documents:
Class 7 mark sheet.
Income certificate of parents (not exceeding ₹3.5 lakh per annum).
Caste certificate (if applicable).
Study certificate from the school.
Submit the application. It is then recommended that you take a hard copy of the filled application, get it attested by your school principal, and submit it to your school for verification.
Why Scholarships Matter in 2026
With increasing competition and rising tuition fees, scholarships are not just financial aid—they are gateways to equal opportunities. Government initiatives aim to support millions of students, especially from rural and underprivileged backgrounds.
Important Tips for Students
Apply before the deadline—late applications are not accepted
Ensure all documents are correct and verified
Use only official portals to avoid scams
Keep checking the application status regularly
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Scholarship details such as eligibility, dates, and benefits may change. Students are advised to visit official websites like the National Scholarship Portal or respective authorities for the latest and accurate information.