Know about the Important Government Scholarships for Indian Students 2018 - 2019

Last Modified: 03 Oct 2024

Scholarships are like a boon for students. It is a kind of an award for meritorious students. It not only gives recognition to the merit of the students but also extends financial aids to them. With scholarships, students belonging to the disadvantaged or marginalised sections of the society get a fair chance for education. The Government of India runs various kinds of scholarship programmes to cater to the different needs of students. For example, some of the scholarship programmes are meant for a specific category of students like ‘National Fellowship for OBC students’, ‘Maulana Abul Kalam Azad for Minority’, or ‘Rajiv Gandhi scholarship for SC/ST students'. Similarly, some scholarships are gender specific like ‘Swami Vivekananda Single Girl child scheme’, ‘Pragati scholarship for women technical education’ and ‘Begum Hazrat Mahal scholarship’ for meritorious minority girl students.

Here is a complete list of the government scholarships for higher studies in the year 2018-2019:

  1. J C Bose National Fellowships

  • About the Scholarship – This scholarship is given by the Department of Science and Technology for outstanding contributions in the science and technology fields.
  • Meant for – Science, Medical and Engineering students.
  • Eligibility - Applicants should possess higher qualifications like Ph.D.
  • Benefits - Fellowship grant for 5 years.
  • Entrance Exam date – No specified date for the applications. Applications can be sent throughout the year.

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  1. IGCAR JRF

  • About the Scholarship – Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research is one of the premier institutions of India dedicated for the frontier research in the fast –breeder reactor technology. It gives JRF (Junior Research Fellowships) to encourage students into research. The IGCAR JRF scholarship is given by the Department of Atomic Science and Research.
  • Meant for – It is meant for science students who want to pursue a career in the atomic research field. Those students who are selected for this scholarship are enrolled in the Ph.D. programme at the Homi Bhaba Research Institute.
  • Eligibility - Students should have done Master’s in the Science Subject from a recognized university with at least 60% aggregate marks.
  • Entrance Exam date – The entrance exam for the IGCAR JRF is conducted in May.

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  1. Ministry of Culture Scholarships for Young Artistes -2018

  • About the Scholarship – This scholarship is given by the Ministry of Culture for Performing, Plastic and literary arts in the Senior and Junior category for the rural and tribal artists.
  • Meant for – The scholarship aims at supporting outstanding performers in the field of art and culture belonging to the tribal and rural section.
  • Eligibility - Applicants should provide documented proof of their art. To avail the Junior Category fellowship, applicants should be between 25 to 40 years of age. The applicants of age 40 years and above come in the Senior Category.
  • Entrance Exam date – A selection committee is formed by the department of culture which undertakes an appraisal of the applications.

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  1. Lalit Kala Akademi Scholarship

  • About the Scholarship - This scholarship is given by the Ministry of Culture. The Lalit Kala Academy is an autonomous body which is fully – funded by the Ministry of Culture. It is considered as the apex government body in the Visual art.
  • Meant for - Students of visual arts like Paintings, Graphics, Ceramics and Sculpture.
  • Eligibility - Outstanding contributors in the field of Visual art.
  • Entrance Exam date - A selection committee is formed to select the beneficiary applicants for the scholarship. The applications are usually invited in the month of January every year.

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  1. JBNSTS Senior Scholarship Test 2018

  • About the Scholarship - The JBNSTS (Jagdish Chandra Bose National Science Talent) scholarship is given by the West Bengal government. It receives support from the Ministry of HRD, Department of Science and Technology, and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. It gives Senior and Junior JBNSTS scholarships.
  • Meant for - It is given to meritorious Science students to pursue higher studies like B.Tech, B.E, and M.B.B.S etc.
  • Eligibility - Students should have passed Class 12th in the Science stream and should have taken admission in the science related professional course.
  • Entrance Exam date Selection of students for the scholarship is made on the basis of the Written exam and Interview.
    • Registration or Applications begins on – By 1st June every year
    • Last date to apply – 31st July every year
    • Exam Date – In the 3rd week of August

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  1. Ramanujan Fellowships 2018

  • About the Scholarship – The Ramanujan Fellowship is given to scientists and researchers from all over the world. They should be ready to undertake a research project in the Indian Institutions. The SERB (Science and Research Board) invites applications and selects candidates for the scholarship.
  • Meant for – Applicants should have done Ph.D. in Science or Engineering or Masters in Engineering/Technology.
  • Eligibility - Applicants with outstanding track-record in the field of science and research. They should not be more than 55 years of age.
  • Benefit – Selected scientists are given ₹ 75,000 per month. In addition, they can also avail ₹ 7,00,000 per annum.
  •  Entrance Exam date – There is no specific date to apply for the Ramanujan Fellowship 2018. Interested scientists or engineers can approach SERB (Science and Research Board) to get considered for the scholarship.

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  1. INSPIRE SHE Scholarship 2018

  • About the Scholarship – INSPIRE (Innovation in Science for Pursuit of Inspired Research) SHE (Scheme for Higher Education) scholarship is given by the Ministry of Science and Technology to pursue Bachelors and Masters in Basic Sciences.
  • Meant for – It is given to top-ranked students who choose to pursue B. Sc. or M. Sc. (integrated programme).
  • Eligibility – A student should have secured a top 10,000 rank in the IIT JEE or NEET exam. Or a student should be among the top 1% rank in the board exams. A student should have taken admission in the B. Sc. or M. Sc. (integrated programme)
  • Benefits - Every year 10,000 scholarships are given. Each student gets ₹ 80,000 annually for 5 years.
  • Entrance Exam date The application dates for the INSPIRE SHE scholarship 2018 is yet to be announced. Usually, applications are invited by 15th of October and end by 31st December of each year. 

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  1. INSPIRE Fellowship Program 2018

  • About the Scholarship – INSPIRE fellowship is given under the AORC (Assured Opportunity in the Research Career), the fourth component of the INSPIRE scholarship programme. It is given for doctoral research in the basic science and applied science.
  • Meant for – Students who want to pursue research in after completing M. Sc.
  • Eligibility - A student should have scored minimum 65% marks in the M. Sc. / M. S Course. Or a student should be the University topper, 1st rank holder.
  • Benefit – Every year 1,000 scholars are selected under this scheme. The amount of the scholarship is transferred to the host institution from where the student is pursuing the Ph.D. It is given for maximum 5 years period.
  • Entrance Exam date –
    • Selection for this scholarship is made on the basis of the applicant’s academic record, choice of the supervising committee, the topic of the research, and the host-institution rank
    • The application date for the INSPIRE Fellowship Program 2018 is yet to be announced. However, every year applications are invited towards the end of August and close by the end of September. Interested students should apply for the scholarship during this period

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  1. MICA Ahmedabad Fellowship Program 2018

  • About the Scholarship – The Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad is an AICTE approved institute that gives fellowship for pursuing research in the Management Communication.
  • Meant for – Students who want to pursue Ph.D. in management communications.
  • Eligibility - Students should have done Masters/Post Graduation or equivalent in Management/ Social Science/ Communications or Humanities with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.
  • Benefits – Those students who are selected for this scholarship are given waiver in the tuition-fee and a living stipend on the monthly basis to pursue the research. They are ₹ 25,000, ₹ 27,000 ­­­­­­and ₹ 30,000 in the 1st year, 2nd year and the 3rd year of the course duration.
  • Entrance Exam date –
    • Closing date for the applications – 31st January 2018
    • Telephonic interview date – In February or March 2018
    • Written test date – In April 2018
    • Result declaration – In April 2018
    • Last date for Admission – In May 2018

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  1. Indian Oil Scholarship

  • About the Scholarship – The Indian Oil is the public sector major in the energy sector. It gives scholarships to students of various streams on the merit-cum-means basis to pursue higher education.
  • Meant for – School and college students who want to pursue professional education.
  • Eligibility – An applicant should have taken admission in the ITI/ MBBS/MBA/ or Engineering courses on the full-time basis. They should be outstanding students in academics. The minimum age limit is 15 years and the upper age limit is 30 years.
  • Benefits – Under this scholarship, students are given ₹ 1,000 for pursuing 10+2. Those students who are enrolled in the MBA, MBBS, B. Tech, B.E etc are given ₹ 3,000 on the monthly basis for the complete duration of the course.
  • Entrance Exam date
    • Online Registration for the exam begins on – July 2018
    • Last date for applications – October 2018
    • Exam date – November 2018
    • Result declaration – November 2018

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  1. National Fellowship for OBC Candidate

  • About the Scholarship – The National Fellowship for OBC is given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.  This scholarship can be availed by the OBC students who want to pursue higher education such as Ph. D, M. Phil etc in Social Science, Humanities, Science, Technology, and Engineering.  
  • Meant for – Only OBC students wishing to do higher studies.
  • Eligibility - The applicants should have done Masters and have got enrolled in the research programmes. Their family income should not exceed        ₹ 6,00,000 per annum.
  • Benefits – Applicants are given ₹ 25, 000 as JRF and ₹ 28,000 as SRF.
  • Entrance Exam date – The scholarship amount can be availed in the 1st week of April every year.

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  1. NHFDC – Scholarships for Differently Abled Students 2018

The National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation has issued a notification to close its scholarship scheme for the differently abled students from 31st December 2017. No fresh applications will be issued in the year 2018. The previous year beneficiaries will continue to receive their scholarship after renewal.

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  1. Jawaharlal Nehru Scholarships for Doctoral Studies

  • About the Scholarship - This scholarship is given by the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial to distinguished individuals. It encourages higher learning and free intellectual inquiry among brilliant scholars from different backgrounds.
  • Meant for – It is given to outstanding, famous, brilliant scholars or thinkers who strive for gaining intellectual capital for the Indian society.
  • Eligibility - The applicant should stand in the highest ranks of their field. They should be a well-known and reputed person/scholar/philosopher/journalist/artist/writers/civil servants.
  • Benefits – The selected person is given ₹ 1,00,000 per month for 2 years for their intellectual pursuit.
  •  Entrance Exam date – Interested students should send the filled-in applications before 31st May. A selection committee of distinguished scholars, notable personalities, and creative thinkers undertake an appraisal of the sent applications to select the candidates.

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  1. IITM Pune Research Associateships and Research Fellowships in Climate Science

  • About the Scholarship – The Ministry of Earth Science gives scholarships and associateships for pursuing research in the Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences.
  • Meant for – Associateship for Doctoral/ Postdoctoral students. The research fellowship is meant for Postgraduate students.
  • Eligibility - For Associateship, an applicant should have a Doctoral degree in the Meteorology and Climatology from a recognized university. The applicant should not be more than 35 years of age.

For Fellowship

  • An applicant should have done Post graduation in the Atmospheric and Oceanic Science or in Chemical Science/Physical science/ Mathematical Science with GATE/ NET/ /JEST/JAM certification.  
  • The applicant should not be more than 28 years of age.
  • Benefit - The selected beneficiaries for the associateship are given ₹ 36,000 and for the fellowship ₹ 25,000 on the monthly basis.
  • Entrance Exam date – Interested students should submit their applications online. Applications should reach by 30th April 2018.

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  1. Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students

  • About the Scholarship – This scholarship is given by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
  • Meant for – This scholarship is meant for minority community like Parsi, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian & Jain. It is given to them to pursue higher studies like M. Phil, Ph.D. in Social Science, Humanities, Sciences, Engineering and Technology.
  • Eligibility -
    • The applicant should belong to the specified minority community
    • They should have a minimum score of 50% at the Post graduation level
    • Their annual family income should not exceed ₹ 2,50,000 per annum
  • Benefits – Those students who are selected for this scholarship get ₹ 25,000 as JRF and ₹ 28,000 as SRF for 5 years. Students also get contingency grant annually from ₹ 20,000 (Humanities and Arts) and ₹ 25,000 (for Science). Readers/Escort assistance is also provided for the Blind/ physically handicapped students.
  • Entrance Exam date – The application date for the Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority students is yet to be announced. Usually, every year applications are invited on 1st July and close on 31st July.

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  1. Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana 2018

  • About the Scholarship - KVPY is a national scholarship programme of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
  • Meant for – School students who have passed Class 10th/Class 12th (in Science stream) or should have taken admission in the Bachelors 1st year.
  • Eligibility - Applicants should have passed Class 10th/Class 12th with a minimum aggregate score of 60% marks and 80% marks. SC/ST/PwD candidates should have 70% marks in Class 10th and 55% marks in Class 12th.
  • Benefit – To pursue Bachelors in Science, students are given ₹ 5,000 and ₹ 7,000 to pursue Masters.
  • Entrance Exam date –
    • For KVPY 2018 scholarship applications will be invited by the 2nd week of July 2018. It will close by 2nd week of August.
    • Exam date – 1st Week of November 2018
    • Result announcement – 1st week of December 2018
    • Interview – By 3rd week of January 2018

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  1. Merit cum Means Scholarship for Students Belonging to Minority Communities 2018

  • About the Scholarship – The Merit-cum-means scholarship is given by the Ministry of Minority affairs to meritorious students belonging to the underprivileged or poor sections of the society to pursue professional courses.
  • Meant for – Students belonging to the economically poor sections of the society.
  • Eligibility- Students should have passed the higher secondary exam and have taken admission in the professional course.
  • Benefit – Selected students who are hostellers are given ₹ 20,000 annually for their tuition fee. They also receive ₹1,000 on the monthly basis to meet their monthly expenses for a period of 10 months. Those students who are day’s scholars get ₹ 20,000 annually to give their tuition-fee. They also receive ₹ 500 on monthly basis to meet their expenses for a period of 10 months.
  • Entrance Exam date – Applications should be submitted by 31st October 2018.

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  1. Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship for Girls (Minorities) 2018

  • About the Scholarship – The Begum Hazrat Mahal scholarship is given by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to girls of the minority community. So that they can pursue their education.
  • Meant for – Meritorious minority girls belonging to the national minority community who want to pursue their school or college studies.
  • Eligibility -
    • The applicant should belong to any one the following communities – Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Parsi
    • The annual income of the family should not exceed ₹ 2,00,000. The income certificate issued by the government should be submitted to avail the scholarship
    • The applicant should be studying in Class 9th to Class 12th. They should have a minimum score of 50% aggregate marks
  • Benefits – Students get tuition-fee, lodging charges, books and equipments purchase charges.
  • Entrance Exam date – The dates for the Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship 2018 is yet to be announced. Usually, the last date for applications is 15th November.

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  1. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities

  • About the Scholarship- Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship is a central government scholarship scheme for students with a disability. The scheme encourages them to pursue higher education like M. Phil or Ph. D.
  • Meant for – Students with a disability who want to pursue higher education like research in universities or colleges.
  • Eligibility- The applicant should be a disabled student.
    • He/she should have taken admission in the Ph.D. or M. Phil programme in a recognized university or college
  • Benefits –
    • The JRF receives ₹ 16,000 per month and SRF receives ₹ 18,000 per month
    • They also get annual contingency grant ₹ 20,500 (Humanities, Social Science and Commerce) and ₹ 25,000 (Technology and Science)
    • Escort/Reader assistance of ₹ 2,000 per month
  • Entrance Exam date – The date for applications of the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for students with disabilities is yet to be announced. Usually, the applications are invited in July and the last date for applications is August.

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  1. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC/ ST Candidate 2018

  • About the Scholarship – The scholarship is given by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students to pursue higher education.
  • Meant for – It is meant for SC/ST students who want to pursue higher education like M. Phil or Ph.D. in any college or university in Social Science, Science, Humanities, Engineering or Technology.
  • Eligibility - The applicants should have passed Masters and should have taken admission in the Ph.D. or M. Phil on the first opportunity within the 2 years.
  • Benefits –
    • As JRF students get ₹ 16,000 per month and as SRF ₹ 18,000 per month
    • Students also get contingency grants ₹ 20,500 annually for Humanities and Social Science and ₹ 25,000 for Engineering and Technology
    • Escort/Reader assistance of ₹ 2,000 is also on the monthly basis
    • HRA benefit will also be provided as per the rules
  • Entrance Exam date – Applications are invited in the month of July every year.

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  1. Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship for Research in Social Sciences 2018

  • About the Scholarship – The scholarship was introduced by the UGC keeping in view the ideals of the Swami Vivekananda for the women education. Under this scholarship scheme, single girl child of the family is given scholarship assistance to pursue higher education.
  • Meant for – It is meant for single girl child of a family. She should be aiming for pursuing research in the social science.  
  • Eligibility -
    • A girl should be the single child of her parent. She should not have any brother or sister
    • She should have taken admission in the Ph.D. programme in Social Science in a recognized college/university
    • A general category student should not be more than 40 years of age and SC/ST should not be more than 45 years of age
  • Benefits –
    • As JRF, students get ₹ 25,000 per month for 2 years
    • As SRF, they get ₹ 28,000 per month for 3 years
    • They also get annual contingency grant of ₹ 10,000 on monthly basis for 2 years and ₹ 20,500 on the monthly basis for 3 years
    • Escort/Reader assistance of ₹ 2,000 per month
  • Entrance Exam date – The applications are invited in the month of July every year. The last date for applications is August.

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  1. Pragati Scholarship by AICTE for Women pursuing Technical Education

  • About the Scholarship – Pragati scholarship is given by the Ministry of Human Resource Development to those girl students who wish to pursue technical education.
  • Meant for – Girl students who want to pursue technical education from an AICTE recognized college/university.
  • Eligibility-
    • One girl student per family. In case of two girl students, income of the family should not exceed ₹ 8,00,000 per annum
    • She should have been admitted in the 1st year of the Diploma/Degree programme in the AICTE approved technical college/ institution
  • Benefits –
    • Students receive ₹ 30,000 for their tuition-fee
    • They also get ₹ 2,000 on the monthly basis for 10 months for their monthly expenses
  • Entrance Exam date – Applications should reach by 30th November.

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  1. Saksham Scholarship by AICTE for Differently Abled Students pursuing Technical Education

  • About the Scholarship – Saksham scholarship is given by the Ministry of HRD for specially/differently abled students to pursue technical education and get employment.

  • Meant for – It is meant for differently abled students to support them in getting technical education.
  • Eligibility -
    • An applicant should not have less than 40% disability
    • His/her annual family income should not exceed ₹ 8,00,000 per annum
  • Benefits –
    • Students get tuition fee up to ₹ 30,000
    • They also get ₹ 2,000 per month for 10 months period
  • Entrance Exam date – The Saksham scholarship 2018-2019 is yet to be announced. Usually every year, the last date of the applications is November.

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1 Comments

Pruthvi, April 8, 2019

Im pursuing CA , Is there any scholarship for the Professional Courses?

Exams Planner, April 13, 2019

You must check out with ICAI for scholarships.