In India, students and parents are always hunting for scholarships. Some search through websites and others consult with career coaches to get a chance to brighten their future without investing a lot of money. But despite all the efforts, only some are able to secure them, and more often than not, they are the ones with a strong academic background.

While many people blame the fierce competition for missing out on opportunities, it is critical to understand that several other factors like failure to meet application deadlines, lack of knowledge about the relevant available programs, and many others, play a vital role in whether or not a candidate will secure a scholarship grant. In many cases, candidates are unaware of the varied opportunities available to them all through the academic year.

If you too are looking for scholarship grants, have questions about scholarships, or your chances of securing one, read on. This blog will cover different kinds of educational aid programs available in India, and attempt to answer many of your questions on how you can support your education by scholarships.

First things first – what can scholarships do for deserving candidates?

The Indian government recognizes that the lack of resources in the country often becomes a barrier in the path of talented students wanting to pursue higher or specialized education. So, to help these deserving bright young minds overcome this hurdle, it has created multiple targeted programs that offer assistance to candidates in numerous ways, like:

• Providing financial assistance

At times, due to financial constraints, students miss out on gaining a quality education. Scholarships ensure that such candidates can follow their dreams, without the financial burden, to create a better tomorrow for themselves.

• Incentivize studies

When one;’s mind is clogged with questions like "will I be able to study further", "will I get admitted into my dream college", or "will I have the money to support my goals", it's natural for one’s focus to deviate. On the other hand, if you know you can go ahead on the path to higher education without worrying about finances, all that's left is to study as hard as you can.

• Incite confidence and boost morale

Among the millions applying for scholarships, when only a few get selected, their morale skyrockets. They become more confident and ready to face any hurdles that come their way.

Best Indian Scholarship Programs in 2022

The Indian government offers several specific scholarships, for many of which, students need not even give specific tests or exams. They can apply by simply satisfying the eligibility criteria.
To help you easily identify the most suitable scholarship for your needs, we have curated a categorically divided list of National Level Scholarship Programs below. Please scrutinize the information provided ahead to discover the eligibility criteria, the grant amount offered, and other specific details for each one before applying.

1. The Scientist Zone (For candidates with an inclination towards science)

a) The "INSPIRE" Program

The Indian government’s Department of Science and Technology launched INSPIRE awards in 2008 to provide financial aid to students pursuing courses in basic and natural sciences. Standing for "Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research", this scholarship aims at building excitement in the field of science and attracting young talent.

• Scholarship eligibility

  Students with ranks in the top 1% of their class in 12th board exams, and who are pursuing courses like B.Sc. or integrated M.Sc. are eligible for this scholarship. If studying basic and natural sciences, then the eligibility is among the top 10,000 in JEE (Mains & Advanced) or NEET.

• Annual grant

  INR 80,000 per student

• Number of seats

  This award is given to 10,000 students each year

• Time to apply

  Application window open in November of each year

• What makes it unique

  – This scholarship is unique as it doesn't require a separate entrance examination. This means the awardees are chosen based on their existing educational background and are even provided personal mentorship.

b) Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)

Another national fellowship for students interested in basic sciences and research is the KVPY. This, too, is a project of the Indian government's Department of Science and Technology, and it’s a national level scholarship program for highly motivated students with a strong aptitude for science and research.

• Scholarship eligibility

  Candidates must be within the study level of class 11 to the first year of graduation (science stream). IISc Bangalore conducts an aptitude test as the first step of qualifying for the program, after clearing which candidates move ahead in the selection process. Recipients of this grant are expected to maintain a good academic record with a minimum of 60% each year to renew it annually.

• Annual scholarship amount

  • B.Sc. – INR 5000 per student, plus a 20,000 INR contingency fund.
  • M.Sc. – INR 7000 per student, plus a 28,000 INR contingency fund.

• Number of seats

  Around 300-700 students each year

• Time to apply

  Application window opens in July of each year

• What makes it unique

  – The exam can be taken in grades 11,12, or first year of graduation. This level of flexibility is unusual for such awards.

2. The All-is-well Zone (For candidates needing financial support)

a) HDFC Educational Crisis Scholarship Support

Run by HDFC Bank Pvt. Ltd, this scholarship assists students in times of need, such as death of a parent, a life-threatening illness, or job loss.

• Scholarship eligibility

  Students in grades 6 to 12 with a family income of less than 3 LPA, or a family facing a critical financial hardship in the previous two years, are eligible to apply for this program on a merit-cum-need basis.

• Annual grant

  • Every year, INR 10,000 or the tuition fee, whichever is less
  • Every year, INR 25,000 or the tuition fee, whichever is less

• Number of seats

  This award is given to over 1,000 students each year

• Time to apply

  Application window open in May of each year

• What makes it unique

  – This scholarship is open to students from any stream or course.

a) Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access (FAEA)

The FAEA is a Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) initiative that provides financial aid to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This is especially meant for candidates who are pursuing undergraduate degrees. FAEA is a national level program available to every candidate aiming for a brighter future.

• Scholarship eligibility

  This scholarship is open to students from the economically disadvantaged sections of SC/ST/BPL categories that have completed their 12th grade or are in their first year of college.

• Annual grant

  Because the scholarship covers the entire cost of the student's education, the amount offered varies.

• Number of seats

  This scholarship is awarded to 50 students each year

• Time to apply

  Application window open in May/June of each year

• What makes it unique

  – This scholarship is open to students from any stream or course, and it covers a wide range of expenses, including tuition, hostel fees, and maintenance.

3. The Technical Guys Zone (For candidates in love with engineering/ management/ medical)

a) Indian Oil Academic Scholarships

Indian Oil Corporation awards scholarships to students who want to pursue engineering, medical, or management degrees based on merit and financial need. Under this program, over 600 scholarships are offered to candidates pursuing engineering courses, zone-wise.

• Scholarship eligibility

  This scholarship is open to students who have completed their 12th from an Indian Board, have an ITI diploma, and are in their first year of B.Tech, M.B.B.S., or MBA.

• Annual grant

  • For students in grades 10 and ITI, the monthly fee (INR 1000 for two years) is offered.
  • INR 3000 per month for 4 years of B.Tech. or M.B.B.S.
  • INR 3000 per month for two years of MBA.

• Number of seats

  Every year, 2600 students are offered this scholarship

• Time to apply

  The application period begins in July and ends in October.

• What makes it unique

  – This scholarship is available to children from the 12th grade, and doesn’t require a separate entrance exam. It's also one of the few engineering scholarships available in India.

b) Aditya Birla Scholarship

The Aditya Birla scholarship is an initiative of the Aditya Birla Group to support our country's bright academics. This program is carried out in partnership with a select few BITS (Pilani), IITs, XLRI, IIMs, and law campuses. It covers a large part of the academic and hostel fees (in the case of BITS and IITs) as well as some part of tuition fees for law and management streams.

• Scholarship eligibility

  This scholarship is available to students pursuing degrees in engineering, law, or management at prestigious universities.

• Annual grant

  • INR 1,75,000 per year per student for management
  • INR 65,000 per year per student for engineering
  • Up to INR 1,80,000 per year per student for law

• Number of seats

  Only the top 20 students from each institution's respective entrance examinations are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

• Time to apply

  The application period for law and engineering students begins in August, whereas for Management students, it begins in July.

• What makes it unique

  – When making selections, this scholarship considers a student's overall development. It covers a significant portion of the tuition fee and hostel fee as well. You even get a chance to join the Aditya Birla Group to take the first steps of your career.

4. The "Girls are the Best" Zone (For female candidates)

AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls

The AICTE Pragati Scholarship is a program that encourages young women to pursue higher education in technical fields. It is intended to assist girls from economically disadvantaged families with their education.

• Scholarship eligibility

  The student must be enrolled in the first year of a degree or diploma program at an AICTE approved institution.

• Annual grant

  It covers a tuition fee of up to INR 30,000 and a monthly stipend of INR 2000 for ten months.

• Number of seats

  This scholarship is awarded to a total of 4000 girls each year

• Time to apply

  The application period begins in August or September every year

• What makes it unique

  – This award is one of the best initiatives in India to promote female education. Plus, it doesn’t put students under the stress of a separate entrance exam.

The Most Beneficial Scholarship Overall

The National Scholarship Scheme (NSS)

Under the National Scholarship Scheme (NSS) 2021, the Ministry of Education (under the Government of India) awards 82,000 scholarships worth INR 70,000 each. Students who have completed their 12th-grade examination and wish to pursue higher education may apply to obtain financial assistance through this program. The scheme was launched in 2018 to help deserving students with a family income of less than INR 6 LPA meet their day-to-day expenses while pursuing their higher education. The scholarship covers a span of five years.

The selected candidates are paid INR 10,000 per year for the first three years and INR 20,000 per year for the following two years. Scholarship grants are split evenly between boys and girls. According to the Indian government, only students who score above the 80th percentile in the relevant stream in class 12th and who are pursuing regular courses without receiving any other scholarships are eligible to apply for this grant. The scholarship money is deposited directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts.

Procedure for applying for the NSS

Interested and eligible candidates can submit their applications and apply for the NSS 2021 by following the steps below:

Step 1: Access the "Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students," by going to the official NSS website and selecting the Department of Higher Education.

Step 2: Go over the official rules and regulations.

Step 3: Fill out the form to register as a new user.

Step 4: After successful registration, the candidate will receive information that will allow him or her to access the application form.

Step 5: At last, fill in other details and upload any required documents before submitting.

Documents needed when applying for the NSS

• Certificates of completion for grades 10 and 12 with supporting documentation

• Details of the applicant's bank account, including the bank branch's IFSC code, account number and beneficiary details

• A valid Aadhaar card showing the student's Aadhaar number. If a candidate doesn’t have an Aadhar card, the institute/school must provide a bonafide student certificate

• Scanned copy of a bank passbook

• If the institute or school is not in the applicant's home state, the student must have a bonafide student certificate from the school where he or she studied

Final few words

In India, there is a gamut of scholarships available to assist students in pursuing their goals of higher or specialized education. These are a much-needed gift for candidates who wish to give a new direction to their careers, and unlike loans, the best part about scholarships is that candidates aren’t required to repay the funds they receive.

Scholarships from the Indian Government cover almost every subject, degree, and student category in the country. However, securing a scholarship grant may require a lengthy registration and approval process. This is where platforms like Scholad rise to the occasion, by providing the much needed helping hand. By matching every candidate’s unique profile to the exact scholarships he/she is eligible for, Scholad takes away the long wait and guesswork. When you have your options neatly laid out in front of you, finding the exact program you need and applying for it is sure to become a lot easier.