Government Scholarships for Students in 2026 — Central Schemes, Amounts and How to Apply
Government scholarships for students in 2026 — pre- and post-matric, NMMS, PM YASASVI, Central Sector Scheme, INSPIRE — amounts, limits and how to apply.
The main central government scholarships for students are the pre- and post-matric scholarships for SC, ST and OBC students, NMMS for Classes 9–12, the Central Sector Scheme and INSPIRE-SHE for college, and PMSS for wards of ex-servicemen. Most need a family income under a limit; a few are purely merit-based. Below are the amounts and limits, who can apply in Class 9, and how to apply.
Central government scholarships
| Scholarship | For | What you get | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC | Class 9–10 | ₹3,500 a year (day scholar), ₹7,000 (hosteller) | SC, family income up to ₹2.5 lakh |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC | Class 11 to PG | Compulsory fees + annual academic allowance by course group | SC, family income up to ₹2.5 lakh (a rise to ₹4.5 lakh has been proposed — check your state portal) |
| Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST | Class 9–10 | Monthly allowance for day scholars and hostellers | ST, family income up to ₹2.5 lakh |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for ST | Class 11 to PG | Compulsory fees + maintenance allowance | ST, family income up to ₹2.5 lakh |
| PM YASASVI Pre-Matric | Class 9–10 | ₹4,000 a year | OBC, EBC, DNT; family income up to ₹2.5 lakh |
| PM YASASVI Post-Matric | Class 11 to PG | Fees + academic allowance by course | OBC, EBC, DNT; family income up to ₹2.5 lakh |
| NMMS | Class 9–12 | ₹12,000 a year | Clear your state's NMMS exam in Class 8; government/aided school; income up to ₹3.5 lakh |
| Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (PM-USP) | College | ₹12,000 a year (UG, first three years); ₹20,000 (PG) | Top 20% of your board's Class 12 results; income up to ₹4.5 lakh |
| INSPIRE-SHE | BSc/BS/integrated MSc | ₹80,000 a year | Top 1% of your board, JEE Advanced/NEET top 10,000, or other merit routes |
| Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) | Professional degrees | ₹2,500 a month (boys), ₹3,000 (girls) | Wards and widows of ex-servicemen; via Kendriya Sainik Board |
The central minority scholarships have taken no new students since 2022-23, and NTSE has not been held since 2021 — see our minority scholarship guide and NTSE status.
Scholarships for Class 9 students
- SC and ST students — pre-matric scholarship (Classes 9–10), family income up to ₹2.5 lakh.
- OBC, EBC and DNT students — PM YASASVI pre-matric scholarship, ₹4,000 a year, family income up to ₹2.5 lakh.
- NMMS awardees — ₹12,000 a year starts in Class 9 for students who cleared NMMS in Class 8. See our NMMS guide.
- Your state's schemes — many states add their own for Classes 9–10; see the state guides below.
How to apply
- One Time Registration on scholarships.gov.in (NSP OTR app with Aadhaar face authentication).
- Log in and pick your scheme — or use your state portal if your state runs the scheme there.
- Upload documents — marksheet, income certificate, caste certificate if needed, photo, fee receipt.
- Submit and save the acknowledgement.
- Institute, district and ministry verification follow; chase your school or college to verify in time.
- Money is paid by DBT to your Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
Full walkthrough: National Scholarship Portal step by step.
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| Scholarship | What you get | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| AICTE Pragati | ₹50,000 a year | Girls in AICTE-approved degree/diploma courses, family income up to ₹8 lakh |
| UGC PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child | ₹36,200 a year for two years | Single girl child in the first year of a master's degree |
| CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child | Monthly scholarship in Classes 11–12 | Only child, CBSE Class 10 with 60%+ |
More in our scholarships for girls guide.
State scholarship portals
| State | Portal | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in | Maharashtra scholarships |
| Uttar Pradesh | scholarship.up.gov.in | UP scholarships |
| West Bengal | svmcm.wbhed.gov.in (SVMCM), oasis.gov.in (SC/ST/OBC) | West Bengal scholarships |
| Rajasthan | SSO Rajasthan (sso.rajasthan.gov.in) | Rajasthan scholarships |
| Gujarat | digitalgujarat.gov.in | Gujarat scholarships |
| Madhya Pradesh | scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in | MP scholarships |
| Kerala | egrantz.kerala.gov.in, dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in | Kerala scholarships |
| Tamil Nadu | Through your institution and the state welfare departments | Tamil Nadu scholarships |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing the deadline — the portal slows down near the last date. Apply early.
- Bank account not in the student's name or not Aadhaar-seeded — DBT payments fail.
- Name or date of birth mismatch between Aadhaar and school records.
- Old income certificate — get one from the competent authority for the period the scheme accepts.
- No institute verification — many applications lapse because the school or college never verified them.
Amounts and limits are from the schemes' current guidelines and change from time to time. Always check the National Scholarship Portal or your state portal before applying.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which scholarships can Class 9 students apply for in 2026?
SC and ST students can apply for the pre-matric scholarship for Classes 9–10, and OBC, EBC and DNT students for the PM YASASVI pre-matric scholarship (₹4,000 a year), all with family income up to ₹2.5 lakh. Students who cleared the NMMS exam in Class 8 get ₹12,000 a year from Class 9. Applications are on the National Scholarship Portal or your state's portal, usually from mid-year to the autumn.
How do I apply for government scholarships?
Central scholarships are on the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in): complete One Time Registration with Aadhaar and face authentication, choose your scheme, upload documents and get your institute to verify the application. Many states run SC, ST and OBC scholarships on their own portals.
Can I get more than one government scholarship?
Generally not at the same time — most central schemes allow only one government scholarship. You can usually hold a private or NGO scholarship alongside it; check each scheme's rules.
What documents do I need?
Aadhaar, previous year's marksheet, income certificate from the competent authority, caste certificate for category schemes, a bank account in the student's name that is Aadhaar-seeded, a photo, bonafide certificate and fee receipt where the scheme asks.
When does the National Scholarship Portal open?
Usually around June–July, with deadlines in the autumn that are often extended. Dates differ by scheme — check the portal's notice board and apply early.
Are minority scholarships still available?
The central minority pre-matric, post-matric and merit-cum-means scholarships have taken no new students since 2022-23. See our minority scholarship guide for what is open.