Scholarships After Class 12 — Money You Can Claim

Central and private scholarships that Class 12 students can apply for, based on marks, family income, category or course. Most government schemes are applied for on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Every year, eligible students miss scholarships simply because they didn't apply. A few minutes on the right portal can cover a big part of college costs.

• ✓INSPIRE-SHE (DST): 12,000 scholarships a year of ₹80,000 for students in basic and natural sciences. For the top 1% in your Class 12 board, or JEE/NEET rank within the top 10,000.
• ✓PM-USP Central Sector Scheme: up to 82,000 new awards a year; ₹12,000 a year in UG and ₹20,000 in PG. For students above the 80th percentile in their Class 12 stream with family income up to ₹4.5 lakh.
• ✓PM YASASVI (OBC/EBC/DNT, family income below ₹2.5 lakh): top-class college support up to ₹2 lakh a year, plus allowances; post-matric scholarships of ₹5,000–20,000 a year.
• ✓AICTE Pragati (girls) and Saksham (students with disabilities) in AICTE-approved courses: up to ₹50,000 a year.
• ✓Reliance Foundation UG scholarship: up to ₹2 lakh over the degree for first-year students with ≥60% in Class 12 and household income up to ₹15 lakh (aptitude test required).

• •Each scheme has its own marks, income and course conditions (see above).
• •Keep an income certificate, caste/category certificate (if applicable), marksheets, Aadhaar and a bank account in the student's name ready.

• •Scholarships apply to regular (not distance) degree courses in most schemes. Check each scheme.

1. 1Create a one-time registration on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
2. 2Apply to every scheme you are eligible for before the deadline (AICTE Pragati/Saksham 2026-27: 31 October 2026).
3. 3Apply to INSPIRE-SHE on the DST INSPIRE portal and to private scholarships on their own sites.
4. 4Complete institute verification and track your application on NSP.

Always confirm dates, eligibility and fees on the official site — rules change each year.

• →Get your income and category certificates made early; they take time.
• →Open a bank account in the student's name linked to Aadhaar.
• →Also check your state's scholarship portal: many state schemes are larger than central ones.

• !Deadlines are strict and verification can be slow; apply early.
• !Most schemes don't allow you to take two scholarships at once.

• •Scholarships also look good on your CV and for future fellowships (for example, the IndiaAI Fellowship for final-year students with AI courses).

• •For study abroad, see the country guides; most full scholarships abroad are for master's and PhD.