Table of Contents
Government schemes for students in India — scholarships, loans, exam aids (2026)
Quick answer: 70+ central + 200+ state scholarships for Indian students. Pre-Matric (class 1-10), Post-Matric (class 11+), Top Class (premier institutions), Merit-cum-Means (technical), Minority, Disabled. Plus: education loan (Vidya Lakshmi portal — banks compete), free coaching (PRABAL for SC/ST/OBC), digital learning (SWAYAM, DIKSHA, e-PG Pathshala), study abroad (National Overseas Scholarship Scheme).
Who is eligible
Indian students. Income ceiling Rs 2L (OBC) / Rs 2.5L (SC/ST) / Rs 8L (EWS, Top Class) for most. Marks ≥ 50% (general) / 60% (Top Class).
Top 12 schemes
1. National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
80+ scholarships unified portal. Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Top Class. Apply Aug-Oct annually. DBT to Aadhaar-linked bank.
- Where to apply: NSP scholarships.gov.in
- Official portal: https://scholarships.gov.in
2. Vidya Lakshmi (Education Loan)
Single portal for 38+ banks' education loans. 4-12% interest. Up to Rs 10L unsecured / Rs 1Cr+ secured. Apply once, multiple offers.
- Where to apply: Vidya Lakshmi portal
- Official portal: https://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in
3. PRABAL (Free Coaching for SC/ST/OBC)
Free coaching for civil services, JEE, NEET, banking. 100% govt-funded. Apply at empanelled centres.
- Where to apply: Ministry of Social Justice
- Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in/schemes
4. SWAYAM Free Online Courses
2,000+ courses from IITs/IIMs/Universities. Free + credits via SWAYAM platform. Class 9 to PhD.
- Where to apply: SWAYAM portal
- Official portal: https://swayam.gov.in
5. DIKSHA (Class 1-12)
NCERT-aligned content for school students. Hindi + 10+ regional languages. Free. App + web.
- Where to apply: DIKSHA portal
- Official portal: https://diksha.gov.in
6. National Overseas Scholarship (NOSGS)
For SC/ST/PwD students. Up to Rs 80L for masters/PhD abroad. ~125 selections/year.
- Where to apply: Ministry of Social Justice
- Official portal: https://socialjustice.gov.in/scheme/52
7. PM-USP Yashasvi (Top Class)
Pre-matric + post-matric for OBC, EBC, DNT students in Class 9+ at top institutions. Income < Rs 2.5L.
- Where to apply: NSP / scholarships.gov.in
- Official portal: https://yet.nta.ac.in
8. AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls
Rs 30,000/year for girl students in technical education. Family income < Rs 8L. 5,000 selections/year.
- Where to apply: AICTE portal
- Official portal: https://www.aicte-pragati-saksham-gov.in
9. Inspire Scholarship (Science)
Rs 80,000/year for science stream students (B.Sc/Int M.Sc). Top 1% in 12th. 10,000 selections/year.
- Where to apply: Inspire portal
- Official portal: https://www.online-inspire.gov.in
10. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)
Class 8 to 12. Rs 12,000/year. State exam cleared. Income < Rs 3.5L. State-administered.
- Where to apply: State Education Dept
- Official portal: https://scholarships.gov.in
11. UDAAN (CBSE for girls in JEE prep)
Free coaching + online + offline for girls preparing JEE. SC/ST/Minority/EWS. CBSE-administered.
- Where to apply: CBSE Udaan portal
- Official portal: https://cbseacademic.nic.in/udaan.html
12. PM Vidya Lakshmi (%%DigiLocker%%)
Digital education loan certificate via DigiLocker. Single-window education loan EAS-based.
- Where to apply: DigiLocker
- Official portal: https://digilocker.gov.in
How to apply (general process)
NSP for scholarships, Vidya Lakshmi for loans, sector-specific portals (Inspire, AICTE, SWAYAM) for niche. Common docs: Aadhaar, caste/income/disability cert, marksheet, fee receipt, bank account.
Helplines
- Student helpline 0120-6619540 (NSP) — 9 AM-9 PM
- Education Ministry CPGRAMS — pgportal.gov.in
- State Education Dept helpdesks — vary by state
Common issues + how to handle
- Multiple scholarships claimed — NSP auto-blocks duplicates; only one scheme per year DBT.
- Caste/income cert expired — must be current FY. Re-apply at Tehsildar.
- Bank Aadhaar de-linked — DBT bounces. Visit bank for NPCI mapper.
- IV verifier didn't act — escalate to Principal + DNO. Most “rejections” are IV pending.
If a scheme is delayed or rejected — file an RTI
Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:
1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date. 2. Name + designation of dealing officer assigned to my file. 3. Reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline. 4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days. 5. Likely date of disbursement / decision.
Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for NSP + state scholarship?
Yes — NSP allows registration for both. Disbursal under one scheme per year (whichever higher).
Education loan — collateral mandatory?
Up to Rs 7.5L: no collateral. Above: collateral or co-borrower (parent). PSU banks more flexible than private.
Inspire Scholarship — only science stream?
Yes — B.Sc / Integrated M.Sc. Engineering / medicine excluded.
SWAYAM credits — recognised by my college?
Most universities accept SWAYAM credits up to 20% of degree. Check with your university.
Scholarship delayed > 90 days. Fix?
File RTI to Institution + DNO + State Nodal. Use our scholarship RTI generator.
Summary + what to do next
Bottom line: 12 central + state schemes available. Aadhaar + bank account in own name + community/income certificate (if applicable) is the gateway. If a scheme is delayed beyond timeline, file an RTI.
- Browse all 10 audience hubs: All audience hubs
- How to apply step-by-step: 25 application guides
- Track applications: 25 status-check guides
- If stuck — RTI Drafter: File RTI in 5 minutes
- Talk to other citizens: AwaazRTI community
Related reading
Sources
- Each scheme's official portal (linked above).
- Ministry budget documents + scheme operational guidelines.
- Citizen feedback via AwaazRTI (composite, identifying details removed).
Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.

