Types of Scholarships  2025: National Scholarship Portal (NSP) India

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in is India’s centralized platform for scholarships, managed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It simplifies applications, verification, and fund disbursal for students, especially from SC/ST/OBC, minorities, and economically weaker sections.

Types of Scholarships

1. Central Scholarships

Funded by the Central Government, disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Key schemes include:

• Ministry of Education:
  • Central Sector Scheme: 82,000 scholarships (50% girls) for higher education. Income limit: ₹4.5 lakh. Amount: ₹12,000–₹20,000/year.
  • NMMSS: 1,00,000 scholarships for Class 9–12 (income ≤ ₹3.5 lakh). Amount: ₹12,000/year.
  • PM-USP J&K and Ladakh: 5,000 scholarships for study outside UTs. Covers tuition up to ₹3 lakh (medical) and ₹1 lakh maintenance.
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: Pre/Post-Matric and Top-Class scholarships for SC students; scholarships for students with ≥40% disability.
• Ministry of Minority Affairs: Pre/Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means for minorities.
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs: Fellowships and scholarships for ST students.
• AICTE/UGC: Pragati (girls), Saksham (disabled), Ishan Uday (NE Region), Single Girl Child scholarships.

2. State-Specific Scholarships

Offered by states via NSP or state portals for domiciled students. Examples:

• Uttar Pradesh: Scholarships for SC/ST/General at scholarship.up.gov.in.
• Karnataka: Post-Matric for SC/ST/OBC via State Scholarship Portal.
• Odisha: Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana for workers’ children.
• Delhi: Tuition fee reimbursement for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities.
• Other states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu.

3. By Departments

Scholarships are managed by specific departments:

• Ministry of Education: Merit/means-based for higher education.
• Ministry of Social Justice: SC and disabled students.
• Ministry of Minority Affairs: Minority communities.
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs: ST students.
• Ministry of Labour: Construction workers’ children.
• AICTE/UGC: Technical and higher education.

Key Features

• Eligibility: Indian citizens, enrolled in recognized institutions, income limits (₹3.5–₹4.5 lakh), no other scholarships.
• Application: Online at scholarships.gov.in with Aadhaar-based OTR. Deadlines 2025: Apply by 31/10, institute verification by 15/11, state verification by 30/11.
• Disbursal: DBT to Aadhaar-linked accounts via PFMS.
• Services: CSC support for ₹30/application.

Important Notes

• One central scholarship per academic session.
• Check state portals for specific requirements.
• Visit scholarships.gov.in for updates or contact the National Scholarship Division.

Information accurate as of July 31, 2025. Verify details on the official NSP portal.