February 25, 2025
Self-Learning and Development

Different Types of Scholarship Exams for Pursuing Higher Education in India

Scholarships provide a lifeline for students aiming to pursue higher education by recognizing talent and providing financial assistance. India offers a wide array of scholarship exams catering to students with academic excellence, innovative potential, or economic needs.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the most notable scholarship programs available in India:

1. Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)

Eligibility: Students from Class 11 to the first year of undergraduate science programs.
Highlights:

  • A prestigious national program run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to nurture young scientific minds.
  • Offers a monthly stipend of ₹5,000 (UG) and ₹7,000 (PG) along with an annual contingency grant.
  • Provides direct admission to top research institutes like IISc and IISERs.
  • Includes research mentorship and summer programs at renowned institutions like IITs, IISc, and national laboratories.
2. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)

Eligibility: Class 8 students from economically weaker sections (parental income ≤ ₹3.5 lakh per annum).
Highlights:

  • Aims to reduce dropout rates in secondary education by supporting meritorious students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • Scholarship amount: ₹12,000 per year (₹1,000 per month) for students from Class 9 to 12.
  • Selection is based on a state-level exam covering mental ability and scholastic aptitude.
3. INSPIRE Scholarship (Scholarship for Higher Education – SHE)

Eligibility: Top-performing students in science streams at the UG and PG levels.
Highlights:

  • Offered by the DST to promote scientific research and innovation.
  • Provides ₹80,000 per year for five years (₹60,000 as a scholarship + ₹20,000 for summer research projects).
  • No competitive exam required—selection is based on board exam performance and eligibility in top science entrance exams (JEE, NEET).
  • Encourages research careers by facilitating internships at premier institutions like IISc, IITs, and national research labs.
4. All India Meritorious Scholarship Test (AIMST)

Eligibility: Class 10 and above students across India.
Highlights:

  • A private merit-based scholarship conducted via a nationwide aptitude test.
  • Awards range from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh based on test performance.
  • Open to students across all streams, including science, commerce, and humanities.
5. National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)

Eligibility: Class 10 students in India (and Indian students abroad).
Highlights:

  • One of India’s most prestigious scholarships, conducted by NCERT to identify and nurture talented students.
  • Provides financial support from Class 11 up to the Ph.D. level, irrespective of the chosen stream.
  • Scholarship amount:
    • ₹1,250 per month (Class 11-12)
    • ₹2,000 per month (UG and PG levels)
    • Ph.D. funding as per UGC norms
  • Direct advantage in college admissions—recognized by IITs, IISc, and other top universities.
6. Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)

Eligibility: Wards of ex-servicemen, armed forces, and police personnel.
Highlights:

  • Provides ₹30,000 per year for girls and ₹36,000 per year for boys pursuing professional courses (engineering, medicine, pharmacy, law, etc.).
  • Beneficiaries include dependents of defense, CAPF, Assam Rifles, and state police personnel martyred in terror/Naxal attacks.
  • Renewable for up to five years of study.
7. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship

Eligibility: Students pursuing higher studies in engineering, medicine, or science.
Highlights:

  • Named after Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, it supports students with a passion for innovation and technology.
  • Provides full/partial tuition fee waivers for meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds.
  • Some versions of this scholarship are available at state and university levels (like the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship at Jamia Millia Islamia).
8. Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)

Eligibility: Minority students pursuing M.Phil. or Ph.D.
Highlights:

  • Funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to encourage higher education among Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis.
  • Fellowship amount:
    • ₹31,000 per month (initial 2 years) + contingency grant of ₹10,000
    • ₹35,000 per month (next 3 years) + ₹20,500 contingency grant
  • Covers tuition, accommodation, and research expenses for up to five years.
9. Vidya Lakshmi Portal

Eligibility: Students looking for scholarships and education loans.
Highlights:

  • A single-window platform to apply for 50+ government scholarships and education loans from nationalized banks.
  • Allows students to compare and apply for education loans under the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme (CGFSEL).
  • Integrated with major scholarships like NSP (National Scholarship Portal) and various state-level schemes.
10. Commonwealth Scholarships

Eligibility: Indian students pursuing postgraduate or doctoral studies in Commonwealth nations.
Highlights:

  • Fully funded scholarships covering:
    • Full tuition fees
    • Living allowance (₹1.3 lakh/month)
    • Airfare and travel allowances
  • Awarded by the UK government and Commonwealth countries, enabling Indian students to study at top global universities.

Special focus on STEM, social sciences, and public policy programs in the UK, Canada, Australia, and other Commonwealth nations.

Conclusion

Scholarship exams not only make higher education more accessible but also recognize and nurture academic and innovative talents. By applying to these opportunities, students can pursue their educational dreams without financial constraints.

References:

  1. TargetStudy.com. “Scholarship Exams in India.” TargetStudy, Available at, https://targetstudy.com/exams/scholarship-exams
  2. Inspire Programme. “Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE).” Inspire Programme, Available at, www.inspire-dst.gov.in/. 
  3. NCERT. “National Talent Search Examination (NTSE).” NCERT, Available at, https://ncert.nic.in/national-talent-examination.php
  4. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. “Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS).” Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Available at, https://www.desw.gov.in/scholarship.
  5. National Scholarship Portal. “Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship.” Scholarships.gov.in, Available at, www.scholarships.gov.in/. 
  6. University Grants Commission. “Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students.” UGC, Available at, https://www.ugc.gov.in
  7. Vidya Lakshmi Portal. “Education Loan and Scholarship Schemes.” Vidya Lakshmi, Available at,  www.vidyalakshmi.co.in/. 
  8. British Council. “Commonwealth Scholarships.” British Council India, Available at, https://www.standyou.com/scholarships/uk-scholarship-for-International-students/list/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADHm8LKFQoM_ymjePWZO_v191rTJq&gclid=Cj0KCQiAst67BhCEARIsAKKdWOkwdMmYDukTgKBZ540FI3PWm7hXao1GGhuMgq1A8CmvTm5H2obGg2YaAliBEALw_wcB