Ministry of Education India - Scholarships (education.gov.in)

What the National Scholarship Portal gives you

This is not one scholarship but a single gateway to India's government scholarships, run by the Ministry of Education. Through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) you apply for dozens of central and state schemes in one place. The money goes straight into your bank account. What you get depends on the scheme you pick. For example, the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship pays school students Rs 12,000 per year (about EUR 130) from class 9 to class 12. Other schemes cover college fees, technical degrees or research fellowships (paid support for students doing research). Some schemes are merit-based, chosen on your results. Others are welfare-based, chosen on need or background such as disability or belonging to SC, ST or OBC groups.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You study in India, at a school, college, university or technical institute.
• Level: Schemes cover every level, from school (class 9 upward) through undergraduate, postgraduate and research.
• Nationality: These are Indian government schemes for students in India. You need an Aadhaar ID (India's national identity number) to register.
• Financial need or background: Many schemes are for lower-income families or specific groups. The school means scheme, for example, needs a parental income under Rs 3,50,000 per year (about EUR 3,800).
• Grades: Merit-based schemes need you to pass a selection test or reach a marks threshold. Welfare-based ones focus on need instead.
• How many you can hold: From 2026-27 you may take one merit-based scholarship plus one or more welfare-based ones, if you meet each scheme's rules.

How to apply

You apply online at the National Scholarship Portal. First you create a One Time Registration (OTR), a 14-digit number linked to your Aadhaar that you use for your whole academic career. For the 2026-27 year the portal opens on 1 June 2026. Most schemes close for new student applications on 31 October 2026.

How realistic are your chances?

Because this is a portal, not one award, your odds depend entirely on the scheme you choose. Some are broad and heavily contested, such as the school means scheme with 100,000 places nationwide. Others target a narrow group, like students with disabilities or police families, where the field is smaller. If you clearly match a scheme's rules, complete your OTR early and apply before the October deadline, your prospects are good.