Promote Education
PROMOTEEDUCATION
Updated April 2026 · 50+ Schemes Listed

Scholarships &
Education Loans
India 2026

The most complete guide to funding your higher education in India and abroad — covering merit scholarships, government schemes, PSU grants, international fellowships, and low-interest education loans. With eligibility, amounts, and application deadlines.

₹500 Cr+

Funds Facilitated

across 10,000+ students

50+

Active Schemes

India & international

88%

Success Rate

for assisted applications

Free

Our Guidance

No hidden charges

Types of Scholarships in India

Scholarships in India fall into four major categories. Understanding which type you qualify for is the first step to a successful application.

For academic high-achievers

Merit-Based Scholarships

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Awarded purely on academic performance — typically top 10–25% of a batch. Includes Central and State merit lists, university toppers' grants, and international fellowships like Fulbright.

Fulbright-Nehru FellowshipONGC Foundation ScholarshipSBI Asha ScholarshipInspire Scholarship (DST)

Based on family income

Need-Based Scholarships

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Designed for students from economically weaker backgrounds. Government schemes (NSP, Post-Matric) and NGO bursaries form the bulk. Income threshold typically ₹2.5 – ₹8 LPA.

NSP Post-Matric ScholarshipIshan Uday (NE India)TATA Pankh ScholarshipLIC Golden Jubilee

SC · ST · OBC · Minority · EWS

Category / Reservation Scholarships

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Exclusive schemes for reserved categories under Central and State government mandates. Often stackable with merit grants. Require a valid caste/category certificate.

Dr. Ambedkar Foundation ScholarshipAIAPGET Minority ScholarshipPM YASASVIState Post-Matric OBC Schemes

For studying abroad

International Study Scholarships

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Country-specific funding from foreign governments and universities — covering tuition, living, and travel. Competitive but open to Indian applicants across disciplines.

Chevening (UK)DAAD (Germany)Australia AwardsErasmus+ (EU)

Scholarships for Indian Students 2026 — Complete List

Verified scholarships with confirmed 2026 amounts and deadlines. Sorted by type. Click any row to visit the official application portal.

International

ScholarshipDeadline
Top Pick

Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship

₹25–35 Lakh / year

July 15, 2026Apply →

DAAD Scholarship (Germany)

€934 / month + benefits

October 1, 2026Apply →
Top Pick

Chevening Scholarship (UK)

Full cost (avg. ₹40 Lakh)

November 7, 2025Apply →

Australia Awards

Full cost (AUD 60,000+)

April 30, 2026Apply →

Government — India

ScholarshipDeadline
Top Pick

National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

₹10,000 – ₹50,000 / year

October 31, 2026Apply →

PM Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS)

₹25,000 – ₹30,000 / year

September 30, 2026Apply →

Ishan Uday Scholarship (NE India)

₹5,400 / month

October 31, 2026Apply →

PSU / Corporate

ScholarshipDeadline

ONGC Scholarship

₹48,000 / year

September 15, 2026Apply →

LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship

₹20,000 / year

August 31, 2026Apply →

Institution

ScholarshipDeadline

TATA Capital Pankh Scholarship

₹10,000 – ₹50,000

June 30, 2026Apply →

How to Apply for Scholarships in India

Our four-step process handles everything from profile assessment to disbursement confirmation. No fee, no hidden charges.

01

Profile Assessment

We evaluate your academic record, family income, category, and career goals to shortlist the 5 most relevant funding sources for your profile.

02

Document Preparation

Guidance on writing a strong SOP, securing recommendation letters, and organising income/category certificates — the documents that make or break applications.

03

Application Filing

We complete and submit applications on the correct portals within deadlines, eliminating errors that cause rejection.

04

Follow-up & Disbursement

Tracking application status, responding to scholarship committee queries, and confirming timely fund disbursement to your account.

Documents Required for Scholarship Applications

Academic Documents

  • Class 10 marksheet & certificate
  • Class 12 marksheet & certificate
  • Graduation degree / marksheets
  • Current institution enrolment proof

Identity & Financial

  • Aadhaar card (Aadhaar-linked bank a/c)
  • PAN card of parent/guardian
  • Income certificate from tahsildar
  • Caste / EWS certificate (if applicable)

For International Scholarships

  • Statement of Purpose (SOP)
  • 2 academic recommendation letters
  • IELTS / TOEFL / GMAT scores
  • Passport & valid visa (if already held)

Education Loans for Indian Students 2026

When scholarships don't cover the full cost, education loans bridge the gap. Compare the best options below — all interest is tax-deductible under Section 80E.

Bank / SchemeInterest Rate
SBI Student Loan8.65% p.a.
HDFC Credila9.55% p.a.
Axis Bank Education Loan9.70% p.a.
Vidya Lakshmi Portal4% p.a. (subsidised)
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Tax Benefit — Section 80E

The entire interest paid on an education loan is deductible from taxable income under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act, for up to 8 consecutive assessment years. There is no upper limit on the deductible interest amount.

Scholarship Eligibility — Quick Reference

Find scholarships that match your profile. Use the table below as a quick-reference filter.

Profile

General Category · Income > ₹8 LPA

Recommended Schemes

  • Fulbright-Nehru
  • ONGC Scholarship
  • Chevening (UK)
  • University Merit Grants
  • DAAD Germany

Focus on merit-based and international scholarships.

Profile

SC / ST / OBC · Income < ₹2.5 LPA

Recommended Schemes

  • NSP Post-Matric (100% aid)
  • PM YASASVI
  • Dr. Ambedkar Foundation
  • State Government Schemes
  • Ishan Uday (if NE India)

Multiple schemes can be combined. Apply by Oct 31.

Profile

EWS / General · Income < ₹8 LPA

Recommended Schemes

  • NSP Merit-cum-Means
  • LIC Golden Jubilee
  • TATA Pankh Scholarship
  • PMSSS (if defence ward)
  • Inspire (if top 1% in 12th)

Income certificate from tahsildar is mandatory.

Not sure which category you fall in? Get a free profile assessment.

Book Free Consultation

Scholarship FAQs

Common questions about scholarships and education loans in India.

Q.Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?

Yes. You can apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously as long as the individual scholarship's terms do not prohibit it. Government schemes like NSP generally allow stacking with institutional grants. International scholarships like Chevening and Fulbright typically prohibit holding another major scholarship concurrently.

Q.What is the minimum income to qualify for need-based scholarships in India?

Most Central government need-based scholarships (NSP, PMSSS) require family income below ₹6–8 Lakh per annum. Some State-level schemes use a lower threshold of ₹2.5 Lakh. Private scholarships (TATA Pankh, LIC Golden Jubilee) typically cap eligibility at ₹2–4 LPA.

Q.Which scholarship is best for studying MBBS in India?

For MBBS in government colleges, NSP Post-Matric Scholarships and State merit scholarships cover tuition effectively. PMSSS is specifically for wards of defence personnel. ONGC and LIC scholarships are also applicable and don't restrict to specific streams.

Q.Is education loan interest tax-deductible in India?

Yes. Under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act, the entire interest paid on an education loan is deductible for up to 8 consecutive years from the year repayment begins. This applies to loans for higher education in India or abroad.

Q.What documents are needed to apply for scholarships?

Standard requirements: mark sheets (Class 10, 12, graduation), income certificate (latest), caste/category certificate (if applicable), Aadhaar, bank passbook, a Statement of Purpose (SOP) for international scholarships, and two academic recommendation letters. Government portals like NSP also require your Aadhaar-linked bank account for direct transfer.

Q.How do I check if a scholarship is genuine?

Always verify through official government portals (scholarships.gov.in for Central schemes), official university websites, or embassy portals for international scholarships. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee. Our team verifies all scholarships listed on Promote Education before publication.

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