A verified, up-to-date list of 65+ government and private scholarships available for Class 12 students and 12th-pass candidates in India — with provider name, scholarship amount, eligibility, last date, and direct application links.
If you are a Class 12 student or have recently passed your 12th board exam, scholarships can play a game-changing role in your higher education journey. Whether you want to pursue engineering, medicine, arts, commerce, or a skill-based diploma, there are dozens of scholarship programmes — from the Government of India, state governments, and leading private organisations — ready to support your career planning and academic goals.
This article brings together 65+ verified scholarships in one place. We have included both active and recently expired schemes so you can bookmark this page and apply as soon as the next cycle opens. Every link has been checked against the official source. Use this list alongside quality study material, mock tests, and online coaching platforms to maximise your preparation and your funding.
Table of Contents
Central Government Scholarships
These scholarships are funded by the Government of India and are open to students across all states. Most of them are processed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in. If you belong to SC, ST, OBC, minority, or economically weaker sections, you will find several targeted schemes here. Even general category students with strong academic records can benefit from the Central Sector Scheme and INSPIRE programmes.
1. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS)
Amount: ₹12,000–₹20,000 per year
Eligibility: Top 20th percentile in Class 12 board; family income below ₹4.5 lakh per year; pursuing a regular degree course
Last Date: October 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
2. INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)
Amount: ₹80,000 per year (for up to 5 years)
Eligibility: Top 1% in Class 12 board OR top 10,000 rank in JEE/NEET; pursuing BSc/Integrated MSc in natural sciences; age 17–22 years
Last Date: February 2026
Apply: online-inspire.gov.in
3. Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance allowance
Eligibility: SC category; Class 11 onwards; family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh per year
Last Date: November–December 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
4. Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance allowance
Eligibility: ST category; Class 11 onwards; family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh per year
Last Date: November–December 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
5. Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance allowance
Eligibility: OBC category; Class 11 onwards; family income ≤ ₹1.5 lakh per year (varies by state)
Last Date: November–December 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
6. Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities
Amount: ₹5,000–₹25,000 per year
Eligibility: Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, or Parsi students; income ≤ ₹2 lakh (pre-matric) or ₹2.5 lakh (post-matric)
Last Date: October–December 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
7. Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minorities
Amount: Up to ₹30,000 per year (full tuition for professional courses)
Eligibility: Minority community; pursuing professional or technical course; 50%+ in previous exam; family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh
Last Date: October–December 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
8. PM-USP Special Scholarship for J&K and Ladakh
Amount: ₹30,000–₹3 lakh per year + ₹1 lakh maintenance allowance
Eligibility: Domicile of J&K or Ladakh; admitted to institutions outside the UT; 5,000 fresh slots per year
Last Date: November 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
9. PM YASASVI Scholarship (OBC/EBC/DNT)
Amount: ₹75,000–₹1,25,000 per year
Eligibility: OBC/EBC/DNT-SAR/SNT students; Class 12 passed; pursuing higher education; family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh
Last Date: August–September 2026
Apply: yet.nta.ac.in
10. Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students
Amount: Full tuition + living expenses at premier institutions
Eligibility: SC category; admitted to IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, NLUs, etc.; family income ≤ ₹6 lakh
Last Date: October–December 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
11. Top Class Education Scheme for ST Students
Amount: Full tuition + living expenses at premier institutions
Eligibility: ST category; admitted to IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, NLUs, etc.
Last Date: October–December 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
12. AICTE Pragati Scholarship (for Girls)
Amount: ₹50,000 per year (up to 4 years)
Eligibility: Girl students admitted to AICTE-approved diploma or degree courses; family income ≤ ₹8 lakh; up to 2 girls per family
Last Date: October–November 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
13. AICTE Saksham Scholarship (for Disabled Students)
Amount: ₹50,000 per year
Eligibility: Students with 40%+ disability; pursuing AICTE-approved technical courses; family income ≤ ₹8 lakh
Last Date: October–November 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
14. Ishan Uday Scholarship (North Eastern Region)
Amount: ₹5,400 per month (science/technical) or ₹3,800 per month (arts/commerce)
Eligibility: Domicile of North Eastern states; family income ≤ ₹4.5 lakh; pursuing regular degree outside NE region
Last Date: October–November 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
15. UGC Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
Amount: ₹36,200 per year (for 2 years of PG)
Eligibility: Single girl child of her parents; admitted to regular PG programme at a recognised university; age ≤ 30 years
Last Date: October–November 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
16. PM Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for Armed Forces
Amount: ₹25,000 per year (boys) & ₹36,000 per year (girls)
Eligibility: Wards or widows of ex-servicemen, defence or paramilitary personnel; Class 12 passed with 60%+; pursuing professional degree
Last Date: October 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
17. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)
Amount: ₹12,000 per year (Class 9–12)
Eligibility: Students who cleared the NMMS exam in Class 8; studying in government or aided school; family income ≤ ₹3.5 lakh
Last Date: Continuation-based (exam held in Class 8)
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
18. Scholarships for Students with Disabilities (Pre & Post-Matric)
Amount: ₹7,000–₹30,000 per year depending on course
Eligibility: Students with 40%+ certified disability; enrolled in a recognised institution
Last Date: October–December 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
State Government Scholarships
Many state governments run their own scholarship programmes for Class 12 students and 12th-pass graduates. These are especially valuable if you are preparing for undergraduate admissions and need immediate financial support. Students from West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and other states should check their respective portals regularly. Combine these with your exam preparation, skill courses, and career planning to stay ahead.
19. Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (West Bengal)
Amount: Tuition fees + ₹1,000–₹5,000 per month stipend
Eligibility: West Bengal resident; 60%+ in Madhyamik; family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh; Class 11 to PhD
Last Date: November–January (each year)
Apply: svmcm.wbhed.gov.in
20. Kanyashree Prakalpa K2 & K3 (West Bengal)
Amount: ₹25,000 one-time grant (K2 at age 18) + K3 support for higher education
Eligibility: WB girl students; age 13–18 for K2; unmarried; enrolled in recognised institution
Last Date: Rolling (through institution)
Apply: wbkanyashree.gov.in
21. WB Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC (OASIS Portal)
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance allowance
Eligibility: SC/ST/OBC students of West Bengal; Class 11 onwards
Last Date: As per OASIS portal notification
Apply: oasis.gov.in
22. Bihar Post-Matric Scholarship (e-Kalyan Portal)
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance
Eligibility: Bihar domicile; SC/ST/OBC/EBC; Class 11 onwards; income limit as per category
Last Date: October–December 2026
Apply: ekalyan.bih.nic.in
23. Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme
Amount: Up to ₹4 lakh education loan at 0% interest (girls, disabled, transgender)
Eligibility: Bihar resident; 12th passed; admitted to recognised higher education course
Last Date: Rolling
Apply: 7nishchay-yuvaupmission.bihar.gov.in
24. UP Post-Matric Scholarship (Saksham Portal)
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance
Eligibility: UP domicile; SC/ST/OBC/General (EWS); income as per category norms
Last Date: As per state notification
Apply: scholarship.up.gov.in
25. Maharashtra Post-Matric Scholarship (MahaDBT)
Amount: Tuition fees + exam fees + maintenance
Eligibility: Maharashtra domicile; SC/ST/OBC/VJNT; Class 11 onwards
Last Date: As per MahaDBT notification
Apply: mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in
26. Odisha Post-Matric Scholarship (PRERANA Portal)
Amount: ₹15,000–₹1,20,000 per year
Eligibility: Odisha domicile; SC/ST/OBC/SEBC/EBC; Class 11 onwards
Last Date: January 2026 (for 2025-26 session)
Apply: scholarship.odisha.gov.in
27. Rajasthan Mukhyamantri Uchch Shiksha Scholarship
Amount: ₹5,000 per year (up to 5 years)
Eligibility: Rajasthan domicile; 12th passed from RBSE with 60%+; family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh; not receiving other scholarship
Last Date: As per state notification
Apply: hte.rajasthan.gov.in
28. Karnataka Vidyasiri Scholarship
Amount: ₹10,000–₹20,000 per year
Eligibility: Karnataka domicile; SC/ST/OBC; pursuing post-matric education; income as per norms
Last Date: As per state notification
Apply: sw.kar.nic.in
29. Tamil Nadu BC/MBC Post-Matric Scholarship
Amount: Tuition fees + special fees
Eligibility: TN domicile; BC/MBC/DNC category; pursuing higher education
Last Date: As per TN state portal
Apply: tn.gov.in
30. Telangana ePASS Scholarship
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance
Eligibility: Telangana domicile; SC/ST/BC/EBC/Minority; income ≤ ₹2 lakh (SC/ST) or ₹1.5 lakh (BC)
Last Date: As per state portal
Apply: telanganaepass.cgg.gov.in
31. Madhya Pradesh Post-Matric Scholarship
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance
Eligibility: MP domicile; SC/ST/OBC; Class 11 onwards
Last Date: As per MP scholarship portal
Apply: scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in
32. Assam Post-Matric Scholarship
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance
Eligibility: Assam domicile; SC/ST/OBC/Minority; income as per category
Last Date: As per state notification
Apply: directorateofhighereducation.assam.gov.in
33. Jharkhand e-Kalyan Scholarship
Amount: Tuition fees + maintenance
Eligibility: Jharkhand domicile; SC/ST/OBC; Class 11 onwards
Last Date: As per state notification
Apply: ekalyan.cgg.gov.in
Private & Corporate Scholarships
Some of India’s biggest companies — Reliance, Tata, Aditya Birla, HDFC, LIC, Kotak, and others — run scholarship programmes for meritorious students from economically weaker families. These are excellent opportunities because they often come with mentorship, career guidance, and networking benefits in addition to financial support. If you are exploring options beyond government schemes, private sector scholarships can complement your journey alongside online coaching platforms and skill courses.
34. Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship
Amount: Up to ₹2 lakh per year (varies by course)
Eligibility: 12th passed; enrolled in first year of UG course; household income ≤ ₹15 lakh; merit-cum-means basis
Last Date: September–October 2026
Apply: scholarships.reliancefoundation.org
35. Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship
Amount: Up to ₹50,000 per year
Eligibility: 12th passed; pursuing UG or diploma; 60%+ in previous exam; family income ≤ ₹4 lakh
Last Date: October 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (Tata Pankh)
36. Aditya Birla Capital Scholarship (for Girls)
Amount: ₹25,000–₹60,000 (one-time)
Eligibility: Female students; Class 9–12 or pursuing UG/PG; 60%+ marks; family income ≤ ₹6 lakh
Last Date: October 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (Aditya Birla)
37. Aditya Birla Scholarship (Premier Institutes)
Amount: ₹1.5 lakh–₹3 lakh per year
Eligibility: Students admitted to IITs, IIMs, BITS Pilani, XLRI, or top NLUs; selected through an interview process
Last Date: March 2026
Apply: adityabirlascholars.net
38. HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Programme
Amount: Up to ₹75,000 per year
Eligibility: Class 12 students or pursuing graduation; 55%+ marks; family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh; facing financial hardship
Last Date: October 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (HDFC ECSS)
39. Kotak Kanya Scholarship
Amount: Up to ₹1.5 lakh per year
Eligibility: Girl students; 12th passed with 85%+; admitted to professional UG course; family income ≤ ₹10 lakh
Last Date: October–December 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (Kotak Kanya)
40. Kotak Junior Scholarship (Mumbai Region)
Amount: ₹3,500 per month for Class 11–12 (total ₹73,500)
Eligibility: 10th passed from SSC/CBSE/ICSE in Mumbai Metropolitan Region; 85%+ marks; family income ≤ ₹3.2 lakh
Last Date: July–August 2026
Apply: kotakeducationfoundation.org
41. LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship
Amount: Up to ₹40,000 per year
Eligibility: 12th passed with 60%+; family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh; pursuing higher education; selected on merit
Last Date: September–October 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (LIC GJF)
42. Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship
Amount: ₹500–₹3,200 per month (varies by course level)
Eligibility: Class 11 onwards; merit-cum-means; family income ≤ ₹2.5–4 lakh (varies by category)
Last Date: Rolling (check official site)
Apply: sitaramjindalfoundation.org
43. Swami Dayanand Education Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Up to ₹50,000 per year
Eligibility: First-year B.Tech or MBBS students; 80%+ in Class 12; cleared JEE or NEET in the same year; family income ≤ ₹12 lakh
Last Date: July 2026
Apply: swamidayanand.org
44. G P Birla Education Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Varies (covers a significant portion of fees)
Eligibility: Resident of West Bengal or Jharkhand; 12th passed with minimum cut-off marks; low family income
Last Date: As per foundation notification
Apply: gpbirlaedufoundation.com
45. HDFC Educational Crisis Scholarship Support
Amount: Up to ₹25,000 (one-time crisis grant)
Eligibility: Students facing sudden financial crisis such as family member’s death or medical emergency; 55%+ marks; pursuing any course
Last Date: Rolling
Apply: buddy4study.com (HDFC Crisis)
46. Azim Premji Foundation Scholarship (for Girls)
Amount: ₹30,000 per year
Eligibility: Girl students from government schools; 10th or 12th passed; admitted to a recognised higher education institution; available in 18 specified states
Last Date: September 2026
Apply: azimpremjifoundation.org
47. ONGC Scholarship for SC/ST Students
Amount: ₹48,000 per year
Eligibility: SC/ST students; pursuing professional courses such as Engineering, Medical, or MBA; family income ≤ ₹2 lakh
Last Date: October–November 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
48. Infosys Foundation STEM Stars Scholarship
Amount: Financial assistance for STEM students
Eligibility: 12th passed; pursuing STEM UG course; merit-cum-means basis
Last Date: October 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (search: Infosys STEM)
49. Dr. Reddy’s Foundation Sashakt Scholarship
Amount: Up to ₹2 lakh per year
Eligibility: 12th passed girl students; enrolled in a professional degree such as engineering, medical, or pharmacy; financial need
Last Date: October 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (Dr. Reddy’s)
50. Tata Trusts Medical & Healthcare Scholarship
Amount: Covers tuition + living expenses
Eligibility: Students pursuing MBBS, BDS, or nursing at recognised institutions; financial need
Last Date: As per Tata Trusts notification
Apply: tatatrusts.org
51. Combined Counselling Board (CCB) Scholarship
Amount: Varies by course
Eligibility: Class 10th to PG; merit-cum-means; under supervision of state or central government
Last Date: Rolling
Apply: ccbnic.in
52. Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Up to ₹20 lakh (interest-free loan + scholarship)
Eligibility: Indian national; admitted to a top-ranked PG or master’s programme in India or abroad; strong academic record
Last Date: March 2026
Apply: pg.nfrescholarship.org
53. SBI Asha Scholarship Programme
Amount: Up to ₹50,000 per year
Eligibility: 12th passed; pursuing UG or professional course; family income ≤ ₹3 lakh; 75%+ marks
Last Date: October 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (SBI Asha)
Scholarships for Minority & Girl Students
Several scholarships have been designed specifically to support girl students and students from minority communities. These programmes recognise the unique challenges faced by these groups and provide dedicated financial assistance to help them complete their education. If you are a girl student or belong to a minority community, apply for these in addition to the general schemes listed above — this approach maximises your chances of receiving support for your higher education.
54. Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship
Amount: ₹5,000 per year (Class 9–10) & ₹6,000 per year (Class 11–12)
Eligibility: Girl students from 6 notified minority communities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi); 50%+ marks; family income ≤ ₹2 lakh
Last Date: September–October 2026
Apply: scholarships.gov.in
55. Maulana Azad National Fellowship (Minorities)
Amount: ₹31,000 per month (JRF) & ₹35,000 per month (SRF)
Eligibility: Minority community students pursuing M.Phil or PhD; selected through UGC-NET/JRF
Last Date: As per UGC notification
Apply: maef.nic.in
56. CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship
Amount: ₹6,000 per year (for Class 11–12)
Eligibility: Single girl child; passed CBSE Class 10 exam; studying in CBSE-affiliated school; tuition fees ≤ ₹1,500 per month
Last Date: As per CBSE notification
Apply: cbse.gov.in
57. Nai Roshni Scheme (Leadership Development for Minority Women)
Amount: Training + financial support
Eligibility: Women from minority communities; age 18–65; aims to develop leadership skills and career planning abilities
Last Date: As per Ministry of Minority Affairs
Apply: minorityaffairs.gov.in
58. Corteva Agriscience Scholarship (for Girls)
Amount: Up to ₹40,000 per year
Eligibility: Girl students from farming families; pursuing graduation in agriculture, science, or technology
Last Date: October 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (search: Corteva)
59. Disha Scholarship Programme
Amount: Up to ₹30,000
Eligibility: 12th passed; pursuing general graduation; merit-cum-means basis
Last Date: March 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (search: Disha)
60. Durga Foundation Scholarship
Amount: ₹3,000
Eligibility: Class 11, 12, and UG students; merit-based
Last Date: April 2026
Apply: theglobalscholarship.org
61. Kind Circle Scholarship for Meritorious Students
Amount: Financial assistance (varies)
Eligibility: 12th passed; pursuing UG or PG; demonstrated academic merit and financial need
Last Date: March 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (search: Kind Circle)
62. Gram Panchayat Students Scholarship
Amount: ₹10,000
Eligibility: Students from rural areas; all categories; pursuing Class 11 onwards
Last Date: May 2026
Apply: theglobalscholarship.org
63. Laxmi Charities Scholarship
Amount: Up to ₹50,000
Eligibility: UG students; financial need; merit-based
Last Date: December 2026
Apply: theglobalscholarship.org
64. Satya Scholarship Programme (Nehru Sidhant Kender Trust)
Amount: 100% scholarship covering all course expenses
Eligibility: 12th passed; annual family income ≤ ₹5 lakh; meritorious students
Last Date: July 2026
Apply: buddy4study.com (search: Satya Scholarship)
65. Saksham Scholarship by Arvind Fashions
Amount: Financial assistance for education
Eligibility: 12th passed; pursuing higher education; merit-cum-means
Last Date: As per notification
Apply: buddy4study.com (search: Saksham Arvind)
66. Hivision Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Financial assistance (varies)
Eligibility: UG students; merit-cum-means
Last Date: December 2026
Apply: theglobalscholarship.org
67. Right Choice Educational Trust Scholarship
Amount: Financial assistance
Eligibility: Engineering, Medical, or UG students; merit-based
Last Date: May 2026
Apply: theglobalscholarship.org
Tips to Improve Your Scholarship Application
Applying for a scholarship is itself a valuable skill — and like any skill, it improves with practice and attention to detail. Here are some tried-and-tested strategies that successful scholarship applicants follow.
- Start early and maintain a calendar. Most government scholarships open between July and October. Private scholarships have their own cycles. Write down every deadline on your phone or wall calendar so nothing slips through.
- Keep your documents updated. Have scanned copies of your Aadhaar card, bank passbook (Aadhaar-linked), income certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), Class 10 and 12 marksheets, passport-size photo, and domicile certificate ready before the application window opens.
- Apply to multiple scholarships. There is no rule that you can only apply for one scholarship. Cast a wide net — apply for central, state, and private scholarships that match your profile. However, you typically cannot receive two government scholarships for the same course simultaneously.
- Double-check your bank details. The most common reason for scholarship rejection or payment failure is a mismatch between your name on Aadhaar and your bank account. Ensure your bank account is active and linked to your Aadhaar number.
- Invest in your academics. Many scholarships require minimum marks for renewal every year. Consistent preparation using mock tests, study material, and online coaching platforms will help you maintain or improve your grades — and keep your scholarship running.
- Write a clear and honest personal statement where applicable. Some private scholarships ask for an essay or statement of purpose. Be specific about your goals, your family’s financial situation, and how the scholarship will help your career planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for more than one scholarship at the same time?
What documents do I need for most scholarship applications?
Is there any scholarship specifically for 12th-pass students from West Bengal?
How is the scholarship money paid — directly to my account or to the college?
Can general category students apply for any of these scholarships?
What happens if I miss the scholarship deadline?
Are there any exam-based scholarships for Class 12 students?
Can I get a scholarship if I scored below 60% in Class 12?
Scholarships are one of the most powerful tools available to you as a student. They reduce financial pressure, let you focus on your studies, and open up opportunities for career growth that might otherwise remain out of reach. Whether you are planning to pursue engineering, medicine, arts, law, or any professional course, the right scholarship can fund your education and set the foundation for a successful career. Use the resources in this list, invest in your preparation with quality study material and mock tests, and apply with confidence.