In the context of understanding the types of available scholarship programmes, it becomes essential to begin with the process with a detailed understanding that can be obtained from a platform. National and State Scholarship portals are such platforms. National Scholarship Portal (NSP) launched in 2000, acts as a guide to several scholarships offered by various governments and the University Grants Commission (UGC). ‘myScheme’ portal is another comprehensive platform that offers detailed information on Government schemes. Similarly there are several State Scholarship portals and all of these play a vital role in fulfilling the dreams of the students community.
It is no longer a question that education is the basic right of every child. However, availing quality education comes with a price tag. Required financial resources aren’t always available and adequate enough be it for pursuing studies in India or abroad. Against such a backdrop, scholarship programmes and education loans assume the role of an important propeller of dreams. There are several scholarship programmes. They are diverse in nature and awarded to students hailing from various backgrounds, communities and sections of the society.
Some of the common scholarship programmes that offered by the governments and availed by Indian students are as under:
- Government-based ones such as the Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme and Post Graduate Merit Scholarship
- Higher education or career specialisation scholarships to improve subject proficiency
- Community-based scholarships for minority groups or those considered backward
- Scholarships meant to educate a girl child or an adult woman
- Merit-based scholarship programmes based on academic excellence
- Means-based scholarship programmes meant for those from economically-weaker sections
These programmes are first listed and made available on scholarship portals. The governments play an important role in supporting students through scholarship programs with the help of scholarship portals. These portals can be broadly categorised into central scholarship portals, state scholarship portals and independent portals.
These online portals have become the modern online tool. It generates awareness, provides data and facilitates the application process for different categories of scholarships based on caste, religion, state, gender, and other eligibility criteria. Applicants get a greater insight into the different types of scholarship programmes available as already mentioned. This article presents a comprehensive list of central and state scholarship portals while sharing an in-depth insight on types of opportunities available on the scholarship portals.
Central Government Portals
National Scholarship Portal (NSP): www.scholarships.gov.in
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) was launched in the year 2000. It acts as a guide to several scholarship programmes offered by the Central and State Governments of India and the University Grants Commission (UGC). It offers various services such as the following:
- Application forms for availing the benefits offered by a scholarship programme
- Application receipt
- Online uploading of required documents
- Processing of duly filled in application forms
- Information on approval, sanctioning and disbursal of scholarship benefits.
The Mission Mode Project (MMP) of the National Scholarships Portal under the National e-Governance Plan aims to provide a common electronic portal to every student for implementing different opportunities. The NSP portal works as the single most important online platform for scholarship programmes offered by the Union Government, State Governments and Administration of Union Territories in India.
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Scholarship Portal: www.aicte-india.org
AICTE portal provides various government schemes and opportunities to Indian students. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) promotes technical education and offers similar scholarship opportunities. Every year AICTE launches new schemes and renews the scholarships awarded to eligible students.
University Grants Commission (UGC) Scholarship Portal: www.ugc.ac.in
The University Grants Commission (UGC) was formally established in November 1956 as a statutory body of the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. It works for the coordination, determination, and maintenance of standards of university education in India. UGC web portal offers scholarships and fellowship opportunities for Indian students willing to pursue higher studies.
Ministry of Minority Affairs Scholarship Portal: www.minorityaffairs.gov.in
The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) portal offers pre-matric and post-matric scholarships to students. It works to empower the minority communities and create an enabling environment for strengthening the multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multicultural, and multilingual diversity of our nation.
Department of Science and Technology (DST) Scholarship Portal: www.dst.gov.in
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India offers several scholarship programmes to support students, researchers, and professionals in the field of science and technology. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in the Ministry of Science and Technology manages the Scholarship and Fellowship Management System (SFMS), an official portal for DST scholarships in India.
Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme: www.pmrf.in
The Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) Scheme portal provides an important platform to aspiring researchers willing to apply for the fellowship programme. This portal offers detailed information on the PMRF Scheme, eligibility criteria, application procedures, and other important updates related to the fellowship programmes.
myScheme Portal: www.myscheme.gov.in
‘myScheme’ portal is a platform that offers detailed information on government schemes and programmes. It provides an innovative, technology-based solution to find matching schemes and dedicated information. The platform helps the citizens to find the suitable and targeted government schemes meant for interested individuals. It also guides on how to apply and removes the necessity to visit multiple government websites or portals.
State Government Portals
Andhra Pradesh – AP ePASS (Electronic Payment and Application System of Scholarships)
‘ePASS’ is a digital platform of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh which has been designed to streamline the process of scholarship application and facilitate electronic payments. Applicants hailing from the State of Andhra Pradesh can use the portal to apply for state-specific scholarship programmes. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh’s Department of Higher Education maintains this portal. The AP ePASS portal covers post-matric, pre-matric, and overseas scholarships and corporate admissions.
Arunachal Pradesh – Arunachal Pradesh Scholarship Portal: education.arunachal.gov.in/career/scholarship/
The Education portal of the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh is officially managed by the Department of Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The portal serves as a platform to share information, resources, and updates on scholarship programmes to the deserving students of Arunachal Pradesh. The portal aims to provide comprehensive details on pre-matric and post-matric education programmes.
Assam – Directorate of Higher Education, Assam Scholarship Portal: directorateofhighereducation.assam.gov.in/portlets/scholarships
The Directorate of Higher Education, Assam Scholarship Portal serves as an important platform for the resident citizens of Assam. Eligible candidates can access details on various scholarship and financial aid programmes offered by the State Government of Assam. The portal provides comprehensive details on merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, minority scholarship programmes, SC/ST/OBC scholarship programmes, women empowerment scholarship programmes, special category scholarship programmes for differently-abled students, PG/Research scholarship programmes, and overseas scholarship programmes.
Bihar – Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) Online Bihar Portal: www.pmsonline.bih.nic.in
The PMS (Post-Matric Scholarship) Online Bihar Portal is managed by the State Government of Bihar to ease the application and disbursement process of scholarship programmes. Residents of Bihar including those hailing from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), minority, and disabled categories can apply for state-specific post-matric scholarship programmes.
Chhattisgarh – Chhattisgarh Post-Matric Scholarship Portal: www.postmatric-scholarship.cg.nic.in
Chhattisgarh Post-Matric Scholarship Portal is a one-stop solution for resident students of Chhattisgarh seeking financial assistance through post-matric scholarship programmes. It is a convenient option for students from the SC, ST, OBC, and minority categories in particular to apply through the Chhattisgarh Post-Matric Scholarship Portal.
Goa – CM Scholarship Portal: www.postmatric-scholarship.cg.nic.in
CM Scholarship Portal is managed by the State Government of Goa which provides scholarship benefits meant for the residents of Goa. A total of 696 schools and 18,978 students are registered on the portal. CM Scholarship Portal currently has listed 17 schemes managed by the Department of Tribal Welfare, the Department of Social Welfare, and the Department of Education.
Gujarat – Digital Gujarat Scholarship Portal: www.digitalgujarat.gov.in
The Digital Gujarat Scholarship Portal is an online platform to manage the application process for various scholarship programmes provided by the Government of Gujarat. This online portal is managed by the Department of Education and Social Welfare. Students from Gujarat can avail the benefits offered by state-specific pre-matric, post-matric, and merit-based scholarship programmes through the portal.
Haryana – Har-Chhatravratti: www.harchhatravratti.highereduhry.ac.in
Har-Chhatravratti is a centralised portal developed by the Department of Higher Education, Haryana. The portal currently lists 15 scholarship programmes offered by 7 major departments of the State Government. The portal involves the process of creating an account, filling application form, uploading documents, and online application submission.
Himachal Pradesh – Himachal Pradesh ePASS (Electronic Payment and Application System of Scholarships): www.hpepass.cgg.gov.in
The ePASS (Electronic Payment and Application System of Scholarships) portal for Himachal Pradesh is managed by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Himachal Pradesh. Resident students of Himachal Pradesh can avail information and apply for various scholarship schemes offered by the State Government.
Jharkhand – Jharkhand State Scholarship Portal: www.ekalyan.cgg.gov.in
The e-Kalyan scholarship portal is managed by the Department of Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, Minority and Backward Class Welfare, Government of Jharkhand. The portal presently informs about total direct benefit transfers of ₹471.99 crore, 29,54,651 beneficiaries, and 6 schemes. Students can avail information on the pre-matric and post-matric scholarship programmes through this portal.
Karnataka – Karnataka Scholarship Portal: ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in
The Karnataka Scholarship Portal is also known as KARePASS which has been developed by the State Government of Karnataka. Students willing to pursue education in Karnataka can apply and avail the benefits offered under the scholarship programmes available on this portal. The scholarship portal aims to offer financial assistance to eligible students from economically weaker sections, backward classes, minorities, and other disadvantaged background categories.
Kerala – Kerala Scholarship Portal: www.dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in
The Kerala Scholarship Portal is an initiative of the Kerala Government. Applicants from socially and economically backward categories including others can apply and avail the benefits available under the active scholarship programmes listed on the portal. This portal has already disbursed a total amount of ₹2,14,74,83,647 to the beneficiaries.
Madhya Pradesh – State Scholarship Portal Madhya Pradesh: www.scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in
The Scholarship Portal of the State Government of Madhya Pradesh offers detailed information on state-specific scholarship programmes to the residents of the state. It is managed by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh. The main objective of the State Scholarship Portal is to offer information, benefits and financial assistance to eligible applicants from economically weaker sections, backward classes, minorities, and other disadvantaged backgrounds.
Maharashtra – Aaple Sarkar DBT Portal Maharashtra: www.mahadbtmahait.gov.in
Aaple Sarkar DBT portal has been launched by the State Government of Maharashtra. This portal currently offers information on more than 50 post-matric and pre-matric scholarships to the residents of Maharashtra. Applicants can check the application status, know about the approved and rejected applications through this portal.
Manipur – Manipur Scholarship Portal: www.manipur.gov.in/?q=scholarship
The Manipur Scholarship Portal is the initiative of the State Government of Manipur dedicated to the resident students of Manipur including others. Students can avail the benefits of timely information posted on the scholarship programmes and other benefits through this portal.
Meghalaya – Meghalaya Scholarships Portal: megeducation.gov.in/scholarships
The Meghalaya Scholarship Portal is an online platform of the State Government of Meghalaya. This portal has accessibility to facilitate the application process and disbursement of scholarships for resident students including others in the State of Meghalaya. Students can apply for pre-matric, post-matric, and merit-based scholarships through the portal.
Mizoram – Mizoram Scholarship Board Portal: www.scholarships.mizoram.gov.in/
The Mizoram Scholarship Board Portal is an initiative of the Government of Mizoram.The services available on the portal are provided by the Department of Information & Communication Technology. Students hailing from the State of Mizoram can apply for the scholarships listed on the portal.
Nagaland – Nagaland Scholarship Portal: highereducation.nagaland.gov.in
The Nagaland Scholarship Portal is managed by the Department of Higher Education to provide scholarships to the residents of Nagaland including others. The students can avail the benefits available under post-matric, merit-based, research-based, and state-merit scholarship programmes through the portal.
Odisha – Odisha State Scholarship Portal: www.scholarship.odisha.gov.in
The Odisha State Scholarship Portal is an integrated e-Governance Portal dedicated to the residents of the State of Odisha. The portal is managed by the Government of Odisha for implementation of benefits across departments such as ST and SC Development, Higher Education, School Mass Education, Labour ESI, and Skill Development. Technical Education and Agriculture including others. This portal has been linked with the State Treasury Portal IFMS for automated payment directly transferred into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Punjab – Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Portal: scholarships.punjab.gov.in
Dr. Ambedkar Scholarship Portal is a dedicated platform meant for the students residing in the State of Punjab. The portal focuses on programmes available for the marginalised communities, economically disadvantaged groups residing in the State of Punjab. The applicants can even apply for a freeship card and register their names for available opportunities through this portal.
Rajasthan: Rajasthan Scholarship Portal: sje.rajasthan.gov.in/Default.aspx?PageID=346
The Raj Shala Darpan Portal aims to provide easier access to scholarship programmes meant for the beneficiaries located in the State of Rajasthan. The state scholarship portal is presently offering a total of 21 scholarship schemes. This is an integrated e-Governance Portal for automated streamlining and effective management of schemes.
Sikkim – Sikkim Scholarship Portal: www.sikkim.gov.in/
The Sikkim scholarship portal is dedicated to the students of the State of Sikkim. It is managed by the Government of Sikkim. Students can check the updates and notifications of the scholarships and notices related to the results of scholarships through this portal.
Tamil Nadu – Tamil Nadu Scholarship Portal: www.tn.gov.in
Tamil Nadu Scholarship Portal has been designed, developed and hosted by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), the premier ICT Organisation of the Government of India under the aegis of the Department of Information Technology, the Ministry of Communications & Information Technology.
Telangana – Telangana ePASS (Electronic Payment and Application System of Scholarships): telanganaepass.cgg.gov.in
The Telangana ePASS portal is the initiative of the Department of Backward Class Welfare, Telangana government. The portal offers pre-matric and post-matric scholarship programmes for the educational upliftment of students. The SC, ST, EBC, BC, and minority communities of Telangana including others can apply for the opportunities made available through this portal.
Tripura – Tripura Scholarship Portal: www.obcw.tripura.gov.in
The Tripura Scholarship Portal is dedicated to the Other Backwards Classes (OBC) categories in the State of Tripura. This portal is managed by the Directorate for Welfare of Other Backward Classes and functions under the Department for Welfare of OBCs. Tripura has a huge OBC population, which has been getting benefitted through this scholarship portal. It mainly lists pre-matric and post-matric scholarship programmes for the needy students.
Uttar Pradesh – UP Scholarship Portal: scholarship.up.gov.in
The UP Scholarship Portal is also known as the Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Online System which has been designed and developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), UP State Unit, Lucknow. It is jointly maintained by the Social Welfare Department, Backward Class Welfare Department, Minorities Welfare Department and Tribal Development Department, UP.
The UP Scholarship Portal is one of the largest portals that lists information and offers benefits available under the pre-matric and post-matric level scholarship programmes to the resident students of Uttar Pradesh. The Government of Uttar Pradesh manages the application process and disbursement of scholarship benefits through this portal.
Uttarakhand – Uttarakhand Scholarship Portal: he.uk.gov.in/dpages/scholarship-portal
The Uttarakhand Scholarship Portal is managed by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Uttarakhand. The applicants from Uttarakhand can apply for different education schemes listed on this portal. Applicants can check the new announcements, important links, and newly launched schemes and renewal of scholarship programmes.
West Bengal – OASIS Portal: www.oasis.gov.in
The OASIS Portal is managed by the Backward Classes Welfare Department and the Tribal Development Department, Government of West Bengal. The portal presently has a total of 12329 registered institutions. It provides information on 282898 received applications, and 6 scholarship schemes dedicated to the students from the State of West Bengal. This portal offers services like student registration, options for changing passwords, application for scholarship renewal, details on the newly launched scholarship programmes, and the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I access state scholarship portals in India?
Each of the states have their own dedicated portal. Students can access scholarship portals by visiting their official websites already provided in the posted links of state scholarship portals.
Which is the best government scholarship portal in India?
The National Scholarship Portal is an integrated online platform that aggregates information on national and state scholarship programmes.This portal has more than 150 scholarships listed for students who are willing to pursue school, college, and higher-level education. ‘myScheme’ portal is another comprehensive platform that offers detailed information on government schemes.
What types of scholarships are available on government scholarship portals?
The government scholarship portals list only those programmes that are exclusively managed, processed, funded and supported by the government or public institutions. These portals offer different scholarship categories, such as merit-based, means-based, merit-cum means, scholarship for SC/ST/OBC/EBC/BC category, minority scholarships, girl child scholarships, and more.
Do we need to upload documents required to apply through the government scholarship portal?
Yes, in general, we need to upload documents required to apply through the government scholarship portal. However, different scholarship programmes have different eligibility criteria. Most commonly required documents are academic marksheet, income certificates of parents, caste certificates (if applicable), identity proof, bank account details, passport-size photographs, etc.
Can I apply for multiple scholarships through the same portal?
Yes, interested applicants can apply for multiple scholarships through the same portal. Furthermore, the disbursement of awards for more than one scholarship programme depends on the eligibility criteria mentioned by the scholarship providers.