- The DCE Scholarship is run by the Department of Collegiate Education, Government of Kerala, and applications are submitted online at dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in
- ASPIRE is Kerala's research award for postgraduate and PhD students, not a foreign single-parent scholarship
- The department administers over a dozen merit and welfare scholarships, with awards paid directly into student bank accounts.
The DCE Scholarship is also known as the Kerala Scholarship and it is run by the Department of Collegiate Education, Government of Kerala. Its main objective is to provide financial assistance to meritorious and economically weaker students of Kerala state. Both school and college level students can apply, in coordination with the Department of Minority Welfare and central government schemes.
How To Apply for the DCE Scholarship?
You can apply for the DCE Scholarship entirely online through the Department of Collegiate Education portal at dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in, the CM Prathibhapuraskaram portal, or the National Scholarship Portal for centrally funded schemes. Register with your Aadhaar or SSLC details, upload the required documents, and submit the form before the notified deadline for your scholarship.
Where to apply for the DCE Scholarship
- Department of Collegiate Education portal (dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in)
- CM Prathibhapuraskaram portal (cmprathibhapuraskaram.kerala.gov.in)
- National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for centrally funded schemes
Who Is Eligible for the DCE Scholarship?
Applicants must be permanent domiciles of Kerala studying in government or aided institutions at higher secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, or research level. Most schemes set a family income ceiling, ranging from about one to six lakh rupees depending on the scholarship, and require a minimum percentage or grade in the qualifying examination.
- Permanent domicile of Kerala
- Studying in a government or government-aided institution
- Enrolled at higher secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate, or research level
- Meets the minimum marks or grade set by the scheme, often 50 percent or an A+ grade
- Family income within the ceiling fixed for that scholarship, roughly one to six lakh rupees depending on the scheme
What Is the DCE Scholarship Application Form Process?
To fill the DCE application form, visit dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in, open the Online Registration link, and enter your personal, academic, and bank details. Upload the required certificates, cross-check every field, and submit. Download and print the acknowledgement for your records, then track the status later using your registration ID and date of birth.
- Visit the official portal at dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in and open the current scholarship notification.
- Click the Online Registration link on the homepage and create your login.
- Fill in your personal, academic, and bank details in the application form.
- Upload the required documents and certificates.
- Cross-check every detail, then submit the form.
- Download and print the acknowledgement for your records.
What Are the Types of DCE Kerala Scholarships?
The Department of Collegiate Education administers over a dozen scholarships, including the Post Matric Scholarship, Central Sector Scholarship, State and District Merit Scholarships, C H Muhammedkoya, Prof. Joseph Mundassery, Mother Teresa, and APJ Abdul Kalam scholarships, plus Sanskrit, Hindi, Music and Fine Arts, and Blind or PH schemes, and the ASPIRE research award for postgraduate and doctoral students.
- Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities (PMS)
- Central Sector Scholarship (CSS)
- State Merit Scholarship (SMS)
- District Merit Scholarship (DMS)
- C H Muhammedkoya Scholarship
- Prof. Joseph Mundassery Scholarship Award (PJMS)
- APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship (APJAK)
- Mother Teresa Scholarship (MTS)
- Merit Scholarship to the Children of School Teachers (MSCT)
- Hindi Scholarship (HS)
- Sanskrit Scholarship (SSE)
- Suvarna Jubilee Merit Scholarship (SJMS)
- Blind or PH Scholarship (BPHFC)
- Music Fine Arts Scholarship (MFAS)
- ASPIRE research award for postgraduate and PhD students
What Are the DCE Scholarship Rewards?
Reward amounts vary by scheme and study level. Merit awards such as the State and District Merit Scholarships pay around 1,250 rupees, while minority and welfare schemes like Muhammedkoya, Joseph Mundassery, Mother Teresa, and APJ Abdul Kalam range from roughly 5,000 to 15,000 rupees per year, paid directly to the student's bank account.
Award details of major DCE scholarships in 2026
| Scholarship 2026 | Award Amount |
|---|---|
| ITC Fee Reimbursement Scholarship | INR 10,000 for a 1-year course; INR 20,000 for a 2-year course |
| C H Muhammedkoya Scholarship | INR 5,000/year (UG), INR 6,000/year (PG), INR 7,000/year (professional courses) |
| APJ Abdul Kalam Scholarship (APJAK) | INR 6,000 per annum |
| Prof. Joseph Mundassery Scholarship (PJMS) | INR 10,000 per annum |
| Mother Teresa Scholarship (MTS) | INR 15,000 per annum |
| District Merit Scholarship (DMS) | INR 1,250 per annum |
| State Merit Scholarship (SMS) | INR 1,250 per annum (UG) |