- The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) was renamed the Ministry of Education (MoE) by the Union Cabinet on 29 July 2020 under the National Education Policy 2020, so these are now Ministry of Education scholarships
- Applications are made through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in, which opened for 2026-27 on 1 June 2026 and closes for students on 31 October 2026
- The flagship Central Sector Scholarship is now part of the PM-USP umbrella and awards about 82,000 scholarships each year.
MHRD stood for the Ministry of Human Resource Development, which played a central role in India's education system. In 2020 it was renamed the Ministry of Education. There are two departments under the ministry, namely the Department of School Education and Literacy and the Department of Higher Education.
The ministry offers these scholarships to provide financial assistance to school and college students. Scholarships are offered on two levels, one at the national level and the other at the external level, in collaboration with foreign governments under educational and cultural exchange programmes.
What Is the MHRD Scholarship, Now a Ministry of Education Scholarship?
MHRD stood for the Ministry of Human Resource Development, renamed the Ministry of Education in 2020. Through its Department of School Education and Literacy and Department of Higher Education, the ministry funds school and college students with merit and means based scholarships at both national and external levels across India.
The ministry contributes to the socio-economic development of the country by supporting students through its two departments. Some of the scholarships are career-specific while others are student or institution specific. The national level schemes are run by departments and bodies under the ministry, while external schemes are facilitated by foreign countries under exchange programmes.
For Class 12 students moving into college, the PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship is offered on merit, with around 82,000 fresh scholarships awarded each year. Other schemes target girls, differently-abled students, research scholars and students from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Government Scholarships for Indian StudentsRead →What Scholarships Does the Ministry Offer at the National Level?
National level scholarships are run directly by departments under the Ministry of Education and its bodies. They include the PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship for college students, the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship, the Prime Minister's Research Fellowship, and AICTE's Pragati and Saksham scholarships for girls and differently-abled technical students respectively.
- PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS)
- PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh
- National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE)
- National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship
- Prime Minister's Research Fellowship (PMRF)
- AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls
- AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Differently-Abled Students
Which External Overseas Scholarships Does the Ministry Offer?
External scholarships are offered jointly with foreign governments under educational and cultural exchange programmes. They let Indian students study abroad in countries such as the UK, China, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Mexico, Italy and New Zealand. Most are granted for research, master's and doctoral study and are administered alongside the Ministry of Education.
- Commonwealth Scholarships
- New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship
- Chinese Government Scholarships
- South Korean Government Scholarships
- Japanese Government Scholarships
- Italian Government Scholarships
- Mexican Government Scholarships
- Israel Government Scholarships
- Presidential Scholarships (Sri Lanka) and the Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship
How Do You Apply for a Ministry of Education Scholarship in 2026?
Apply online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. First complete a One-Time Registration using your Aadhaar number, then log in, choose the relevant scheme, fill the form and upload documents. For 2026-27 the portal opened on 1 June 2026 and closes for students on 31 October 2026.
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
- Complete a One-Time Registration (OTR) linked to your Aadhaar number.
- Read the scheme notification carefully before starting.
- Log in, select the correct scheme and fill the online form with accurate details.
- Upload all required documents, plus a passport-size photo and signature.
- Get the application verified by your institution or the education board.
- Submit before the deadline and save a printout for your records.
What Documents Are Required?
You need proof of identity such as an Aadhaar card, or a Voter ID, passport, driving licence or PAN card issued by a government authority. You also need your Class 12 board mark sheet, an income certificate, a bank passbook and a recent passport-size photograph with signature for the online application.
- Aadhaar card (or Voter ID, passport, driving licence or PAN card recognised by the Central Government)
- Mark sheet of the Class 12 board examination
- Income certificate
- Bank passbook for direct benefit transfer
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature
How Is the Central Sector Scholarship Amount Structured?
The PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship pays Rs 12,000 per year for the first three years of graduation and Rs 20,000 per year in the fourth and fifth years of professional courses and at postgraduate level. About 82,000 fresh scholarships are awarded each year, split equally between boys and girls.
| Study Stage 2026 | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| First three years of graduation | Rs 12,000 per year |
| Fourth and fifth year of professional courses | Rs 20,000 per year |
| Postgraduate level | Rs 20,000 per year |
Who Is Eligible for These Scholarships?
Eligibility varies by scheme. For the Central Sector Scholarship, students must rank in the top 20 percent of their stream in the Class 12 board exam and have a family income below Rs 4.5 lakh a year. Other schemes set their own limits on merit, age, gender, income and course type.
The Central Sector Scholarship is offered to students in the top 20 percent of successful candidates in their stream, pursuing regular courses at a recognised college or university, with a family income not exceeding Rs 4.5 lakh a year. The National Scheme of Incentive to Girls supports SC and ST girls who pass Class 8 from a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya and enrol in Class 9.
For external schemes such as the Commonwealth Scholarship, applicants who have completed or are completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree can apply, usually with a minimum of 60 to 65 percent in science or social science. Selection is made without using any admission quota.
How Do You Renew a Ministry of Education Scholarship?
Most scholarships are renewed each year for up to five years, provided the student stays in the same stream and meets the renewal criteria. Renewal is done through the same National Scholarship Portal login. Students who miss an annual exam due to illness, or who change college, can still apply to renew.
- Students can renew by submitting verified proof for any absence from the annual examination.
- Students changing their college or university may still renew their scholarship.
- For professional courses, the scholarship is renewed up to the graduation level.
How Does the GATE Score Help You Get a Scholarship?
A valid GATE score qualifies engineering graduates for a monthly assistantship while pursuing a full-time M.Tech or M.E. at an AICTE-approved institution. The assistantship is normally paid for 24 months, subject to the institute's rules. GATE performance is the main selection criterion, alongside the candidate's academic record and interview.
- A GATE-qualified score at the time of admission is required for the assistantship, usually for 24 months.
- The eligibility criteria can differ between institutions.
- The institution must ensure only students above the qualifying marks receive the grant.
- Students should confirm the availability of the assistantship with their institute.
What Is the Pragati Scholarship for Girls?
Pragati is an AICTE scholarship for girl students admitted to the first year of a diploma or degree course at any AICTE-approved technical institution. It pays Rs 50,000 per year toward fees, books and equipment. Up to two girls per family are eligible, and family annual income must be below Rs 8 lakh.
The companion AICTE Saksham Scholarship offers the same Rs 50,000 per year to differently-abled students in AICTE-approved technical courses. Both schemes are applied for through the National Scholarship Portal and are aimed at reducing the cost of technical education for eligible students.
How Do You Access the Scholarship Portal and Login?
The scholarship portal is the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in, which replaced the older MHRD login. New applicants first generate a One-Time Registration with Aadhaar, then log in as a fresh user to apply. Returning students use a separate renewal login to continue an existing scholarship for the next year.
- Visit scholarships.gov.in and open the login page.
- New users generate a One-Time Registration linked to Aadhaar, then sign up.
- Returning students use the separate renewal login to continue their scholarship.