Every year, lakhs of deserving students across India miss out on scholarship money they were fully eligible for — not because they didn’t qualify, but because they didn’t know how to apply, missed the deadline, or made small mistakes that got their application rejected. The Government of India and state governments together disburse thousands of crores in scholarships annually, covering tuition fees, hostel charges, books, and monthly maintenance allowances. This guide explains exactly how to apply for scholarships in India in 2026, with specific details for students in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Kerala.
The Two Main Routes To Apply For Scholarships In India
There are two primary channels through which Indian students apply for government scholarships:
The first is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) — the central government’s single-window platform that consolidates more than 140 scholarship schemes from various central ministries, UGC, and AICTE. The second is your individual state government’s scholarship portal, which handles state-specific schemes for students domiciled in that state.
Most students in the six focus states apply through their own state portal for state schemes and through NSP for central schemes. You can apply to both in the same year as long as you don’t claim two scholarships for the same purpose.
Step By Step — How To Apply On The National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
The National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in is a centralised online platform where students apply for multiple government scholarships using a single application.
Step 1 — Complete One Time Registration (OTR)
One Time Registration is a unique 14-digit number issued based on your Aadhaar, and is applicable for your entire academic career. OTR is required before you can apply for any scholarship on the portal. You register once and use the same OTR ID for all future applications and renewals — you never have to register again.
To generate your OTR, provide your domicile state, full name, date of birth, contact number, and Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID. After mobile OTP verification, you complete a face authentication using the NSP OTR mobile app available on Google Play Store.
Step 2 — Log In And Select Your Scheme
Log in with your OTR ID and password. Select the relevant scheme under Central Schemes or State Schemes. The portal shows you which schemes you are eligible for based on your profile.
Step 3 — Fill The Application Form
Complete the form with your academic, personal, and bank details. Ensure your Aadhaar name exactly matches your school records and bank account to avoid Direct Benefit Transfer failures — this is the single most common reason scholarship money fails to reach students.
Step 4 — Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of all required documents. Ensure scanned documents are clear and valid to avoid verification rejection.
Step 5 — Submit For Verification
After final submission, your application undergoes institute-level verification followed by district or state-level verification. Submit the hard copy to your college or school for online verification if required.
Step 6 — Track Your Application And Payment
Use the Track Application Status page to check whether your form is submitted, verified, approved, or sent for payment. Payments are transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer directly into your Aadhaar-linked bank account, typically between January and March, and can be tracked on the PFMS portal.
Documents Required For Scholarship Applications In India
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Card | Mandatory for identity verification and OTR registration |
| Aadhaar-Linked Bank Passbook | Required for Direct Benefit Transfer of scholarship money |
| Income Certificate | Proof that family income is within scheme limits |
| Caste / Category Certificate | For SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Minority scholarships |
| Domicile Certificate | Proof of state residence for state scholarships |
| Previous Marksheet | Academic eligibility proof |
| Bonafide Certificate | From current school or college |
| Fee Receipt | Proof of current enrolment and fees paid |
| Passport Size Photograph | Recent photograph |
Keep both physical and clear scanned copies of every document. Blurry or mismatched documents are the leading cause of rejection.
Eligibility — General Criteria For Indian Scholarships
While each scheme differs, the common eligibility conditions are: Indian citizenship, enrolment in a recognised school, college, or university in India, and family income within the scheme limits. For Pre-Matric scholarships the income limit is typically up to ₹1 lakh per year, and for Post-Matric scholarships it is typically ₹2 – ₹2.5 lakh per year. Many schemes reserve funding for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, minority, and disability categories.
State-Wise Scholarship Application Guide
Each of the six focus states has its own dedicated scholarship portal and flagship schemes in addition to central NSP schemes.
Telangana
Telangana students apply through the state’s ePASS portal (Telangana ePASS) for post-matric scholarships and fee reimbursement.
| Scheme | Who It Is For | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship (ePASS) | SC/ST/OBC/EBC/Minority/Disabled students | Full or partial fee reimbursement + maintenance |
| Telangana Fee Reimbursement (RTF) | Students in intermediate, degree, and professional courses | Tuition fee reimbursement |
| Overseas Study Scheme | SC/ST/Minority students going abroad | Up to ₹20 lakh for foreign study |
Telangana’s Reimbursement of Tuition Fee and Maintenance scholarship covers a large share of college costs for eligible students. Apply on the Telangana ePASS portal with your income and caste certificates from MeeSeva centres.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu students apply through the state minority welfare and BC/MBC welfare portals, plus the central NSP for national schemes.
| Scheme | Who It Is For | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship | SC/ST/BC/MBC students | Fee + maintenance allowance |
| Tamil Pudhalvan / Pudhumai Penn | Government school students entering college | ₹1,000 per month for higher education |
| Chief Minister’s Scholarship | Meritorious students from poor families | Varies by course |
| BC/MBC Overseas Scholarship | Students going abroad for higher study | Financial assistance for foreign education |
The Pudhumai Penn Scheme provides monthly financial assistance to girls who studied in government schools and are pursuing higher education — a major scheme for Tamil Nadu students. Apply through the respective welfare department portal with domicile and income proof.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra students apply through the MahaDBT portal (Aaple Sarkar DBT), which consolidates all state scholarships.
| Scheme | Who It Is For | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship (MahaDBT) | SC/ST/OBC/VJNT/SBC students | Fee reimbursement + maintenance |
| Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Fee Scheme | EBC and open category students | 50% – 100% tuition fee waiver |
| Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Hostel Allowance | Students staying in hostels | Monthly maintenance allowance |
| Maharashtra Overseas Scholarship | SC/OBC students going abroad | Up to ₹30 lakh+ for foreign study |
MahaDBT is Maharashtra’s single portal for all state scholarships — register once and apply for multiple schemes. The Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj scheme is particularly valuable for open-category and EBC students whose family income is within the limit.
Gujarat
Gujarat students apply through the Digital Gujarat portal for all state scholarships.
| Scheme | Who It Is For | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Gujarat Post-Matric Scholarship | SC/ST/OBC/EBC students | Fee + maintenance |
| Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana (MYSY) | Meritorious students (80%+ in Class 10/12) | Up to ₹2 lakh tuition support + hostel + book allowance |
| Digital Gujarat Food Bill Assistance | Hostel and outside students | Food allowance |
The MYSY scheme is Gujarat’s flagship merit scholarship — students scoring 80% or above in Class 10 or Class 12 with family income under the limit receive substantial tuition, hostel, and book support. Apply on the Digital Gujarat portal.
Karnataka
Karnataka students apply through the State Scholarship Portal (SSP Karnataka) for state schemes.
| Scheme | Who It Is For | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarship (SSP) | SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EBC students | Fee reimbursement + maintenance |
| Vidyasiri Scholarship | OBC and minority students | Food and accommodation allowance |
| CM Merit Scholarship | Meritorious students | Merit-based financial assistance |
| Karnataka Arivu Education Loan Subsidy | Students taking education loans | Interest subsidy on loans |
The State Scholarship Portal (SSP) is Karnataka’s unified platform. The Vidyasiri scheme helps hostel and outside students with food and accommodation costs — a major relief for students studying away from home.
Kerala
Kerala students apply through the state’s e-Grantz portal for post-matric scholarships and DCE scholarships for merit schemes.
| Scheme | Who It Is For | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| e-Grantz Post-Matric Scholarship | SC/ST/OBC/OEC students | Fee + maintenance via DBT |
| Higher Education Scholarship (DCE) | Meritorious degree and PG students | Merit-based financial support |
| Muslim/Nadar/Other Minority Scholarship | Minority community students | Financial assistance |
| Mukhyamantri Scholarship | Professional course students | Course-specific support |
Kerala’s e-Grantz portal handles most post-matric scholarships for the state. Kerala students also benefit strongly from central minority scholarships through NSP given the state’s demographic mix.
National Scholarships Every Student In These States Can Apply For
Beyond state schemes, these central scholarships on NSP are open to eligible students in all six states:
| Central Scheme | Who It Is For | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Central Sector Scholarship (CSS) | Top Class 12 scorers pursuing college | ₹12,000 – ₹20,000 per year |
| Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST | SC/ST students | Full fee + maintenance |
| Pre-Matric & Post-Matric Minority Scholarship | Minority community students | Fee + maintenance |
| Merit-cum-Means Scholarship | Professional/technical course students | Up to ₹20,000 per year |
| AICTE Pragati Scholarship | Girl students in technical courses | ₹50,000 per year |
| AICTE Saksham Scholarship | Students with disabilities in technical courses | ₹50,000 per year |
| PM Yasasvi Scholarship | OBC/EBC/DNT students | Fee + maintenance |
The Central Sector Scholarship is one of the most valuable for meritorious students from these states — top performers in Class 12 board exams from each state receive this recurring annual scholarship throughout their college years.
Education Loans — When Scholarships Are Not Enough
Scholarships rarely cover the full cost of professional courses like engineering, medicine, or MBA. Most students combine a scholarship with an education loan. Under the Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme, students from economically weaker sections get full interest subsidy during the moratorium period on loans up to ₹10 lakh for study in India.
| Bank | Loan Amount (India Study) | Interest Rate | Repayment Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Student Loan | Up to ₹50 lakh | 8.05% – 10.05% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
| Bank of Baroda | Up to ₹80 lakh | 8.40% – 10.35% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
| Punjab National Bank | Up to ₹40 lakh | 8.55% – 10.75% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
| HDFC Credila | Up to ₹75 lakh | 10.50% – 13.00% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
| Axis Bank | Up to ₹40 lakh | 10.70% – 14.00% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
| Avanse Financial Services | Up to ₹75 lakh | 11.00% – 14.50% p.a. | Up to 15 years |
Rates are indicative. Confirm current rates directly with the bank. Under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act, the entire interest paid on an education loan is fully tax deductible for up to 8 years, making an education loan one of the most tax-efficient ways to fund higher education.
Private And Corporate Scholarships Worth Applying For
Beyond government schemes, students in these states can apply for large private scholarships that often provide more money than government schemes:
| Scholarship | Who It Is For | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Reliance Foundation Scholarship | UG and PG students | Up to ₹6 lakh |
| Tata Scholarship / Tata Trusts | Meritorious needy students | Varies |
| Aditya Birla Scholarship | Top professional course students | Up to ₹1.75 lakh per year |
| HDFC Bank Parivartan ECSS | Students facing financial crisis | Up to ₹75,000 |
| Kotak Kanya Scholarship | Girl students in professional courses | Up to ₹1.5 lakh per year |
| LIC HFL Vidyadhan Scholarship | Students from low-income families | Course-based support |
| Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship | Students across levels | Monthly stipend |
Corporate scholarships from Reliance, Tata, Aditya Birla, HDFC, and Kotak are among the most generous available to Indian students and are open to applicants from all six states. Apply directly on each foundation’s website, as these are not routed through NSP.
Common Reasons Scholarship Applications Get Rejected
Understanding why applications fail helps you avoid the same mistakes:
The Aadhaar name does not match the bank account or school records, causing Direct Benefit Transfer failure. The bank account is not linked to Aadhaar. Documents uploaded are blurry, cropped, or expired. The income certificate is older than the required period. The application was submitted but the hard copy was not verified by the institution. The deadline was missed — different schemes have different deadlines. The student applied for two scholarships for the same purpose, which is not allowed.
Scholarship Application Timeline 2026-27
| Activity | Approximate Period |
|---|---|
| NSP Portal Opens for Fresh Applications | June – August 2026 |
| State Portal Applications Open | July – September 2026 |
| Fresh Application Deadline | September – November 2026 (varies by scheme) |
| Institute Verification | Ongoing until December 2026 |
| District/State Verification | December 2026 – January 2027 |
| Scholarship Disbursement via DBT | January – March 2027 |
Deadlines vary by scheme and state — always check your specific scheme’s deadline on the official portal and apply at least two weeks before the last date to allow time for corrections.
Tips To Maximise Your Scholarship Success
Apply early — do not wait for the deadline, as portal traffic causes errors in the final days. Complete your OTR before the application window opens so you are ready. Ensure your Aadhaar, bank account, and school records all show exactly the same name. Keep your income and caste certificates current — get them freshly issued if they are near expiry. Apply for multiple schemes you are eligible for, both central and state, as long as they are for different purposes. Track your application weekly and respond immediately to any correction request from your institution. Keep clear scanned copies of all documents ready in the correct file size before you begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for both central and state scholarships in the same year? Yes. You can apply for a central scholarship on NSP and a state scholarship on your state portal in the same year, as long as you are not claiming two scholarships for the same purpose (for example, two tuition fee scholarships).
Is Aadhaar mandatory for scholarship applications? Yes. Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrolment ID is mandatory for OTR registration on NSP and for most state scholarship portals. Your bank account must also be linked to Aadhaar to receive the money.
What is OTR and do I need it every year? OTR is a One Time Registration — a unique 14-digit number valid for your entire academic career. You register once and use the same OTR ID for all future fresh applications and renewals. You never need to register again.
When will I receive my scholarship money? Scholarship money is transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer directly into your Aadhaar-linked bank account, typically between January and March, after your application clears institute and district verification.
What income limit applies for scholarships? It varies by scheme — Pre-Matric scholarships typically require family income under ₹1 lakh per year, and Post-Matric scholarships under ₹2 – ₹2.5 lakh per year. Merit scholarships may have higher limits or no income limit.
My scholarship application was rejected — what do I do? Check the rejection reason on the portal. The most common issues are Aadhaar name mismatch, unlinked bank account, or blurry documents. Fix the specific issue and reapply if the window is still open, or appeal through your institution’s nodal officer.
Which portal do I use for my state? Telangana uses ePASS, Tamil Nadu uses the welfare department portals, Maharashtra uses MahaDBT, Gujarat uses Digital Gujarat, Karnataka uses SSP, and Kerala uses e-Grantz. For central schemes, all states use the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
Conclusion
Applying for scholarships in India in 2026 is more streamlined than ever, thanks to the National Scholarship Portal and each state’s dedicated online platform. The key to success is preparation — complete your OTR early, keep your Aadhaar, bank account, and academic records perfectly matched, gather clear document scans in advance, and apply to every scheme you qualify for across both central and state portals. Students in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Kerala have access to some of the most generous state scholarship schemes in the country, from Telangana’s fee reimbursement to Gujarat’s MYSY, Maharashtra’s MahaDBT schemes, Tamil Nadu’s Pudhumai Penn, Karnataka’s Vidyasiri, and Kerala’s e-Grantz.
Combine your government scholarship with a Section 80E tax-deductible education loan and a private corporate scholarship from Reliance, Tata, or Aditya Birla, and you can fund your entire higher education with minimal financial burden on your family. Start early, apply carefully, track diligently, and the scholarship money that lakhs of students leave unclaimed every year can be yours.
