Introduction

Government scholarship schemes provide better opportunities for students from various social and financial backgrounds. The deserving minds of the nation are encouraged by the government to pursue academics without any financial obstacles. The central and state governments offer various government scholarships to students at various levels. The central and the state government ensures no brilliant student drops out of schools or colleges due to poverty. A government scholarship scheme helps a student to assess education by overcoming monetary hurdles.

Government Scholarships

The central and the state government of India organise several government scholarships every year for deserving students pursuing academics at various levels. A scholarship helps a student to assess education without any financial obstacles. Scholarships are offered irrespective of caste, class or creed to which the student belongs. Hence, it is safe to say that government scholarships are for every student who meets the requirements.

Types of Government Scholarship Schemes

Government scholarship schemes are broadly classified into two types. They are: Centrally-funded scholarships State-funded scholarships Centrally-funded scholarships: These are government scholarship schemes run by the central government. Although funded by the central government, the scholarships are paid out to students by the state government. Regardless of their domicile, citizens of India can apply for centrally-funded scholarships. The list of Central government scholarship schemes are:

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability, Government of India provides:

  • Pre-matric scholarship for students with disabilities
  • Post-matric scholarship for students with disabilitiesMinistry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India provide:
  • Scholarship for Top Class Education for students with disabilities

  1. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India provide:

  • Prime Minister scholarship scheme for Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles

  1. The Security Directorate, Ministry of Railways, Government of India provide:

  • Prime Minister scholarship scheme for RPF and RPSF

  1. The Ministry of Minority Affairs provide:

  • Pre-matric scholarship scheme for minorities
  • Post-matric scholarship scheme for minorities
  • Merit-cum-means scholarship for professional and technical courses

  1. Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, provides:

  • National Means Cum Merit Scholarship
  • Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students
  • Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF)

  1. Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India provides:

  • Pre-matric Scholarship for Financial Assistance for Education of the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers
  • Post-matric Scholarship for Financial Assistance for Education of the Wards of Beedi/Cine/IOMC/LSDM Workers

  1. University Grants Commission (UGC) provides:

  • PG Scholarships for Professional Courses for SC/ST
  • Post Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders
  • Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
  • ISHAN UDAY – Special Scholarship Scheme for North Eastern Region

  1. Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, provides:

  • SwarnaJayanti Fellowships Scheme

  1. Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, provides:

  • National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students

  1. Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India provides:

  • Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana
  • Women Scientists Scheme-C (WOS-C)

  1. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) provides

  • National Talent Search Exam (NTSE)

  1. Ministry of Human Resource Development (AICTE) provides:

  • AICTE-Saksham Scholarship Scheme
  • AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls
  • State-funded Scholarship Schemes: The state government conducts this scholarship scheme, which also hands out the amount to the deserving pupils. Students who apply for these scholarships should be permanent residents of their respective states. The number of scholarships usually vary with each state. Delhi, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujrat, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra provide meritorious students.
Here are a few mentions of state-wise scholarships:

  1. Department for the Welfare of SC/ST/OBC, Government of Delhi, runs scholarship schemes like:

  • Reimbursement of Tuition Fee for SC/ST/OBC/Minority, Delhi
  • Financial Assistance to SC/ST/OBC/Minority, Delhi
  • Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC Students, Delhi
  • Post Matric Scholarship for OBC Students, to name a few.

  1. Social Welfare Department, Government of UP, provides:

  • Pre-matric Scholarship For ST/SC/General Category, UP
  • Post matric Intermediate Scholarship For ST/SC/General Category, UP
  • Post matric Other State Scholarship for ST, SC, General Category, UP

Conclusion

The central and state government funds several scholarship schemes to help students assess education at different levels. The Government scholarship schemes ensure that no meritorious student is prevented from pursuing studies due to financial paucity. Students can apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) of the Government of India.