What is Central Government Scholarship ?
A Central Government Scholarship is a financial aid program offered by the Government of India to support students—especially those from economically weaker, marginalized, or underrepresented communities—in pursuing their education in India or abroad.
Coverage Under Central Government Scholarships
Central government scholarships typically cover a wide range of academic and living expenses to ease the financial burden on students. Here’s what they usually include:
Academic Costs
- Tuition fees (full or partial)
- Examination fees
- Library/lab fees
- Books and study materials
- Thesis/Project expenses
Living Expenses
- Monthly stipend for food, housing, and other basic needs
- Hostel/mess charges
- Clothing and personal expenses (in some cases)
Travel & Other Costs
- Airfare (to and from foreign university) – for overseas scholarships
- Visa fee reimbursement
- Health insurance and medical coverage
- Contingency allowance for emergencies or academic needs
Other Support (Case-Specific)
- Laptop or equipment grants (for digital learning)
- Pre-admission coaching or training fees
- Language course support (for foreign universities)
General Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Must be an Indian citizen.
Academic Performance
A minimum percentage or grade (usually 60%–75% or higher) with Consistent academic performance in previous exams.
Income Limit
Family Income: Most scholarships require a family income of less than ₹8 lakh per year, varying by scheme and category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS).
Category-Based Eligibility
Scholarships are often targeted at:
- SC/ST/OBC students
- Minority communities
- EWS (Economically Weaker Sections)
- Differently-abled (PwD)
- Female students
Educational Level
Must be enrolled in or admitted to:
The applicant must be enrolled in or have secured admission to a recognized school, college, or university. For study-abroad schemes, admission to an approved international institution is also required.
Specific Course or Stream
Some scholarships apply only to specific courses (e.g., engineering, medicine, science, research, etc.).
Age Limit
Some schemes have an upper age limit (e.g., 35 years for the National Overseas Scholarship).
Extrance Exam Scores
Certain scholarships require qualifying or ranking in national entrance exams like JEE, NEET, GATE, etc.
Central Government Scholarships & Schemes for Overseas Education
1. National Overseas Scholarships.
Offered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the NOS supports students from marginalized communities—such as SC, denotified nomadic tribes, landless laborers, and traditional artisans—in pursuing Master’s or PhD programs abroad. Benefits include tuition, living expenses, travel, medical insurance, and more. Income must be ≤ ₹8 lakh; applicants typically under 35 years of age.
2. Dr. Ambedkar Central Sector Scheme ( Interest Subsidy on Education Loans )
This scheme helps students from OBC and Economically Backward Classes (EBC) by granting interest subsidies on education loans for overseas Master’s, M.Phil., or PhD programs. It supports loans up to ₹20 lakh, with strict income criteria and requires admission and loan approval via IBA-approved banks
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3.JN Tata Endowment for Higher Education of Indians
This one-time loan scholarship (₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh) supports postgraduate, PhD, postdoctoral, or research fellowships abroad. It also offers partial travel grants (up to ₹50,000) and gift awards. Candidates undergo a Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) and interview. Eligibility includes being an Indian citizen under 45 and having ≥60% in graduation
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4.Ms. Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowship.
Administered by the Ministry of Education, this fully funded one-year (extendable) fellowship sends Indian scholars to St. Antony’s College, Oxford for research in history, political science, or economics. Benefits include airfare, stipends, and allowances. Eligibility includes being an Indian citizen, aged 30–40, with a PhD or equivalent and ≥60% marks at Master’s level.
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5.Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees.
An EU-funded program offering Indian students fully funded Master’s degrees delivered across at least three international universities. The scholarship includes tuition, a monthly stipend (up to €1,500), travel, insurance, and maintenance.
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6.DST-INSPIRE Overseas Scholarship.
Under the Department of Science & Technology’s INSPIRE initiative, this program supports INSPIRE Fellows pursuing PhDs abroad in natural sciences, covering tuition, living expenses, and travel, especially for high-potential research scholars at top QS-ranked universities.
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7. Raman Charpark Fellowship.
A joint initiative between India (DST) and France, this postgraduate research exchange supports Indian and French PhD students in science and technology. It includes a monthly fellowship (~₹1.5 lakh), airfare, and insurance for short-term research stints in France.
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8.ICCR Scholarships ( Indian Council for Cultural Relations )
ICCR offers a wide range of scholarships for Indian students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, cultural studies, or artistic disciplines abroad. Benefits often include tuition, stipends, travel allowances, and insurance.
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9.Freeship Scheme for SC/St Students Abroad.
This scheme provides full tuition, living expenses, travel, medical insurance, and book allowances for Indian SC/ST students studying abroad. Income eligibility and admission into recognized institutions are required.
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9.Commonwealth Scholarships ( Via MHRD)
Offered through the MHRD, these scholarships support master’s and doctoral studies in Commonwealth countries, covering tuition, travel, and living costs.
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