🎓 Top Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025: Complete Guide for Studying in India & Abroad (UG, PG, PhD)
📌 Why Scholarships Matter More Than Ever in 2025
In 2025, higher education—both in India and abroad—is becoming increasingly expensive. According to the Ministry of Education, the average cost of an engineering degree in India has risen by 18% in the last 3 years. Meanwhile, studying abroad can easily cost ₹20–₹50 lakhs or more, depending on the country and course.
But here’s the good news: hundreds of scholarships—government, private, NGO-based, and international—are available for Indian students of all backgrounds. It covers everything from tuition to travel and even living expenses.
Whether you’re a high school topper, a student from a low-income family, or someone dreaming of an Ivy League education. This guide will help you find and apply for the right scholarships in 2025.
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🎯 Types of Scholarships Covered in This Guide
We’ve categorized the scholarships into
- ✅ By Level: UG, PG, and PhD
- ✅ By Location: India and Abroad
- ✅ By Provider: Government, Private, NGOs, Universities
- ✅ By Criteria: Merit-based, Need-based, Exam-free, Category-based (SC/ST/OBC), Women-focused
Top Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025
🇮🇳 Top Indian Government Scholarships for 2025
1. National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Schemes
- Offered By: Central & State Governments
- Courses: UG/PG/Professional courses
- Benefits: ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 per year
- Apply at scholarships.gov.in
2. INSPIRE Scholarship (For Science Students)
- Eligibility: Class 12 toppers studying science
- Amount: ₹80,000 per year
- Apply at online-inspire.gov.in
3. AICTE Pragati & Saksham Scholarships
- Target: Girls and differently-abled students in technical courses
- Amount: ₹50,000/year + tuition
- Apply at aicte-india.org
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4. PM Yasasvi Scholarship for OBC/EBC Students
- Level: Class 9 to 12, with extension to UG/PG expected
- Amount: ₹15,000 to ₹75,000/year
- Apply through NSP
🌍 Study Abroad Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025
1. Chevening Scholarships (UK)
- Covers: Full tuition, airfare, and stipend
- Eligibility: Leadership potential, UG degree, 2 years work experience
- Apply at chevening.org
2. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships (USA)
- Covers: Full funding for Master’s/PhD in the US
- Eligibility: Strong academic background and leadership
- Apply at usief.org.in
3. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
- Covers: Tuition + living expenses for PG & PhD
- Apply: daad.in
4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EU)
- Covers tuition, travel, living expenses for a master’s in multiple European countries
- Apply at erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
🏛️ Top Private & NGO Scholarships in India
1. Tata Trusts Scholarships
- Covers: UG/PG in India and abroad
- Streams: Engineering, Arts, Medical, Law
- Apply at tatatrusts.org
2. Reliance Foundation Scholarships
- Eligibility: UG/PG students in science/tech streams
- Amount: Up to ₹2 lakhs/year
- Apply at reliancefoundation.org
3. Aditya Birla Scholarship
- For students at top institutes (IIMs, IITs, BITS, etc.)
- Amount: ₹180,000/year
- Apply at adityabirlascholars.net
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4. Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship
- Open to: All students from Class 11 to PG
- Amount: ₹500 to ₹3200/month
- Apply at sjfoundation.org
👩🎓 Scholarships Specifically for Girls/Women
- L’Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarship—₹2.5lakhs for science UG girls
- Pragati Scholarship by AICTE—For girls in technical education
- Udaan Scheme by CBSE— Free coaching + financial aid for Class 11 & 12 girls
- Glow & Lovely Foundation Scholarship—₹25,000to ₹50,000 for UG/PG
📚 Scholarships by Field of Study
Engineering & Technology
- VITEEE Scholarship
- IET India Scholarship
- Samsung Star Scholar (for JNV students)
Medicine
- All India Pre-Medical Scholarship Test (AIPMST)
- Dr. Abdul Kalam Scholarship (Jamia Millia Islamia)
Law
- CLAT Scholarship (via State governments & private NGOs)
- IDIA Scholarship (for underprivileged law aspirants)
Arts/Humanities
- Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
- J. N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship
🔄 How to Find & Apply for the Right Scholarships
- Create a profile on scholarship portals like
- Prepare essential documents:
- Academic transcripts
- Income certificate (if required)
- SOP (Statement of Purpose)
- LOR (Letters of Recommendation)
- Use search filters: By course, category, amount, and deadlines
- Apply early: Most scholarships have deadlines between August and January.
💡 Pro Tips to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship
- ✔️ Write a compelling SOP/Essay that tells your story
- ✔️ Apply to multiple scholarships—don’t rely on one
- ✔️ Keep checking emails and portals for updates or interviews
- ✔️ Connect with past scholarship winners on LinkedIn for guidance
- ✔️ Don’t ignore less-known or regional scholarships—less competition, more chances!
🧭 Final Thoughts on Top Scholarships for Indian Students in 2025: Your Future Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
Scholarships are not just for toppers or low-income students. It is for every student willing to try. With hundreds of options open in 2025. Now is the best time to start planning, preparing, and applying. Whether you aim for a dream university in the US or a top institute in India, the right scholarship can change your life.
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❓ FAQs: Scholarships for Indian Students (2025)
Can I get a 100% scholarship to study abroad?
Yes, programs like Chevening, Fulbright, Erasmus, and DAAD offer full funding.
Are there scholarships without income proof?
Yes. Many merit-based scholarships do not require income certificates.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
Yes, but you can usually only accept one scholarship at a time if it’s fully funded.
Do private colleges offer their own scholarships?
Yes. Institutes like Amity, VIT, SRM, and Ashoka offer generous merit and entrance-based scholarships.
