Scholarships

Government Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in India 2026: Eligibility, Amount and Apply Online

Published

6 days ago

September 4, 2026

government scholarship for undergraduate students in india

Undergraduate students in India can receive government scholarships based on Class XII merit, family income, caste category, gender, disability, region, course and institution. There is no single scholarship for every student. The fastest route is to match your profile to the correct scheme first. The National Scholarship Portal is open for academic year 2026 to 2027. One Time Registration is mandatory for NSP applications. Several undergraduate schemes are accepting applications now, while some schemes follow a separate portal or have not opened yet.

What most students need first	Current answer
Academic year	2026 to 2027
Main application portal	National Scholarship Portal for many central schemes
OTR requirement	Mandatory for NSP scholarship applications
Current portal status	NSP is open for academic year 2026 to 2027
Major deadline pattern	Many current NSP undergraduate schemes accept student applications through 31 October 2026
Ishan Uday status	Listed on NSP but not yet open as of 4 September 2026
Currency method	All amounts in this guide are approximate USD equivalents using the 4 September 2026 reference rate
Best first action	Choose a scholarship by student profile before starting an application

Government Scholarships for Undergraduate Students in India at a Glance

Start with this table. It shows the main government scholarship routes that match common undergraduate profiles. The amounts are approximate USD equivalents. Current application status can change, so use the official portal link before submission.

Scholarship	Best for	Approximate benefit	Income reference	Status on 4 September 2026
PM USP CSSS	High performing Class XII students in regular degree courses	USD 127 yearly for first three years and USD 212 in applicable later years	Up to about USD 4,762 yearly	Renewal is open. Verify the live NSP closing date
AICTE Pragati Degree	Female students in approved technical degree programs	About USD 529 yearly	Up to about USD 8,466 yearly	Open through 31 October 2026
AICTE Saksham Degree	Technical degree students with at least 40 percent disability	About USD 529 yearly	Up to about USD 8,466 yearly	Open through 31 October 2026
INSPIRE SHE	Meritorious students in basic and natural sciences	About USD 847 yearly including mentorship support	No general income ceiling stated on the main DST overview	Applications follow separate INSPIRE calls
Ishan Uday	First degree students from the North Eastern Region	About USD 847 yearly	Below about USD 4,762 yearly	Not yet open
PM YASASVI Top Class College	OBC, EBC and DNT students in notified institutions	Tuition plus living, books and computer support within scheme ceilings	Up to about USD 2,646 yearly	Open through 31 October 2026
Top Class Education for SC Students	SC students in notified institutions	Tuition plus academic allowance within scheme limits	Up to about USD 8,466 yearly	Open through 31 October 2026
Higher Education Scholarship for ST Students	ST students in identified premier institutions	Tuition and allowances under the scheme	Up to about USD 6,349 yearly under the official eligibility reference	Open through 31 October 2026
ICAR National Talent Scholarship UG	Agriculture students studying outside their domicile state under the applicable ICAR route	About USD 21 monthly	Scheme specific	Open through 31 October 2026

Current opening and closing information comes from the official NSP scheme list. Use the live scheme page as the final deadline check because dates can be extended or changed by the administering department.

Which Government Scholarship Should You Apply For?

Choose by profile, not by the largest advertised amount. A scholarship with a high benefit is useless if your course, category, income or institution does not qualify. Use the decision paths below in order.

If You Scored Highly in Class XII

Check the PM USP Central Sector Scholarship first. It is a merit cum means scheme for students above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant Class XII stream. The student must pursue a regular eligible course and meet the family income condition. Diploma and distance education students are not eligible under this scheme.

If You Are Studying Basic or Natural Sciences

Check INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education. The Department of Science and Technology uses existing academic performance and specified national examination routes to identify strong science students. INSPIRE SHE supports eligible undergraduate study in basic and natural sciences and does not conduct a separate scholarship entrance examination.

If You Are a Female Technical Degree Student

Check the AICTE Pragati Degree Scholarship. It targets female students admitted to the first year of an AICTE approved degree course or the second year through eligible lateral entry. The scheme uses qualifying examination merit and provides a fixed annual scholarship.

If You Are a Technical Student With a Disability

Check the AICTE Saksham Degree Scholarship. The official guideline requires at least 40 percent disability, admission to an AICTE approved technical degree course at the relevant entry point, and family income within the scheme ceiling.

If You Are an OBC, EBC or DNT Student

Check the PM YASASVI Top Class College scheme if you study in a notified institution and your family income is within the scheme ceiling. Students who do not receive a Top Class slot may also need to check the applicable post matric scholarship route operated through their state or union territory.

If You Are an SC Student

Check Top Class Education for SC Students when you have first year admission to a notified institution and meet the income condition. If the institution has more eligible students than available slots, admission merit is used. Eligible students outside Top Class coverage should also check their state post matric scholarship route.

If You Are an ST Student

Check the National Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students if you have admission to an identified premier institution and satisfy the family income rule. Students studying outside the identified institution list should check the relevant post matric ST scholarship administered through the applicable government channel.

If You Are From the North Eastern Region

Check Ishan Uday if you passed Class XII from a school in the North Eastern Region and entered the first year of a recognized regular undergraduate degree. As of 4 September 2026, NSP lists Ishan Uday as not yet open, so do not rely on an old application date.

If You Are Studying Agriculture

Check the ICAR National Talent Scholarship UG guidelines. The guideline currently linked by NSP describes support for eligible agriculture students admitted through the applicable national admission route to an agricultural university outside their state of domicile. The source itself is dated 2016, so verify the current scheme specifications on NSP before depending on any older condition.

Student profile	First scheme to check	Backup route
Strong Class XII merit	PM USP CSSS	State merit scholarships and course specific schemes
Female technical degree student	AICTE Pragati	State technical education scholarships
Technical student with disability	AICTE Saksham	Post matric and Top Class disability scholarships
Basic science student	INSPIRE SHE	PM USP if separately eligible
North Eastern Region student	Ishan Uday	NEC and category based scholarships
OBC, EBC or DNT student	PM YASASVI Top Class	Post matric scholarship
SC student	Top Class Education for SC Students	Post matric SC scholarship
ST student	Higher Education Scholarship for ST Students	Post matric ST scholarship
Agriculture student outside domicile state	ICAR NTS UG	Category or merit based schemes

Which Government Undergraduate Scholarships Are Open in 2026?

The National Scholarship Portal is open for academic year 2026 to 2027 from 1 June 2026. That does not mean every scholarship has the same opening date. Each scheme has its own student application period, verification period and renewal status.

Schemes Currently Open on NSP

AICTE Pragati Degree is open for student applications through 31 October 2026.

AICTE Saksham Degree is open for student applications through 31 October 2026.

PM YASASVI Top Class College is open for student applications through 31 October 2026.

Top Class Education for SC Students is open for student applications through 31 October 2026.

Higher Education Scholarship for ST Students is open for student applications through 31 October 2026.

ICAR National Talent Scholarship UG is open for student applications through 31 October 2026.

Schemes With a Different Current Status

Ishan Uday is listed on NSP but is not yet open as of 4 September 2026.

PM USP CSSS renewal is open, but two official NSP pages display different closing dates. Use the live student announcement and scheme dashboard before submission.

INSPIRE SHE uses the separate INSPIRE portal and accepts applications only against a specific call announcement.

Use the NSP student announcements and the live NSP scheme list immediately before applying. Current status is more useful than a deadline copied from an older article.

PM USP Central Sector Scholarship for Undergraduate Students

PM USP CSSS is one of the broadest central government scholarship routes for undergraduate students because eligibility is driven mainly by Class XII merit, family income and regular higher education rather than a single caste category.

Who Is Eligible for PM USP CSSS?

The student must be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant Class XII stream for the applicable education board.

The student must pursue a regular eligible college or university course.

Annual family income must be within approximately USD 4,762.

The student must satisfy the current fresh or renewal conditions on NSP.

The student must complete application and verification within the applicable timeline.

How Much Does PM USP Pay?

The official rate is approximately USD 127 per year for the first three years of graduation. Eligible students in a fourth or fifth year of specified professional or integrated study can receive approximately USD 212 per year under the scheme rules. Technical degree students receive the higher rate in the fourth year where applicable.

Who Should Not Apply for PM USP CSSS?

Diploma students should not treat PM USP CSSS as their degree scholarship route.

Students in distance or correspondence education are not eligible under the central scheme guidelines.

Students below the required Class XII board percentile should check other government scholarships.

Students whose family income exceeds the applicable ceiling should use a scheme with different financial criteria.

Students should not assume that being academically eligible guarantees selection because scholarship allocation and verification still apply.

How Selection Works

PM USP uses board based merit and allocated scholarship slots. The scheme provides up to 82,000 fresh scholarships each year, with equal allocation between boys and girls at the overall scheme level. Online applications are verified by the institution and then by the concerned state higher education authority or designated agency before selection and payment.

AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Female Undergraduate Students

AICTE Pragati is designed for women pursuing technical education in AICTE approved institutions. The degree scheme is currently open on NSP for academic year 2026 to 2027.

Eligible entry is first year of a technical degree or second year through approved lateral entry.

Family income must be within approximately USD 8,466 per year.

The annual scholarship is approximately USD 529.

The normal maximum duration is four years for first year entrants and three years for eligible lateral entry students.

Selection is based on merit in the qualifying examination and the applicable state or union territory allocation.

The host institution verifies the application before second level scrutiny by the technical education authority.

Renewal requires progression to the next academic level. A student who fails to progress can lose further scholarship support under the guideline currently linked on NSP.

AICTE Saksham Scholarship for Undergraduate Students With Disabilities

AICTE Saksham supports eligible students with disabilities in approved technical degree education. It is a welfare based NSP scheme in the current 2026 to 2027 portal classification.

The student must have disability of at least 40 percent.

The student must enter the first year of an approved degree or the second year through eligible lateral entry.

Family income must be within approximately USD 8,466 per year.

The annual scholarship is approximately USD 529.

The scholarship can continue for the normal eligible duration when the student progresses academically.

Current NSP instructions also require students with disabilities to complete the relevant UDID consent step before final NSP submission.

INSPIRE Scholarship for BSc and Science Students

INSPIRE SHE is a national scholarship for academically strong students who choose basic and natural sciences. The Department of Science and Technology offers 12,000 scholarships each year under the current scheme overview.

The target age group is generally 17 to 22 years.

Selection uses strong Class XII board performance and specified national examination routes.

The program supports eligible basic and natural science study rather than every undergraduate discipline.

The annual value is approximately USD 635 as scholarship support plus about USD 212 as mentorship support, for an approximate total of USD 847.

The scheme can support eligible students for up to five years subject to the applicable conditions and academic performance.

Why BTech and MBBS Students Should Not Assume INSPIRE SHE Eligibility

INSPIRE as a broader program promotes science and research across many fields, but the SHE component is specifically designed to encourage study in basic and natural sciences at undergraduate level. A BTech or MBBS student should read the current SHE subject list instead of assuming that every science related professional degree qualifies.

Applications are handled through the official INSPIRE portal when a call is announced.

Ishan Uday Scholarship for North Eastern Region Students

Ishan Uday supports undergraduate students from the North Eastern Region. The scheme is especially relevant to students who want a broad degree scholarship and meet both regional and income conditions.

The student must have passed Class XII or equivalent from a school located in the North Eastern Region.

The student must be admitted to the first year of a recognized regular undergraduate degree.

Integrated and dual degree students can receive support for the undergraduate component only.

Parental income must be below approximately USD 4,762 per year.

UGC lists 10,000 scholarships per year.

The annual financial assistance is approximately USD 847.

The normal tenure is three to five years depending on the degree.

As of the fact check date, NSP shows Ishan Uday as not yet opened for academic year 2026 to 2027. Students should monitor the official scheme page rather than use the previous year closing date.

Government Scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, EBC and DNT Undergraduate Students

Category based scholarships can provide broader financial coverage than general merit scholarships, but they usually require a valid category certificate, a family income condition and enrollment in a specific institution or recognized course.

Top Class Education for SC Students

The Top Class Education scheme supports eligible SC students who secure first year admission to a notified institution. The family income ceiling under the guideline currently linked on NSP is approximately USD 8,466 per year.

The scheme can cover full tuition and non refundable charges within the stated institutional ceiling.

For private institutions, the tuition and charge ceiling is approximately USD 2,116 per year.

The first year academic allowance is approximately USD 910.

The academic allowance for each subsequent year is approximately USD 434.

Fresh scholarship selection is for first year students and is based on admission merit when eligible demand exceeds available slots.

Thirty percent of institutional slots are reserved for eligible SC girl students under the scheme rules.

Higher Education Scholarship for ST Students

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs scholarship supports eligible ST students admitted to identified premier institutions. The official eligibility reference sets the family income ceiling at approximately USD 6,349 per year. The scheme can cover tuition and other approved support components according to current rules and the identified institution framework.

PM YASASVI Top Class College for OBC, EBC and DNT Students

PM YASASVI Top Class College provides comprehensive support to eligible OBC, EBC and DNT students in notified institutions. The family income ceiling is approximately USD 2,646 per year.

Private sector tuition and non refundable charges are covered up to approximately USD 2,116 per year.

Living support is approximately USD 32 per month.

Books and stationery support is approximately USD 53 per year.

Computer support can reach approximately USD 476 as one time assistance during the course.

Thirty percent of institutional slots are reserved for eligible girl students under the current guideline.

If eligible applicants exceed institutional slots, selection follows admission merit and lower family income can break the final tie.

Feature	Top Class route	Post matric route
Institution requirement	Usually restricted to notified or identified institutions	Broader state administered institution coverage under the applicable scheme
Funding model	Can include tuition plus living and academic components	Usually course group or state rule based support
Selection	Institutional slots and merit may control selection	Eligibility and state implementation rules are central
Best for	Eligible students in designated institutions	Eligible category students who do not receive a Top Class slot or study elsewhere

Government Scholarship for Agriculture Undergraduate Students

The ICAR National Talent Scholarship UG is a narrower government route for agriculture students. The guideline currently linked on NSP states that an undergraduate student must study in an agricultural university outside the state of domicile through the applicable admission route.

The undergraduate scholarship value in the linked guideline is approximately USD 21 per month.

The award starts for one year and can renew for the remaining degree duration when the student maintains required academic performance and conduct.

The linked guideline requires full time study and does not permit another scholarship during the undergraduate course.

The source currently linked by NSP is dated 2016, so students should verify the current specification page before relying on older academic performance details.

Who Should Apply for a Government Undergraduate Scholarship?

Apply when the scheme fits your real student profile and you can prove every important eligibility condition. Government scholarships reward accurate matching more than broad application volume.

Apply if your marks or percentile meet the academic threshold of a merit based scheme.

Apply if your family income is within the scheme ceiling and you can obtain a valid income certificate.

Apply if your caste category matches a welfare or Top Class scholarship and you hold valid proof.

Apply if your gender, disability, domicile or course makes you eligible for a targeted scheme.

Apply if your institution appears in the eligible or notified institution list where the scheme requires it.

Apply if you are in the correct admission year for a fresh scholarship.

Apply if you can complete OTR, bank, Aadhaar and document requirements before the closing date.

Apply if your college can verify your enrollment and academic information on the portal.

Who Should Not Apply Without Checking the Rules First?

Do not apply only because a scholarship amount looks attractive.

Do not apply to a first year fresh scheme if you entered the course in an earlier year and the scheme does not allow later fresh entry.

Do not apply under an SC, ST, OBC, EBC, DNT or disability scheme without the required valid proof.

Do not assume that every BTech, MBBS, BSc or private college program is eligible under every scheme.

Do not use an expired income certificate when the scholarship requires a certificate for the current financial period.

Do not assume that NSP being open means the scholarship itself is open.

Do not submit an application when your name, date of birth, bank details or academic information conflicts across official records.

Do not assume that you can keep multiple scholarship benefits simply because NSP allows multiple applications under the 2026 to 2027 policy.

Required Documents for Government Undergraduate Scholarships

Documents do more than complete a checklist. Each document proves a specific eligibility fact. A mismatch can turn an otherwise eligible application into a defective or rejected application.

Aadhaar

Aadhaar supports identity verification and OTR generation on NSP. The student name and other identity details should match the scholarship application and institutional record. Do not share your Aadhaar number or authentication data with unofficial websites or agents.

One Time Registration

OTR is a unique 14 digit number based on Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrollment ID. NSP states that OTR is mandatory for scholarship applications and remains applicable throughout the student academic career. Generate OTR before starting a current NSP scholarship application.

Class X and Class XII Marksheets

Marksheets establish educational qualification and merit. PM USP uses the relevant Class XII board percentile. Pragati uses qualifying examination merit. INSPIRE uses high academic performance routes. Upload the document required by the specific scheme rather than assuming every scholarship uses the same marksheet.

Current Admission Proof

Admission proof confirms that you actually joined the course, institution and academic year stated in the form. A bonafide certificate, admission letter or other portal specified proof can be required depending on the scheme.

Income Certificate

The income certificate proves whether your total family income is below the scheme ceiling. Different scholarships use different income limits. The issuing authority, validity period and financial year should match the current guideline. Never reuse an old certificate without checking whether it remains acceptable.

Caste or Category Certificate

SC, ST, OBC, EBC and DNT scholarships require valid category evidence under the specific scheme. A category name that looks similar is not enough. The certificate must support the exact beneficiary class accepted by the scholarship.

Disability Certificate or UDID

Disability based scholarships require valid disability evidence. Current NSP announcements instruct disabled students to provide the required consent through the UDID portal before final NSP submission. Saksham Degree also requires at least 40 percent disability under its guideline.

Domicile or Regional Proof

Regional scholarships may require proof that you belong to the relevant state or region. Ishan Uday also uses the location of the Class XII school in the North Eastern Region as part of eligibility. ICAR NTS UG uses study outside the domicile state as a central condition in the linked guideline.

Bank Account Details

Government scholarship payments commonly use Direct Benefit Transfer. Enter the student bank information exactly as required. Check Aadhaar seeding where the portal asks for it. A wrong account number or inconsistent account holder information can delay or block payment.

Fee Receipt and Scheme Specific Evidence

Top Class schemes can require fee details, admission rank and other institution specific information. Technical, medical, law or entrance based programs may require rank or admission evidence. Read the current scheme specification before uploading documents so you do not submit irrelevant files and miss the required ones.

How to Apply for Government Undergraduate Scholarships Through NSP

The exact fields vary by scheme, but the current NSP journey follows the same broad logic. Complete the steps in this order so you do not create avoidable mismatches.

Identify your scholarship by profile, course, category, gender, disability, region and institution.

Open the official scheme specification and confirm the current student application deadline.

Prepare Aadhaar, academic, income, category, admission, bank and conditional documents before registration.

Generate your One Time Registration on the National Scholarship Portal.

Complete personal details and confirm that your identity data matches official records.

Enter academic information exactly as shown by your institution and marksheets.

Enter family income and category information only from valid supporting documents.

Select the correct scholarship after checking its fresh or renewal status.

Enter bank information and check the required Aadhaar seeding status.

Upload clear files in the format and size requested by the portal.

Review every field before final submission because later correction can depend on portal status and verification workflow.

Submit the application and save the application reference details.

Monitor institute verification and respond quickly if the application is marked defective or returned.

Track higher level verification, selection and payment through the official portal workflow.

Start from the National Scholarship Portal student page rather than a third party application button.

How Does the Government Scholarship Selection Process Work?

There is no universal selection method. Government scholarships use different predicates because each scheme solves a different student funding problem. Understanding the selection method helps you judge whether eligibility means likely selection or only permission to compete for a limited slot.

Scheme	Main selection logic	Important verification
PM USP CSSS	Class XII board merit plus allocated scholarship slots	Institution followed by state higher education authority
AICTE Pragati	Qualifying examination merit with applicable allocation	Institution followed by technical education authority
AICTE Saksham	Eligibility, disability condition and verification	Institution followed by technical education authority
INSPIRE SHE	Academic merit through stated board and national examination routes	INSPIRE application and academic document verification
Ishan Uday	Eligible regional applicants within the available scholarship framework	Institution and NSP verification when the scheme is open
PM YASASVI Top Class	Institutional slots and admission merit	Institution verifies income, category, rank and fee details
Top Class SC	First year admission merit within institutional slots	Institution and ministry verification
ICAR NTS UG	Eligible agricultural admission and academic continuation conditions	Agricultural institution verification

Institute Verification Is Not Final Selection

Institute verification confirms that your college accepts the application details and enrollment information. It does not automatically mean the scholarship is sanctioned. Some schemes require second level verification, a merit list, institutional slot allocation or ministry scrutiny after the college stage.

Can You Apply for More Than One Government Scholarship?

For academic year 2026 to 2027, the National Scholarship Portal announcements state that students may apply for one merit based scholarship and one or more welfare based scholarship schemes, subject to each scheme eligibility criteria. This is a significant change from the blanket one scholarship assumption found in older guides.

Application permission does not guarantee that a student can retain every benefit at the same time. Individual schemes can prohibit simultaneous financial assistance. Pragati, Saksham, ICAR NTS and Top Class SC contain their own restrictions in the guidelines linked by NSP. Check benefit compatibility before accepting overlapping awards.

Common Mistakes Undergraduate Scholarship Applicants Make

Choosing the scholarship with the highest amount instead of the scholarship that matches the student profile.

Calling NSP a scholarship and then searching for a single NSP eligibility rule.

Using a previous academic year deadline for a current application.

Ignoring whether the scheme is fresh, renewal or not yet open.

Creating OTR with identity information that does not match academic records.

Uploading an expired or inappropriate income certificate.

Selecting the wrong course, admission year or institution.

Assuming that every private college is eligible for every government scholarship.

Applying under a category without the required valid certificate.

Treating institute verification as final scholarship selection.

Ignoring a defective application status or verification query.

Waiting until the final day to correct Aadhaar, UDID or bank issues.

Assuming that the current NSP multiple application rule overrides a scheme restriction on receiving another award.

Pre Submission Audit Checklist

The scholarship matches your actual profile.

The scheme is open for your fresh or renewal application type.

Your income proof is valid for the required period.

Your name and date of birth match across Aadhaar, academic records and the application.

Your category or disability evidence is valid where required.

Your course and institution meet the scheme definition.

Your bank account details are correct.

Every uploaded document is readable.

You reviewed the final form before submission.

You saved your application details and will track verification after submission.

How to Check Your Government Scholarship Application Status

Status labels show where your application is in the process. Read the label together with the scheme timeline. The exact wording can vary, but the following meanings are common.

Status	What it usually means	What you should do
Submitted	The student completed online submission	Wait for institute action and keep documents available
Institute verification pending	The college has not completed verification	Contact the institute scholarship or nodal office if the deadline is approaching
Verified	A verification level accepted the application	Continue tracking because later scrutiny may remain
Defective	A correctable issue was found	Open the application and correct the requested problem within the allowed time
Rejected	The application did not satisfy a required condition or was not corrected	Read the stated reason and use the official grievance route if appropriate
Selected	The applicant cleared the scheme selection process	Monitor sanction and payment
Sanctioned	Payment has been approved under the scheme workflow	Check payment status and bank readiness
Payment processed	Disbursement has moved to the payment stage	Track the official payment route and bank account

When Will Government Scholarship Money Be Credited?

There is no universal payment date. Submission is only the first step. Payment normally follows document checks, institute verification, higher level verification, scheme selection and sanction. A student who applies early can still be paid later if verification or allocation takes time.

Check whether institute verification is complete.

Check whether the application has moved to the next verification level.

Check whether the scholarship shows selected or sanctioned status.

Confirm that the student bank account is active and the required Aadhaar seeding is complete.

Use the payment tracking route linked from NSP when a payment reference becomes available.

Do not pay an agent to speed up a government scholarship payment.

How to Renew an Undergraduate Government Scholarship

Renewal means continuing an existing scholarship into the next eligible academic year. Renewal conditions are scholarship specific. Do not copy the fresh application rules when you are already a beneficiary.

Confirm that the scheme is open for renewal in the current academic year.

Use the same OTR linked to your academic career on NSP where the scheme is hosted there.

Update academic progression information and any documents that the scheme requires again.

Make sure your institution confirms promotion or enrollment in the next eligible year.

Submit before the renewal deadline even if you are waiting for a previous payment.

Read the scheme rule on failure, course change, institution change or a break in study because these events can stop continuation.

Previous Years Government Undergraduate Scholarship Trends

Official PM USP data shows that fresh awards have generally increased after the 2022 to 2023 dip. The trend is useful for understanding scheme scale, but it does not predict an individual student selection.

Academic year	Fresh PM USP scholarships or claims	Trend signal
2021 to 2022	77,698	Preceding baseline
2022 to 2023	72,819	Lower than the prior year
2023 to 2024	73,576	Modest recovery
2024 to 2025	77,200	Returned close to the earlier baseline
2025 to 2026	79,012 as of 22 March 2026	Continued increase at the reporting date

The figures come from a 2026 Ministry of Education parliamentary annexure. They describe fresh PM USP scholarships or claims, not the total number of all government undergraduate scholarships in India.

INSPIRE SHE Scale

The Department of Science and Technology currently describes INSPIRE SHE as a program offering 12,000 scholarships each year. This makes it a major national science scholarship entity and one that should not be omitted from a comprehensive undergraduate government scholarship guide.

Digital Verification Is Becoming More Central

NSP now requires One Time Registration for current applications. The portal also integrates Aadhaar based identity processes, institute verification, payment tracking and category specific workflows such as UDID consent for disabled applicants. Students should therefore prepare digital identity and document consistency before the application deadline.

Research Notes: What Most Government Scholarship Guides Get Wrong

Research Note 1: There Is No Single Scholarship for Every Undergraduate Student

The seed query is singular, but the government scholarship ecosystem is plural. A general merit student, a female engineering student, an OBC student at a notified institute and a basic science student can have completely different best matches. The page should solve the matching problem before explaining the application form.

Research Note 2: NSP Is a Portal, Not a Scholarship

National Scholarship Portal hosts many central and state schemes. Each scheme retains its own eligibility, amount, selection, deadline and renewal rules. A phrase such as NSP scholarship should always be resolved to the actual scholarship entity before advice is given.

Research Note 3: Merit Based and Welfare Based Schemes Are Different

NSP now labels schemes by type. Merit based programs rely strongly on academic ranking or admission performance. Welfare based schemes focus on protected or disadvantaged student profiles and their eligibility conditions. The distinction matters because current NSP multiple application rules use these classifications.

Research Note 4: The 2026 Multiple Application Rule Changes Old Advice

NSP explicitly states that students may apply for one merit based scheme and one or more welfare based schemes from academic year 2026 to 2027, subject to eligibility. Older pages that say every student can apply for only one NSP scholarship are no longer a safe general rule.

Research Note 5: Portal Opening Does Not Equal Scheme Opening

NSP is open for the academic year, but Ishan Uday is still marked not yet open. Other schemes have their own closing dates. A useful scholarship page must distinguish portal status from scheme status or users can arrive at an application page too early or too late.

Research Note 6: PM USP Has a Live Deadline Inconsistency

The NSP student announcement currently says PM USP renewal applications close on 31 October 2026, while the all schemes listing displays 30 September 2026 for renewal. This conflict should not be silently resolved by guessing. The applicant should check both live official pages immediately before submission and use the current portal instruction presented for the application.

Research Note 7: Higher Benefit Does Not Mean Easier Eligibility

Top Class schemes can cover tuition and living costs, but they also require a specific category, income level, notified institution and limited institutional slots. PM USP pays a smaller fixed amount but applies across a broader set of regular degree students who satisfy its merit and income conditions.

Research Note 8: INSPIRE SHE Deserves Separate Treatment

INSPIRE SHE is not simply another NSP entry. It is administered through the Department of Science and Technology and the separate INSPIRE portal. Its science specific purpose, mentorship component and call based application process justify a dedicated section in any authoritative undergraduate scholarship guide.

Research Note 9: Some Current NSP Links Point to Older Guidelines

The ICAR National Talent Scholarship is open on the current 2026 NSP list, but the specification links to a guideline dated 2016. This is a source age warning. Students should use the live NSP specification and any newer ICAR notice if one is published rather than treating every historical clause as automatically updated.

Research Note 10: Current Scheme Rules Must Override Aggregator Summaries

Scholarship websites can help discovery, but final decisions about eligibility, deadlines, documents and benefit compatibility should come from the responsible ministry, statutory body, NSP or the official scheme portal. Government sources should control the final application decision when summaries disagree.

Which Government Scholarship Gives the Most Financial Support?

There is no single highest scholarship for every undergraduate student because funding models differ. Fixed annual scholarships are easier to compare numerically. Top Class schemes can be worth more because they combine tuition with academic or living support, but they are available only to narrower groups and institutions.

Scholarship model	Examples	Funding pattern	Best interpretation
Fixed annual award	PM USP, Pragati, Saksham, Ishan Uday	A defined annual amount	Easy to compare but may cover only part of total education cost
Scholarship plus mentorship	INSPIRE SHE	Annual scholarship plus mentorship support	Strong for eligible basic and natural science students
Comprehensive Top Class support	PM YASASVI Top Class and Top Class SC	Tuition plus living or academic components within ceilings	Potentially higher support but narrower eligibility
Monthly talent scholarship	ICAR NTS UG	Monthly amount under the linked guideline	Useful only for the specific agriculture mobility route

Frequently Asked Questions

Which government scholarship is best for undergraduate students in India?

There is no single best scholarship for every undergraduate student. PM USP fits strong Class XII merit with qualifying income. Pragati fits female technical students. Saksham fits technical students with disabilities. INSPIRE SHE fits basic science students. Category based Top Class schemes can provide broader support for eligible SC, ST, OBC, EBC and DNT students.

Which government scholarships are open in 2026?

As of 4 September 2026, NSP shows Pragati Degree, Saksham Degree, PM YASASVI Top Class College, Top Class Education for SC Students, the ST higher education scholarship and ICAR NTS UG open through 31 October 2026. Ishan Uday is not yet open. Always confirm the live scheme page before applying.

How can I apply for a government undergraduate scholarship?

First match your student profile to the correct scheme. Then read the current official guideline, prepare documents, generate OTR for NSP, complete the application, upload supporting evidence and submit before the deadline. After submission, monitor institute verification, any higher verification level, selection and payment through the official government portal.

Is OTR mandatory for NSP scholarships?

Yes. The National Scholarship Portal states that One Time Registration is mandatory for current scholarship applications. OTR is a unique 14 digit number based on Aadhaar or Aadhaar Enrollment ID and is intended to remain valid throughout the student academic career. Generate OTR only through the official NSP process.

What percentage is required for PM USP CSSS?

PM USP does not use one simple percentage for every education board. Fresh applicants must be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant Class XII stream for their board. This is a percentile condition, not the same as scoring 80 percent marks. Check the applicable board cutoff and current scheme rules.

What is the family income limit for PM USP?

The PM USP CSSS income ceiling is approximately USD 4,762 per year using the 4 September 2026 reference conversion used in this guide. The official scheme is legally defined in Indian currency. Students should use the current official income certificate requirement and scheme rule rather than relying only on the converted USD figure.

Can BTech students get a government scholarship?

Yes. BTech students can qualify for several government scholarships depending on profile. PM USP can support eligible regular technical degree students. Female students can check AICTE Pragati. Students with disabilities can check AICTE Saksham. Category based Top Class schemes can also cover engineering at notified institutions when the student meets category and income rules.

Can MBBS students get a government scholarship?

Yes, but MBBS eligibility depends on the specific scheme. Category based Top Class programs can include medical institutions and use admission merit such as NEET where stated. A student should confirm that the medical college is notified or otherwise eligible under the chosen scheme. INSPIRE SHE should not be assumed to cover MBBS simply because medicine is science related.

Which government scholarship is available for BSc students?

BSc students should check INSPIRE SHE when they study eligible basic or natural science subjects and meet the academic merit routes. PM USP can also support eligible regular undergraduate students who satisfy the Class XII percentile and income conditions. Category, regional and state scholarships can provide additional options depending on the student profile.

Who can apply for INSPIRE SHE?

INSPIRE SHE targets meritorious students, generally aged 17 to 22, who pursue eligible basic and natural science study. The Department of Science and Technology identifies candidates through strong Class XII board performance and specified national examination routes. Students must apply against an official INSPIRE call and should verify the current eligible subject list before submission.

Which government scholarship is available for female undergraduate students?

AICTE Pragati is a major central option for female students in approved technical degree programs. PM USP also allocates half of its overall fresh scholarship slots to girls. Top Class SC and PM YASASVI Top Class also reserve a share of institutional slots for eligible girl students. The best choice depends on course, category and income.

Which scholarship is available for undergraduate students with disabilities?

AICTE Saksham supports eligible students with at least 40 percent disability in approved technical degree programs. NSP also lists Post Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities and Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities. Current NSP instructions require disabled applicants to complete the relevant UDID consent process before submitting the scholarship application.

Which government scholarship is available for OBC students?

OBC students should check PM YASASVI schemes and the applicable state post matric scholarship. PM YASASVI Top Class College is especially relevant when the student has admission to a notified institution and family income within the scheme ceiling. OBC students can also qualify for general merit schemes such as PM USP when they meet those separate conditions.

Which government scholarship is available for SC students?

SC undergraduate students can check Top Class Education for SC Students when admitted to a notified institution and within the income ceiling. Students outside the Top Class route should check the applicable post matric SC scholarship. SC students can also qualify for general merit scholarships such as PM USP if all academic and income conditions are met.

Which government scholarship is available for ST students?

ST students can check the National Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students when admitted to an identified premier institution and within the family income limit. Other ST students should check the applicable post matric scholarship. General merit schemes may also be available when the student independently meets their academic, income and course requirements.

Which scholarship is available for students from the North Eastern Region?

Ishan Uday is the main UGC undergraduate scholarship specifically designed for students from the North Eastern Region. It requires Class XII study in the region, first year admission to a recognized regular undergraduate degree and qualifying parental income. As of 4 September 2026, NSP lists Ishan Uday as not yet open for the current cycle.

Can private college students apply for government scholarships?

Sometimes. Eligibility depends on the scholarship and whether the institution meets the scheme definition. PM USP can cover eligible regular courses subject to its rules. Top Class schemes use notified institution lists and can include qualifying private institutions. Never assume that private status alone makes a college eligible or ineligible. Check the official institution list.

Can diploma students apply for undergraduate scholarships?

Diploma students should not assume that a degree scholarship covers them. PM USP CSSS excludes diploma courses. AICTE operates separate Pragati and Saksham diploma versions on NSP, while the degree versions have different eligibility. Search for the exact diploma scheme and confirm your admission year instead of applying through an undergraduate degree route.

Can I apply for more than one NSP scholarship in 2026?

NSP states that from academic year 2026 to 2027 a student may apply for one merit based scholarship and one or more welfare based scholarships, subject to scheme eligibility. This does not mean the student can keep every award. Individual scholarship guidelines can restrict simultaneous financial assistance, so check benefit compatibility before accepting multiple awards.

What documents are required for NSP scholarships?

Common documents include Aadhaar, OTR, academic marksheets, current admission proof, income certificate, bank details and any category, disability or domicile evidence required by the selected scheme. Some scholarships also need fee details or admission rank. The final document list always comes from the live scholarship specification because requirements differ by scheme.

Why was my scholarship application marked defective?

A defective status usually means the application contains a correctable problem. Common causes include an unreadable document, wrong academic detail, invalid income certificate, missing category proof or a mismatch between the application and institution record. Open the official status message, correct exactly what is requested and resubmit within the permitted correction period.

When will government scholarship money be credited?

Payment timing depends on verification and sanction rather than only the date of application. The institution may need to verify the application first. A state, ministry or other nodal authority may then complete further scrutiny. After selection and sanction, payment moves through the government disbursement process. Keep bank and Aadhaar related requirements current while tracking status.

Can a government scholarship be renewed every year?

Many undergraduate government scholarships can renew, but renewal is not automatic. The student usually must progress to the next academic year, remain eligible under the scheme, submit a renewal application and complete verification. Failure, dropout, course change, institution change or missing the renewal deadline can affect continuation. Read the renewal clause of your exact scholarship.

Which government scholarship provides the highest amount?

Top Class scholarships can provide the highest practical support for eligible students because they may cover tuition plus academic or living components. INSPIRE SHE offers a strong fixed annual science benefit. Pragati and Saksham provide substantial fixed support for their target groups. The highest amount is not the best selection criterion because eligibility differs sharply between schemes.

Conclusion: Choose the Scholarship That Matches Your Profile

The best government scholarship for an undergraduate student in India depends on the student profile. Start with course and academic merit. Then check family income, category, gender, disability, region and institution. Confirm the live application status before preparing the final form. Complete OTR where NSP is used, submit accurate documents, and track verification after submission.