Top Government Scholarships After 10th and 12th in India 2026
Students who have passed Class 10 or Class 12 can explore government scholarships to help pay for school, college, professional courses and other eligible educational expenses. The right scholarship depends on marks, family income, category, course, institution and state of domicile.
Top Government Scholarships for Students
The following schemes and scholarship categories are worth checking. Not every scheme is available to every student, and application dates and benefits can change each academic year.
| Scholarship | Who should check it? | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Post-Matric Scholarships | Eligible SC, ST, OBC and other notified category students studying beyond Class 10 | National Scholarship Portal and the relevant state portal |
| PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS) | Eligible meritorious Class 12 pass students entering higher education, subject to scheme rules | NSP |
| PM YASASVI | Eligible OBC, EBC and DNT students, according to the applicable school or college scheme | NSP Scheme List |
| Top Class Education for SC Students | Eligible SC students admitted to institutions and courses covered by the scheme | NSP |
| Higher Education Scholarship for ST Students | Eligible ST students pursuing covered higher education courses | NSP Scheme List |
| AICTE Scholarships | Eligible students in approved technical degree or diploma programmes under applicable schemes such as Pragati, Saksham or Swanath | AICTE Official Website |
| Scholarships for Students with Disabilities | Eligible students with benchmark disabilities, subject to the relevant scheme requirements | NSP |
| State Government Scholarships | Students meeting their state domicile, income, course and category requirements | NSP or the official state scholarship portal |
1. Scholarships After Class 10
After passing Class 10, students commonly enter Class 11, Class 12, ITI, diploma or another eligible programme. Depending on their circumstances, they can check:
- Post-Matric Scholarships: Financial assistance may be available to eligible students from notified categories who continue their education after Class 10.
- PM YASASVI school-related support: Eligible OBC, EBC and DNT students should check the applicable scheme, class requirements and current application status.
- Scholarships for students with disabilities: Eligible students may find pre-matric, post-matric or other support depending on their class and scheme conditions.
- State scholarships: State governments may provide assistance based on domicile, family income, category, academic level and course.
Passing Class 10 alone does not guarantee a scholarship. Students should confirm that their current class or course is covered by the specific scheme.
2. Scholarships After Class 12
Students entering undergraduate, professional, technical or other eligible higher education programmes can explore these options:
- PM-USP CSSS: A merit-based scheme for eligible students pursuing higher education after Class 12. Selection conditions, board performance requirements, family income limits and course or institution rules must be checked in the current guidelines.
- PM YASASVI college scheme: Eligible OBC, EBC and DNT students may check the applicable higher education scheme and its institution, course and income requirements.
- Top Class Education for SC Students: Eligible SC students admitted to institutions covered by the scheme can review the current benefits and selection rules.
- Higher Education Scholarship for ST Students: Eligible ST students can check the scheme for covered higher education programmes and institutions.
- AICTE scholarships: Students entering eligible technical programmes can review applicable AICTE schemes, including Pragati, Saksham or Swanath, where available.
- State post-matric and merit scholarships: Students should also check their state portal for income-based, category-based and merit-based assistance.
3. How to Check Eligibility and Apply Online
- Open the official National Scholarship Portal.
- Review the available schemes for the current academic year and select a scheme that matches your class, course and circumstances.
- Read the official guidelines carefully to check marks, family income, category, domicile, institution and course requirements.
- Complete the required One-Time Registration (OTR) if the scheme requires it.
- Fill in the application accurately and provide the required documents and bank details.
- Submit the application before the scheme-specific deadline.
- Track the application and complete any corrections or verification requested by the portal or institution.
4. Documents Commonly Required
Requirements vary by scholarship. Students may be asked for some or all of the following:
- Class 10 or Class 12 marksheet
- Current admission or bonafide certificate
- Family income certificate, where required
- Caste or category certificate, where applicable
- Domicile or residence certificate, where required
- Aadhaar or other accepted identity details, according to portal rules
- Bank account details and required DBT or bank-seeding information
- Disability certificate or other scheme-specific documents, if applicable
Check the current scheme guidelines for the exact document list and accepted formats. Do not upload incorrect or unrelated documents.
5. Important Dates for 2026–27
The National Scholarship Portal displays different opening and closing dates for different schemes. Its current announcements state that renewal applications for PM-USP CSSS and the PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh are open until 31 October 2026, with separate verification deadlines.
This deadline should not be treated as the last date for every scholarship or every fresh application. Some schemes have different dates, and dates can be revised. Confirm the current deadline on the relevant scheme page before applying.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a government scholarship after passing Class 10?
Yes, eligible students may apply for post-matric, category-based, disability-related or state scholarships if their current class or course is covered.
Which scholarship can I check after Class 12?
Students entering higher education can review PM-USP CSSS, applicable category-based schemes, AICTE scholarships and state government programmes. Eligibility differs by scheme.
Is every scholarship available to all students?
No. Some schemes depend on merit, income, category, domicile, disability status, course, institution or family background.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
NSP rules for 2026–27 allow one merit-based scholarship and one or more welfare-based scholarships, subject to the eligibility and conditions of each scheme. Check the applicable guidelines and avoid claiming benefits where prohibited.
Where can I check whether I am eligible?
Use the official NSP eligibility checker and read the scheme guidelines before applying.
Official Links
- National Scholarship Portal
- All Scholarships and Scheme Dates
- Scholarship Eligibility Checker
- AICTE Official Website
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes. Scholarship benefits, eligibility rules, application windows and required documents can change. Always verify the latest details on the official government portal or scheme guidelines before submitting an application.
