All Major Scholarship Portals in India | Buddy4Study and state platforms offer diverse financial aid, streamlining applications for eligible students nationwide.
Scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of school, college, professional courses, and higher education. In India, scholarships are offered by the Central Government, state governments, universities, government departments, charitable foundations, banks, companies, and private organisations.
However, students often struggle to find the right scholarship because applications are spread across many different websites.
The good news is that several scholarship portals bring these opportunities together. The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is the most important government platform, while individual states have their own scholarship portals. Private platforms such as Buddy4Study and Vidyasaarathi provide access to many corporate and foundation scholarships.
This guide explains the major scholarship portals students in India should know about.
Table of Contents
1. National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is the most important scholarship portal for students looking for scholarships offered through the Government of India and participating government agencies.
The Government of India describes NSP as a one-stop platform covering scholarship application, processing, sanction, and disbursement. It also supports scholarship schemes from central and state governments and organisations such as UGC and AICTE.
Official portal: National Scholarship Portal
1. What can students do on NSP?
Students can generally use NSP to:
- Register for scholarship opportunities
- Complete One-Time Registration (OTR)
- Search eligible schemes
- Submit fresh scholarship applications
- Renew existing scholarships
- Upload or provide required information and documents
- Track application status
- Track scholarship payment status
- Access scholarship-related announcements
The portal is designed to reduce duplication and make scholarship administration more transparent.
2. Who should check NSP?
NSP is particularly important for:
- School students
- Undergraduate students
- Postgraduate students
- Professional-course students
- SC/ST/OBC students
- Minority students
- Students with disabilities
- Economically weaker students
- Meritorious students
- Students applying for AICTE or UGC-related scholarships
- Students eligible for various Central Government schemes
Students should not assume that registering on NSP automatically guarantees a scholarship. Each scheme has its own eligibility conditions, income limits, academic requirements, and verification process.
2. State Scholarship Portals
One of the biggest mistakes students make is checking only NSP.
Many scholarships are administered directly by state governments through their own portals. Depending on the state, these portals may contain scholarships that are not applied for through NSP.
1. Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh students should check the state’s scholarship and welfare systems, particularly the Jnanabhumi platform and relevant government departments.
Typical assistance can include:
- Post-matric scholarships
- Fee reimbursement
- Pre-matric assistance
- Welfare scholarships
- Financial assistance for eligible students
Students should verify the current application process through the Andhra Pradesh government’s official education/welfare websites because schemes and application procedures can change.
2. Arunachal Pradesh
Students should check the Arunachal Pradesh government’s scholarship-related education and welfare portals.
Important categories can include:
- Pre-matric scholarships
- Post-matric scholarships
- Tribal/student welfare schemes
- State-sponsored educational assistance
3. Assam
Assam students should check the state government’s scholarship and education portals in addition to NSP.
Potential opportunities include:
- Pre-matric scholarships
- Post-matric scholarships
- State merit schemes
- Minority and community-based assistance
- Higher-education financial support
4. Bihar
Bihar operates scholarship services through its government education and welfare systems.
Students should check the Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) Bihar system when applying for eligible post-matric scholarships.
Major categories can include:
- SC scholarships
- ST scholarships
- OBC/EBC scholarships
- Post-matric scholarships
- Other state educational assistance
5. Chhattisgarh
Students should check the Chhattisgarh government’s scholarship portal and education/welfare department websites.
Available schemes may include:
- Pre-matric scholarships
- Post-matric scholarships
- SC/ST assistance
- OBC scholarships
- Other state financial-aid programmes
6. Goa
Goa students should check the state’s official education and social welfare scholarship systems.
7. Gujarat
Gujarat students should check the state’s digital scholarship and education services, including government scholarship schemes administered through state systems.
Possible categories include:
- SC/ST scholarships
- SEBC/OBC assistance
- Minority scholarships
- Post-matric scholarships
- Merit-based assistance
- School-level financial support
8. Haryana
Haryana students should check the Haryana government’s scholarship and higher-education portals.
Schemes may cover:
- School students
- College students
- SC students
- BC/OBC students
- Merit-based students
- Other eligible categories
9. Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh operates scholarship services through its state education department systems.
Students should check for:
- Pre-matric scholarships
- Post-matric scholarships
- Merit scholarships
- SC/ST scholarships
- Other state schemes
10 Jharkhand
Jharkhand students should check the state’s official scholarship portal as well as NSP.
State opportunities may include:
- Pre-matric scholarships
- Post-matric scholarships
- Welfare scholarships
- Category-based scholarships
- Higher-education assistance
11. Karnataka
Karnataka has an extensive state scholarship ecosystem.
Students should check the State Scholarship Portal (SSP).
The system is especially relevant for students applying for various:
- Pre-matric scholarships
- Post-matric scholarships
- SC/ST scholarships
- Minority scholarships
- Backward-class welfare scholarships
- Other state-funded schemes
Students should also check NSP because some Central Government schemes are separate.
12. Kerala
Kerala students should check the state’s scholarship systems, including the e-Grantz platform for eligible welfare and educational assistance.
Depending on eligibility, students may find:
- Pre-matric assistance
- Post-matric scholarships
- SC/ST welfare schemes
- OBC-related assistance
- Minority schemes
- Other educational benefits
13. Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh has its own scholarship platform, commonly referred to as the MP Scholarship Portal / Scholarship Portal 2.0.
The National Portal of India identifies the Madhya Pradesh State Scholarship Portal as the official platform for various government-funded financial-aid schemes.
Students can find schemes relating to:
- SC
- ST
- OBC
- Minority students
- Economically disadvantaged students
- Post-matric education
- Other state welfare programmes
14. Maharashtra
Maharashtra students should pay particular attention to MahaDBT.
Official portal: MahaDBT
MahaDBT is one of the most important scholarship and benefit platforms for Maharashtra students.
It can include schemes administered by departments such as:
- Social Justice and Special Assistance
- Tribal Development
- Higher and Technical Education
- Minority Development
- OBC, SEBC and other backward-class welfare departments
- Medical and other professional education-related departments
Students studying in Maharashtra should generally check both:
NSP + MahaDBT
rather than relying on only one portal.
15. Manipur
Students should check the Manipur government’s scholarship and education department portals in addition to NSP.
16. Meghalaya
Students should check Meghalaya’s official scholarship and education portals for state-specific schemes.
17. Mizoram
Mizoram students should check state scholarship systems as well as NSP.
18. Nagaland
Students should check the Nagaland government’s scholarship and education portals.
19. Odisha
Odisha has its own scholarship infrastructure, including the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
Students can find schemes relating to:
- SC/ST students
- OBC/SEBC students
- Minority students
- Higher education
- Post-matric studies
- Other state-funded programmes
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
20. Punjab
Punjab students should check the state’s official scholarship and welfare portals in addition to NSP.
21. Rajasthan
Rajasthan operates state scholarship services for eligible students.
Students should check the Rajasthan government’s scholarship portal for:
- Post-matric scholarships
- SC/ST scholarships
- OBC/MBC/EBC schemes
- Minority scholarships
- Other state educational assistance
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
22. Sikkim
Students should check the Sikkim government’s scholarship and education systems for state-specific schemes.
23. Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu students should check the state’s official scholarship and welfare portals.
The state has multiple education and welfare departments, so eligibility can depend on the student’s category, course, and institution.
24. Telangana
Telangana students should check the ePASS Telangana system.
It is particularly important for students seeking:
- Post-matric scholarships
- Fee reimbursement
- SC/ST assistance
- BC/EBC assistance
- Minority welfare schemes
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
25. Tripura
Students should check the Tripura government’s scholarship and education portals alongside NSP.
26. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has a dedicated UP Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement portal.
Official portal: UP Scholarship Portal
It is used for various pre-matric and post-matric scholarship programmes.
The 2026-27 application cycle for Classes 9–12 began on August 11, 2026, according to current reporting, demonstrating why students should check the state portal during the relevant application season.
Students may find schemes for:
- General category students meeting applicable criteria
- SC students
- ST students
- OBC students
- Minority students
- Economically disadvantaged students
- School students
- College and university students
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
27. Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand students should check the state’s scholarship and social-welfare systems.
28. West Bengal
West Bengal students should check the state’s official scholarship portals, including systems used for schemes such as:
- Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship
- Aikyashree
- OASIS
- Other state-funded scholarships
Different schemes can have different portals, so students should identify the scheme first rather than assuming all scholarships are available on one website. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
3. Buddy4Study
Buddy4Study is one of India’s largest private scholarship-discovery platforms.
Official website: Buddy4Study
Unlike NSP, Buddy4Study is not itself a government scholarship portal. It acts primarily as a scholarship discovery and application platform.
Students can find scholarships offered by:
- Companies
- Foundations
- NGOs
- Educational institutions
- Corporate CSR programmes
- Private organisations
- Some government-related opportunities
Examples of scholarships commonly listed on such platforms include corporate and foundation scholarships for school, undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional-course students. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Why use Buddy4Study?
It can be useful when students want to search by:
- Class
- Course
- Academic marks
- Family income
- Gender
- Category
- Location
- Degree programme
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Students should still verify the scholarship provider, eligibility criteria, and official terms before submitting sensitive information.
4. Vidyasaarathi
Vidyasaarathi is another important scholarship platform in India.
Official website: Vidyasaarathi
It connects students with scholarship schemes offered by various organisations, particularly corporate and CSR initiatives.
Scholarships listed on the platform may support:
- School education
- ITI students
- Diploma students
- Undergraduate courses
- Engineering
- Medical education
- Postgraduate education
- Professional courses
Eligibility varies considerably from one scholarship to another. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
5. AICTE Scholarship Portal / AICTE Schemes
Students studying technical and professional courses should also check the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Official website: AICTE
AICTE administers or supports several student-focused schemes.
Examples include schemes associated with:
- Women students in technical education
- Students with disabilities
- Orphans and other eligible students
- Technical education
- Special scholarship initiatives
Some AICTE scholarships are integrated with NSP, while the exact application process depends on the scheme.
Therefore, students should check both AICTE’s official information and NSP. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
6. UGC Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is another important source of scholarships and fellowships.
Official website: UGC
UGC-related opportunities can include:
- Scholarships
- Fellowships
- Research fellowships
- Higher-education financial assistance
- Schemes for specific categories of students
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
The application method varies by programme. Some schemes may use NSP, while others can have separate application systems.
7. INSPIRE Scholarship
Students interested in science education should investigate the INSPIRE programme operated by the Department of Science & Technology.
Official website: INSPIRE Programme
INSPIRE supports students pursuing education and careers in science.
One of its well-known components is the INSPIRE Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE).
It is particularly relevant to students pursuing eligible basic and natural science programmes.
8. National Overseas Scholarship
Students planning higher education abroad should investigate the National Overseas Scholarship.
This is a Government of India programme intended for eligible students from specified communities/categories who wish to pursue higher studies abroad.
The scheme has its own official application system and eligibility requirements.
Students should check the current Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment notification before applying because eligibility, fields, financial limits, and deadlines can change. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
9. PM Scholarship Scheme
The Government of India has several scholarship programmes associated with the Prime Minister’s Office or different ministries.
One prominent example is the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS).
Eligibility is restricted to specific beneficiary groups, so students should not assume that it is a general scholarship for all students.
The application process may be connected to NSP depending on the specific scheme. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
10. State-Specific Scholarship Portals vs NSP
A student should understand an important distinction:
| Portal type | Main purpose |
|---|---|
| NSP | Central Government and participating government schemes |
| State scholarship portal | State Government scholarships |
| AICTE | Technical education schemes/information |
| UGC | University and higher-education scholarships/fellowships |
| Buddy4Study | Private/corporate scholarship discovery and applications |
| Vidyasaarathi | Corporate/CSR scholarship opportunities |
| University portal | Institution-specific scholarships |
| Foundation/company website | Individual private scholarships |
This means one portal is not enough.
For example, a student from Maharashtra may need to check:
NSP + MahaDBT + Buddy4Study + Vidyasaarathi + college scholarship page
depending on their course and eligibility. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
11. University and College Scholarship Portals
Many universities operate their own scholarship and financial-aid systems.
These can include:
- Merit scholarships
- Tuition-fee waivers
- Need-based aid
- Sports scholarships
- Research fellowships
- Academic performance awards
- Alumni-funded scholarships
- Department-specific scholarships
Students should therefore visit the official website of their:
- College
- University
- Department
- Institute
- Hostel
- Financial-aid office
A scholarship may be available only to students admitted to that institution. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
12. Corporate Scholarship Portals
Large Indian and multinational companies frequently provide scholarships through CSR initiatives and foundations.
Some well-known organisations associated with student scholarship programmes include:
- Reliance Foundation
- Tata Group foundations
- Aditya Birla Group
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI
- Kotak
- SBI
- LIC
- Mahindra
- Jindal-related foundations
- Various technology companies
- Various educational foundations
The scholarship may be hosted on:
- The organisation’s own website,
- Buddy4Study,
- Vidyasaarathi,
- Another authorised application platform.
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Students should always confirm the current year’s application details on the provider’s official website.
13. Scholarships for Girls
There are numerous scholarships specifically aimed at female students.
Potential sources include:
- NSP
- AICTE
- State scholarship portals
- Corporate foundations
- University scholarships
- Private scholarship platforms
Examples can include support for:
- School education
- STEM education
- Engineering
- Professional courses
- Higher education
- Students from economically weaker backgrounds
Girls pursuing technical education should pay particular attention to AICTE-related schemes. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
14. Scholarships for SC Students
SC students should generally check:
- NSP
- Their state scholarship portal
- Their university/college
- Relevant Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment schemes
- Private scholarship portals
Depending on the scheme, benefits may include:
- Tuition assistance
- Maintenance allowance
- Books and stationery support
- Hostel-related assistance
- Other educational expenses
Eligibility varies by scheme and income criteria. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
15. Scholarships for ST Students
ST students should check:
- NSP
- State Tribal Development Department
- State scholarship portal
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- College/university financial-aid office
- Private scholarship platforms
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Some tribal scholarship schemes can be substantial, particularly for higher education.
16. Scholarships for OBC/EBC/Other Backward Classes
Eligible students should check:
- NSP
- State welfare departments
- State scholarship portals
- College scholarship offices
- Private scholarship platforms
Income limits and category requirements vary significantly between schemes. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
17. Scholarships for Minority Students
Students belonging to eligible minority communities should check:
- NSP
- State minority welfare departments
- State scholarship portals
- University scholarships
- Private scholarship platforms
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
The exact schemes and eligibility conditions can change from year to year, so students should rely on current government notifications.
18. Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities should check:
- NSP
- Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
- State disability welfare departments
- Universities
- Private foundations
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Depending on the programme, support may cover education-related expenses, maintenance, assistive requirements, or other costs.
19. Scholarships for Engineering Students
Engineering students should check a wider range of sources because several technical-education scholarships exist.
Recommended order:
- NSP
- AICTE
- State scholarship portal
- College/university
- Buddy4Study
- Vidyasaarathi
- Corporate scholarship websites
Students should search according to:
- B.Tech/B.E.
- Diploma
- Branch
- Gender
- Category
- Family income
- Academic marks
- State
- Year of study
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
20. Scholarships for Medical Students
MBBS, BDS, nursing, pharmacy, and other healthcare students should check:
- NSP
- State scholarship portals
- Medical university/college
- Private foundations
- Corporate CSR programmes
- Category-specific government schemes
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Medical students should pay special attention to whether a scholarship covers government colleges, private colleges, or both.
21. Scholarships for MBA and Management Students
MBA students can search through:
- NSP
- University/college financial-aid pages
- State portals
- Corporate foundations
- Buddy4Study
- Vidyasaarathi
Some scholarships are based primarily on academic merit, while others consider income, entrance-exam performance, or leadership achievements. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
22. Scholarships for Postgraduate Students
PG students should look beyond ordinary student scholarships.
Useful sources include:
- UGC
- NSP
- University portals
- Department websites
- Research institutions
- State governments
- Private foundations
Students pursuing M.Sc., M.A., M.Com., M.Tech., MBA, M.Pharm., law, and other postgraduate programmes may qualify for different schemes. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
23. Fellowship Portals
Scholarships and fellowships are related but not identical.
Students interested in research should also look for:
- UGC fellowships
- CSIR fellowships
- DST programmes
- DBT fellowships
- ICMR fellowships
- University fellowships
- Research-institute opportunities
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
The application process may be through a separate examination, institutional portal, or government portal.
24. Important Scholarship Portals at a Glance
| Portal | Type | Best suited for |
| NSP | Government | Central/state-linked government scholarships |
| MahaDBT | Maharashtra Government | Maharashtra students |
| SSP Karnataka | State Government | Karnataka students |
| ePASS Telangana | State Government | Telangana students |
| UP Scholarship | State Government | Uttar Pradesh students |
| MP Scholarship Portal | State Government | Madhya Pradesh students |
| e-Grantz Kerala | State Government | Kerala students |
| Odisha Scholarship Portal | State Government | Odisha students |
| Buddy4Study | Private aggregator | Government + private/corporate opportunities |
| Vidyasaarathi | Private/CSR platform | Corporate scholarships |
| AICTE | Government regulator | Technical/professional students |
| UGC | Government body | Higher education/fellowships |
| INSPIRE | Government | Science students |
| University portal | Institutional | Students of that university |
| Corporate/Foundation websites | Private | Specific scholarship programmes |
25. The Best Scholarship Search Strategy
Instead of searching hundreds of websites randomly, students can use a simple five-step method.
Step 1: Check NSP
Start with the National Scholarship Portal.
Official portal: NSP
Look for schemes for which you satisfy the eligibility requirements. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Step 2: Check your state portal
Search for:
[Your State] scholarship official portal
For example:
- Maharashtra → MahaDBT
- Uttar Pradesh → UP Scholarship
- Karnataka → SSP
- Telangana → ePASS
- Kerala → e-Grantz
- Madhya Pradesh → MP Scholarship Portal
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Step 3: Check your college
Ask the college scholarship/financial-aid office about:
- College scholarships
- Fee waivers
- Government schemes
- University scholarships
- Department scholarships
- CSR scholarships
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Step 4: Search private scholarship platforms
Check:
- Buddy4Study
- Vidyasaarathi
These can be particularly useful for corporate and foundation scholarships. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Step 5: Search special-category schemes
Finally, search based on your specific situation:
- Girl student
- SC/ST/OBC
- Minority
- Disability
- Defence family
- Single-parent family
- Low-income family
- Sports achievement
- Academic merit
- STEM student
- Engineering student
- Medical student
- Rural background
- State-specific eligibility
- (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
26. Documents Usually Required
Although requirements vary, students should keep digital copies of commonly requested documents.
These can include:
- Aadhaar card
- Passport-size photograph
- Previous examination marksheet
- Admission proof
- Bonafide certificate
- Income certificate
- Caste certificate, where applicable
- Disability certificate, where applicable
- Domicile certificate
- Bank account details
- Fee receipt
- College ID
- Admission letter
- Academic certificates
Some portals may require additional documents. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
Students should never upload documents to an unknown website simply because it claims to provide a scholarship.
27. How to Avoid Scholarship Scams
Students should be careful with websites and social-media posts promising guaranteed scholarships.
Warning signs include:
- Asking for large “registration fees”
- Promising guaranteed selection
- Asking for OTPs
- Requesting banking passwords
- Asking for ATM PINs
- Asking for unnecessary card details
- Claiming “100% scholarship guaranteed”
- Using a government logo without evidence of government affiliation
- Asking students to pay money to release scholarship funds
A legitimate scholarship can still have an application process, but students should verify the provider before submitting financial or personal information. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
28. NSP Is Not the Only Scholarship Portal
This is the most important point.
The National Scholarship Portal is the central starting point, but it does not mean every scholarship in India is available there.
A student may simultaneously need to check:
NSP + State Portal + College Portal + Private Scholarship Platforms + Specialised Government Portals
For example, Maharashtra students may need both NSP and MahaDBT. Similarly, students in other states may need their respective state portals. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
29. Recommended Scholarship Portal Checklist
Students can use the following checklist every academic year:
- Check National Scholarship Portal
- Complete/update NSP OTR if required
- Check your state scholarship portal
- Check your college/university scholarship page
- Check AICTE if studying a technical course
- Check UGC if pursuing higher education/research
- Check Buddy4Study (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
- Check Vidyasaarathi
- Search scholarships based on category
- Search scholarships based on family income
- Search scholarships based on course
- Check application deadlines
- Keep documents updated
- Check renewal requirements
- Track application status
- Track payment status (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
- Verify suspicious scholarship offers before applying
Conclusion
India’s scholarship ecosystem is spread across multiple platforms rather than being controlled by one universal website.
For most students, the National Scholarship Portal should be the first place to check, because it provides a central platform for many government scholarship schemes. The Government of India’s services portal describes NSP as a single-window platform for scholarships from central and state governments and agencies such as UGC and AICTE.
However, students should also check their state scholarship portal, because state-specific schemes may be administered separately. Maharashtra students, for example, should check MahaDBT, while Uttar Pradesh students should check the UP Scholarship portal.
For private and corporate scholarships, Buddy4Study and Vidyasaarathi are useful additional discovery platforms.
The best strategy is therefore not to depend on one portal. Students should combine NSP + state portal + college/university portal + private scholarship platforms + specialised government schemes to maximise their chances of finding financial assistance.
Because scholarship rules, deadlines, and eligibility conditions can change each academic year, students should always verify the current notification on the relevant official portal before applying. (All Major Scholarship Portals in India)
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