Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST/OBC students unlocks for 2026, offering tuition waivers, maintenance allowances, and exam fees for Classes 9-12, undergrad/postgrad/diploma/ITIs via NSP portal. Eligibility demands family income <INR 2.5 lakh (SC/ST), domicile proof, 50-75% marks continuity; applications ongoing till state deadlines, prioritizing girls/disabled. This flagship covers 1.2 crore annually, easing barriers for reserved categories from school to professional courses.
Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC) 2025-26 accepts 150 UG slots till January 30 on spdcmea.gov.in, subsidizing 75% fees up to $4,000/year (NRIs/PIOs/OCIs/ECR workers’ kids aged 17-21, 60% Class 12). 50% female quota favors NAAC A/NITs/central universities, fostering reverse migration for OCI talent.
Banishree Scholarship in Odisha extends deadline to February 15 for PwD students, compensating non-availability of Class 10/12 marksheets amid delays. Himachal Tribal scheme draws criticism for paltry Rs 80/year, exposing policy gaps despite smart classrooms/digital boards investments.
University of East Anglia’s PG Merit Scholarships (GBP 6k-7k tuition offset) target Indians for September 2026/January 2027 intakes; BHU adds 121 SWAYAM courses January 26. Bath Global Excellence GBP 10k for STEM undergrads (Feb 4); KTH India full Master’s tuition (Jan 15); Summer Research Fellowship via IAS-INSA-NASI.
Private philanthropy shines: BITS Pilani alumnus Mahesh Samdani gifts $1M endowment for 2026-27 UG merit aid. STEM Scholars (Nasscom-Optum) awards INR 30k/year + internships for 3rd/4th-year BTech/Pharm in 4 cities. Tata Capital Pankh up to INR 1L (80% fees) for 11-12/UG/polytechnic/ITIs; Mahindra Big Boss Nayi Pehchan for girls.
Suzlon supports EWS girls Class 9/BE-diploma up to INR 1.2L/year in 9 states; SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha aids school-overseas up to INR 20L. Government eyes ST overseas slots hike from 20-50; ICCR allocates 740 for 2025-26.
NSP centralizes schemes despite Karnataka UAS protests over halved stipends (Rs 15k vs 38k). January clusters deadlines; blend merit-means for optimal coverage in competitive 2026 landscape.
