An educated girl means educating an entire generation. However, expenses on tuition fees, textbooks, transport, and higher education are not affordable to many families who want to educate their daughters . To address this problem, Central and State Governments have come up with several scholarship schemes, monetary assistance, boarding schools and savings schemes for the eligible girls/women.
The following table gives an idea about the major scholarship and government schemes for the year 2026-27 along with their eligibility criteria, benefits and application process
Quick Overview: Scholarships & Schemes for Girl Students by Central Government (2026-27)
Some of the schemes give direct monetary help, while some of the schemes help in education and saving or girl child empowerment. Below is the table depicting the scheme details, including advantages, eligible students, and websites.
No. | Scholarship / Scheme | Suitable For | Scholarship Amount / Key Benefit | Official Portal |
1 | AICTE Pragati Scholarship | Girls pursuing eligible technical degree or diploma courses | Up to ₹50,000 per year | |
2 | CBSE Single Girl Child Merit Scholarship | Eligible single girl children studying in Classes XI–XII | ₹1,000 per month for up to 2 years, subject to scheme rules | |
3 | UGC Postgraduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child | Single girl children pursuing the first year of a regular Master's degree | ₹36,200 per year for 2 years | |
4 | PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship (CSSS) | Meritorious college and university students, including eligible girls | ₹12,000 per year for initial undergraduate level and ₹20,000 per year for postgraduate level according to the relevant rules Protection of girl-child, education and empowerment schemes | |
5 | National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMSS) | Meritorious students from economically weaker families, including girls | ₹12,000 per year, subject to eligibility and renewal | |
6 | Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme | Eligible students from the North Eastern Region, including girls | Monthly scholarship; amount depends on course category | |
7 | Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) | Girls from disadvantaged communities in eligible areas | Residential schooling and educational support | |
8 | WISE-KIRAN / WISE-PhD | Eligible women pursuing scientific research | Fellowship of ₹37,000 per month under WISE-PhD, plus applicable HRA and research grant | |
9 | Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana | Girl children below 10 years of age | Long-term savings account with government-notified interest; not a scholarship | |
10 | Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | Girl-child protection, education and empowerment initiatives | Awareness and programme support; not a direct individual cash scholarship |
The scheme details and amounts above are based on the official portals and published scheme information.
1. AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students
AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme offers encouragement to girls to pursue technical education and also helps in encouraging women participation in technology based professions. The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) has announced various scholarships scheme for technical degree courses as well as diploma courses in 2026–27.
Eligibility Criteria
Generally, applicants must:
Be a girl student admitted to an AICTE-approved technical degree or diploma programme.
Should be in the first year or eligible in the second year under lateral entry.
Should have the family income as per scheme criteria.
The family's annual income must not exceed ₹8 lakhs.
Should fulfill the scheme criteria of family quota, i.e., maximum two girls per family.
Latest scheme guidelines issued by official sources should be verified before applying.
Scholarship Amount
Students eligible for this scholarship may get ₹50,000 per year depending upon scheme criteria.
How to Apply
The application is done online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). It is necessary for applicants to get their One Time Registration (OTR) done first.
Application deadline : 31 October 2026 is the last date to apply for this scholarship for 2026–27 mentioned on NSP official website .
2. CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child
CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child is provided to those girls who have completed Class 10th and pursue further education in classes 11th and 12th in CBSE affiliated institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants generally must:
Being the sole offspring of their parents, i.e., without a sibling, according to the rules of the scheme.
Holding not less than 70% marks in CBSE Class 10 exam.
Being a student of class 11 or 12 in a suitable CBSE affiliated school.
Meeting the tuition fee and income criteria as per the notification of the CBSE Board.
The 2025 guidelines have established an annual gross income cap of ₹8 lakh for a family, as well as the tuition fees of ₹2,500 and ₹3,000 for Class 10 and Classes 11 and 12, respectively, on a monthly basis. Applicants should confirm the applicable rules for their year.
Scholarship Amount
Qualified candidates get ₹1,000 every month for two years, depending on the scholarship rules and conditions for renewal.
How to Apply
Go to the official portal of CBSE Scholarship. Click on Single Girl Child Scholarship and read the notification along with application procedure.
Application Deadline: The deadline differs from one application process to another. The 2026 deadline is now expired; you should wait for the next announcement by CBSE.
3. UGC Postgraduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
This scholarship has been introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to motivate the single female child to undertake postgraduate studies in recognised educational institutes of India.
Eligibility Criteria
The candidate should be:
The only girl child of her/his parents, as per the scheme's terms and conditions.
Admitted into the first year of a full-time Master's Degree Programme.
Thirty years or younger when she/he is admitted into the program.
Pursuing the course in a recognized university/college/institution in India.
The distance education programs are not covered under this scheme.
Eligible twin daughters can also get coverage under the program based on certain criteria.
Scholarship Amount
The amount of scholarship awarded to eligible candidates is ₹36,200 per annum for two years.
How to Apply
Check out the list of criteria and guidelines for applying from the UGC Scholarship Portal. The National Scholarship Portal should be used to apply for this scholarship .
Application Deadline: Refer to the latest announcement on the NSP portal for details.
4. PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students
the PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS), provides scholarship for meritorious students. This scheme, although not only meant for females, can be availed by eligible female students.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants generally must:
Applicants usually need to:
Have been one of the best performing students in their Class 12 board examinations based on the prescribed criteria.
Be pursuing an eligible regular undergraduate or postgraduate course.
Meet the prescribed criteria regarding their family income.
Satisfy the other relevant academic and other scheme criteria.
Scholarship Amount
The program offers financial support according to the relevant award scheme:
₹12,000 per annum for the early stages of the undergraduate program.
₹ 20,000 per annum for the postgraduate level, as per the relevant terms.
This is dependent upon the course and the current relevant scholarship scheme guidelines.
How to Apply
Go to the National Scholarship Portal and review the PM-USP CSSS scheme information. Students should find out whether fresh/renewal applications are available for the relevant academic year.
Application Deadline : NSP has the CSSS renewal application period up to 31 October 2026. For new applicants, there will be a fresh application notice separately.
5. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS)
National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme provides assistance to those bright students belonging to poor economic backgrounds and seeks to minimize school drop-outs after class 8. Girls are eligible for the program since there is no gender bias associated with it.
Eligibility Criteria
The students are expected to:
Study in an eligible school of government, government aided, or local body.
Satisfy the academic criteria as laid down by the scheme.
Have a family income that does not exceed ₹3.5 lakh annually.
Clear the selection test as held by the State/UT Government.
Satisfy the scheme and renewal eligibility criteria.
Scholarship Amount
The amount of scholarship is Rs.12,000 per year, usually starting from class IX to class XII, as per the terms of eligibility and renewal rules.
How to Apply
Access National Scholarship Portal and Ministry of Education website for information on schemes.The eligible students must approach the concerned State/UT Education department for taking the selection test and application process.
Application Deadline: Application and exam date varies from state to state. Refer to the respective State/UT notification.
6. Ishan Uday Special Scholarship Scheme for the North Eastern Region
The Ishan Uday Scholarship Scheme helps the students of the North Eastern Region to avail themselves of the scholarship facility. It includes both male and female students
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants normally need to be:
Residing in one of the eligible states in North Eastern India.
Class 12 pass-out, fulfilling the prescribed qualifications.
Enrolled in an eligible full-time general/technical/professional course.
Fulfilling the prescribed family income criteria.
Comply with the guidelines of the scheme.
Scholarship Amount
This scheme offers monetary aid every month, with the varying amount based on the eligibility category of courses along with relevant rules.
How to Apply
You can access the National Scholarship Portal and look up the scheme of Ishan Uday for special scholarships for the North Eastern Region.
Application Deadline : The portal indicates that the application period was commenced on 16 September 2026, and the last date to apply for the scheme is 31 October 2026, for the 2026-27 academic year, as per NSP.
7. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)
The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya scheme focuses on making education available to girls from deprived sections of society through educational assistance. Unlike a conventional scholarship, it primarily provides residential schooling and related educational support.
Eligibility Criteria
The programme focuses on girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, including:
Scheduled Castes (SC).
Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Minority communities.
Families from economically weaker sections.
Eligibility for admission and priority criteria will be governed by the rules prescribed by the respective State or Union Territory.
Key Benefits
The eligible female children could get admission into the residential schools along with their educational facilities. The subjects taught will be decided by the school and State .
How to Apply
Visit the official websites Ministry of Education and Samagra Shiksha and get the relevant information . Parents are advised to approach the local government school/district education office/State education department to gather information on admission and facilities.
Application Deadline : Schedules of admission differ from state to state and institute to institute. Contact the particular education authority for relevant dates.
8. WISE-KIRAN: Government Support for Women in STEM
The Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN), the Department of Science & Technology Program promotes women participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The program offers fellowships and schemes to women scientists at various stages of their career.
Eligibility Criteria
Requirements vary by programme. For example, applicants to WISE-PhD generally must:
Must be female scientists applying for PhD-level research positions in fundamental or applied sciences.
Must have a post-graduation or equivalent degree.
Be between 27 and 45 years of age, subject to applicable relaxations.
Meet the programme's employment, research registration and other conditions.
Financial Support
As per the WISE-PhD scheme, the following are mentioned in the eligibility criteria::
Monthly fellowship of ₹37,000
House Rent Allowance (HRA), as applicable.
Research grant of ₹1 lakh per year.
Institutional overhead support, subject to the guidelines.
Project support for up to five years.
The above benefits are for the particular research programme, not all WISE-KIRAN programmes.
How to Apply
Check out the official webpage of the WISE-PhD program and check out their eligibility criteria and other instructions regarding the application process.
Application Deadline : The final call for DST WISE Fellowship for PhD (WISE-PhD) was made on December 31, 2024, and there has been no call yet for the year 2026.
9. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
The Sukanya Samriddhi Account is a savings plan that has been introduced by the Government of India with the aim of helping families establish a savings account to meet the educational and future requirements of a girl child, its not a scholarship scheme rather its a savings plan.
Eligibility Criteria
Generally, the account can be opened under the following conditions:
The girl child must be below 10 years of age when the account is opened.
A parent or legal guardian can open the account.
Minimum amount to be deposited is ₹250 per financial year.
Maximum money to be deposited shall be ₹1.5 lakh per financial year.
All other aspects regarding opening of account and depositing and withdrawing of money are covered by scheme regulations.
Key Benefits
The account matures 21 years from the date of opening.
Eligible education-related withdrawals may be permitted under the scheme rules.
Interest is provided at the government-notified rate, which may change periodically.
Applicable tax benefits are available under prevailing tax rules.
How to Open an Account
The account can be opened by the parents or a legal guardian from an eligible post office or bank branch. Some of the documents that are needed include the birth certificate of the girl child and KYC documents of the guardian. To know more details about the scheme, browse official portal India Post – Sukanya Samriddhi Account.
Application Deadline: No deadline for the annual scholarship application exists. Conditions of account opening and deposits hold good at all times during the year.
10. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme is an Indian government project meant to ensure the safety, education, and empowerment of girl children. The project aims to improve the attitude towards girl children and promote the education of girls.
Eligibility Criteria
This is not an ordinary individual scholarship program with regular student application procedures. The programs and activities under the project are executed through respective government departments and local authorities.
Key Benefits
The program aims at:
Educating and empowering the girls.
Gender equality awareness.
Eliminating the gender-biased sex selection.
Creating an environment conducive to the development and involvement of girls.
Note: The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program does not offer a cash grant to each and every girl. Students must refrain from paying any kind of agent promising a cash benefit from this program.
How to Apply
There are no universal applications for individual scholarships. Families can visit the Ministry of Women and Child Development to get official information on programs.
State Government Scholarships and Schemes for Girl Students
Some State Governments provide scholarships, reimbursement of fees and financial aid for female students. The following are some schemes which can be considered as per the state of residence and eligibility.
State | Scholarships / Schemes | Eligibility | Financial Assistance / Benefits | Official Portal |
Delhi | Delhi Ladli Scheme | Eligible girls meeting the prescribed birth, residence, income and educational conditions | Financial deposits at specified stages, from birth through school education | |
Karnataka (Bengaluru) | Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships; Vidyasiri Scheme | Eligible students meeting the applicable category, income, domicile and educational requirements | Scholarships, fee assistance and other benefits. Vidyasiri has offered ₹1,500 per month for 10 months to eligible students under applicable conditions | |
Maharashtra (Pune) | Post-Matric Scholarship to OBC Girls Pursuing Professional Courses; Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Shikshan Shulkh Shishyavrutti Scheme | Eligible OBC female students and other eligible students pursuing approved courses, subject to scheme-specific conditions | Tuition and examination fee reimbursement and applicable maintenance assistance | |
Telangana | Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships | Eligible students from specified SC, ST, BC, EBC, minority and other covered categories | Scholarship assistance and eligible tuition fee reimbursement, depending on the scheme |
How to Apply for Government Scholarships Through NSP
The National Scholarship Portal serves as the official portal through which several Central government scholarships can be availed of. Students must adhere to the prescribed procedure for availing themselves of the selected scheme.
One Time Registration (OTR): Go to the National Scholarship Portal website and complete OTR if necessary.
Login: Enter the prescribed credentials to login to the student dashboard
Eligible Schemes: See the list of scholarships available to you based on your eligibility.
Preferred Scholarship Scheme: Before applying, read the scheme guidelines
Upload documents: Upload the prescribed certificates/documents.
Submit the application: Check all details and keep the acknowledgement.
Verification process: Make sure that your school or college does verification within the due time period.
Check application status: Always visit the portal to check verification status and payment.
For 2026–27, National Scholarship Portal that students may apply for one merit-based scholarship and one or more welfare-based schemes, subject to the eligibility conditions of each scheme.
Documents Required for Scholarship Applications
The different documents required for different scheme, so it is essential for the students to keep the following documents ready:
Aadhaar card or other acceptable identity proof.
Marksheets of previous examinations.
Valid Income proof.
Caste/community certificate, if applicable.
Domicile certificate, if applicable.
Details of bank account/passbook.
Admission/Bonafide certificate.
Fee receipt, if applicable.
Passport size photo.
Declaration/affidavit for single girl child, if applicable.
Certificate for disability, if applicable.
Keep Your Details Consistent
Make sure your name, date of birth, educational information, and bank details are all consistent with each other in all the documents submitted.
Common Reasons Scholarship Applications Get Rejected
Eligible students can still have their applications delayed or rejected due to some common mistakes.
Wrong personal information: Discrepancy between names or dates of birth in different documents.
Invalid income certificate: Income certificate that is not valid according to the scheme.
Wrong bank information: Mistakes in bank account number or IFSC code or Aadhaar/DBT linking.
Missing documents: Certificates, affidavits, fee receipts.
Pending institution validation: Application is submitted but not yet validated by the institution.
Wrong scheme selection: Applying without verifying the eligibility criteria.
Fake website/agents: Utilizing non-governmental websites or paying someone who guarantees a scholarship.
It is always advised to apply via the government’s official portal and go through the scheme guidelines before applying for the scholarship.
2026 Scholarship Application Checklist for Girl Students
Application preparedness
Assess eligibility and current rules of the scheme
Complete NSP OTR form, if applicable
Get a valid income certificate
Check your Aadhaar number, academics and bank information
Upload all the documents needed
Ensure school or college verification is done
Save the acknowledgement of your application
Check the application official last date
Conclusion
The correct plan would depend on the academic record, family income, age, subject area, institute and State. While some programs may offer monetary help, others may give research help, educational residence or even long-term saving plans. The first thing to do is find out about your eligibility criteria and deadline from the official website. You should keep your documents up to date and apply within the specified time period.
Plan Your Daughter's Education with Confidence
Scholarships can help reduce the financial burden of education, but planning ahead is equally important. With invest4Edu, parents can explore education planning support, estimate future education costs and understand available financing options to make informed decisions about their daughter's future.
