Pursuing a postgraduate degree in India can involve significant expenses, including tuition fees, hostel charges, books, and other academic costs. To make higher education more accessible, several government bodies, private foundations, and educational institutions offer scholarships for postgraduate students in India based on merit, family income, category, or academic achievement.
This guide brings together some of the most reliable postgraduate scholarships available in 2026. For each scholarship, you’ll find the key eligibility criteria, financial benefits, application portal, and application period, helping you compare your options and apply through the official source.
Best Scholarships for Postgraduate Students in India
| Scholarship | Benefits | Key Eligibility | Official Portal |
| National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies (UGC) | ₹1.5 lakh per year (up to 2 years) | First full-time PG degree, below 30 years, admitted to an eligible institution | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| UGC PG Scholarship for University Rank Holders | ₹3,100/month | First or second UG rank holder admitted to a regular PG course | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| AICTE PG (GATE/GPAT) Scholarship | ₹12,400/month | Valid GATE/GPAT score and admission to an AICTE-approved institution | AICTE Scholarship Portal |
| Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) | Annual financial assistance | Eligible wards/widows of Ex-Servicemen and CAPF personnel | PMSS Portal |
| Reliance Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship | Up to ₹6 lakh | First-year PG students in eligible disciplines meeting academic criteria | Reliance Foundation Scholarship Portal |
| SBI Foundation Asha Scholarship | Up to ₹5 lakh | PG students at eligible institutions with annual family income up to ₹6 lakh | SBI Asha Scholarship Portal |
| State Government PG Scholarship Schemes | Varies by state | Domicile, income, merit or category-based | Respective State Scholarship Portal |
Note: Students planning to pursue a postgraduate degree abroad can also explore scholarships such as JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship, KC Mahindra Scholarship, Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship, and Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship. These programmes primarily support overseas postgraduate education and therefore are not included in the main comparison table for postgraduate scholarships in India.
Government Scholarships for Postgraduate Students in India
Government-funded scholarships remain the first choice for many postgraduate students because they offer structured financial support and transparent selection criteria. Depending on the scheme, assistance may cover tuition fees, monthly stipends, or maintenance allowances.
1. National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies (UGC)
Supports eligible students pursuing their first full-time postgraduate degree at recognised institutions in India.
Eligibility
- Indian citizen.
- Admitted to the first year of a regular full-time PG programme.
- Applying for the first postgraduate degree.
- Age below 30 years at the time of admission.
- Institution must be eligible under the scheme.
Benefits
- ₹15,000 per month, for up to 2 years.
- Around 10,000 scholarships awarded annually, subject to UGC notification.
Official Portal: National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
Did You Know?
UGC National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies is one of the few government PG scholarships in India with a fixed annual intake of around 10,000 students, selected purely on all-India merit basis.
2. UGC PG Scholarship for University Rank Holders
Awarded to students who secured top ranks in their undergraduate programme and continue their studies through a regular postgraduate course.
Eligibility
- First or second rank holder in UG.
- Admission to the first year of a regular PG degree.
- Degree obtained from a recognised university.
- Must satisfy the age and eligibility conditions prescribed by UGC.
Benefits: ₹3,100 per month, Available for up to 2 years.
Official Portal: National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
3. AICTE PG Scholarship (GATE/GPAT)
Financial assistance for students pursuing technical postgraduate programmes after qualifying through GATE or GPAT.
Eligibility
- Admission to an AICTE-approved institution.
- Valid GATE or GPAT score.
- Full-time M.Tech., M.Arch., or M.Pharm. programme.
Benefits
- ₹12,400 per month.
- Scholarship for the approved duration of the course.
Official Portal: AICTE Scholarship Portal
4. Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)
Supports higher education for eligible wards and widows of Ex-Servicemen, Ex-Coast Guard personnel, and Central Armed Police Forces personnel.
Eligibility
- Eligible dependent ward or widow.
- Admission to an approved professional postgraduate course.
- Must meet PMSS guidelines.
Benefits: Annual scholarship amount as notified under the scheme.
Official Portal: Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) Portal
5. State Government Postgraduate Scholarships
Many State Governments offer scholarships to postgraduate students based on domicile, family income, academic merit, or social category.
Eligibility
- Resident of the respective state.
- Enrolled in a recognised postgraduate programme.
- Must satisfy the conditions prescribed by the respective state.
Benefits: Tuition fee reimbursement, Maintenance allowance, Hostel or study assistance under selected schemes.
Official Portal: Respective State Scholarship Portal.
Private Scholarships for Postgraduate Students
1. Reliance Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship
The Reliance Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship supports students pursuing select postgraduate programmes in future-focused fields such as engineering, technology, energy, and life sciences. Scholarships are awarded through a competitive merit-based selection process.
Eligibility
- Indian citizen.
- First-year full-time postgraduate student.
- GATE score of 550–1000 or UG CGPA of 7.5 or above.
- Enrolled in an eligible programme.
Benefits: Financial assistance of up to ₹6 lakh during the course and Leadership and mentoring opportunities.
Official Portal: Reliance Foundation Scholarship Portal
Reliance Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship
Only up to 100 students are selected each year, and the selection process includes an online aptitude test followed by interview evaluation, making it one of the most structured private PG scholarship systems in India.
2. SBI Foundation Asha Scholarship for Postgraduate Students
The SBI Foundation Asha Scholarship supports meritorious postgraduate students from economically weaker families studying at eligible higher education institutions in India.
Eligibility
- Indian citizen.
- Pursuing a postgraduate course at an eligible institution.
- Minimum 75% marks or 7.0 CGPA in the previous academic year (relaxation for SC/ST candidates as per the scheme).
- Annual family income should not exceed ₹6 lakh.
Benefits: Scholarship of up to ₹2.5 lakh per year for eligible postgraduate students.
Official Portal: SBI Asha Scholarship Portal
Scholarships for Indian Students Pursuing Postgraduate Studies Abroad
If you are planning to pursue a master’s degree outside India, several dedicated scholarship programs support international education. These scholarships are not part of India-based PG funding schemes and follow separate selection criteria.
Explore full guide: Scholarships for Study Abroad for Indian Students (2026)
Documents Required for Most PG Scholarship Applications
Although requirements vary by scholarship, most applications require the following documents:
- Graduation mark sheets or transcripts
- Degree or provisional certificate
- Admission letter
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Aadhaar Card
- Bank account details (DBT-enabled, where applicable)
- Income certificate
- Community or caste certificate (if applicable)
- Domicile certificate (where required)
- Fee receipt or fee structure issued by the institution
Keeping scanned copies ready before the application window opens can help you complete the process without delays.
How to Choose the Right PG Scholarship?
| If you are… | Consider applying for… |
| University topper | UGC PG Scholarship for University Rank Holders |
| M.Tech./M.Pharm. student | AICTE PG Scholarship |
| Student from a low-income family | SBI Foundation Asha Scholarship |
| Student in eligible future-focused disciplines | Reliance Foundation Scholarship |
| Child of Ex-Servicemen/CAPF personnel | PMSS |
Conclusion
Scholarships for postgraduate students in India play a key role in reducing financial pressure and supporting higher education across disciplines. From government schemes like UGC and AICTE scholarships to private initiatives such as Reliance Foundation and SBI Asha Scholarship, students have multiple options based on merit, income, and eligibility. Choosing the right scholarship and applying through official portals on time can significantly ease the cost of pursuing a postgraduate degree.
Sources:
This guide is based on verified scholarship platforms and official institutions, including:
- National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – Government of India central application portal for multiple schemes
- UGC (University Grants Commission) – Postgraduate scholarship schemes and guidelines
- AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) – Technical PG scholarships like GATE/GPAT stipend schemes
- PMSS Portal – Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme for defence personnel families
Only scholarships with active or recurring intake for the 2026–2027 cycle and relevant to postgraduate studies in India have been included.
