Central Sector Scholarship 2025-26: Financial Aid for Higher Education

Overview of the Central Sector Scholarship

Central Sector Scholarship 2025-26: Financial constraints will no longer hinder students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies, including professional fields such as engineering and medicine. The Union Ministry of Education offers the Central Sector Scholarship, providing 82,000 scholarships annually. The application process for this year's scholarships is now open.

Eligibility and Application Process

Deadline for Applications: 31 October

Students can submit their applications for the Central Sector Scholarship until 31 October. Applications must be completed online at www.scholarships.gov.in. Both new applications and renewals for existing scholarships are accepted. Once submitted, applications will undergo verification, with institute-level checks completed by 15 November and SNO level verification by 30 November.

Scholarship Criteria

Eligibility Based on 12th Grade Marks
Individuals aged between 18 and 25 years are eligible to apply for the Central Sector Scholarship. This scholarship supports students enrolling in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, primarily based on their 12th-grade performance.

Scholarship Distribution and Amount

Distribution of Scholarships: 50% Reserved for Women
The Government of India allocates 82,000 Central Sector Scholarships for higher education, distributed according to a specific formula. Notably, 50% of these scholarships are reserved for female students. The distribution considers the population of each state and students from various educational boards, including CBSE and CISCE.

Scholarship Amounts
Selected candidates receive Rs 12,000 annually for the first three years. This amount applies to students in professional courses such as medicine and engineering. For the fourth and fifth years, the scholarship increases to Rs 20,000 annually. Postgraduate students also receive Rs 20,000 each year.