CBSE 2027 scholarships - central, NTSE / NMMS, state, and private tracks
A CBSE Class 12 aggregate in the top 20 percentile unlocks the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (~₹12,000-20,000/year). Class 8-10 students from low-income families qualify for NMMS (₹12,000/year through Class 12). State, SC/ST/OBC, and private schemes follow the same template - this page covers each track.
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS)
The Government of India's flagship scholarship for Class 12 toppers entering higher education. Students in the top 20 percentile of their CBSE board (Class 12) whose family income is below the ceiling can apply via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
CSSS at a glance
- Amount: ₹12,000 per year for the first three years of UG; ₹20,000 per year for the final years of professional programmes (MBBS, B.Tech., LLB, etc.).
- Eligibility: top 20 percentile of CBSE Class 12 board, family income ≤ ₹8 lakh per annum, currently enrolled in a recognised UG / integrated programme.
- Renewal: 50% in the relevant programme each year + 75% attendance.
- Apply at: scholarships.gov.in during the application window each academic year.
Top-20-percentile is roughly 95%+ aggregate. Take a free CBSE Class 12 mock and see if your projected Best-of-4 clears the CSSS bar.
NMMS (National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship)
For Class 9-12 students from economically weaker families. Awarded based on the NMMS examination conducted by SCERTs (state-level) in November of Class 8. Eligible students get ₹12,000 per year through Class 9 to Class 12.
- Eligibility: Class 8 passed students with at least 55% marks (50% for SC / ST / OBC), family income ≤ ₹3.5 lakh per annum.
- Selection: Mental Ability Test + Scholastic Aptitude Test conducted by the state SCERT. Results announced in March of Class 8.
- Renewable: based on Class 9, 10, 11 promotion at 55% (50% for reserved categories) and 75% attendance.
INSPIRE-SHE for top 1% Class 12 science students
The Department of Science and Technology runs the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research - Scholarship for Higher Education (INSPIRE-SHE) for students in the top 1% of their CBSE board in Class 12 who go on to pursue a natural-science degree at an Indian university or institute. INSPIRE-SHE is one of the more generous undergraduate fellowships in India: an annual scholarship plus a mentor allowance, paid through five years for an integrated programme. The eligibility window is narrow - the application has to be submitted soon after the Class 12 result and the candidate has to be enrolled in a recognised basic-science programme (B.Sc., integrated M.Sc., or equivalent) at a recognised institution. INSPIRE-SHE is one of the few tracks that pays specifically for choosing a science career over engineering or medicine.
State-government merit and means schemes - the long list
Almost every state runs at least one merit-cum-means scholarship for state-domicile students entering Class 11 or college. The official names and portals change every few years - the table below indicates only the active scheme labels and the portals to apply on. Amounts vary year to year and by college type, so verify on the state portal each cycle.
| State | Scheme / portal | Who it's for (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Mahadbt (mahadbtmahait.gov.in) | Post-matric scholarships consolidated under a single login |
| Karnataka | SSP (ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in) | State Scholarship Portal for SC / ST / OBC / minorities |
| Tamil Nadu | e-Sevai / TN Adi Dravidar scholarship | TN-domiciled post-matric students |
| Andhra Pradesh / Telangana | ePASS (epass.cgg.gov.in) | State post-matric scholarships and fee reimbursement |
| Bihar | e-Kalyan (ekalyan.bih.nic.in) | Pre / post-matric, Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana |
| West Bengal | SVMCM (svmcm.wbhed.gov.in) | Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means scholarship |
| Uttar Pradesh | UP Scholarship (scholarship.up.gov.in) | Pre / post-matric scholarships and fee reimbursement |
| Gujarat | Digital Gujarat (digitalgujarat.gov.in) | MYSY and category-specific schemes |
Application calendars on most state portals open in July - August (post-result) and stay open through October - November. Required documents typically include the previous marksheet, an income certificate from the last financial year, a domicile certificate, a bank-account passbook copy, and an Aadhaar-linked mobile number for OTP verification. Many of these schemes pay through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) into the student's bank account.
AICTE schemes - Pragati and Saksham
The All India Council for Technical Education runs two centrally-funded scholarships that often go under-applied because students don't know they exist. Pragati is a scholarship for girl students entering the first year of a technical degree or diploma at an AICTE-approved institution; the amount is indicative around the AICTE schedule published each cycle. Saksham is the parallel scheme for students with at least 40% disability entering an AICTE-approved technical programme. Both are means-tested and apply through the National Scholarship Portal. Class 12 board marks are part of the eligibility window for both.
Vidya Lakshmi - the education-loan pipeline
Not a scholarship strictly, but the natural complement to one. Vidya Lakshmi (vidyalakshmi.co.in) is the Government of India's consolidated education-loan portal where a student can fill a single application and submit it to multiple banks simultaneously. Most central scholarship schemes (CSSS, INSPIRE-SHE, NMMS) can be stacked on top of an education loan - the scholarship covers a slice of tuition or living expenses and the loan covers the rest. For programmes at IITs, NITs, AIIMS, and central universities the standard ask is INR 8 - 10 lakh per year on the loan side, dropping when scholarships kick in.
Section 80E - tax relief on education-loan interest
If your parents or you take an education loan from a scheduled bank or approved financial institution to fund a CBSE-Class-12 to UG-or-PG pipeline, the interest paid on that loan qualifies for a deduction under Section 80E of the Income Tax Act. The deduction is on interest only (not principal), is available for up to eight years from the start of repayment, and has no upper cap on the amount of interest deductible. This deduction belongs to the person legally liable to pay the EMI - usually the parent during the moratorium, then the student once they start working. Plan the loan signatory in advance with this deduction in mind.
SC / ST / OBC / EBC post-matric schemes
The Ministry of Social Justice operates centrally-funded post-matric scholarships for SC / ST / OBC / EBC students entering Class 11 onwards. These typically cover full tuition + maintenance allowance and are disbursed via state nodal agencies. Apply via NSP at the start of each academic year. Most CBSE Class 12 → college transitions are eligible.
Which state-government scholarships accept CBSE students?
Most states run merit + means scholarship schemes for state-domicile students. CBSE students are typically eligible alongside state-board students. Notable schemes:
| State | Scheme name | Approximate amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Merit Scholarship | Up to 50% tuition |
| Tamil Nadu | Chief Minister's Scholarship | Full tuition (TN-domiciled) |
| Karnataka | Vidyasiri / Fee Reimbursement | Up to ₹50,000 / year |
| Uttar Pradesh | Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme | Tuition reimbursement |
| Gujarat | Mukhyamantri Yuva Swavalamban Yojana (MYSY) | Up to ₹2,00,000 / year (tuition) |
Each state portal has its own eligibility (typically state domicile + income ceiling + minimum percentage) and application calendar. Search for "[your state] post-matric scholarship" or check NSP for the consolidated list.
Private and corporate scholarships
- Reliance Foundation Scholarships: UG scholarships for talented students from low-income families; up to ₹2 lakh per year. CBSE Class 12 academic performance is a primary criterion.
- Aditya Birla Capital Scholarship: merit-cum-need scholarship for UG students at recognised colleges; up to ₹1.8 lakh / year. Open to top CBSE Class 12 scorers.
- Sitaram Jindal Foundation: merit scholarship up to ₹3,200 / month for students with strong board marks and need-based eligibility.
- HDFC Parivartan ECSS: need-based education scholarship; CBSE Class 12 students with family income below the threshold can apply each cycle.
- Buddy4Study aggregator: 100+ ongoing UG scholarships across boards listed in one portal with deadlines tracked.
What can a Class 10 student apply for?
Most major scholarships kick in from Class 11 or post-Class 12. For Class 10, the options are:
- NMMS (if eligible by Class 8 result): ₹12,000 / year through Class 9-12.
- SC / ST / OBC pre-matric: Ministry of Social Justice pre-matric scholarships for Class 9-10 students from reserved categories.
- State pre-matric schemes: most states run a parallel pre-matric (Class 9-10) scholarship for low-income students.
Aiming for top-percentile Class 10 marks to qualify for NMMS continuation? Take a free CBSE Class 10 mock and see your indicative grade.
How do you maximise your scholarship chances?
- Score high on CBSE boards. Most central and merit scholarships are percentile / aggregate-driven. Aim for the top 20 percentile (typically 95+% aggregate) to unlock CSSS and most state schemes. Practice with free mocks to push your score.
- Get a top-20-percentile certificate from CBSE after Class 12 results - this is the gatekeeping document for CSSS and many state schemes.
- Prepare income documentation early. Most need-based schemes require ITR / income certificate from the last 1-3 years. Pre-stage these documents before college admission.
- Apply early on NSP.The National Scholarship Portal closes its window each year - don't miss the cutoff.
The single most controllable lever is your aggregate. Take a free CBSE Class 10 mock per subject and see where each one lands.
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