Top 10 Scholarships for 12th Passed Students 2026: Apply Online & Eligibility

The Government of India and some private institutions provide schemes of scholarship for 12th-passed students to help them continue their studies. Some of the best scholarships for poor students who have passed the 12th class are:

• Gandhi Fellowship 2026
• Sterling and Wilson Solar Scholarship 2026
• NIU Scholar Cum Admission Test (NSAT 2026)
• PM Narendra Modi Scholarship for 12th Pass Students
• Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students 2026

Besides these scholarships, there are also some other scholarship schemes that you can benefit from. Read this blog to know them, their eligibility criteria, and the scholarship amount. However, before that, pay heed to some key points.

Key Takeaways (2026 Updates)

• 5,500 scholarship schemes are available for children of ex-servicemen under PM Narendra Modi Scholarship for 12th Pass Students.
• If you are in the first year of an engineering and MBBS course, you are eligible for the Indian Oil Academic Scholarship.
• You can apply for the Nirankari Rajmata Scholarship Scheme 2026 by 30 September.
• If you live in Haryana and your family income is below 1 lakh per year, apply for the Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC Students.
• If you get the Central Sector Scheme for College and University Students 2026, you will get between 10,000 and 20,000 annually.
• Your aggregate marks in the 12th class or equivalent must be at least 50% from a recognized university or board for NIU Scholarship Cum Admission Test (NSAT) 2026.
• Getting the Sterling and Wilson Solar Scholarship 2026 can allow you to get up to INR 10,000.

Read Also: Top 10 Best Scholarships For Indian Students After Class 10th or Class 12th

List of Best Scholarships for Indian Students After 12th

Below are the top 10 scholarships for 12th-passed students updated for the 2026 session:

1. Gandhi Fellowship 2026

Gandhi Fellowship is a reputed scholarship program by the Kaivalya Education Foundation (nonprofit organization). It’s a two-year fellowship program to identify young, talented students from top colleges. This fellowship is dedicated to graduates and postgraduate students across all streams. It is one of the scholarships created to develop young change leaders who have deep potential and leadership skills to initiate impactful changes in society.

Gandhi Fellowship Scholarship Eligibility:

Students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and who are under 26 years of age are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Students who have shown strong leadership qualities in their education and other activities can also apply for this fellowship.

Scholarship Award:

Selected students for this scholarship get a monthly scholarship of Rs 14,000 for 23 months. 7000 per month and a balance of Rs 7000 per month is being paid on completion of the fellowship program. That is, Rs 1,61,000 will be paid after the successful completion of fellow students. The students get Rs 600 monthly for phone expenses, medical insurance, and other perks.

2. National Entrance Screening Test (NEST) 2026

In the second position, we put the National Entrance Screening scholarship widely known as NEST 2026. It is one of the reputed entrance examinations conducted by the National Institute of Science Education Research. Those who wish to be admitted to the MSc program then they can be a part of this scholarship program.

NEST Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be 10+2 from a well-known authentic board.
• Final-year appearing students can also apply.
• Preference will be given to the students of the Science stream.
• The student’s date of birth must be before August 1999 (adjusted for 2026 cycle).
• Last Dates to Apply: Students can apply till 19th April 2026 (Tentative).

3. Sterling and Wilson Solar Scholarship 2026

Another popular scholarship program is Sterling and Wilson Limited for class 12th students. This scholarship was introduced as ‘The Sterling and Wilson Solar Scholarship for class 12th students. The awarded scholarship amount is up to INR 10,000 for qualified students.

This scholarship program is open for all gender students whether they are girls or boys everyone can participate in this scholarship program and be able to avail themselves of scholarship remuneration. Make sure candidates have obtained a minimum of 35% marks to participate in this scholarship program and applied candidates’ family income should be below INR 4,00,000 PA.

4. NSDL Shiksha Sahyog Scholarship for 12th Students 2026

NSDL Scholarship is one of the popular scholarship programs launched by e-Governance Infrastructure Limited. This scholarship program provides financial assistance to students who are from poor families and want to pursue ITI, Undergraduate, BE/B. Tech and Diploma courses.

Needed Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates should obtain a minimum of 65% in the previous Class and 50% of scores are preferable to the female candidates.
• Family Annual income is also one of the major aspects of applying for this scholarship program. Thus, your family’s annual income should not be more than 4,00,000 per annum.

Read Also: Best International Scholarships For Indian Students After 12th 2026

5. NIU Scholarship Cum Admission Test (NSAT) 2026

NIU Scholarship cum Admission Test, also known as NSAT, is a common entrance exam. This entrance exam allows students to take admission to Noida International University’s various undergraduate and postgraduate courses, such as B Tech, BA LLB, BBA, and more.

NSAT Eligibility Criteria 2026:

You must score at least 50% aggregate marks in class 12th or equivalent from a recognized university or board. If you have appeared for the 12th class exam, you can also apply, but your admission will be provisional. You need to submit your 12th-class certificate before the last date.

6. PM Narendra Modi Scholarship for 12th Pass Students

The honourable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, began a scholarship program for 12 passed students. He wants to open the door to countless opportunities for students in various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

This program allows children of ex-servicemen to get financial support to study further. A considerable number of 5,500 scholarships are available for desired programmes like B.Tech, B.A, BCA, MBBS, etc.

Eligibility Criteria:

• You must have passed your 12th class with at least 75% marks.
• Your age must be between 18 and 25.
• If your family income is below 6,00,000 annually, you can apply for this.
• The last date to apply for this PM Scholarship is generally November’s second week.
• If a girl gets this scholarship, she will get 2250 INR, and if the boy gets it, they will get 2,000 INR per month.

7. Indian Oil Academics Scholarship

Indian Oil Corporation Limited provides scholarships to highly intelligent candidates across the country every year. Such bright students can get scholarships under the Indian Oil Scholarships Scheme.

There are 300 scholarships available to engineering students and 200 scholarships for MBBS students. The scheme is also beneficial for female students with a desire for higher education.

Eligibility Criteria:

• You need to be in the first year of a full-time engineering degree course or a full-time MBBS course.
• If you are in the 11th class or in the first year of a two-year ITI course, you are also eligible for this scholarship.

8. Nirankari Rajmata Scholarship Scheme 2026

Sant Nirankari Charitable Foundation runs Nirankari Rajamata Scholarship Scheme. It welcomes 12th passed and graduate candidates to apply for this scholarship. You can apply for this scholarship by 30 September 2026.

Eligibility Criteria:

• You must obtain 90% in your 12th class.
• The annual income of your family must not be more than 3.5 lakhs.
• It’s a must for you to score 75% every year to renew this scheme.
• When you get this scholarship, it will cover your tuition fees up to 50,000 INR.

9. Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC Students

Haryana’s government provides Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for OBC Students. This scholarship is for those poor students who are unable to afford the expenses of their education.

This scheme is available to students in the 11th class and postgraduate level courses. The student’s annual family income must not be more than 1 lakh per year. If you are selected, you will get an amount of scholarship between 160 INR and 750 INR monthly.

10. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students 2026

A 12th-passed candidate is eligible for Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University. The Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development (Government of India) provides this scholarship.

You can apply for this scheme if you are doing an engineering or medical course. Upon selection, you will get a scholarship of between 10,000 and 20,000 annually.

FAQs!

Summary

Getting the Central Sector Scheme for College and University Students 2026 can help you get from 10,000 to 20,000 INR annually. Apart from that, if you attain the Sterling and Wilson Solar Scholarship 2026, you can receive up to INR 10,000. In short, there are many scholarships in India for underprivileged bright students to help them continue their studies.