Top 8 Skill-Based Scholarships for Indian Students 2026: Sports, Art & Music

In India, there are many government and private institutes that offer skill-based scholarships for Indian students. The best thing about these scholarship programs is that a candidate can attain them as per their skills, interests, and abilities in a different area.

There are various areas in which you can take benefit from these scholarships. To know them, you need to go through the whole blog. Aside from that, you will learn about some of the best skill-based scholarships for Indian students in 2026. Read all of them and choose the one in which you have an interest and some potential to attain a scholarship. For young musicians and bands, the Toto Music Award is one of the best ways to establish their careers.

Types of Skills Required for Skill-Based Scholarships

Now, you must wonder what skills one needs for the scholarship. To know the skill areas, you need to see below:

• Music
• Dance
• Drama/Acting
• Sports
• Art/Drawing

Key Points to Remember (2026 Updates)

• There are many government or private institutions that provide skill-based scholarships for Indian students.
• If you have outstanding talent in areas like music, dance, drama/acting, sports, and art/drawing, you can attain a scholarship in India.
• You must have performed solo at least 2 to 3 times to be eligible for the Madhobi Chatterjee Memorial Fellowship.
• You can apply for Kalakriti Fellowship if you are between 25 and 40 years old.
• Achieving the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Sports Scholarship can help you get ₹12,000 monthly if you are over 14 and below 18.
• Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Artistes in the Fields of Culture is initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
• Take part in the Youva Master Stroke All India Drawing Competition for recognition as a painter.

Best 8 Skill-Based Scholarships for Indian Students 2026

The following list consists of 8 skilled-based scholarships for Indians updated for the 2026 session:

1. Madhobi Chatterjee Memorial Fellowship

If you are a young artist whose talent is jumping inside to come out, apply for the Madhobi Chatterji Memorial Fellowship in Indian Classical Music and Dance. The Sanskriti Pratishthan manages this scholarship scheme. This renowned organization is famous for offering such awards and fellowships in arts, culture, media, and social activism.

Eligibility Criteria:

• You need to be an Indian citizen to apply for this fellowship.
• Applying for this requires you to be from any genre of Indian Classical Music (Vocal or Instrumental) or Dance (any form or choreography).
• It’s a must for you to have formal training for some years in Indian classical Music or Dance.
• In addition, you need to have performed solo at least 2 to 3 times.

You will get guidance for the betterment of your current style. It is a residency program of at least three months. However, it can go up to ten months.

2. Kalakriti Fellowship

If you want to make some positive contribution to your respective art form, apply for the Kalakriti Fellowship in Performing Arts. This scheme is under the Sanskriti Pratishthan.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Only an Indian citizen between 25 and 40 years can apply for Kalakriti Fellowship.
• Although this fellowship is specially designed to motivate female applicants, all proposals contributing to the objectives of this program are acceptable.
• To apply for this, you need to have a minimum of ten years of initial training in Indian classical dance.
• You must also have solo performances (a minimum of two to three times) to your credit in recognized forums.

This residency program lasts for three months. However, it can take up to ten months. It’s a must-do for you to get permission from your current teacher/trainer and the one to whom you want to go.

3. Airports Authority of India (AAI) Sports Scholarships

If you excel in sports, apply for the AAI Sports Scholarship Scheme. To apply for this scheme, you need to be over 14. This scheme works to promote young talent and take the sporting standards in AAI to the next level.

Attaining this scholarship can allow you to get ₹12,000 monthly if you are over 14 and under 18. On the other hand, if you are above 18, you can get ₹16,000 monthly.

4. National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement

Innumerable government and private institutions promote exceptional skill-based talent for the welfare of Indian students. The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, is the most renowned name for this.

This government organization encourages talented students in various skilled fields, such as culture, arts, dance, academics, music, design, sports, etc. A student can attain a scholarship as per their capability.

This program is for extremely talented students between the ages of 5 and 18. In addition, the student must be a resident of India to be eligible to apply for this scholarship.

5. Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Artistes

If you are blessed with or have earned exceptional talent in the field of culture & arts, go for the Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Artistes in the Fields of Culture. It’s one of the best scholarship schemes for young & skilled talented students.

Attaining this scholarship will allow you to have advised training in India in various fields, such as:

• Indian Classical Music & Dance
• Mime & Theatre
• Visual Art & Folk
• Indigenous Arts
• Light Classical Music and Traditional

This scholarship program is initiated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years old to apply for this scholarship scheme.

6. Symbiosis Society Foundation Sports Scholarship

Symbiosis International University offers the Symbiosis Society Foundation Sports Scholarship for skilled students across India. So, if you are a student-athlete with extraordinary skill and talent, apply for this scholarship scheme.

By attaining this scholarship, you can get some rewards as per your contribution to the national, state, or university-level tournaments.

7. Toto Music Award

If you are a young musician or have a band, apply to take part in an event and get a chance to win the Toto Music Award 2026. The prime aim of this event is to provide young talent between 18 and 29 with recognition. This event welcomes applications warmly from all over India in any language or genre.

The renowned NGO, Toto Funds the Arts, funds this event and appreciates compositions based on original music. In addition, a highly experienced and talented jury screens and judges this event.

8. Youva Master Stroke All India Drawing Competition

To make a bright career in drawing, take part in the Youva Master Stroke All India Drawing Competition. This competition is a golden chance for those aspiring to make a bright career in drawing.

This competition can provide you with financial support so that you can build a career in drawing. In addition, it will allow you to take part in various drawing competitions. This scheme is for students from nursery to 10th grade to show their creativity and talent through colors. The organizer of this program is Navneet Education Limited.

FAQs

Conclusion

In India, if you have exceptional talent in skill areas like music, dance, drama/acting, sports, and art/drawing, you can attain a scholarship. The scholarship will provide you with some financial help so that you can establish your career and learn more in your field.

Some of the best skill-based scholarships for Indian students are:

• Madhobi Chatterjee Memorial Fellowship
• Toto Music Award
• Award of Senior/Junior Fellowships to Outstanding Artistes in the Fields of Culture
• National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement