Are you looking for financial aid to fund your education in 2026? We have curated a list of the top 7 government and private scholarships for women in India. Whether you are a school student, an undergraduate, or a researcher, these schemes offer funding ranging from ₹6,000 to ₹6.9 Lakhs per year. Here is how to apply:
| Scholarship Name | Application Timeline (Est.) | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Begum Hazrat Mahal | Aug – Nov 2026 | Up to ₹6,000/year |
| AICTE Pragati | July – Oct 2026 | ₹50,000/year |
| CBSE Single Girl Child | Sept – Nov 2026 | ₹6,000/year |
Get to know the list of the best Women Scholarships 2026 and the way to apply for them so that you can easily find financial aid for further education for women with these best Scholarships For Female Undergraduate Students in India 2026.
Top 7 Women Scholarships 2026
Being a woman in a male-dominated field can be challenging, but it also comes with its own unique set of rewards. For women who are interested in pursuing a career in technology, there are many Scholarships For Women In Science and grants available from top government and private institutions to help offset the costs associated with education.
There are also scholarships for female graduate students that are geared toward women who are studying in particular fields, such as computer science or software engineering. No matter what your major is, there’s a scholarship out there for women in the field. Let’s draw your attention below to the list of top Educational Women’s Schemes 2026.
#1 Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship Scheme 2026
Begum Hazrat Mahal Scholarship Scheme 2026 was introduced in 2003-04, which is the national scholarship scheme for women who belong to minority communities and are unable to afford expensive education. The primary goal of this scheme is to provide financial aid to meritorious girls from minority communities completing their Class 10th and 12th education.
All the meritorious girl students who belong to minority communities (Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Parsi, Jain, and Buddhist) can get financial support under this scholarship program.
- Application Period: October / November
- Benefits: Eligible students receive a scholarship amount of ₹5,000 per annum for Classes 9-10 and ₹6,000 per annum for Classes 11-12.
Apply Now: scholarships.gov.in
#2 AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme
Want to study further? The Pragati Scholarship scheme is here to help you. It is one of the prestigious scholarship programs introduced to severely meritorious girls who are unable to afford higher education due to financial conditions. Under this scholarship For Women In Science program, students can pursue and build their careers in the technical field by getting admission to various AICTE-recognized colleges/institutions.
Selected students will receive a lump sum amount of ₹50,000 per annum for every year of study. The online applications are going to start the month of October/November; hence, you must apply for this scholarship program and grab a ton of benefits to fulfill your dreams.
Apply Now: scholarships.gov.in
#3 CBSE Merit Scholarship for Single Girl Child
This scholarship supports meritorious single girl students who are the only child of their parents.
- Eligibility: The student must have passed the CBSE Class 10 examination with 60% or more marks and be continuing their education in Class 11 and 12 in a CBSE-affiliated school.
- Benefit: ₹500 per month (₹6,000 per year) for two years.
- How to Apply: Applications must be verified by the school principal and submitted via the official CBSE website.
#4 Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship for Research in Social Sciences
This is a UGC-sponsored fellowship for single girl children pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Sciences. It aims to support higher education for girls who are the only child in their family.
- JRF Amount: ₹37,000 per month (First 2 years)
- SRF Amount: ₹42,000 per month (Remaining tenure)
- Additional: HRA and contingency grants are also provided.
#5 Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust Scholarship Schemes
Want to pursue a study abroad? Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust Scholarship Schemes can play a vital role for those meritorious students who want to study abroad but are unable to do so because their family’s financial condition is not affordable.
The Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust Scholarship is exclusively for Indian women graduates who wish to pursue higher education abroad (Master’s/PhD). Just grab this golden chance to study abroad in the UK, USA, or Europe with this scholarship program. Hence, apply now by visiting its official website.
#6 Jyoti Kalash Scholarship
A scholarship designed to support underprivileged girl students from Uttar Pradesh and other northern states who wish to pursue secondary education.
- Eligibility: Girls from Class 10 who are facing financial difficulties.
- Benefit: Financial support to cover school fees and uniforms.
- Status: Active for 2025-26.
#7 Postdoctoral Fellowship for Women
Women holding PhD degrees can participate in this program and get financial assistance under the Postdoctoral Fellowship for Women. The organizing committee encourages the candidates to fulfill their intellectual pursuits with this fellowship.
Under the revised UGC guidelines, candidates receive a fellowship of:
- First Year: ₹58,000 per month
- Second Year: ₹61,000 per month
- Third Year: ₹67,000 per month
References & Official Sources
The information provided in this article has been verified against the official notifications released by the respective government bodies and trusts. For the most up-to-date guidelines, please refer to the official sources below:
- National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – Ministry of Electronics & IT
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Tata Trusts – Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust
- Department of Science & Technology (DST)
Disclaimer: Scholarship amounts and deadlines are subject to change by the granting authorities. Please check the official websites for the latest notifications.