Scholarships for Girl Students in India 2026-27: Complete Guide
Scholarships for girl students in India can significantly reduce the cost of school, college, professional courses and higher education. For the 2026–27 academic year, eligible girls can explore scholarships offered by the Government of India, state governments, universities, private foundations and companies.
Some scholarships are specifically created for girls, while others provide special benefits or reserved opportunities for female students.
This guide explains the best scholarships for girl students in India 2026–27, including eligibility, scholarship benefits, income requirements, courses covered, application process, documents required and important deadlines.
Important: Scholarship dates and eligibility rules can change. Students should verify the latest notification on the official scholarship portal before submitting an application.
Best Scholarships for Girl Students in India 2026-27
Some important scholarship opportunities for girls include:
| Scholarship | Level | Main Benefit/Focus |
| AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls | Diploma/Degree | Financial support for technical education |
| CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship | School | Support for eligible single girl children |
| UGC Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child | PG | Support for eligible single girl child pursuing postgraduate study |
| Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship | School | Financial support for eligible minority girl students |
| National Scholarship Portal Schemes | School/UG/PG | Multiple government scholarships |
| State Government Girl Child Scholarships | School/College | Varies by state |
| University Scholarships for Women | UG/PG/PhD | Merit/need-based support |
| Private Girl Student Scholarships | Various | Varies by organisation |
Not every scholarship is available to every girl student. Eligibility depends on factors such as class, course, family income, academic performance, age, category, institution and state.
1. AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls
The AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme is one of the most important scholarship opportunities for girls pursuing technical education in India.
The scheme is designed to encourage girls to pursue technical education and improve their opportunities for higher education and employment.
It can be relevant for eligible female students studying AICTE-approved technical diploma or degree programmes.
Who can apply?
Eligibility requirements are determined under the current AICTE scheme guidelines.
Generally, students need to:
- Be a girl student
- Be admitted to an eligible AICTE-approved technical programme
- Meet the applicable family-income conditions
- Study at an eligible institution
- Meet the scheme’s admission and academic requirements
Students should check the latest AICTE/NSP notification for the exact income ceiling and other conditions applicable to the 2026–27 cycle.
Why is Pragati important?
Technical education can be expensive, particularly for professional programmes.
Financial assistance can help students manage costs such as:
- Tuition
- Books
- Equipment
- Educational materials
- Other education-related expenses
Students should check the current notification for the exact scholarship amount and payment conditions.
2. CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship
The CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship is intended to support eligible single girl children studying in schools affiliated with CBSE.
It is particularly relevant for families where a daughter is the only child.
The scholarship aims to encourage parents to continue the education of their single girl child.
Who should check this scholarship?
Students should check the current CBSE notification for:
- Class eligibility
- Minimum marks
- School eligibility
- Family-income conditions
- Application dates
- Scholarship amount
- Renewal requirements
Eligibility criteria can change between scholarship cycles.
Important
Being a single girl child alone does not automatically guarantee the scholarship.
The student must satisfy all conditions in the relevant CBSE notification.
3. UGC Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
The UGC Indira Gandhi PG Scholarship for Single Girl Child is an important opportunity for eligible women students pursuing postgraduate education. Explore more guides and educational resources on Wisdomland.
It is aimed at encouraging higher education among single girl children.
The scholarship is particularly relevant for students entering eligible postgraduate programmes.
Students should check:
- Whether their course is eligible
- Whether their university/institution qualifies
- Age requirements
- Admission requirements
- Family conditions
- Application dates
- Renewal conditions
Applications for UGC scholarships may be routed through the National Scholarship Portal, depending on the current scheme and application cycle.
4. Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship
The Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship is an important scholarship for eligible minority girl students.
It is intended to support girls from eligible minority communities studying at specified school levels.
Students should check the current official notification for:
- Eligible classes
- Income ceiling
- Academic requirements
- Scholarship amount
- Application deadline
- Required documents
This scholarship can be particularly useful for families looking for financial support for school education.
5. National Scholarship Portal Scholarships
The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is one of the most important places for Indian students to find government scholarship schemes.
It is not a single scholarship.
Instead, NSP provides access to multiple scholarship schemes from different government departments.
For the 2026–27 academic year, students should search the portal for scholarships matching:
- Gender
- Class
- Course
- Category
- Income
- State
- Institution
- Academic qualification
Why girls should check NSP
A girl student may qualify for a scholarship that is:
- Specifically for girls
- For a particular social category
- Based on family income
- Based on academic merit
- For technical education
- For higher education
- For students with disabilities
- For a particular state or region
Students should not search only for scholarships containing the word “girl.”
Some general government scholarships are also available to eligible female students.
Scholarships for Girl Students After Class 10
Students who have completed Class 10 can explore scholarships based on their:
- Academic performance
- Family income
- Category
- State
- School
- Course
- Special circumstances
Girls planning Class 11, Class 12, diploma or vocational education should check both:
- National Scholarship Portal
- State scholarship portals
Courses students may pursue
Scholarship opportunities can apply to students studying:
- Science
- Commerce
- Arts
- Polytechnic
- Diploma
- Vocational courses
- IT-related programmes
- Other recognised programmes
The exact course eligibility depends on the individual scholarship.
Scholarships for Girl Students After Class 12
After Class 12, girls can explore scholarships for:
- BA
- BSc
- BCom
- BBA
- BCA
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Law
- Architecture
- Agriculture
- Biotechnology
- Computer Science
- Other professional courses
Students should check whether the scholarship is restricted to particular courses or institutions.
Scholarships for Girls Studying Engineering
Engineering can involve substantial education costs, especially at private institutions.
Girl students pursuing eligible engineering programmes should research:
- AICTE scholarships
- Central government scholarships
- State government scholarships
- University scholarships
- Merit scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Corporate scholarships
The AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls is particularly relevant for eligible students in AICTE-approved technical education.
Scholarships for Girl Students Studying Medicine
Medical education can be expensive, particularly in private institutions.
Girls studying:
- MBBS
- BDS
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Allied health sciences
- Other medical programmes
should search for scholarships through:
- Government scholarship portals
- State government schemes
- University financial-aid offices
- Medical institutions
- Private foundations
Not every scholarship permits medical courses, so course eligibility should always be checked.
Scholarships for Girls from Low-Income Families
Family income is an important eligibility factor for many scholarships.
Students may be asked to provide:
- Income certificate
- Parent/guardian income information
- Salary certificate
- Income-tax documents
- Bank details
- Government-issued certificates
The exact income limit varies by scholarship.
For this reason, students should not assume that one income limit applies to all scholarships.
Scholarships for Single Girl Child
Single girl child scholarships are particularly useful because some programmes specifically target students who are the only child of their parents.
Important opportunities to investigate include:
CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship
For eligible students studying under CBSE.
UGC Indira Gandhi Scholarship
For eligible single girl children pursuing qualifying postgraduate education.
Students should carefully check the definition of “single girl child” in the applicable scholarship notification.
Scholarships for Girls from Minority Communities
Eligible minority girl students can investigate scholarships through government scholarship programmes and the National Scholarship Portal.
The Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship is one important programme to check.
Students should verify:
- Eligible minority communities
- Class requirements
- Family income limit
- Academic criteria
- Required documents
- Current application dates
State Government Scholarships for Girl Students
State governments also provide scholarships and financial assistance for girls.
The available programmes differ significantly from state to state.
For example, a girl studying in:
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Tamil Nadu
- Maharashtra
- Kerala
- Uttar Pradesh
- Rajasthan
- Gujarat
- West Bengal
may have access to different scholarship programmes.
Students should therefore check both the central government scholarship portal and their state scholarship portal.
Scholarships for Girls in Karnataka
Girls studying in Karnataka should investigate scholarships through:
- Karnataka State Scholarship Portal (SSP)
- SSP-related services where applicable
- National Scholarship Portal
- University scholarship offices
- Department-specific schemes
Eligibility may depend on:
- Category
- Income
- Course
- Institution
- Academic performance
- Residence
- Other government criteria
Students should use the latest state notification rather than relying on previous-year scholarship amounts.
Scholarships for Girls in Andhra Pradesh
Girl students in Andhra Pradesh can investigate:
- State government scholarship programmes
- National Scholarship Portal
- University scholarships
- Department-specific financial assistance
- Private scholarships
Students should check current state notifications because eligibility and payment rules can change.
Scholarships for Girls in Telangana
Students in Telangana should check:
- State scholarship portals
- National Scholarship Portal
- University financial-aid departments
- Government welfare departments
- Private scholarship programmes
Income, category, course and institution requirements can vary.
How Much Scholarship Can a Girl Student Get?
There is no single scholarship amount.
Depending on the programme, support may be:
- A few thousand rupees per year
- A fixed annual scholarship
- Tuition-fee reimbursement
- Partial tuition support
- Monthly financial assistance
- Full or substantial financial support
The amount depends on the specific scheme.
Students should compare the actual scholarship benefit with their total education cost.
For example:
Annual college cost: ₹2,00,000
Scholarship: ₹50,000
Remaining cost: ₹1,50,000
A scholarship of ₹50,000 can still make a significant difference.
Documents Required for Girl Student Scholarships
Although requirements differ, students should generally keep these documents ready:
- Aadhaar card
- Passport-size photograph
- Academic marksheets
- Previous qualification certificate
- Admission/bonafide certificate
- Bank account details
- Income certificate
- Caste certificate where applicable
- Disability certificate where applicable
- Domicile/residence certificate where required
- Single-girl-child declaration/certificate where applicable
- Passport where applicable for overseas scholarships
Always check the specific scholarship’s document list.
How to Apply for Scholarships in India
Step 1: Identify suitable scholarships
Search according to:
- Class
- Course
- State
- Income
- Category
- Academic performance
- Girl-child/single-girl-child eligibility
Step 2: Check eligibility
Read every requirement before starting the application.
Step 3: Prepare documents
Scan documents clearly and keep them in the required format.
Step 4: Register on the correct portal
Depending on the scholarship, the application may be submitted through:
- National Scholarship Portal
- CBSE Official Portal
- UGC Portal
- AICTE Portal
- State government portal
- University portal
- Scholarship provider website
Step 5: Complete the application
Enter information exactly as it appears on official documents.
Step 6: Upload documents
Check file size and format requirements.
Step 7: Submit before the deadline
Save the application number and acknowledgement.
Step 8: Track verification
Some scholarships involve:
- Student application
- Institute verification
- District/state verification
- Government verification
- Payment processing
How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Scholarship
1. Apply early
Do not wait for the last day.
2. Maintain strong academic performance
Many merit-based scholarships use academic performance as an important criterion.
3. Keep income documents updated
An expired or incorrect income certificate can cause problems.
4. Apply for multiple eligible scholarships
Do not depend on one scholarship.
5. Read the official notification
Scholarship rules can change every year.
6. Keep bank details correct
Incorrect bank information can delay payment.
7. Track application status
Submitting an application does not always mean the scholarship has been approved.
Can Girl Students Get Both Scholarship and Education Loan?
In some situations, yes.
However, students should check the rules of both the scholarship provider and lender.
For example:
Total education cost: ₹5 lakh
Scholarship: ₹1 lakh
Remaining requirement: ₹4 lakh
A student may explore financing for the remaining eligible expenses.
Scholarships can therefore reduce the amount a family needs to borrow.
For expensive professional courses, this can be particularly useful.
Scholarship vs Education Loan for Girl Students
| Feature | Scholarship | Education Loan |
| Repayment | Usually not required | Required |
| Interest | Usually no | Yes |
| Competition | Often high | Depends on lender |
| Academic criteria | Often | Varies |
| Income criteria | Sometimes | Financial assessment |
| Amount | Varies | Depends on loan eligibility |
| Best benefit | Reduces education cost | Provides larger funding |
Before taking a loan, compare the interest rate, repayment period, processing fees, collateral requirements and total repayment amount.
Important Scholarship Deadlines for 2026-27
There is no single deadline for scholarships for girl students in India.
Different organisations follow different calendars.
For example:
- National Scholarship Portal schemes have individual deadlines.
- CBSE scholarships have their own application window.
- UGC scholarships follow their own notification cycle.
- AICTE scholarships follow their applicable scheme calendar.
- State scholarships follow state-specific schedules.
- Private scholarships can have completely different deadlines.
Therefore, avoid publishing one generic “last date” for all girl-student scholarships.
For the 2026–27 academic year, students should check the live official notification before applying.
Common Mistakes Girl Students Should Avoid
Mistake 1: Applying without checking eligibility
Being a girl student does not automatically make someone eligible.
Mistake 2: Using an old scholarship deadline
Previous-year dates may not apply to 2026–27.
Mistake 3: Incorrect income information
Income details should match official documents.
Mistake 4: Wrong bank information
Payment can be delayed if bank information is incorrect.
Mistake 5: Missing institute verification
Some applications require verification by the educational institution.
Mistake 6: Applying only for popular scholarships
Consider smaller university, state and private scholarships too.
Mistake 7: Waiting until admission
Some scholarships require applications before or around the admission process.
2026-27 Scholarship Planning Checklist for Girl Students
Before applying, make sure you have:
- Aadhaar
- Bank account
- Academic marksheets
- Admission proof
- Income certificate
- Caste certificate if applicable
- Domicile certificate if required
- Disability certificate if applicable
- Single girl child documents if applicable
- Passport-size photograph
- Correct mobile number
- Correct email address
- Scholarship application number
- Application acknowledgement
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best scholarship for girl students in India?
There is no single best scholarship. AICTE Pragati, CBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship, UGC Indira Gandhi Scholarship, Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship and other government and state schemes may be suitable depending on the student’s course and eligibility.
Is there a scholarship specifically for single girl children?
Yes. There are scholarship programmes specifically supporting eligible single girl children, including CBSE and UGC-related schemes.
Can girls get scholarships for engineering?
Yes. Eligible female engineering students can explore AICTE, government, state, university and private scholarships.
Can girls from poor families get scholarships?
Yes. Many scholarships use family income as an eligibility criterion. Students should check the income limit of each individual scheme.
Are scholarships available after Class 12?
Yes. Girls entering undergraduate, professional and other eligible programmes can explore government, state, university and private scholarships.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship?
You can apply for scholarships for which you are eligible, but some schemes may restrict simultaneous benefits. Always check the individual scholarship rules.
Is Aadhaar required for scholarships?
Aadhaar or Aadhaar-linked verification may be required for many government scholarship processes, but the exact requirements depend on the scheme.
How do I check my scholarship application status?
Use the official scholarship portal where the application was submitted and log in using the required credentials/application details.
Can scholarship money be used for college fees?
Depending on the scholarship, financial support may be used toward tuition or other permitted educational expenses. Check the individual scheme’s conditions.
When should girls apply for 2026-27 scholarships?
Apply as soon as the relevant scholarship application window opens. Do not wait for the final day because document verification and corrections may also take time.
Final Thoughts
Scholarships can make education more affordable for girls across India, particularly for students from low-income families, single girl children, students pursuing technical education and students who meet specific government or university eligibility criteria.
For the 2026–27 academic year, students should begin with the National Scholarship Portal and then check AICTE, UGC, CBSE, state government, university and private scholarship opportunities. For more detailed articles and education insights, visit Wisdomland.
The most important rule is simple: check the latest official notification before applying.
Do not rely on old scholarship amounts, previous-year deadlines or social-media posts. Eligibility, income limits, scholarship amounts and application dates can change from one academic year to another.
If a scholarship does not cover the full cost of education, students can also explore other funding options such as education loans, fee concessions and university financial aid.
For families planning expensive professional education, combining a scholarship with appropriate financial planning can significantly reduce the overall cost of education.