NEW DLEHI: The Government is expanding financial support for students from different social groups to help them pursue higher education and research. The initiatives and progress on scholarships and fellowships were highlighted by Union Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region Dr Sukanta Majumdar in the Rajya Sabha.The Ministry of Education said the support includes scholarships for post-matric and higher education as well as fellowships for students pursuing research. In the financial year 2025-26, the Central Government is providing about 1.09 crore scholarships for post-matric and higher education.National Scholarship for Post Graduate StudiesThe University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced the National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (NSPGS) in 2023-24. The scheme merged four existing scholarship programmes covering a PG single girl child, PG university rank holders, SC and ST students pursuing professional courses, and GATE/GPAT-based postgraduate scholarships.Under the NSPGS, eligible students receive Rs 15,000 per month for 10 months in an academic year.Fellowship support for single girl childThe Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Post Graduate Fellowship for Single Girl Child was launched by the UGC in September 2022. It replaced the erstwhile Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Fellowship.The fellowship is available to eligible single girl children pursuing research and supports higher studies within the country for two years.
Education Ministry highlights scholarship support for OBC, SC and ST students and single girl child researchers
Scholarships reach beneficiaries through DBTThe Ministry said scholarship and fellowship amounts are credited directly into beneficiaries’ Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.Timely disbursement is facilitated through the SNA-SPARSH platform, which enables real-time and utilisation-based tracking of funds.1.09 crore scholarships provided in 2025-26The Central Government’s scholarship support in FY 2025-26 includes about 36 lakh scholarships for Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC) and Denotified Tribes (DT) students.About 48 lakh scholarships have been provided for Scheduled Caste (SC) students, while around 24 lakh scholarships have been provided for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. Together, these figures form part of the approximately 1.09 crore scholarships provided for post-matric and higher education during the financial year.The Ministry of Education has highlighted these measures as part of the Government’s financial support for students pursuing higher education and research.
