How to Get State Government Scholarships in India (2025 Guide)
State Government Scholarships play a crucial role in making education accessible to students from underprivileged and economically weaker sections in India. Each state in India offers its own set of scholarships for school and college students based on criteria such as income, caste, merit, gender, and region.
This article will guide you step-by-step on how to apply for state government scholarships in India in 2025, with examples from major states and direct links to portals.
What are State Government Scholarships?
State Government Scholarships are financial aid programs launched and managed by individual state governments. These scholarships are meant to support:
- School students (Pre-Matric)
- College students (Post-Matric)
- Girls, minorities, SC/ST/OBC/EWS students
- Meritorious and needy applicants
Eligibility Criteria
Though each state has different rules, most scholarships follow these general criteria:
- Applicant must be a domicile of the respective state
- Studying in a government-recognized institution (school, college, university)
- Family income usually must be below ₹1 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh per annum
- Applicable for SC, ST, OBC, Minority, or General (EWS) categories
Documents Required
- Domicile Certificate of the state
- Aadhaar Card
- Income Certificate
- Caste Certificate (if applicable)
- Marksheet of last examination
- Bonafide Certificate from the institution
- Bank Passbook
- Passport-size Photograph
State-wise Scholarship Portals
Here are some of the official portals where you can apply for scholarships based on your state:
- Uttar Pradesh: scholarship.up.gov.in
- Bihar: pmsonline.bih.nic.in
- West Bengal: wbmdfcscholarship.in
- Maharashtra: mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in
- Karnataka: ssp.karnataka.gov.in
- Tamil Nadu: escholarship.tn.gov.in
- Kerala: dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in
How to Apply
The application process is online for most state scholarships:
- Visit the official scholarship portal of your state
- Click on “New Registration” or “Student Login”
- Fill out your personal, academic, and bank details carefully
- Upload scanned copies of required documents
- Submit the application and take a printout for record
Important Tips
- Make sure your documents are clear and valid
- Use your own bank account, preferably linked with Aadhaar
- Do not wait until the last date to apply
- Track your application status on the portal regularly
Common Scholarships by States
- Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships (all states)
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarships
- Scholarships for Minority Girls
- Scholarships for Disabled Students
- Scholarships for Children of Farmers/Laborers
Conclusion
State government scholarships are a great opportunity for students to fund their education without financial burden. If you meet the eligibility criteria and have the required documents, you can apply easily through your state’s official scholarship portal. Don’t miss the deadline and secure the support you deserve to achieve your academic goals in 2025 and beyond.