Scholarships after Class 10 & 12: which ones you can apply for now

Scholarships you can apply for after passing Class 10

The moment you receive your Class 10 result (दसवीं पास), several scholarship schemes open their applications. These are for students continuing into Class 11 and 12, and they fall into three main types: merit-based scholarships that reward strong academic performance, needs-based scholarships for economically weaker students, and category-specific schemes for girls, minorities and other groups.

The National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) is the largest post-10th scholarship, typically targeting students from lower-income households who achieved merit marks in Class 10. It is offered by state governments and covers both boys and girls. Most states also run their own scholarship schemes — Andhra Pradesh's Post Matric Scholarship for Backward Classes, Tamil Nadu's Dr. Ambedkar Post Matric Scholarship, and others — alongside the national umbrella.

Timing: scholarship windows typically open within 1–3 months after Class 10 results are published. The exact dates vary by state and scheme, so register on myScheme or your state education portal as soon as your result is declared.

Scholarships you can apply for after passing Class 12

After Class 12 (बारहवीं पास), the scholarships open up significantly — universities, professional councils and central/state governments all launch schemes for undergraduates. These range from scholarships tied to entrance exams like JEE or NEET to university-specific merit scholarships to broad needs-based awards for higher education.

Key schemes at the post-12th stage include the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (targeted at meritorious students in higher education), state post-matric scholarships for SC, ST and OBC students, minority scholarships for religious minorities, and university-specific merit scholarships. Many Indian universities also offer entrance scholarships on their own authority—often worth 50–100% of tuition.

Professional paths add more options: if you are preparing for entrance exams like JEE Main, NEET-UG or law entrance exams, coaching bodies and state governments run targeted scholarship schemes. STEM-focused scholarships from science academies and the Department of Science & Technology also open after Class 12.

Timing: Applications typically open a few weeks before or immediately after Class 12 results, and stretch into July–August. Many scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, so apply as soon as you are eligible and long before cutoff dates.

How to find the right scheme for you

With hundreds of scholarships across national and state schemes, the fastest way to narrow down is to use myScheme.gov.in — it filters by eligibility factors like your class, board, income, gender, caste category and the state you study in. Answer a quick questionnaire and it returns only the schemes you qualify for.

• Start with myScheme.gov.in or your state government scholarship portal immediately after results.
• Gather your proof documents early: Class 10 and 12 marksheets, income certificate (if needs-based), caste certificate (if applicable), bank account details and proof of residence.
• Check which schemes require you to apply directly vs. through your school or college—some are submitted via the school, others through a central portal.
• Set a spreadsheet with scheme name, deadline, required marks, income limit and application URL so you do not miss key dates.
• Apply to 3–5 schemes within your eligibility band—many students receive multiple scholarship offers and can choose or, where allowed, stack them.

Where each scholarship is applied: NSP, state portal or university site

The scholarship landscape is split across three tiers, and knowing where to apply is critical because most deadlines are strict and rarely extended.

• National Scholarship Portal (myScheme.gov.in) — The largest central gateway. Most central-government schemes (NMMS, Central Sector schemes, AICTE scholarships for engineering, ICMR for science) are either listed directly or linked here. Register, search your eligibility, and apply on the portal.
• State government portals — Each state (Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat and others) runs its own scholarship portal for state schemes. If your parents are domiciled in a particular state, check that state education or labour ministry portal for post-10th and post-12th scholarships specific to your category.
• University and college portals — Many universities and colleges advertise merit scholarships directly on their admission or scholarships pages. Check your target institution's site for entrance scholarships and need-based grants.
• Entrance-exam bodies — Organisations conducting JEE, NEET and law entrance exams sometimes offer scholarships based on entrance performance. These are announced after the exam results are released.

Scholarships after board exams FAQ

Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time? Yes, and you should—eligibility criteria often overlap. However, check each scheme's rules: some prohibit stacking (holding two government scholarships simultaneously), while others allow you to combine a state scholarship with a university scholarship. Apply widely and then choose or stack as permitted.

• Do I need to wait for admission before applying for a scholarship? Most post-10th scholarships do not require proof of admission—they are awarded on merit and need, and you use the scholarship to enrol. For university scholarships, some require proof of admission; check the scheme notice. Merit scholarships tied to entrance exams require you to qualify the entrance exam first.
• What if my family's income is just above the income limit? Many schemes have a hard cap, but a few allow discretion or have a narrow buffer zone. Read the official notice carefully. If you fall short by a small amount, contact the state helpline—some make exceptions.
• When do I receive the scholarship money? Scholarships are usually disbursed after admission and enrolment in a college. First disbursement can take 2–4 months after admission. Subsequent years are disbursed at the start of the academic year if you renew and remain eligible.
• Do all board types qualify for the same scholarships? Most national schemes (NMMS, central-sector) are open to CBSE, State Boards, ICSE and IGCSE students. State-specific schemes sometimes prioritise state board students—check the scheme's 'eligible boards' field on myScheme or the state portal.