Top 5 Scholarships for Inclusive Education in India

With the ever-increasing cost of education, the role of scholarship is becoming more and more important in ensuring that talent and ambition are not weighed down by the cost of education. In India, corporate foundations and philanthropic organisations are emerging to fill this gap by offering scholarships and grants to students from underprivileged and disadvantaged backgrounds. STEM and medical education, general graduation, and skill-based programmes are some of the initiatives that will grow potential, encourage inclusivity, and empower students to continue their higher education.

The following scholarships reflect this growing ecosystem of opportunity, offering not just financial assistance but a pathway towards academic growth, professional exposure, and long term empowerment.

STEM Scholars: Shaping the Next Generation of Innovators

The STEM Scholars: Shaping the next Generation of Innovators an initiative by Nasscom Foundation and supported by Optum CSR initiative empowers underprivileged and economically disadvantaged students in STEM by providing financial aid, mentorship, and internship opportunities to 3rd and 4th-year students in B.E./B.Tech, Pharmacy or Life Sciences program across Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

Students pursuing the 3rd and 4th year of B.E./B.Tech programmes in Computer Science, Pharmacy, and Life Sciences, and students pursuing 5-year integrated engineering programmes like B.Tech + M.Tech or B.E + M.E are eligible in their 4th and 5th year are welcome to apply to the scholarship. The applicants are required to be pursuing their studies in either government or private institutes in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, or Hyderabad. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and PwD, girls, single-parent children, and orphans will be given a preference.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must have secured a minimum of 65 percent marks in Class 12, and their total annual family income from all sources must not exceed INR 8 lakh. The offspring of employees, partners, and donors connected to the scholarship program are excluded from applying. A scholarship of INR 30,000 for one year will be given to the chosen students. Only online applications are accepted, and the deadline for submission is 26 December 2025.

Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship Program 2025–26

The Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship Program is provided to underprivileged family students in various levels of education, such as Classes 11 and 12, diploma programmes, ITI, general graduation, and professional degree programmes.

Candidates must have earned at least 60 percent (or 80percent for professional graduation) in the prior academic year and have a family income of up to ₹2.5 lakh per year. Depending on the course and academic standing, the scholarship grants range from ₹10,000 to ₹1,000,000, covering up to 80 percent of the course fees. The deadline for applications is December 26, 2025.

Aadhaar Kaushal Scholarship Program 2025–26

Launched by Aadhaar Housing Finance Limited (AHFL), this scholarship aims to promote inclusive education for students with physical disabilities. It is open to undergraduate students pursuing general or professional courses across India.

Applicants must have scored at least 60 Percent in their previous academic year and belong to families with an annual income of up to ₹3 lakh. Preference is given to students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Selected students can receive financial assistance ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000. The application deadline is 13 January 2026.

GSK Scholars Programme 2025–26

The GSK Scholars Programme is designed to support economically underserved students enrolled in the first year of MBBS at government medical colleges in India. Applicants must be Indian nationals with a minimum of 65 percent marks in Class 12 and a family income below ₹6 lakh per annum.

Selected students can receive up to ₹1,00,000 per year to support their medical education. The last date to apply for this scholarship is 11 January 2026.

WINGS-Women Inspiring Growth in STEM Scholarship Program

The WINGS Scholarship Program is an initiative launched by IIT Bombay alumnus Bharat Desai and Neerja Sethi to encourage women in STEM fields. It supports female undergraduate students enrolled at IIT Bombay, starting from the 2026–27 academic year.

Applicants must not be receiving any other tuition grant or scholarship and must maintain a CPI of 6.0 or above. The scholarship provides full tuition fee support of ₹2,00,000 per annum. Interested students must submit an online interest form by 23 November 2025.

These scholarships highlight the growing commitment of corporate and philanthropic organizations to breaking financial barriers in Indian higher education. For students, they symbolize more than just money; they symbolize opportunity. Applicants can also put themselves in the right position of being successful by properly researching on eligibility requirements, following deadlines, and knowing how an application works. Early preparation and setting up papers beforehand can make preparation one of the greatest strengths that can bring the educational dreams a step closer to life.