Top 12 Government Schemes for Students in India

India’s education system is a cornerstone of its vision to become a developed nation by 2047, as outlined in the “Viksit Bharat@2047” initiative. With a youthful population of over 580 million aged 5-24 years, the government has prioritized schemes to ensure access to quality education, financial support, and skill development. As of July 2025, these schemes address diverse needs, from scholarships for higher education to free schooling and vocational training.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the top government schemes for students in India, categorized into scholarships, education loans, free education, and skill development, with detailed insights into their objectives, eligibility, benefits, and application processes.

India’s education sector is undergoing significant transformation, driven by policies like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and initiatives like “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India). Government schemes play a pivotal role in making education accessible and equipping students with skills for a competitive global economy. These programs target students from various backgrounds, including economically weaker sections, marginalized communities, and those in remote regions. Below, we explore the top schemes available in 2025, designed to empower students and contribute to India’s socio-economic growth.

1. Scholarships for Higher Education

Scholarships are critical for reducing financial barriers to higher education, particularly for students pursuing technical and professional courses. The following schemes are among the most prominent in 2025.

a. Pradhan Mantri Scholarship Scheme (PMSS)

• Objective: To provide financial assistance to meritorious students pursuing higher education in technical fields, reducing the financial burden on families.
• Eligibility:
  • Must have completed 10+2, diploma, or graduation with at least 60% marks.
  • Must be a dependent child or widow of ex-Coast Guard personnel or servicemen.
  • Available only for first-year students, except for lateral entry and integrated courses.
• Benefits:
  • Scholarship amount: ₹2,500 per month for boys and ₹3,000 per month for girls.
  • Duration: 1 to 5 years, depending on the course.
  • Payment is directly transferred to the student’s bank account via Electronic Clearing System (ECS).
• Eligible Institutions: Technical institutions approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) or University Grants Commission (UGC), including fields like medical, dental, veterinary, engineering, MBA, and MCA.
• Annual Scholarships: 5,500 scholarships, equally divided between boys (2,750) and girls (2,750).
• Application Process: Students apply through their institutions or the official PMSS portal. The process involves submitting academic records and proof of eligibility.

b. National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

• Objective: To serve as a centralized platform for applying to various scholarships offered by different ministries, streamlining the process for students.
• Key Scholarships:
  • Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students:
    • Annual Scholarships: 82,000 (41,000 for boys, 41,000 for girls).
    • Eligibility: Family income less than ₹4.5 lakh per annum, above 80th percentile in Class XII, not availing other scholarships, pursuing regular courses.
    • Scholarship Amount: ₹12,000 per year for the first three years, ₹20,000 per year for the fourth and fifth years.
    • Application Deadlines: Inviting applications by October 31, 2024; Institute Verification by November 15, 2024; State Nodal Officer (SNO) Verification by November 30, 2024.
  • PM-USP Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir & Ladakh:
    • Annual Scholarships: 5,000 fresh scholarships per year.
    • Eligibility: Family income less than ₹8.0 lakh per year, passed Class XII or diploma from Jammu & Kashmir or Ladakh, admitted to institutions outside these Union Territories in AICTE/UGC-approved colleges.
    • Scholarship Amount: Tuition fees: ₹30,000 per year (General Degree), ₹1.25 lakh per year (Engineering), ₹3.0 lakh per year (Medical); Maintenance: ₹1.0 lakh per year.
  • EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship:
    • Eligibility: Meritorious Navodaya Vidyalaya students who completed higher secondary in 2023 and are admitted to college.
    • Benefits: Funded by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions, though the exact amount is not specified.
    • Application Process: Email applications to edvidf@edcil.co.in or es3.edu@nic.in.

2. Education Loans for Accessibility

Education loans are essential for students who require financial support beyond scholarships. The government facilitates access through guarantee schemes.

a. Credit Guarantee Fund for Education Loans (CGFSEL)

• Objective: To enable students to avail education loans without collateral security or third-party guarantees, making higher education accessible to economically weaker sections.
• Eligibility: Students pursuing higher education with loans up to ₹7.5 lakh.
• Benefits:
  • The Central Government provides a guarantee cover of 75% of the amount in default.
  • No collateral or third-party guarantee required, reducing barriers for students.
• Implementation: Managed by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd. (NCGTC).
• Application Process: The bank sanctioning the loan handles the necessary paperwork, ensuring a streamlined process for students.

3. Free Education Schemes

Free education schemes aim to ensure that no child is deprived of education due to financial constraints, aligning with India’s goal of universal education.

a. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

• Objective: To provide universal elementary education to all children aged 6-14 years.
• Launch Year: 2001-2002
• Key Features: Focuses on providing useful and relevant education, ensuring access to schools, and improving infrastructure.
• Impact: Has significantly contributed to increasing India’s literacy rate from 12% in 1947 to around 76% in recent years.

b. Samagra Shiksha

• Objective: An integrated scheme for school education from pre-school to Class XII, emphasizing quality, equity, and inclusivity.
• Key Features: Covers all children, with a focus on inclusive education for marginalized groups and those with special needs.

c. CBSE Udaan Program

• Objective: To support female students in Classes 10 and 12 in preparing for engineering entrance exams, promoting gender equality in technical fields.
• Key Features: Provides free offline and online resources, including study material on pre-loaded tablets.
• Eligibility: Female students in Classes 10 and 12 enrolled in CBSE schools.

d. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)

• Objective: To increase enrollment in secondary education by providing accessible schools and improving quality.
• Key Features: Focuses on removing barriers such as distance, gender, and socio-economic challenges.

e. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) Scheme

• Objective: To provide residential education to girls from marginalized communities, ensuring their transition from elementary to secondary education.
• Launch Year: 2004
• Eligibility: Girls aged 10-18 from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Minority Communities, and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
• Key Features: Offers residential schools at the upper primary level, with a focus on continuing education up to Class XII.

4. Skill Development Schemes

Skill development schemes are designed to enhance employability and foster entrepreneurship, aligning with India’s economic goals.

a. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0

• Objective: To provide free skill training to unemployed youths for employment or self-employment, preparing them for industry needs.
• Launch Year: 2025 (announced in Union Budget 2023-24)
• Eligibility:
  • Indian citizens aged 15-45 years.
  • Unemployed, with no family member in a government job.
  • School or college dropouts are eligible.
  • Must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account.
• Benefits:
  • Free training in courses like IT & Software, Electronics & Hardware, Automobile, Construction, Healthcare, Beauty & Wellness, Agriculture, Textile, and Handicraft.
  • Certificate provided upon completion, enhancing job prospects.
  • Financial assistance of ₹8,000 for selected candidates.
• Application Process:
  • Visit the official website: pmkvy-official.org
  • Click on “PMKVY 4.0 Online Registration 2025.”
  • Fill the registration form with details and upload required documents (Aadhaar card, bank passbook, educational certificate, mobile number, email ID).
  • Submit and save the registration slip.

b. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)

• Objective: To promote apprenticeship programs, providing on-the-job training to develop a skilled workforce.
• Eligibility: Recent Industrial Training Institute (ITI) pass-outs, graduates, diploma holders, or fresh apprentices.
• Benefits:
  • Stipend during training.
  • Industry exposure and certification.
• Implementation: Managed under the Skill India Mission by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

c. Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH)

• Objective: To provide free courses and skill development opportunities across sectors like IT, digital marketing, coding, and AI.
• Key Features: Offers upskilling, reskilling, and lifelong learning through a digital platform, with access to job and apprenticeship opportunities.

d. AICTE Productization Fellowship (APF)

• Objective: To support innovative ideas that drive economic growth, contributing to “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Viksit Bharat@2047.”
• Launch Date: Registrations started on May 14, 2025.
• Eligibility: Students with innovative ideas in technical fields, enrolled in AICTE-approved institutions.
• Key Features: A new initiative by AICTE to foster entrepreneurship and product development.
• Application Process: Register through the AICTE portal starting May 14, 2025.

Wrap Up

The Indian government’s commitment to education and skill development is evident through its diverse range of schemes in 2025. Scholarships like PMSS and those on the NSP provide financial relief, while CGFSEL ensures access to education loans. Free education schemes like SSA, Samagra Shiksha, and KGBV promote inclusivity, and skill development programs like PMKVY 4.0 and APF prepare students for a dynamic job market. These initiatives collectively empower students to achieve their academic and professional goals, contributing to India’s vision of a self-reliant and developed nation by 2047.

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