Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minority Students
Financial assistance of up to ₹20,000 per year for meritorious students from minority communities pursuing professional and technical courses at the graduate and postgraduate level in India.
About this scheme
The Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minority Students is a flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. It provides financial assistance to poor and meritorious students belonging to notified minority communities (Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains) to enable them to pursue professional and technical courses at the graduate and postgraduate level. The scholarship covers course fees of up to ₹20,000 per annum (subject to actuals, whichever is less) and a maintenance allowance of ₹1,000 per month for hostellers and ₹500 per month for day scholars (for 10 months in an academic year). For students enrolled in 85 listed premier institutes, full course fee reimbursement is provided. A total of 60,000 fresh scholarships are awarded each year. The scholarship is awarded for studies in India in government or private institutions selected by the concerned State Government/UT Administration. Applications are accepted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Eligibility
- Community: Must belong to a notified minority community — Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, or Parsi
- Academic performance: Must have secured more than 50% marks or equivalent grade in the previous final examination
- Annual family income: Must not exceed ₹2,50,000 per annum from all sources
- Course: Must be pursuing a professional or technical course at the graduate or postgraduate level at a recognised institution in India
- Course duration: Minimum one-year duration
Benefits
- Course fee of up to ₹20,000 per annum (subject to actuals, whichever is less)
- Full course fee reimbursement for students in 85 listed premier institutes
- Maintenance allowance of ₹1,000 per month for hostellers (10 months = ₹10,000/year)
- Maintenance allowance of ₹500 per month for day scholars (10 months = ₹5,000/year)
- 60,000 fresh scholarships awarded each year
- Scholarship renewable for the entire duration of the course
Required documents
- Aadhaar Card
- Income Certificate issued by competent authority
- Self-certified Community CertificateSelf-declared if above 18 years; certified by parent/guardian if below 18
- Mark sheet of last qualifying examination
- Fee Receipt of current course year
- Bank Account with IFSC Code
- Verification form from institution
- Photograph
Frequently asked
Looking for more schemes like this?
Tell the assistant about your situation and discover everything else you may qualify for.