Scholarships for Engineering Students in India 2026

Education loans and financial constraints shouldn’t stop talented students from pursuing engineering. This comprehensive guide covers all major scholarships available for engineering students in Karnataka and India for 2026.

Government Scholarships

Central Government Schemes

1. National Scholarship Portal (NSP)

Eligibility: Students from SC/ST/OBC/Minority communities
Amount: ₹10,000-₹20,000 per year
Application: scholarships.gov.in
Deadline: Usually October-November

2. AICTE Pragati Scholarship (For Girls)

Eligibility: Female students in AICTE-approved colleges
Amount: ₹50,000 per year (tuition fees)
Seats: 5,000 per year
Criteria: Family income < ₹8 lakhs/year
Application: AICTE portal

3. AICTE Saksham Scholarship (For Differently-Abled)

Eligibility: Students with disabilities (>40%)
Amount: ₹50,000 per year
Seats: 1,000 per year
Application: AICTE portal

Karnataka State Scholarships

1. Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST)

Eligibility: SC/ST students in Karnataka
Amount: Full tuition fee + maintenance allowance
Application: Karnataka e-Pass portal
Renewal: Annual based on attendance and performance

2. Minority Scholarship

Eligibility: Muslim/Christian/Sikh/Buddhist/Jain/Parsi students
Amount: Up to ₹20,000 per year
Income Limit: < ₹2.5 lakhs/year
Application: Minority Welfare Department

3. Karnataka Vidyasiri Scholarship

Eligibility: Economically weaker sections
Amount: ₹5,000-₹15,000 per year
Criteria: Family income < ₹1 lakh/year
Application: Through college

Merit-Based Scholarships

National Level

1. INSPIRE Scholarship (DST)

Eligibility: Top 1% in Class 12 board exams
Amount: ₹80,000 per year (₹5,000/month + ₹20,000 annual)
Duration: All 4 years of B.Tech
Application: Automatic for eligible students

2. Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)

Eligibility: Students selected through KVPY exam
Amount: ₹5,000-₹7,000 per month + annual grant
Application: KVPY exam (usually in November)

College-Specific

Top VTU Colleges offering merit scholarships:

1. RVCE: Up to 100% fee waiver for top rankers
2. BMSCE: Merit scholarships for KCET/COMEDK toppers
3. PES University: Need-cum-merit scholarships
4. MSRIT: Fee concessions for high scorers

Private and Corporate Scholarships

1. Reliance Foundation Scholarships

Amount: ₹2 lakhs per year
Eligibility: Family income < ₹6 lakhs/year
Application: reliancefoundation.org

2. Tata Trusts Scholarships

Amount: Varies (₹10,000-₹50,000)
Focus: Underprivileged students
Application: tatatrusts.org

3. Google India Scholarship

Amount: ₹40,000-₹1 lakh
Eligibility: Women in Computer Science
Application: buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com

4. Adobe India Women-in-Technology Scholarship

Amount: ₹25,000
Eligibility: Female students in CS/IT
Application: adobe.com/careers

5. Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship

Amount: ₹20,000-₹50,000
Eligibility: Meritorious students from economically weaker sections
Application: Through college nomination

How to Apply Successfully

Documents Required

• Aadhaar card
• Income certificate (< 1 year old)
• Caste certificate (if applicable)
• Previous year mark sheets
• Bank account details (student’s name)
• College ID and bonafide certificate
• Passport-size photographs

Application Tips

1. Apply early: Don’t wait for deadlines
2. Keep documents ready: Avoid last-minute rush
3. Fill accurately: Incorrect information leads to rejection
4. Follow up: Track application status regularly
5. Apply for multiple: Don’t rely on just one scholarship

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incomplete applications
• Wrong income certificate format
• Missing deadlines
• Not updating bank details
• Ignoring renewal requirements

Education Loans

Government Schemes

1. Vidya Lakshmi Portal

Features:

• Single platform for multiple banks
• Interest subsidy for economically weaker sections
• Loan amount: Up to ₹10 lakhs

2. Central Sector Interest Subsidy Scheme

Eligibility: Family income < ₹4.5 lakhs/year
Benefit: Full interest subsidy during study period
Loan amount: Up to ₹7.5 lakhs

Banks Offering Education Loans

• SBI (lowest interest rates)
• Canara Bank
• Bank of Baroda
• HDFC Credila
• Axis Bank

Typical Terms:

• Interest rate: 8-12% per annum
• Repayment: Starts after course + 1 year
• Collateral: Required for loans > ₹7.5 lakhs

Fee Waivers and Concessions

Government College Benefits

KCET Quota Students:

• SC/ST: Full fee waiver
• Category-1: 50% fee concession
• Category-2A/2B/3A/3B: Partial fee waiver

Management Quota:

• Limited fee waivers
• Depends on college policy

Private College Schemes

Many private colleges offer:

• Sibling discounts (10-20%)
• Alumni children concessions
• Sports quota fee waivers
• Merit-based reductions

Work-Study Programs

On-Campus Opportunities

• Library assistant: ₹3,000-₹5,000/month
• Lab assistant: ₹4,000-₹6,000/month
• Teaching assistant: ₹5,000-₹8,000/month
• Research assistant: ₹8,000-₹12,000/month

Part-Time Options

• Tutoring: ₹5,000-₹15,000/month
• Freelancing (coding, design): ₹10,000-₹30,000/month
• Content writing: ₹5,000-₹10,000/month
• Internships: ₹5,000-₹20,000/month

Special Category Scholarships

For Women

• AICTE Pragati
• Google Women Techmakers
• Adobe WIT
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

For Differently-Abled

• AICTE Saksham
• National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities
• College-specific reservations and benefits

For Defense Personnel Children

• Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme
• Army Welfare Education Society
• State-specific schemes

State-Wise Variations

Karnataka Specific

• E-Pass portal for all state scholarships
• Automatic processing for government college students
• Direct benefit transfer to student accounts

For Students from Other States

• Apply through home state portals
• Minority scholarships available pan-India
• Central schemes accessible from anywhere

Tax Benefits

Section 80E of Income Tax Act:

• Deduction on education loan interest
• Available for 8 years
• No upper limit on deduction amount

Action Plan

For Incoming Students (Before Admission)

1. Research available scholarships
2. Prepare required documents
3. Check college-specific schemes
4. Apply for entrance exam scholarships (INSPIRE, KVPY)

For Current Students

1. Register on NSP portal
2. Apply for state scholarships through college
3. Explore private scholarships
4. Consider education loans if needed
5. Look for part-time opportunities

Annual Renewal

• Maintain minimum attendance (75%)
• Achieve required CGPA (usually 6.0+)
• Submit documents on time
• Update bank details if changed

Resources

Websites:

• scholarships.gov.in (National Scholarship Portal)
• vidyalakshmi.co.in (Education loans)
• buddy4study.com (Scholarship aggregator)
• saksham.gov.in (AICTE scholarships)

Helplines:

• NSP: 0120-6619540
• AICTE: 011-29581333
• Karnataka e-Pass: 080-22340250

Conclusion

Financial constraints should never be a barrier to quality engineering education. With numerous scholarships, loans, and fee waiver schemes available, deserving students can pursue their dreams without excessive financial burden.

The key is to:

• Start early and research thoroughly
• Apply for multiple scholarships
• Keep all documents ready
• Meet deadlines consistently
• Maintain good academic performance

Remember, scholarships are not just about money—they’re recognition of your potential and an investment in your future. Make the most of these opportunities!

Looking for colleges with good scholarship programs? Check our engineering college directory for detailed information on fee structures and financial aid options.