Scholarship for Girl Students in India 2025: List of Top Female Scholarships to Apply

Scholarship for Girls in India: In 2025, India remains committed to empowering girls and women through education by offering a variety of scholarships tailored to support their academic and professional aspirations. These scholarships for women, provided by government bodies and institutions, aim to remove financial obstacles and encourage female students to pursue higher education, technical courses, and research opportunities after 10th, 12th, or graduation.

Type of Scholarships for Girls in India 2025

There are various types of scholarships available for girls and women in India, aimed at supporting their educational pursuits and career development. These scholarships cover different academic levels, fields of study, and eligibility criteria, ensuring financial aid reaches those in need. Here’s a look at some of the notable scholarships for girls and women in 2025:

List of Girls and Women Scholarships in India

India offers numerous scholarships to support the education and empowerment of girls and women across various stages of learning. These scholarships aim to reduce financial barriers and encourage higher participation in education, especially in technical, professional, and research fields.

CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme For Single Girl Child

The CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child, offered by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), aims to support the education of single girl children. It is designed for those who have passed their Class 10 exams from a CBSE-affiliated school with a minimum of 60% marks. The scholarship provides Rs. 5,000 per year for two years, helping the girl continue her studies in Classes 11 and 12, thereby encouraging the education of girls and promoting gender equality in education.

Salient Features:

• Provides financial support for the education of single girl children.
• Covers Rs. 5,000 per year for two years (Classes 11 and 12).
• Encourages parents to educate their daughters.

Launched By: The scheme was launched by CBSE to promote the education of girls and support single girl children who excel academically.

Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI)

The Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) scheme, initiated by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), is dedicated to encouraging women to pursue careers in science and technology. This program offers financial support to women pursuing academic research and works to transform institutional environments to ensure gender equity in academic and professional settings. GATI provides research funding, mentorship programs, and capacity-building activities, helping women in STEM fields thrive.

Salient Features

• Supports women in science and technology by offering research funding.
• Provides mentorship programs and capacity-building activities.
• Aims to transform institutional environments to encourage gender equity.

Launched By: Launched by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to promote gender equality in STEM fields and provide support to women researchers.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scholarship

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scholarship, a flagship scheme of the Government of India, focuses on improving the survival, protection, and education of the girl child, especially in areas where sex ratios are low and gender discrimination prevails. The scheme provides financial incentives, educational support, and awareness campaigns aimed at promoting the status and empowerment of girls in India. This initiative encourages families to educate their daughters and invest in their overall well-being.

Salient Features:

• Provides financial incentives and support for the education of girl children.
• Promotes awareness campaigns focused on gender equality and the empowerment of girls.
• Encourages communities to invest in the well-being and education of girls.

Launched By: This scheme was launched by the Government of India to address low sex ratios and gender bias in specific regions, and to improve the welfare and education of the girl child.

INSPIRE - SHE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research - Scholarship for Higher Education)

The INSPIRE SHE Scholarship for Higher Education, offered by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), targets female students who are passionate about pursuing scientific careers. This scholarship provides Rs. 80,000 per year to help female students enrolled in undergraduate courses in scientific fields, fostering an interest in science and innovation among young women. The scholarship helps alleviate financial burdens, enabling them to focus on their studies and career aspirations in STEM.

Salient Features:

• Provides Rs. 80,000 per year to female students pursuing undergraduate courses in science.
• Aims to encourage women to pursue careers in science and STEM fields.
• Covers students at the undergraduate level, ensuring financial support for higher education.

Launched By: The scheme was launched by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to inspire young girls to take up science and research as a career.

Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child

The Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child, awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC), is designed to support single girl children pursuing postgraduate studies at recognized universities in India. This scholarship offers Rs. 36,200 annually for the duration of the course, encouraging the continuation of education for single girls and making higher education more accessible to them. It promotes women’s empowerment through education at the postgraduate level.

Salient Features:

• Provides Rs. 36,200 per year for single girl children pursuing postgraduate studies.
• Aims to support single girl children in continuing their education at the postgraduate level.

Launched By: The scholarship was introduced by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to encourage the higher education of single girls and support their postgraduate studies.

PRAGATI Scholarship for Girl Students for Technical Education

The PRAGATI Scholarship for Girl Students for Technical Education, provided by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), offers financial assistance to female students pursuing technical education in engineering, technology, and related fields. The scholarship provides Rs. 50,000 per year for the entire duration of the course, helping to cover tuition fees, books, and other academic expenses. This initiative aims to encourage more girls to enter technical fields and contribute to narrowing the gender gap in STEM education.

Salient Features:

• Provides Rs. 50,000 per year for the entire duration of the course.
• Covers tuition fees, books, and other educational expenses for girls pursuing technical education.
• Encourages girls to pursue education in engineering, technology, and related fields.

Launched By: Launched by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to provide financial assistance to girl students in technical education.

UGC-Post Doctoral Fellowship for Women Candidates

The UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship for Women Candidates supports women who have completed their Ph.D. and are pursuing postdoctoral research in any field. This fellowship provides Rs. 40,000 per month, along with a contingency grant for research-related expenses. The program aims to help women continue their research careers and contribute to academic and scientific advancements by providing financial assistance and resources to support their postdoctoral endeavors.

Salient Features:

• Provides Rs. 40,000 per month with contingency grants for research-related expenses.
• Supports women who have completed their Ph.D. and are pursuing postdoctoral research.

Launched By: The University Grants Commission (UGC) launched this fellowship to support women researchers and encourage them to continue their academic careers after their Ph.D.

WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF)

The WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship, under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), encourages women with a Ph.D. to pursue postdoctoral research in science and technology. The fellowship provides Rs. 40,000 per month for research, along with additional allowances for travel and research expenses. This fellowship enables women to gain further exposure and experience in their respective research fields, promoting their advancement in STEM disciplines.

Salient Features:

• Provides Rs. 40,000 per month along with travel and research allowances.
• Supports women who have completed their Ph.D. and wish to pursue postdoctoral research in science and technology.

Launched By: Launched by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to promote women researchers in the fields of science and technology.

Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A)

The Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A), offered by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), is designed for women who have completed their Ph.D. and wish to carry out independent scientific research. The scheme provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 75,000, depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. It aims to empower women researchers by providing them with the necessary resources and financial support to work on innovative scientific projects.

Salient Features:

• Offers financial support ranging from Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 75,000 per month.
• Provides women Ph.D. holders with the opportunity to carry out independent scientific research.

Launched By: The scheme was launched by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to support women scientists in undertaking innovative research.

Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B)

The Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B) provides financial and institutional support to women scientists who are currently working in research and development or wish to return to the scientific workforce. This scheme offers research funding and stipends to encourage women to pursue impactful scientific research that can benefit society. The program is designed to build the careers of women scientists by offering them financial security and research opportunities.

Salient Features:

• Provides research funding and stipends for women scientists in R&D or those returning to science.
• Aims to enhance the participation of women in scientific research and development.

Launched By: Launched by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to provide support for women in scientific research and development.

WIDUSHI (Women’s Instinct for Developing and Ushering in Scientific Heights & Innovation)

The WIDUSHI (Women’s Instinct for Developing and Ushering in Scientific Heights & Innovation) scheme, under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), supports women scientists and researchers engaged in innovative research in science and technology. The program offers funding for research projects and mentorship, with a special focus on supporting women in STEM fields. WIDUSHI helps women researchers overcome financial barriers and continue their scientific contributions with a strong emphasis on innovation.

Salient Features:

• Offers financial support for women scientists or researchers pursuing innovative scientific research.
• Focuses on women in STEM fields, with an emphasis on innovation and skill development.

Launched By: Launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to empower women researchers by providing the necessary funding and mentorship to foster innovation.

WISE SCOPE Fellowship

The WISE SCOPE Fellowship, also offered by the DST, is aimed at women with research backgrounds in science and technology. The fellowship provides financial support for women scientists focusing on innovative and interdisciplinary research. It offers a platform for women to advance their careers in STEM fields by funding their research and facilitating networking opportunities with other professionals in the field.

Salient Features:

• Provides funding for women scientists engaged in innovative research.
• Supports women with a strong focus on research in STEM fields.

Launched By: The scheme was introduced by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to facilitate the advancement of women in scientific and technological fields.

Women Scientist Scheme-C (WOS-C)

The Women Scientist Scheme-C (WOS-C), another initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), supports women scientists who want to pursue careers in research, particularly in STEM fields. The scheme offers financial assistance of Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per year, depending on the proposed research project. It provides funding and institutional support to help women excel in their scientific careers and contribute to innovation and advancements in science and technology.

Salient Features:

• Provides financial assistance ranging from Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per year based on the proposed research project.
• Offers institutional support for women scientists pursuing careers in STEM research.

Launched By: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched this scheme to provide career-building opportunities for women scientists in various scientific disciplines.

Important Dates for Scholarships for Girls & Women in India 2025

Most scholarships will open applications in the first quarter of 2025. Be sure to check each scholarship’s official portal for specific deadlines and application processes.

Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships

Common eligibility requirements include:

• Gender: Female applicants only.
• Income Level: Family income limits, usually ranging from INR 1 lakh to INR 8 lakh annually.
• Academic Level: Available at various levels from school to post-doctoral research.
• Citizenship: Typically for Indian citizens or NRIs.

How to Apply Online for Women and Girl Scholarships?

1. Visit Official Websites: Each scholarship has a designated portal for online application.
2. Complete the Application Form: Provide accurate details about your educational background and financial status.
3. Submit Required Documents: Attach necessary documents such as income proof, identity proof, and academic certificates.

Review and Submit: Double-check all details and submit your application before the deadline.

Also Read:

List of Central Government Schemes for Empowerment of Women