India continues in 2025 to support the empowerment of women and girls by providing a wide range of scholarships designed to serve their academic and professional interests. Government institutions award these scholarships to women aimed at eliminating economic barriers and inspiring girl students to advance their studies at the higher levels, technical institutions, and research programs following 10th, 12th, or graduation.
Type of Scholarships for Girls in India 2025
There are different scholarships for girls and women in India that aim to fund their education and professional growth. The scholarships are designed for different academic levels, disciplines, and qualifications, making the financial assistance reach deserving candidates. Here's a glimpse of some of the significant scholarships for girls and women in 2025:
List of Girls and Women Scholarships in India
India has many different scholarships to benefit girls and women towards education and empowerment at any point in life through learning. Scholarships encourage better participation at levels of schooling where financial constriction is on the decline by narrowing down constraints that are predominantly of a fiscal nature.
CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme For Single Girl Child
The CBSE Merit Scholarship Scheme for Single Girl Child is a scheme introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) that focuses on educating single girl children. It is specifically for candidates who have successfully passed their Class 10 examinations from a CBSE-affiliated school with 60% or more marks. The scholarship gives Rs. 5,000 annually for two years so that the girl can continue education in Classes 11 and 12, promoting education for girls and gender parity in education.
Major Features:
Sponsorship for the education of unmarried girl children.
Aids for Rs. 5,000 annually for two years (Class 11 and Class 12).
Influences parents to send daughters for education.
Launch: CBSE launched the scheme to encourage girls' education and assist single girl children who perform well academically.
SCHOLARSHIP
Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI)
The Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) program, launched by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), is committed to motivating women to take up science and technology careers. The scheme provides financial assistance to women undertaking academic research and aims to change institutional cultures to provide gender equality in academic and professional life. GATI offers research grants, mentorship schemes, and capacity-building initiatives, empowering women in STEM disciplines.
Salient Features
Promotes women in science and technology through the provision of research funding.
Has mentorship programs and capacity-building exercises.
Strives to change institutional settings to promote gender equity.
Launch: Launched by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to foster gender equality in the field of STEM and assist women researchers.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scholarship
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scholarship, one of the Government of India's flagship programs, is directed at enhancing the survival, protection, and education of the girl child, particularly in districts where the sex ratio is low and there is discrimination against the girl child. The program offers money, scholarships, and information and communication technology for sensitizing girls about their status and empowerment in society. It encourages families to educate girls and provide for their health and nutrition.
Salient Features:
Offers financial incentives and assistance to educate girl children.
Spreads awareness campaigns about gender equality and girls' empowerment.
Motivates communities to invest in the health and education of girls.
Launch: The scheme was launched by the Government of India to counter low sex ratios and gender discrimination in certain areas, and enhance 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 Studies, provided by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), is specifically focused on female students interested in exploring scientific careers. The scholarship of Rs. 80,000 annually is made available to facilitate female students who are pursuing undergraduate studies in science courses, igniting the desire for science and innovation among women. The scholarship reduces the economic pressures, making it easier for them to dedicate themselves to learning and professional pursuits in STEM.
Salient Features:
Offers Rs. 80,000 annually to girl students studying undergraduate science courses.
Seeks to motivate women to enter the field of science and technology.
Covers undergraduate students to provide support for higher studies.
Launch: The scheme was introduced by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to encourage young girls to pursue a career in science and research.
Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child
The Post-Graduate Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child, provided by the University Grants Commission (UGC), is meant to benefit single girl children who are studying at recognized Indian universities for postgraduate studies. The scholarship provides Rs. 36,200 per year for the duration of the course, promoting education for single girls and facilitating higher education for them. It helps empower women through education at the postgraduate level.
Salient Features:
Offers Rs. 36,200 annually to single girl children who are pursuing postgraduate courses.
Seeks to help single girl children to continue their education at the postgraduate level.
Launch: The scholarship was launched by the University Grants Commission (UGC) with the aim of promoting the higher education of single girls and assisting them in pursuing postgraduate studies.
PRAGATI Scholarship for Girl Students for Technical Education
The PRAGATI Scholarship for Girl Students for Technical Education, sponsored by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), provides financial support to girl students who are studying technical education in engineering, technology, and allied courses. The scholarship offers Rs. 50,000 annually for the full course duration, which helps to pay tuition fees, books, and other study expenses. This scheme is intended to motivate more girls to take up technical studies and help bridge the gender gap in technical education.
Key Features:
Offers Rs. 50,000 annually for the full course duration.
Pays for tuition fees, books, and other study costs for girls taking up technical education.
Motivates girls to take up education in engineering, technology, and allied fields.
Launch: Launched by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to offer financial support to girl students in technical studies.
UGC-Post Doctoral Fellowship for Women Candidates
UGC Post-Doctoral Fellowship for Women Candidates provides financial assistance to women who have finished their Ph.D. and are carrying out postdoctoral research in any discipline. The fellowship offers Rs. 40,000 per month, along with a contingency grant for research purposes. The scheme is designed to enable women to continue their research work and contribute to academic and scientific progress by offering financial support and facilities to pursue their postdoctoral work.
Salient Features:
Awards Rs. 40,000 per month with contingency grants for research expenses.
Awards women who have finished Ph.D. and are doing postdoctoral research.
Launch: The University Grants Commission (UGC) initiated this fellowship to assist women researchers to help them pursue their academic careers after their Ph.D.
WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship (WISE-PDF)
The WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship, sponsored by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), invites women holding a Ph.D. to undertake postdoctoral research in the field of science and technology. The fellowship offers Rs. 40,000 as a research allowance on a monthly basis, plus extra allowances to travel and incur research costs. The fellowship helps women to receive further exposure and experience in their specific research areas and advance in STEM fields.
Salient Features:
Grants Rs. 40,000 per month and travel as well as research allowances.
Assists women scientists who have a Ph.D. and who want to conduct postdoctoral research in science and technology.
Launch: Launched by Department of Science & Technology (DST) to encourage women researchers in the area of science and technology.
Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A)
The Women Scientist Scheme-A (WOS-A), which is provided by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), is for women having Ph.D. and willing to perform independent scientific research. The scheme offers a stipend of Rs. 55,000 to Rs. 75,000 per month, depending upon the experience and qualifications of the candidate. The scheme intends to empower women researchers by giving them the financial support and resources they need to work on new scientific projects.
Salient Features:
Provides financial assistance between Rs. 55,000 and Rs. 75,000 per month.
Empowers women Ph.D. degree holders to conduct independent scientific research.
Launch: The Department of Science & Technology (DST) launched the scheme to empower women scientists to undertake innovative research.
Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B)
The Women Scientist Scheme-B (WOS-B) offers women scientists financial and institutional support while promoting them through research and development or encouraging them to join the scientific workforce. It promotes research funding and stipends for women to pursue significant scientific studies that can contribute to society. The program is aimed at developing the career of women scientists by providing them with financial stability 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.
Launch: 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) program, administered by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), provides financial assistance to women scientists and researchers working on innovative research in science and technology. The scheme provides research project funding and mentorship with a special emphasis on assisting women in STEM fields. WIDUSHI assists women researchers in overcoming financial constraints and continuing their scientific work with a strong focus on innovation.
Salient Features:
Provides financial assistance to women scientists or researchers working on innovative scientific research.
Aims at women in the STEM sector, focusing on innovation and skill acquisition.
Launch: Launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to empower women researchers by giving them the required funding and guidance to develop innovation.
WISE SCOPE Fellowship
The DST also provides the WISE SCOPE Fellowship for women with science and technology research backgrounds. The fellowship offers financial assistance to women scientists working on innovative and interdisciplinarity research. It gives women a platform to develop their career in STEM fields by funding their research and also providing opportunities to network with other professionals in the field.
Salient Features:
Offers financial support to women scientists pursuing research in innovative areas.
Aids women with emphasis on research in the field of STEM.
Launch: The scheme was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to promote the development of women in scientific and technological disciplines.
Women Scientist Scheme-C (WOS-C)
The Women Scientist Scheme-C (WOS-C), a scheme initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), caters to women scientists seeking research careers, especially in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Financial support of Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per annum, according to the planned research work, is provided under the scheme. The scheme provides financial support and institutional facilities to enable women scientists to rise in their careers and help bridge the gap in gender disparity in science and technology.
Salient Features:
Offers financial help of Rs. 75,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 annually as per the research project suggested.
Extends institutional support to female scientists who want to develop their careers as STEM researchers.
Launch: The Department of Science and Technology (DST) initiated this scheme to ensure career development for women scientists in diverse scientific fields.
Important Dates for Scholarships for Girls & Women in India 2025
Most scholarships will initiate applications during the first quarter of 2025. Ensure to refer to each scholarship's official website for exact deadlines and application procedures.
Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships
General eligibility criteria include:
Gender: Female applicants only.
Income Level: Family income limits, typically between INR 1 lakh to INR 8 lakh per annum.
Academic Level: Offered at various levels from school to post-doctoral research.
Citizenship: Usually for Indian citizens or NRIs.
How to Apply Online for Women and Girl Scholarships?
Visit Official Websites: Each scholarship has a designated portal for online application.
Complete the Application Form: Provide accurate details about your educational background and financial status.
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.