National Scholarship Scheme for Meritorious Students in Design Institutes

The National Scholarship Scheme, initiated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is a program that seeks to empower Scheduled Tribe (ST) students by giving them complete financial support in seeking higher education in India's best institutes. The scheme is meant to motivate bright ST students to attend undergraduate and postgraduate courses in various professional fields like Engineering, Management, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

100% Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship

This 100% funded Central Sector Scheme is undertaken by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It addresses all the notified and recognized institutions' approved courses. The award of the scholarship extends until the completion of the whole course, subject to maintaining satisfactory academic progress, as attested by the institute.

But the students availing of this scholarship are not entitled to receive any other Central or State scholarship during the same course.

 The income is derived by totaling the gross income of both parents from all sources — salary, agriculture, business, property, or any other source.

Important provisions are

If both parents earn, their combined income is considered.

In case of a single parent, only that parent’s income is counted.

For orphans supported by a guardian, the income limit does not apply.

For married students, the spouse’s income is added to the family income.

The certificate of income must be submitted only once at the time of admission. For salaried workers, Form 16 is accepted, whereas for others, certificates issued by the specific State or UT authority are acceptable.

Premier Institutions and Course Coverage

A total of 252 top institutions in India have been notified under the scheme currently (Annexure-I). They are prestigious IITs, IIMs, AIIMS, National Law Universities, and other high-ranked government colleges. Only those students from these institutions who are admitted on the basis of merit are eligible for the scholarship. Those admitted under management quota in private colleges are not included.

Providing Equity in Education

National Scholarship Scheme is an historic initiative for preventing good ST students from pursuing world-class education due to financial constraints. By paying for tuition fees, living expenses, and study expenses, the scheme provides opportunities for tribal youth to succeed in competitive, high-impact professional careers — building a stronger, more diverse India.