About the UGC National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has opened applications for the National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies for the academic year 2026–27. The scholarship provides financial assistance to students pursuing regular postgraduate degree programmes at eligible universities and institutions across India.
Selected students will receive ₹15,000 per month for ten months in an academic year. The scholarship is available for a maximum of two years, making the total financial assistance ₹3 lakh for students who meet the renewal requirements.
The scheme covers different postgraduate disciplines, including law, humanities, social sciences, management, science and technology.
Students pursuing a recognised LL.M. degree may also apply, provided they satisfy the eligibility requirements.
The application process began on September 16, 2026, through the National Scholarship Portal. The last date for submitting applications is November 30, 2026.
About the Scholarship Scheme
The National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies is a Central Government scholarship scheme implemented by the University Grants Commission.
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Explore Our Services →Its purpose is to provide financial assistance to Indian students pursuing higher education leading to a recognised postgraduate degree.
According to UGC, approximately 10,000 scholarships are available every year, subject to the number of awards approved by the Commission.
The scholarship is awarded on an all-India merit basis, with reservation provisions and special preferences prescribed under the scheme.
The financial assistance is intended to support students during their postgraduate studies. It is not a research fellowship or a permanent employment opportunity.
Scholarship Amount
Selected candidates will receive ₹15,000 per month for ten months in a year.
The total scholarship amount for one academic year is ₹1,50,000.
Since the scholarship can continue for two years, an eligible student may receive up to ₹3,00,000 during the complete postgraduate programme.
The second year’s payment is subject to renewal conditions, including satisfactory academic progress and compliance with the scholarship guidelines.
The amount is not payable for all twelve months of a year.
UGC disburses the scholarship directly into the selected student’s bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer system.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be Indian students who have obtained admission to the first year of a recognised postgraduate degree programme.
The programme must be pursued through regular, full-time study at an eligible university, college or institution.
Students pursuing postgraduate courses through distance education, correspondence, private or part-time modes are not eligible.
The scholarship is available only for a student’s first postgraduate degree.
Candidates who have already completed a postgraduate degree cannot apply for financial assistance to pursue another postgraduate qualification.
For example, a law graduate enrolling in an LL.M. programme as their first postgraduate degree may be eligible.
However, someone who already holds an LL.M. or another postgraduate degree would not qualify under the first-degree requirement.
The postgraduate programme must also meet UGC’s requirements concerning recognised degrees and their duration.
Eligibility for LL.M. Students
The scholarship is not restricted to students studying science, engineering or general academic subjects.
UGC has expressly included law among the disciplines covered by the scheme.
Students admitted to a recognised, regular LL.M. programme can therefore apply if they fulfil the remaining requirements.
The applicant must be studying in the first year of the programme and must not have previously acquired another postgraduate degree.
The university or institution must also meet the eligibility requirements applicable under the scholarship guidelines.
Candidates pursuing an LL.M. through distance or part-time study are not eligible.
Law graduates who have recently joined a postgraduate programme should therefore check whether their institution is registered and eligible under the National Scholarship Portal.
Age Limit
The scholarship is available to students who are below 30 years of age on the date of admission to the first semester or first year of their postgraduate programme.
The relevant date is the candidate’s admission date, rather than the application deadline.
Students should check their age against this requirement before applying.
UGC has not prescribed separate age limits for different postgraduate disciplines.
Family Income Criteria
There is no family income limit prescribed under the National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies.
UGC has confirmed this in its official frequently asked questions.
This means that students are not disqualified merely because their family income exceeds a particular amount.
However, selection is competitive and depends on merit, reservation provisions and the other eligibility requirements.
Reservation and Selection Criteria
UGC has provided for 10,000 scholarships annually, subject to the Commission’s decisions.
The scholarship follows the reservation policy of the Government of India.
Additionally, 30% of the scholarship slots are reserved for women candidates.
The scheme provides preference to eligible single girl children, including twin or fraternal girl children falling within the definition given in the guidelines.
The remaining selections are made according to the prescribed merit requirements.
UGC has also earmarked 50% of scholarship slots for Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law and Management.
The remaining 50% are earmarked for Science, Engineering and Technology, Medicine, Agriculture, Forestry and other specified disciplines.
The selection process is conducted on an all-India basis.
Applicants must remember that submitting an application does not automatically guarantee a scholarship.
Eligible Universities and Institutions
The scholarship is available to students studying in institutions that satisfy the eligibility requirements prescribed by UGC.
These include universities and colleges covered under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, deemed-to-be universities under Section 3, eligible government-funded degree-awarding institutions and Institutions of National Importance.
The guidelines contain a special note concerning institutional eligibility for the academic year 2026–27.
Applicants should check the current requirements and confirm that their university or college is eligible to participate in the scheme.
Institutions must also have a valid AISHE code to participate in verification through the National Scholarship Portal.
Can Students Receive Another Scholarship?
UGC has specified that a student cannot receive this scholarship while simultaneously receiving another scholarship, fellowship, salary, stipend or similar monetary benefit from another source.
Candidates who already receive another scholarship may apply, but they must disclose that information.
If selected for the UGC scholarship, they must relinquish the other financial benefit or decline this scholarship.
The guidelines also restrict scholarship recipients from holding another appointment, whether paid or unpaid, during the scholarship period.
Applicants should carefully consider these conditions before accepting the award.
Documents Required
Candidates must provide accurate personal, academic and banking information while completing the online application.
The application process requires details of the student’s undergraduate qualification and current postgraduate admission.
Applicants should keep their academic records, admission details, identity information and bank account details available.
Category-related documents may also be required where applicable.
According to the UGC guidelines, students are not required to upload certificates or affidavits to the National Scholarship Portal at the initial application stage.
However, their institution may require supporting documents to verify eligibility and the information submitted.
The applicant’s bank account must be properly linked and verified for Aadhaar-based scholarship disbursement.
Incorrect banking or academic information may result in rejection or payment difficulties.
Scholarship Renewal
The scholarship is available for a maximum of two years, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Students who receive the scholarship during the first year must apply for renewal through the National Scholarship Portal in the following academic year.
Renewal depends on satisfactory conduct, prescribed attendance and successful completion of the previous year of study.
Students who are not promoted to the next academic year may lose the scholarship.
UGC has also stated that changing the course or institution during the scholarship period can result in forfeiture of the award.
Students should therefore review these conditions before applying.
How to Apply?
Interested and eligible students must submit their applications through the Government of India’s National Scholarship Portal.
Applicants should visit the portal and complete the One-Time Registration process if they have not already registered.
After logging in, candidates should locate the UGC scheme titled National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies.
Students must provide their personal details, educational qualifications, postgraduate admission information and required bank details.
The information entered in the application must match the records available with their institution.
After submitting the form, candidates should retain their application details and check its verification status.
The student’s institution must verify the application before it can proceed for further processing.
Official Application Portal: https://scholarships.gov.in/
Official Scholarship Listing: https://scholarships.gov.in/All-Scholarships
Official UGC Scholarship Details: https://www.ugc.gov.in/Scholarships/stu_Scholarship6
Official Scheme Guidelines: https://scholarships.gov.in/public/schemeGuidelines/Guidelines_NATIONAL_SCHOLARSHIP_FOR_POSTGRADUATE_STUDIES_UGC_2324.pdf
Important Dates
The National Scholarship Portal opened applications for the academic year 2026–27 on September 16, 2026.
The last date for students to submit their applications is November 30, 2026.
The deadline for verification of defective applications and institutional verification is December 15, 2026.
The final verification deadline for the relevant district, state and ministry authorities is December 31, 2026.
Applicants should complete their forms before November 30 and follow up with their university or college to ensure timely verification.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the UGC National Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies is November 30, 2026.
Students pursuing regular postgraduate courses, including eligible LL.M. programmes, can apply through the National Scholarship Portal.
Selected candidates will receive ₹15,000 per month for ten months in an academic year, with financial assistance available for up to two years subject to the scholarship conditions.
