Medical and Allied Health Scholarships in India 2025-26: Fund Your MBBS, Nursing or Pharmacy Degree

Published on 2026-04-14

Medical and Allied Health Scholarships in India 2025-26: Fund Your MBBS, Nursing or Pharmacy Degree

Why Medical Students Need Scholarships More Than Most

A student pursuing a B.Sc. Nursing or B.Pharm can budget around Rs 2 lakh to Rs 6 lakh for the full course at a government college. An MBBS student at a private institution can face fees of Rs 40 lakh to Rs 1 crore across the 5.5 year programme. Even at government colleges, where fees are regulated, the cost of hostels, clinical equipment, textbooks, and exam fees accumulates significantly over the duration. Besides fees, there are additional charges like hostel fees, textbooks, clinical equipment, exam fees, and living costs. Scholarships offer vital financial support by covering tuition fees, living expenses, or sometimes both. Some of the most popular scholarships provide full funding, allowing students to focus on their studies without the stress of finance.

The 10 schemes below span government, corporate, and foundation sources. Some are exclusive to MBBS students. Others cover nursing, pharmacy, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, physiotherapy, and paramedical courses under the allied health umbrella. You can filter all of them by course and state on the Scholarlify scholarship list.

10 Scholarships for MBBS, Nursing and Pharmacy Students in India

1. GSK Scholars Programme Amount: Up to Rs 1,00,000 per year for 4.5 years Who it is for: First year MBBS students in government medical colleges The GSK Scholars Programme 2025-26 is a flagship scholarship initiative designed to support meritorious medical students who face financial constraints while pursuing an MBBS degree in India. This programme is funded under the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The scholarship focuses on strengthening India's healthcare ecosystem by enabling talented students from economically weaker backgrounds to continue their medical education without financial stress. NSP ZONE

The GSK Scholars Programme 2025-26 is open to first-year MBBS students enrolled in government medical colleges. Selected students can receive a scholarship amount of up to Rs 1,00,000 per year for 4.5 years, covering various academic expenses. Eligibility at a glance:

Approved usage includes tuition fees, examination fees, textbooks, hostel charges, food expenses, seminars, stationery, online learning tools, and internet or data pack bills. NSP ZONE Apply at: ffe.org/ffe-gsk-scholarship-program

2. ONGC Scholarship to Meritorious Students

Amount: Rs 48,000 per year (Rs 4,000 per month) Who it is for: First year MBBS, engineering, and MBA students from SC, ST, OBC and General EWS categories The ONGC Foundation Scholarship is a flagship educational support program run by ONGC Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. This scholarship helps academically bright but economically disadvantaged students pursue professional courses such as Engineering, MBBS, MBA, Geology and Geophysics without financial burden. The program supports thousands of students every year across India.

50% of the scholarships are reserved for female candidates to promote women empowerment through their education. Ongcfoundation Eligibility at a glance:

Total scholarships awarded: 2,000 per year across all categories Apply at: ongcscholar.org

3. Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students (NSP) Amount: Rs 20,000 per year for undergraduates, Rs 25,000 per year for postgraduates

Who it is for: MBBS, BDS, nursing, pharmacy and all professional course students in the top 80th percentile of their board This central government scheme, administered through the National Scholarship Portal, is one of the most accessible government scholarships for students in professional courses including MBBS, B.Sc. Nursing, B.Pharm, BDS, and BAMS.

Eligibility at a glance:

The award ranges widely, from Rs 20,000 per year under central schemes to as much as Rs 4.5 lakh under large private programs. Apply at: scholarships.gov.in

4. Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students (Ministry of Social Justice) Amount: Tuition fee reimbursement plus maintenance allowance Who it is for: Scheduled Caste students in MBBS, nursing, pharmacy and allied health courses

One of the widest coverage scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal, this scheme reimburses tuition fees for SC students in professional courses including MBBS, BDS, B.Sc. Nursing, B.Pharm, BAMS, BHMS, BPT, and paramedical diplomas.

Eligibility at a glance:

The maintenance allowance covers hostel residents and day scholars at different rates, making this one of the few schemes that accounts for accommodation costs for MBBS students living in college hostels. Apply at: scholarships.gov.in

5. Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students (Ministry of Tribal Affairs) Amount: Tuition fee reimbursement plus maintenance allowance Who it is for: Scheduled Tribe students in MBBS and allied health courses

The Post Matric Scholarship for ST Students is offered by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and supports Scheduled Tribe students pursuing MBBS, covering tuition and living expenses. Select Your University

Eligibility at a glance:

This scheme does not cap the tuition reimbursement for most professional courses, making it particularly valuable for ST students in private medical colleges where fees are higher than government colleges. Apply at: scholarships.gov.in

6. Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) Amount: Rs 3,000 per month for male scholars, Rs 3,250 per month for female scholars Who it is for: Wards and widows of ex-servicemen and paramilitary personnel in professional courses

The Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme is offered to wards of ex-servicemen, paramilitary personnel, and police, and offers Rs 3,000 per month for boys and Rs 3,250 for girls pursuing professional degrees like MBBS.

This scheme specifically includes MBBS, BDS, B.Sc. Nursing, B.Pharm, MBA, and engineering. It is administered by the Kendriya Sainik Board and is available to dependants of defence, paramilitary, and state police personnel who died or were disabled in the line of duty. Eligibility at a glance:

Apply at: ksb.gov.in

7. Infosys Foundation STEM Stars Scholarship Programme Amount: Up to Rs 50,000 per year, up to Rs 2,00,000 over the degree duration

Who it is for: Female students in MBBS, BDS, B.Pharm and engineering at NIRF accredited institutions

The Infosys Foundation STEM Stars Scholarship Program is an initiative by the Infosys Foundation designed to empower female students in India aspiring to pursue undergraduate degrees in STEM fields, as well as in Medical Sciences (MBBS), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), and Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm). Selected candidates will receive up to Rs 50,000 per annum or up to Rs 2,00,000 over the duration of their degree.

Eligibility at a glance:

8. North Eastern Council Merit Scholarship for Medical Students Amount: Rs 30,000 per year

Who it is for: MBBS students from the North Eastern Region The North Eastern Council Merit Scholarship for Medical Students is a financial assistance program designed to support meritorious students from the North Eastern Region of India in pursuing higher professional courses, including medical degrees like MBBS. Administered by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, this scholarship aims to alleviate financial barriers for students from economically weaker sections of the NER. Sarsa Education Eligibility at a glance:

Apply at: scholarships.gov.in

9. Swami Dayanand Education Foundation Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Amount: Up to Rs 1 lakh per year Who it is for: First year MBBS and B.Tech students from economically disadvantaged families The Swami Dayanand Education Foundation Merit-cum-Means Scholarship is a financial aid initiative aimed at supporting meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Students must have secured admission into a B.Tech, MBBS, or B.Sc. degree program in Natural or Pure Sciences at one of the specified institutions listed in the scholarship terms and conditions.

Only first year students are eligible to apply. Applicants must have secured a minimum of 80% marks in their Class 12 examinations. The annual family income should be less than Rs 12 lakhs. Candidates must have cleared the JEE or NEET exam in the same year. Students who took a drop year are not eligible. Preference will be given to students who studied in government schools. Swamidayanand Apply at: swamidayanand.org

10. Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation Scholarship Amount: 100% reimbursement of tuition fees and educational expenses Who it is for: First year MBBS, B.Sc. Nursing and other professional course students in six states

The Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation Scholarship is a financial assistance initiative by Federal Bank, aimed at supporting first-year undergraduate students enrolled in specified professional courses. The scholarship is designed to help meritorious students from the states of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu pursue their higher education. Selected students will receive 100% reimbursement of tuition fees and other educational expenses, as per the college fee structure. Applicants must be enrolled in one of the following courses: MBBS, B.E. or B.Tech, B.Sc. Nursing, MBA, B.Sc. Agriculture, or B.Sc. (Hons) Co-operation and Banking. Buddy4Study Eligibility at a glance:

Apply at: federalbank.co.in

Documents Every Medical Student Needs Before Applying Preparing these documents in advance saves time when multiple portals open in July and August:

Scholarships by Course: Quick Reference

CourseApplicable Schemes in This ListMBBSGSK Scholars, ONGC, Central Sector, Post Matric SC or ST, PMSS, NEC, Swami Dayanand, Federal Bank HormisB.Sc. NursingONGC (limited), Central Sector, Post Matric SC or ST, PMSS, Federal Bank Hormis, Infosys STEM StarsB.PharmCentral Sector, Post Matric SC or ST, Infosys STEM StarsBDSCentral Sector, Post Matric SC or ST, Infosys STEM StarsBAMS or BHMSCentral Sector, Post Matric SC or STBPT PhysiotherapyPost Matric SC or ST, Central SectorParamedical DiplomaPost Matric SC or ST

Common Mistakes Medical Students Make on Scholarship Applications

Using a NEET scorecard from the previous year when applying for a scheme that requires the current year NEET score Submitting the application before verifying that the institution's AISHE or NMC approval status is current

Not disclosing an institutional scholarship or fee waiver when asked about other financial aid, which triggers rejection during verification Using a joint family bank account instead of a personal savings account Applying for the GSK Scholars Programme if enrolled at a private medical college, since this scheme is restricted to government medical colleges only Missing the institute verification step after online submission on the National Scholarship Portal

How Scholarlify Helps Medical Students Scholarlify brings all medical and allied health scholarships together in one filtered view. Search by your NEET rank range, course, state, and income bracket to find schemes you actually qualify for, without scrolling through hundreds of general listings. The Wings for Her programme is particularly useful for female MBBS and nursing students since multiple schemes in this list reserve 50% of seats or exclusive access for women.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Which is the best scholarship for MBBS students in India?

The GSK Scholars Programme offers the highest amount among MBBS exclusive corporate scholarships at Rs 1,00,000 per year for 4.5 years, covering tuition, hostel, books, and food. For government scheme coverage, the Post Matric Scholarship for SC and ST students provides full tuition reimbursement with no upper cap, making it the highest value option for eligible category students.

  1. Can nursing and pharmacy students apply for the same scholarships as MBBS students?

Not always. Schemes like the GSK Scholars Programme are restricted to MBBS at government colleges. However, the Central Sector Scholarship, Post Matric schemes on NSP, the Infosys Foundation STEM Stars Scholarship, and the PMSS are open to nursing and pharmacy students. Always read the eligible courses list before applying.

  1. Is there a scholarship for MBBS students in private medical colleges?

The Central Sector Scheme, ONGC Scholarship, Post Matric SC or ST schemes, and the PMSS are all available to students in recognised private medical colleges. The GSK Scholars Programme and several state schemes are restricted to government colleges only.

  1. Do I need a NEET rank to apply for medical scholarships?

For MBBS specific schemes, a valid NEET scorecard is typically required as proof of eligibility and admission basis. For nursing and pharmacy schemes under NSP, NEET is not mandatory since admission to these courses follows state counselling processes. Check each scheme individually.

  1. Can I hold a medical scholarship and a college fee concession at the same time?

Most government scholarship schemes ask you to disclose all forms of financial aid including institutional fee concessions. Some schemes allow you to hold both if the concession is from the institution directly and the scholarship is from a central or state government body. Corporate scholarships have varying rules, so read the terms carefully before applying.

  1. When does the next cycle of medical scholarships open for 2026-27?

The National Scholarship Portal typically opens fresh applications in July 2026. The ONGC Scholarship cycle generally opens in August and closes in November. The GSK Scholars Programme opens annually and targets first year MBBS students, so the 2026-27 cycle will be relevant only to students admitted to government medical colleges in 2026.

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