PG Scholarship for University Rank Holders
Typically opens August–December. Verify on NSP each year.
- Amount
- ₹3,100 per month for 2 years
- Who can apply
- First and second rank holders at UG level admitted to any regular PG course.
- Income limit
- No income limit
- Study level
- Postgraduate
- Apply through
- NSP (scholarships.gov.in)
- Notes
- Available for specific disciplines like Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Social Sciences, Commerce, and Languages.
About this scholarship
The Post-Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders is a specialized UGC scheme intended to recognize and reward outstanding academic performance at the undergraduate level. It targets students who have secured the first or second rank in their bachelor's degree university examinations and are now enrolling in a full-time master's degree program. The scheme is aimed at nurturing exceptional talent and encouraging the brightest students to pursue postgraduate education in basic sciences, social sciences, languages, or commerce. Selection is fiercely competitive and purely based on the student's rank in their undergraduate university, provided the university awards general degrees rather than specialized professional ones. It provides a fixed monthly stipend for the two-year duration of the postgraduate course. To continue receiving the stipend in the second year, the rank-holding scholar must clear their first-year PG exams with high marks and maintain excellent attendance.
Documents you need
- Rank certificate issued by the university
- UG marksheet
- Proof of admission to a PG course
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook
How to apply
- Obtain an official rank certificate from your undergraduate university explicitly confirming you are the 1st or 2nd rank holder in your stream.
- Register and apply on the National Scholarship Portal under the UGC schemes section.
- Ensure your postgraduate institution verifies your application and joining report online.
Why applications get rejected
- Applying with a rank from an autonomous college; the rank must be issued by the affiliating university at the university level.
- Applying while pursuing a professional PG course like MBA, M.Tech, or MSW; the scheme only covers non-professional courses.
- Failing to upload the specific UGC-formatted rank certificate, leading to immediate rejection.
Common questions
Is there an income limit for the UGC rank holder scholarship?
No, this scholarship is awarded purely on the basis of academic merit, so there is no family income ceiling.
Can I apply if I am doing a distance learning PG degree?
No, the scholarship is only available to students pursuing a regular, full-time master's degree.
New to the National Scholarship Portal? Read our step-by-step guide to applying on NSP.
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