Post Graduate Merit Scholarship Scheme For University Rank Holders At Under-Graduate Level Applicable
₹2,000/month for 2 years · university rank holders at UG level · pursue any Master's
The UGC rewards students who topped their university at the undergraduate level (in General or Honours courses) with a merit scholarship to help them pursue a Master's degree at any recognized institution in India. Awardees receive ₹2,000 per month for two years. Applications open once a year on the UGC website through the e-SARTS Scholarships portal.
About This Scheme
The UGC rewards students who topped their university at the undergraduate level (in General or Honours courses) with a merit scholarship to help them pursue a Master's degree at any recognized institution in India. Awardees receive ₹2,000 per month for two years. Applications open once a year on the UGC website through the e-SARTS Scholarships portal.
Full official description
University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Higher Education (DoHE) introduced a Post-Graduate Merit Scholarship Scheme for University rank holders both in General and Honours Courses at the Undergraduate level. The scholarship may be tenable for a period of two years to enable the rank holders of each university at the undergraduate level to pursue their Master’s Degree.
All universities/degree awarding institutions would be required to issue rank certificates to the toppers of the university (not at the college level) both in General and Honours Courses namely B.A., B.Sc., and B.Com. The purpose of this scheme is to attract talent for pursuing postgraduate studies besides strengthening the basic subjects – General as well as Honours, at the Undergraduate level.
The awardees, under this scheme, can pursue their Postgraduate program in any area of specialization in any institution of higher learning in the country.
OBJECTIVES a) to promote and nurture talent. b) to reward meritorious students with outstanding performance at the Undergraduate level for pursuing postgraduate studies. c) to Promote study in basic subjects both General as well as Honours at the undergraduate level. Professional courses are not covered under the scheme. d) to build up academic excellence at the postgraduate level across the colleges and universities in the country.
Benefits
- ₹2,000 per month for 10 months per year, for two years (total up to ₹40,000)
- 1,800 scholarships for General course toppers and 575 for Honours course toppers each year
- No additional hostel or medical allowance is provided
💡 Why Startups Should Care
Primarily a student benefit, but edtech founders should note that this scheme rewards top 1–2 UG rank holders across all universities — a high-intent, high-achiever audience for test-prep and PG entrance products.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Must have secured the 1st or 2nd rank at the university level in a General UG course (BA, BSc, BCom), or the 1st rank in a listed Honours UG course
- Must have a minimum of 60% marks at the undergraduate level
- Must be admitted to a regular, full-time Master's degree program
- Age limit: 30 years at the time of PG admission
- Course must be one of the listed subjects in the scheme guidelines; distance education not covered
- The university must have had at least 1,000 students appear at UG level (100 for Honours courses)
- Degrees from autonomous colleges are not directly covered — rankings must be at the university level
Exclusions
- Not available to students in distance or correspondence education mode
- Autonomous college degrees are not eligible; rank must be from the affiliating university
- Scholarship is cancelled if the student scores below 60% in the first year of the Master's program
How to Apply
- Check the UGC website (ugc.ac.in) and Employment News for the annual advertisement.
- Visit ugc.ac.in and click the 'e-SARTS Scholarships-Fellowships' link on the homepage.
- Select the PG Merit Scholarship scheme from the list.
- Click 'Apply Now' at the top of the page.
- Fill in all personal and academic details.
- Attach all required documents in the prescribed format.
- Submit before the deadline — late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Objectives Of This Scheme?
A) to promote and nurture talent. b) to reward meritorious students with outstanding performance at the Undergraduate level for pursuing postgraduate studies. c) to Promote study in basic subjects both General as well as Honours at the undergraduate level. Professional courses are not covered under the scheme. d) to build up academic excellence at the postgraduate level across the colleges and universities in the country.
What Will Be The Tenure Of The Scholarship?
The scholarship may be tenable for a period of two years to enable the rank holders of each university at the undergraduate level to pursue their Master's Degree.
Is This Scheme Only Apply To Those Pursuing Post-Graduate Programs?
Yes, the awardees, under this scheme, can pursue their Postgraduate program in any area of specialization in any institution of higher learning in the country.
What Is The Amount Of Financial Assistance Provided In This Scheme?
Each awardee, under the scheme, will be provided a scholarship of [?] 2,000/- p.m. for a period of two years (i.e. 10 months in a year). The second-year grant will be released after receiving the Utilization Certificate and statement of expenditure along with the progress report of the first year.
Is This Scholarship Subject To Securing A Minimum Of Marks At The Undergraduate Level?
Yes, the scholarship would be subjected to securing a minimum of 60% marks at the undergraduate level.
Is This Scheme Also Applicable To Students Who Have Taken Admitted To Part-Time Master’s Degree Courses?
No, the scheme is applicable to such students who have taken admitted to a regular, full-time Master's Degree course in any recognized university or a postgraduate college.
Is The Scholarship Available To The Student For The Second PG Degree?
No, the scholarship is available to the student for the first PG Degree only.
Is There An Age Criterion For This Scheme?
Yes, the age limit for the students is 30 years at the time of admission to the PG course.
Is Distance Mode Of Education Covered Under This Scheme?
No, the distance mode of education is not covered under the scheme.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Attested copy of university undergraduate degree certificate
- Matriculation (Class 10) certificate
- Verification certificate from the institution where you are admitted to 1st year PG
- Provisional rank certificate from your affiliating university (not autonomous college)
- Caste certificate (if applicable)