Private Scholarships for PG Admission in 2026: Complete Guide for Indian Students

INTRODUCTION

Pursuing postgraduate education is a major milestone, but it can also be expensive — especially for students who don’t receive full support from government schemes or families. That’s where Private Scholarships for PG Admission come in. These scholarships are offered by trusts, corporate foundations, alumni associations, NGOs, and educational institutions to help postgraduate students fund tuition fees, living expenses, research costs, internships, and more.

In this guide for 2026, we’ll cover what private scholarships are, why they matter, the top scholarship opportunities available to Indian postgraduate students, how to apply, tips to win awards, mistakes to avoid, and a comprehensive FAQ section to answer your questions.

What Are Private Scholarships for PG Admission?

Private Scholarships for PG Admission are financial awards funded by non-governmental organisations — like corporate foundations, trusts, charities, alumni associations, and institutions — that go beyond government bursaries to support postgraduate education. Unlike government schemes, these scholarships often consider merit, innovation, leadership traits, industry alignment, and financial need.

Private scholarships are especially valuable because:

• They supplement government funding, giving students extra support.

• They may offer mentorship, internships, or networking opportunities.

• Some are open to international study, if you plan to study abroad after PG admission.

• Many focus on specific groups like women, minorities, or students in particular fields.

These scholarships can vary widely in award amount, eligibility, duration, and application process, so a well-planned strategy is essential to make the most of them.

Why Private Scholarships Matter for PG Students

Government scholarships are limited and often highly competitive. Private scholarships play a crucial role for postgraduate students by:

• Increasing overall financial support packages.

• Supporting non-traditional or specialised courses that government schemes may not fully cover.

• Providing industry recognition which can enhance your academic profile and career prospects.

• Offering international opportunities through partnerships or external grants.

Whether you’re pursuing an MA, MSc, MBA, MTech, MD/MS, or research programme, there’s likely at least one private scholarship that can help you cover part of your financial needs if you know where to look.

Top Private Scholarships for PG Admission (India & Abroad)

Below are some of the notable private scholarships that PG students — especially Indian postgraduate aspirants — can explore in 2026:

1. Narotam Sekhsaria Postgraduate Scholarship

Offered by Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation, this is one of the most popular private scholarships in India for postgraduate students.

• It’s a merit-cum-means scholarship.

• Open to Indian citizens pursuing postgraduate studies in India or abroad.

• Award amount typically ranges from ₹5 lakh to ₹20 lakh.

• Applications usually close around March each year.

This scholarship is particularly helpful if you’re planning to study at a top university or abroad, because the amount is generous and can cover large parts of tuition fees.

2. KC Mahindra Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad

• Run by K.C. Mahindra Education Trust.

• Aimed at Indian students who want to pursue postgraduate studies abroad.

• Award amounts usually range from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per year.

• Helps cover fees and living expenses overseas.

This is a strong option if you want international exposure after your PG admission.

3. Reliance Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship

Reliance Foundation supports students through various education grants. Under this scheme:

• Postgraduate students in India may receive financial support covering part of tuition and living costs.

• The award amount varies depending on course and needs.

This scholarship is typically needs-based and industry-linked, making it good for professional PG programmes.

4. Aditya Birla Scholarship Programme

This private scholarship is known for supporting high-achieving students in professional fields:

• Open to UG and PG students in sectors like management, engineering, finance, etc.

• Amount varies depending on criteria and partner institutions.

Many premier institutes collaborate with Aditya Birla Group to offer this scholarship, which can boost your academic financing significantly.

5. Kotak Shiksha Nidhi Scholarship

A corporate scholarship supported by Kotak Education Foundation:

• Award amounts vary but often cover a substantial portion of fees for PG admission.

• Includes financial support for tuition and related academic expenses.

This is both a merit and needs-based opportunity.

6. SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship

Offered by the SBI Foundation, this scholarship is one of the most comprehensive corporate-supported programmes in India. According to reports:

• It covers education costs from school to postgraduate and even abroad.

• Scholarships range from ₹15,000 to ₹20 lakh per year depending on need and academic profile.

This is a broader scheme that includes PG students — a great opportunity if you qualify.

7. Schott Fiolax Scholarship

This is a sector-specific private scholarship example:

• Schott Glass India Pvt Ltd awards this to postgraduate students, especially in pharmaceutical or science fields.

• Award recognises academic excellence and industry skill exposure.

Industry-sponsored scholarships like this are growing in 2026 and offer both funding and professional visibility.

8. Alumni Association Scholarships (Institute Specific)

Many institutions have private scholarship programmes funded by alumni groups. One example:

• The MNNIT Alumni Association awarded scholarships totalling ₹7.08 lakh to support meritorious and financially disadvantaged students.

Such opportunities are usually internal to a college or university but are powerful because they often combine financial aid with mentoring and networking.

9. Foundation for Excellence (FFE) Scholarship

Although not limited strictly to PG, the Foundation for Excellence awards scholarships for higher education support — often to low-income but academically gifted students pursuing advanced degrees.

This is a globally connected non-profit offering significant funding to deserving scholars.

How to Find and Apply for Private Scholarships

Finding private scholarships for PG admission can require research across different platforms. Here’s a practical approach to get started:

1. Use Curated Private Scholarship Lists

Portals like IndiaScholarships.in list private scholarships including Reliance Foundation, Tata Trusts, Aditya Birla, KC Mahindra and others that are open for postgraduate students.

These are often sorted by eligibility, award amount, deadlines, and links to official applications.

2. Check Corporate Foundation Websites

Many large companies (e.g., Reliance Foundation, Tata Trusts, Aditya Birla Group) have scholarship or education grant sections on their official sites where applications open annually.

3. Search via Scholarship Aggregator Portals

Sites like Buddy4Study, Scholarships.in, and Shiksha aggregate private and government scholarship opportunities with filters for PG programmes.

4. Monitor College/University Institutional Scholarships

Many universities and colleges offer internal private scholarships funded by alumni groups, endowments, or industry partners — especially for top-ranked students.

5. Prepare Supporting Documents

Common requirements include:

• Admission letter for PG course

• Academic marksheets and transcripts

• Personal statement or SOP

• Letters of recommendation

• Income certificate (for need-based awards)

• Project proposals (for research scholarships)

Benefits of Private Scholarships for PG Admission

Private scholarships provide several unique advantages:

Higher Stipend and Large Amounts

Some awards — especially international or corporate scholarships — can be significantly higher than standard government stipends.

Merit Recognition

Winning a private scholarship often includes a prestigious endorsement which can benefit further education or career chances.

Networking and Professional Growth Opportunities

Certain corporate and alumni scholarships offer mentorship, internships, and networking events connected to industry professionals.

International Study Support

Private scholarships like KC Mahindra and In laks Shivdasani (though highly competitive) can help with overseas PG programmes.

Common Myths About Private Scholarships

Let’s clear up some common misconceptions:

Myth 1: Only top ranks can get private scholarships.

Reality: Some scholarships are merit-cum-means, which look at financial need as well as academic performance.

Myth 2: Private scholarships are too hard to find.

Reality: Most are publicly advertised via scholarship portals, institutional notices, company CSR pages, and official career services.

Myth 3: Private scholarships can’t be combined with government awards.

Reality: In many cases, you can hold both a private scholarship and a government scholarship, provided there’s no specific restriction stated by the scholarship provider.

FAQ

Q: What are Private Scholarships for PG Admission and why should I apply?

A: Private Scholarships for PG Admission are financial awards funded by trusts, corporate foundations, NGOs, or alumni groups that help postgraduate students cover tuition and living expenses. These awards often add to government funding and may include additional benefits such as mentorship, internships, or professional networks.

Q: Can private scholarships be used along with government scholarships?

A: Yes, many private scholarships allow you to combine them with government awards as long as there is no clause against dual funding. Always check the individual scholarship terms.

Q: Do private scholarships require repayment?

A: Most private scholarships are grants and do not require repayment. However, some loan-scholarship hybrids (like J N Tata Endowment for study abroad) may involve low-interest repayment terms.

Q: Can I apply for private scholarships if I’m studying abroad?

A: Yes. Certain private scholarships like KC Mahindra and Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation awards are aimed at Indian students pursuing postgraduate study abroad.

Q: When should I start applying for private scholarships for PG admission?

A: It’s best to start 6–12 months before your course begins, as many private scholarships have early deadlines (often February–April each year).

Tips to Maximise Scholarship Success

Here are practical tips to boost your chances:

• Start Early: Many private funds open applications months before your admission.

• Tailor Your Statement: Write clear academic goals and impact narratives.

• Prepare Strong Documents: Letters of recommendation, CV, and project proposals help.

• Apply Broadly: Don’t limit yourself to one scholarship; apply to many.

• Check Field-Specific Awards: Some are tied to specific areas like science, pharmacy, or tech.

  
  

Official & Helpful Links (CTA)

Here’s where you can search and apply for Private Scholarships for PG Admission in 2026:

Private Scholarship Listings (IndiaScholarships.in)🔗 https://www.indiascholarships.in/private-scholarships — Curated list of private scholarship schemes including those for postgraduate students.

Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation (Official)🔗 https://www.narotamsakhsaria.org — Details on application process and eligibility for one of the largest private PG scholarships.

KC Mahindra Education Trust Scholarship🔗 https://www.kcmet.org — Scholarship opportunities for Indian students intending to study abroad.

Buddy4Study (Scholarship Aggregator Portal)🔗 https://www.buddy4study.com — Search for many private scholarships including Reliance, Kotak Shiksha Nidhi, and Vidyasaarathi CSR scholarship options.

SBI Asha Scholarship (SBI Foundation)🔗 https://www.sbifashascholarship.org — Large private support programme open to PG students.

Final Thoughts

Private scholarships can be game-changers for postgraduate students, offering flexibility, substantial financial support, career-boosting networks, and sometimes international exposure. In 2026, with private funding opportunities increasing alongside government options, a smart strategy can help you fund your dream programme without compromising on quality.