Best Scholarships for Class 10, 11 & 12 Students in India 2026 – Prepare for JEE & NEET with Rewards

Every year, thousands of students in Class 10, 11, and 12 begin preparing for competitive exams like JEE Main and NEET, but rising coaching costs and limited access to quality learning resources often become major challenges. Scholarships play a crucial role in supporting students by providing financial assistance, performance evaluation, and early exposure to national-level competition.

In India, both government initiatives and academic scholarship exams are designed to identify talented students and help them continue their education without financial pressure. From merit-based funding opportunities to online scholarship tests aligned with the CBSE Syllabus, students today have multiple ways to earn rewards, fee waivers, and structured preparation support while still in school.

For the 2026 academic session, scholarship programs are increasingly focused on helping students prepare strategically for engineering and medical entrance exams. Among these, the SCORE Scholarship stands out as a national-level opportunity that allows students to assess their academic performance, compete with peers across India, and unlock rewards that can directly support their JEE or NEET Exam preparation journey.

This guide provides a complete, updated list of the best scholarships for Class 10, 11, and 12 students in India in 2026, along with eligibility details, application steps, and expert guidance on choosing the right scholarship to maximize academic growth and future opportunities.

Best Scholarships for Class 10, 11 & 12 Students in India 2026 (Updated List)

Students studying in Classes 10, 11, and 12 have access to a wide range of scholarship opportunities in India that reward academic performance, support entrance exam preparation, and provide financial assistance for future studies. The best scholarships combine evaluation, recognition, and learning benefits, helping students strengthen their academic journey while preparing for competitive exams. Below is an updated list of major scholarships available for the 2026 academic session, selected based on accessibility, student benefits, and relevance for school students.

Top Scholarships for School Students in India (2026)

SCORE Scholarship — National-Level Opportunity for School Students

Among available scholarship exams, the SCORE Scholarship is designed specifically for students who want to evaluate their academic preparation early while earning rewards based on performance. Key Highlights:

• Open to students from Class 10, 11, and 12
• Exam aligned with school curriculum and competitive exam concepts
• Nationwide participation enabling performance comparison
• Rewards and academic recognition based on score and rank
• Helps students understand preparation level before major entrance exams

Unlike traditional scholarships that focus only on marks, SCORE emphasizes performance benchmarking, allowing students to identify improvement areas during the preparation phase itself.

SCORE Scholarship 2026 — Full Form, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Rewards & How It Works

SCORE is a national-level scholarship and talent exam linked with Infinity Learn / Sri Chaitanya. SCORE is commonly expanded as Sri Chaitanya Outstanding Achievers Reward Examination.
It is conducted for students across multiple grades, and for senior classes it’s designed to benchmark preparation using patterns similar to JEE Exam and NEET.

1) Who can apply for SCORE Scholarship (Eligibility)

SCORE is open to students from Class 3 to Class 12 across India and is not restricted to one board—students from CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards can apply.
It also includes a Senior Category for Classes 11, 12, and Droppers (Science stream: PCM/PCB).

2) SCORE Categories (How the exam is structured)

SCORE is typically described in categories so students get an exam aligned to their stage:

• Foundation Category (Classes 6–10): Focuses on NCERT-aligned Mathematics, Science, and Mental Ability to strengthen fundamentals.
• Senior Category (Classes 11, 12, and Droppers): Designed for PCM/PCB, and the pattern is positioned as similar to JEE/NEET-style assessment for realistic benchmarking.

3) SCORE Exam Pattern (High-intent details students search)

For senior classes, the official SCORE site shows a clear subject-wise split and timing:

• Class 11 (JEE): Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics — 60 questions (20 each) — 120 minutes
• Class 11 (NEET): Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology — 120 questions (30 each) — 120 minutes
• Class 12 (JEE): Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics — 60 questions (20 each) — 120 minutes
• Class 12 (NEET): Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology — 120 questions (30 each) — 120 minutes

For Classes 6–10, Infinity Learn positions the syllabus around Maths + Science + Mental Ability, with Maths explicitly tied to NCERT Solutions topics.

4) SCORE Scholarship Benefits (What students actually get)

SCORE’s rewards are structured around tuition fee waivers + prize pool rewards:

Tuition Fee Waivers (Performance-based)

• Up to 100% scholarship (full tuition fee waiver) and partial scholarships (10%–90%) depending on performance tier/rank.
• Scholarships apply to Infinity Learn online classes and other associated programs listed by Infinity Learn (including integrated/school programs).

Prize Pool & Additional Rewards

• Infinity Learn’s SCORE page highlights a ₹2.5 crore prize pool, including cash rewards, gadgets (laptops/tablets), and even study infrastructure support.
• The official SCORE site also mentions rewards such as NASA educational trip opportunities, cash rewards, gadgets, and mentorship.

Also Check: Scholarships in India for Class 1 to 12, Check All of India Scholarship's

5) Registration & Mode

SCORE is positioned as an exam students can attempt in online mode, enabling participation from anywhere in India.
Several sources also state registration is free (no fee) for the scholarship test.

6) Why SCORE is relevant for JEE/NEET students (practical value)

For Class 11–12 (and droppers), SCORE is useful because it:

• tests students on a JEE/NEET-like structure,
• gives a national-level benchmark of where they stand,
• and links performance to scholarship outcomes (fee waiver tiers + rewards).

Government Scholarships After Class 10 & 12 in India (NSP Guide 2026)

Apart from national scholarship exams, students in Classes 10, 11, and 12 can also benefit from several government-funded scholarship schemes designed to support continued education. These programs primarily focus on reducing financial barriers and ensuring equal access to academic opportunities for deserving students across India.

Most central government scholarships are managed through a unified digital platform, making the application process standardized and transparent for students nationwide.

What is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)?

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is an online platform developed by the Government of India to simplify scholarship applications. Instead of applying separately for multiple schemes, students can register once and apply for eligible scholarships through a single dashboard.

Key Functions of NSP:

• Centralized scholarship application system
• Online verification and tracking
• Direct benefit transfer (DBT) to student bank accounts
• Access to central and state scholarship schemes in one place

The portal supports students from school level to higher education, including those studying after Class 10 and Class 12.

Types of Government Scholarships Available (2026)

Government scholarships generally fall into the following categories:

1. Pre-Matric Scholarships

• Available for students studying up to Class 10
• Designed to encourage continuation of school education
• Often based on family income and academic eligibility

2. Post-Matric Scholarships

• Available for students studying after Class 10
• Supports Classes 11–12 and higher education programs
• Covers tuition fees, maintenance allowance, or academic expenses

3. Merit-Based Central Sector Scholarships

• Awarded to academically strong students after Class 12
• Supports undergraduate education expenses
• Selection based on board examination performance

How to Apply for Government Scholarships via NSP

Students applying through NSP typically follow these steps:

1. Register on the National Scholarship Portal using basic details
2. Complete profile and academic information
3. Select eligible scholarship schemes
4. Upload required documents for verification
5. Submit application and track status online

Applications are verified by institutions and authorities before approval and fund transfer.

Documents Commonly Required

While requirements may vary by scheme, students usually need:

• Aadhaar or identity proof
• School or board mark sheet
• Income certificate (if applicable)
• Bank account details linked with Aadhaar
• Bonafide certificate from school/institution

Keeping documents ready before application deadlines improves approval chances.

Why Students Should Apply Early

Government scholarships operate within fixed timelines each academic year. Early application helps students:

• avoid verification delays,
• correct application errors,
• ensure timely fund disbursement,
• secure financial assistance before academic sessions progress.