B.Sc Chemistry Scholarships 2026: Schemes, Eligibility & Amounts

B.Sc Chemistry students in India can access several scholarships in 2026, the most valuable being the government-funded INSPIRE SHE scholarship, which pays up to Rs 80,000 per year to top-1% Class 12 science students. Beyond INSPIRE, the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship, post-matric category schemes on the National Scholarship Portal, state-government awards and private foundation grants (Reliance Foundation, Sitaram Jindal) all support B.Sc Chemistry candidates based on merit, income or category. This page explains each B.Sc Chemistry scholarship, its eligibility, amount and application route for 2026.

B.Sc Chemistry Scholarships in India 2026: Quick Comparison

The table below summarises the main scholarships a B.Sc Chemistry student can apply for in 2026, covering merit-based, income-based and category-based options. Amounts are indicative ranges published by the awarding bodies and are subject to annual revision.

For context on where a B.Sc Chemistry degree can take you, see our B.Sc Chemistry course overview, and browse verified BSC colleges in India to shortlist institutions that accept these scholarships.

INSPIRE SHE Scholarship for B.Sc Chemistry

The INSPIRE SHE (Scholarship for Higher Education) is the flagship scholarship for B.Sc Chemistry students, offering up to Rs 80,000 per year under the Department of Science & Technology’s INSPIRE programme. B.Sc Chemistry is a recognised Natural/Basic Science course, so chemistry students are directly eligible if they meet the merit criteria.

Amount

The award is Rs 5,000 per month (Rs 60,000 per year) as a scholarship, plus a Rs 20,000 annual Summer Time Mentorship Grant, totalling up to Rs 80,000 a year. It is payable for the duration of the course (typically up to 5 years for integrated programmes) and is credited via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to an Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Eligibility

• Secured a position in the top 1% of your Class 12 board examination (state or central board), OR qualified through eligible national talent routes.
• Currently enrolled in B.Sc, B.S., B.Sc (Research), Integrated M.Sc or Integrated M.S. in Natural or Basic Sciences – B.Sc Chemistry qualifies.
• Aged between 17 and 22 years at the time of application.
• No gap year after Class 12 – you must have enrolled in an eligible science course in the same academic year following Class 12.

Around 12,000 INSPIRE SHE scholarships are awarded each year. Applications are submitted on the official INSPIRE portal (online-inspire.gov.in), typically opening in the first half of the year.

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship

The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students is a merit-cum-means award from the Ministry of Education that B.Sc Chemistry students can claim through the National Scholarship Portal. It pays Rs 10,000 per year for the first three years of an undergraduate degree.

Amount and Duration

• Rs 10,000 per annum for the first three years of graduation.
• Rs 20,000 per annum in the 4th and 5th year for 5-year integrated or professional courses.
• Renewed each year subject to maintaining the required marks and attendance.

Eligibility

Candidates must be above a merit cut-off (broadly, the top slab of their Class 12 board), be pursuing a regular degree at a recognised institution, and have a family income below the annual ceiling notified by the government. Reservations apply as per norms (SC 15%, ST 7.5%, OBC 27%, PwD 5%), with 50% of scholarships reserved for female students.

Post-Matric and Category-Based Scholarships

B.Sc Chemistry students from SC, ST, OBC, EBC and minority communities can apply for post-matric scholarships that cover both a maintenance allowance and fee reimbursement. These are administered by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Ministry of Minority Affairs and respective state governments through the National Scholarship Portal.

• Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC/EBC): maintenance allowance plus reimbursement of non-refundable fees, based on category and family income.
• Top Class Education Scheme for SC students: covers full tuition fee and allowances at notified institutions.
• Minority (Merit-cum-Means) Scholarship: for students from notified minority communities meeting the income ceiling.

Exact amounts vary by state and category, so verify the current figures for your state on the National Scholarship Portal before applying.

Private and Foundation Scholarships

Several corporate and non-profit foundations fund B.Sc Chemistry students, usually on a merit-cum-means basis. These are separate from government schemes and can often be held alongside a state or central award (check each scheme’s rules on holding multiple scholarships).

Note that some marquee corporate scholarships (for example, the Aditya Birla Scholarship) are restricted to premier engineering, management and law institutes and are generally not open to B.Sc Chemistry candidates.

How to Apply for B.Sc Chemistry Scholarships in 2026

Most B.Sc Chemistry scholarships are applied for online through one of two portals: the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) for central and state government schemes, and online-inspire.gov.in for the INSPIRE SHE scholarship. A typical application flow is:

1. Register on the relevant portal with your mobile number and email.
2. Keep documents ready: Class 12 marksheet, college admission/bonafide proof, Aadhaar, income certificate, category certificate (if applicable) and bank details.
3. Fill in academic and personal details and upload scanned documents.
4. Submit before the deadline and get your application verified by your institution’s nodal officer.
5. Track status online; awards are disbursed via DBT to your Aadhaar-linked account.

Planning your subjects alongside your scholarship application helps – review the B.Sc Chemistry syllabus and subjects so you can maintain the marks most merit scholarships require. If you are still choosing a college, compare options among the top Science colleges in India.

Tips to Maximise Your Scholarship Chances

To improve your odds of securing a B.Sc Chemistry scholarship, apply early and to multiple schemes, since eligibility windows and quotas fill quickly. Maintain a strong academic record (most merit scholarships need 60% or higher, and INSPIRE needs a top-1% Class 12 rank), keep your income and category certificates current, and ensure your Aadhaar-linked bank account is active for DBT so approved funds are not held up.

Explore more on FindMyCollege

Related pages for B.Sc in Chemistry aspirants on findmycollege.com:

• BSC colleges in India
• top Science colleges in India
• B.Sc in Chemistry overview
• Syllabus

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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