Women remain under-represented in many science and engineering fields, and a growing number of scholarships exist specifically to change that. If you are a woman pursuing STEM in India, these awards can substantially reduce your costs — and several can be combined with other merit scholarships.
Government schemes
AICTE Pragati is the flagship government scholarship for girls in technical education, offering ₹50,000 a year at AICTE-approved diploma and degree institutions for families earning up to ₹8 lakh a year. Because it is a national scheme applied for through the National Scholarship Portal, it reaches students across the country.
Corporate and foundation awards
The L'Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarship funds young women from financially weaker backgrounds pursuing science degrees, with awards up to ₹2,50,000. Corporate programmes such as the Legrand scholarship support women specifically in engineering and technology, often pairing money with mentoring.
How to strengthen your application
Most of these awards weigh both merit and need, and many ask for a short statement. Write specifically about why you chose STEM and what you want to do with it — a concrete story beats generic ambition. Keep your income and academic documents ready and accurate, and apply early in the cycle.
Can you hold more than one?
Often yes. A women-in-STEM scholarship and a general merit scholarship can frequently be held together, as long as neither scheme's rules prohibit it. Read each scheme's terms carefully rather than assuming you must choose.
Key takeaways
- AICTE Pragati (₹50k/yr) is the main government scheme for girls in tech.
- L'Oréal and Legrand fund women in science and engineering.
- A specific, personal statement strengthens your case.
- Many women-in-STEM awards can be combined with merit scholarships.
IndiaScholar helps Indian students find scholarships and university admissions in India and abroad — always confirm details on the official source before applying.
Scholarships mentioned in this post
AICTE
AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls
₹50,000/year
A scheme encouraging girls to pursue technical education in AICTE-approved diploma and degree programmes.
Reliance Foundation
Legrand Empowering Scholarship for Women in STEM
₹60,000/year
Supports women students pursuing engineering and technology degrees to close the gender gap in STEM.
IndiaScholar
L'Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarship
Up to ₹2,50,000
Encourages young women from financially weaker backgrounds to pursue undergraduate studies in the sciences.