What are some scholarships for college students in India?

I'm planning to apply to colleges in India and am interested in finding potential scholarships. What are some scholarships available for students looking to study in India, and how competitive are they typically?

There are a number of scholarships available for students planning to study in India, each coming with its unique eligibility criteria and competitiveness. Here are a few notable ones:

1. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) Scholarships: This scholarship is offered to international students for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees, as well as for various professional courses. The scholarship covers tuition fees, accommodation, allowance, and medical care, amongst others.

2. The Ministry of Minority Affairs Scholarships: The Minority Affairs Ministry of India offers a suite of scholarships targeted towards students from minority backgrounds (Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains) who are pursuing higher education. They offer the "Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme", "Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme", and the "Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme". These scholarships can be competitive as they are contingent on academic merit and socioeconomic status.

3. Indian Oil Sports Scholarships: These scholarships are meant for young athletes looking to pursue their studies in India. The scholarships are awarded based on the level of a student's athletic skill, with different categories for elite athletes, upcoming athletes, etc.

4. INSPIRE Scholarship (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research): This scholarship is offered by the Department of Science and Technology for students in the age group of 10 to 32 years who wish to pursue a career in science. It covers bachelors and masters in sciences, and it can be fairly competitive given the large pool of students applying for this scholarship.

5. AICTE Scholarship: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) provides multiple scholarships for students pursuing technical education (Engineering, Architecture, Pharmacy, Applied Arts, etc.). The scholarships include the AICTE-Saksham Scholarship Scheme and the AICTE-Pragati Scholarship Scheme.

The competitiveness of these scholarships varies depending on factors like academic merit, financial need, or specific skills. Keep an eye on the application deadlines for each scholarship and be sure to meet all the eligibility criteria to enhance your chances of getting awarded.