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Top Scholarships for Female Students in Science, Tech & Engineering

Updated 2026-07-295 min readBy IndiaScholarships Editorial Team

Key Takeaways

  • AICTE Pragati is the largest dedicated STEM scholarship for girl students in AICTE-approved technical colleges.
  • Private CSR programs like Infosys Foundation STEM Stars target women in specific undergraduate science and engineering streams.
  • Most STEM-specific scholarships stack with your regular state post-matric benefit — they aren't mutually exclusive.

Why Dedicated STEM Scholarships for Women Exist

Female enrollment in engineering, technology, and pure sciences remains lower than in other streams, so both the government and corporate CSR foundations run scholarships specifically to close this gap.

These scholarships often carry higher per-student amounts than general category scholarships, and many can be combined with your regular state post-matric scholarship since they come from a different funding source.

💡Pro Tip: Apply for both a STEM-specific CSR scholarship and your state post-matric scheme — check the /tools/eligibility-checker to confirm there's no exclusivity clause.

Top STEM Scholarships for Women

ScholarshipFocus AreaProvider
AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girl StudentsAICTE-approved technical diploma & degree coursesGovernment (AICTE)
Infosys Foundation STEM Stars ScholarshipScience, Technology, Engineering, Maths undergraduatesCorporate CSR
Glow & Lovely Careers Scholarship for WomenCareer-track women across disciplines, including STEMCorporate CSR

AICTE Pragati: What You Need to Know

AICTE Pragati is limited to two girl students per family, per year, studying in an AICTE-approved technical institution (engineering, pharmacy, architecture, etc.). It covers tuition fees up to a fixed annual cap and disburses directly via PFMS.


Application Strategy for STEM Applicants

  1. Confirm your institute is AICTE-approved before applying for AICTE Pragati — non-AICTE colleges are automatically ineligible.
  2. Apply early in the academic year — CSR programs like Infosys STEM Stars often close applications within a few weeks of opening.
  3. Keep your semester mark sheets ready — many STEM scholarships require proof of consistent academic performance for renewal.

See the complete list of women-focused scholarships on our Female Scholarships Hub.

Detailed Step-by-Step Application Procedure

To apply for Top Scholarships for Female Students in Science, Tech & Engineering successfully without errors or rejections, follow this structured procedural checklist:

  1. Official Portal Access & Registration:
- Navigate to the designated official state/national scholarship portal. - Click on New Student Registration / One-Time Registration (OTR). - Enter your active mobile number, Aadhaar number, and email address to complete OTP verification.
  1. Form Filling & Category Selection:
- Log in using your generated Application ID and password. - Fill in personal details, caste category, annual family income, and current academic course enrollment. - Select your target scheme name accurately from the scheme drop-down menu.
  1. Document Uploading:
- Upload scanned copies of required documents in PDF or JPEG format (file size typically under 200 KB). - Ensure the document details match your Aadhaar card and academic certificates exactly.
  1. Institution Verification & Final Submission:
- Preview the completed application form to verify all fields. - Click Final Submit and download the acknowledgment receipt. - Submit a hard copy of the printed form along with original document photocopies to your school/college scholarship officer for institute-level verification.
[!IMPORTANT]
Aadhaar Bank Seeding Mandatory: Ensure your bank account is seeded with Aadhaar via NPCI mapping. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scholarship funds will be credited only to Aadhaar-seeded accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the deadline to apply for Top Scholarships for Female Students in Science, Tech & Engineering?

Applications generally open between August and October for the 2026–27 academic session. Students are advised to submit forms before the official closing date to allow sufficient time for institute verification.

2. Can students with income above ₹2.5 Lakh per annum apply?

Income limits vary by category. SC/ST/OBC post-matric schemes usually mandate an annual family income ceiling of ₹2.50 Lakh, whereas merit-cum-means and corporate schemes may allow higher income thresholds.

3. How Can Applicants Track Application Status Online?

Log in to the official portal dashboard using your Application ID and DOB. Navigate to Track Application Status or PFMS Payment Status to check real-time approval stages.
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