AICTE Saraswati Scholarship 2026-27: Rs 25,000 a year for girls in BBA, BCA, BMS

By TUF News Desk · Published 30 October 2026 · 3 min read

Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy

A first-year BBA, BCA or BMS student from a family earning up to Rs 8 lakh a year can now apply for Rs 25,000 a year from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Applications for the Saraswati Scholarship for 2026-27 are open, and the scheme offers 3,110 scholarships a year to girl students at AICTE-approved institutions.

The money is paid for up to three years, which covers the full length of these degree courses. It goes towards college fees and study costs such as a computer, books, stationery, equipment and software. Hostel and medical charges are not covered.

Who can apply

The eligibility rules are short. The applicant must be a girl student admitted to the first year of a BBA, BCA or BMS degree course at an AICTE-approved institution. Her family’s income from all sources must not be more than Rs 8 lakh a year, and a valid income certificate issued by the State or Union Territory government has to be enclosed with the application.

Two limits apply per household. A maximum of two girl children from one family can receive the scholarship. Selection is merit based, and the scheme was started in 2024-25 to push more girls towards undergraduate courses in business administration, computer applications and management studies, and to stop money problems from forcing them to drop out.

Students comparing funding options can read our guide to scholarships for Indian university students alongside this scheme, and our admission documents checklist covers the kind of certificates colleges usually ask for at the application stage.

Dates that matter

The January 31 date is the one to watch. AICTE has directed institutions to complete the first level of verification of applications by that date, so a student who waits until February risks finding her college unable to verify the form in time. Apply early enough for the college to finish its check.

How to apply

Applications are submitted online on the official Saraswati Scholarship portal. Detailed guidelines, eligibility conditions and frequently asked questions are available on the official AICTE website. Students should read the guidelines on the portal before filling the form, since the income certificate and admission proof have to match what the college holds on record.

The scheme runs separately from the National Scholarship Portal, so an application here does not replace any other scholarship a student may be pursuing. With 3,110 places a year and a February 28 closing date, the practical window is really the weeks before the January 31 verification deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the AICTE Saraswati Scholarship 2026-27?

Girl students admitted to the first year of BBA, BCA or BMS at an AICTE-approved institution, with a family income of up to Rs 8 lakh a year. A maximum of two girl children from one family can apply.

How much does the Saraswati Scholarship pay?

Rs 25,000 a year for up to three years, paid towards college fees and study costs such as a computer, books and software. It does not cover hostel or medical charges.

What is the last date to apply for the Saraswati Scholarship 2026-27?

The portal closes on February 28, 2027, but institutions must finish the first level of verification by January 31, 2027, so students should apply well before that verification deadline.

Where do students apply for the Saraswati Scholarship?

On the AICTE Saraswati portal at sarswati.aicte.gov.in. Guidelines, eligibility conditions and FAQs are available on the AICTE website.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: DT Next, CareerBox, Education Times