ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27: 2,000 students can get Rs 48,000 a year, apply by Nov 30
By TUF News Desk · Published 8 November 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
First-year engineering and medical students have three weeks left to apply for one of 2,000 ONGC Merit Scholarships. The award pays Rs 48,000 a year, or Rs 4,000 a month, and applications close on November 30, 2026.
The ONGC Foundation opened applications on October 18. The scholarship is for students who joined the first year of an eligible course in 2026: engineering, MBBS, MBA, or a master’s in geology or geophysics. The course must be full time and at a recognised institution.
Who can apply
Applicants must be Indian citizens in the SC, ST, OBC or General-EWS categories. They must be 30 or younger as on August 1, 2026, and must have scored at least 60 percent marks, or a CGPA of 6.0 on a 10-point scale, in Class 12 for engineering and MBBS, or in graduation for MBA and geology or geophysics.
Family income limits apply. For SC and ST applicants, annual family income from all sources must be below Rs 4.5 lakh. For OBC and General-EWS applicants, the limit is below Rs 2 lakh a year.
Students already receiving another scholarship cannot apply. The ONGC award is also a one-time scholarship: a student can receive it only once, and only for one course.
How the 2,000 awards are divided
Half the scholarships go to SC and ST students, 1,000 in total. OBC students get 500, and General-EWS students get 500. Half of all 2,000 awards are reserved for girl students.
Engineering takes the largest share, with 1,100 scholarships. Geology and geophysics master’s programmes get 470, MBA gets 240, and MBBS gets 190.
How selection works
There is no written test or interview. Selection is on academic merit, based on marks in the qualifying examination. If two applicants have the same marks, the one with the lower family income gets preference. Students from below-poverty-line families get preference too.
The money continues for the full course, but only if the student keeps scoring at least 60 percent or a 6.0 CGPA each year and is promoted to the next year. A student who fails to get promoted loses the scholarship.
How to apply
Applicants first need a One-Time Registration (OTR) number from the National Scholarship Portal. The ONGC application asks for that number, so the NSP registration has to come first.
The application itself is submitted online at the official ONGC scholarship portal. After submitting online, applicants must send a printed copy of the form, with attested documents, to the ONGC office named in the application guidelines. The documents include the caste certificate, Class 10 and 12 marksheets, income certificate, bank details in the prescribed ECS form, PAN card, college identity card, admission receipt, an undertaking, and the NSP OTR number.
Applicants should keep time in hand for the paperwork, since the printed form and attested documents still have to be posted after the online submission.
For a wider look at what aid is available, see our guide to scholarships for Indian university students. Students still choosing where to study can read our guide to choosing a university in India.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27?
First-year students in Engineering, MBBS, MBA or a master’s in Geology/Geophysics, from SC, ST, OBC or General-EWS categories, with at least 60% marks or a 6.0 CGPA in the qualifying exam.
How much is the ONGC Merit Scholarship worth?
Rs 48,000 a year, paid as Rs 4,000 a month, for the duration of the course, as long as the student scores at least 60% or a 6.0 CGPA each year and is promoted to the next year.
What is the last date to apply for the ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27?
November 30, 2026. Applicants must complete National Scholarship Portal One-Time Registration first, since the ONGC form asks for the OTR number.
Is there an exam for the ONGC Merit Scholarship?
No. Selection is on academic merit in the qualifying examination, with preference to students from below-poverty-line families and to lower-income applicants when marks are tied.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27?
First-year students in Engineering, MBBS, MBA or a master's in Geology/Geophysics, from SC, ST, OBC or General-EWS categories, with at least 60% marks or a 6.0 CGPA in the qualifying exam.
How much is the ONGC Merit Scholarship worth?
Rs 48,000 a year, paid as Rs 4,000 a month, for the duration of the course, as long as the student scores at least 60% or a 6.0 CGPA each year and is promoted to the next year.
What is the last date to apply for the ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27?
November 30, 2026. Applicants must complete National Scholarship Portal One-Time Registration first, since the ONGC form asks for the OTR number.
Is there an exam for the ONGC Merit Scholarship?
No. Selection is on academic merit in the qualifying examination, with preference to students from below-poverty-line families and to lower-income applicants when marks are tied.
Sources: FreeJobAlert, CareerStar, NavJeevan Express