National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education 2026

About this scholarship

The National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education is a highly targeted, central government intervention designed to solve a very specific problem: the massive dropout rate of girls, particularly from marginalized communities, as they transition from middle school to high school. In many rural and economically disadvantaged areas, families often view secondary education for girls as an unnecessary expense, preferring to pull them out of school after Class 8. This scheme flips the financial logic. Instead of just paying for school books, it offers a delayed financial reward—an incentive—to keep the girl in the education system and delay early marriage. The financial mechanism of this scheme is unique. It does not hand the student a monthly stipend. Instead, when an eligible girl enrolls in Class 9, the central government deposits ₹3,000 into a fixed deposit account in her name. This money is locked. The student cannot touch it in Class 9, nor in Class 10. The funds, along with the accrued interest, are only released to the girl when she reaches 18 years of age and successfully passes her Class 10 board exams. It is a brilliant two-pronged strategy: it financially incentivizes the family to let her finish her secondary education, while also ensuring she isn't forced into an underage marriage before turning 18. Eligibility is tightly focused. The scheme is available to all Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) girls who pass Class 8. Additionally, it covers all girls—regardless of caste—who pass Class 8 from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) and enroll in Class 9 in a state/local body school. However, there is a hard exclusion: girls studying in private unaided schools are not eligible. The government strictly targets this incentive at students within the public education system. The application process is usually handled directly through the school. When the girl enrolls in Class 9, the school headmaster or principal is supposed to initiate the application, often by registering the student on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) under the Department of School Education and Literacy. However, parents cannot afford to be passive. The most frequent point of failure is the bank account. Because the government is creating a fixed deposit in a minor's name, the bank account must be fully operational, KYC-compliant, and linked to Aadhaar. If the bank account rejects the term deposit setup, the application stalls indefinitely. Parents must ensure the banking paperwork is flawless and follow up aggressively with the school headmaster to confirm the application was actually submitted to the district authorities.

Documents you need

Caste certificate (if SC/ST)
Aadhaar card
Bank passbook
Class 8 passing certificate
Proof of enrollment in Class 9
Passport-size photograph

How to apply

Ensure the girl student has passed Class 8 and is actively enrolling in Class 9 at a government, government-aided, or local body school.
Obtain a valid SC/ST certificate (if applicable) and ensure the student has an active Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Depending on the state, the school headmaster will either collect the forms physically or register the student directly on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Verify with the school administration that the application has been forwarded to the district education officer.

Expert Tip

The biggest roadblock here is the fixed deposit creation. Ensure the student's bank account allows for term deposits and does not have a minor cap that prevents the government from locking the ₹3,000 away until she turns 18.

Why applications get rejected

Attempting to withdraw the money before turning 18 or passing Class 10.
Applying while enrolled in a private unaided school, which is not covered by the scheme.
Failing to link the Aadhaar card with the bank account for the fixed deposit creation.

Common questions

When does National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education open for 2026?

Typically opens August–November. Verify on NSP each year.

What is the last date to apply for National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education?

The closing date is announced for each cycle rather than fixed in advance, so it is not the same every year. Typically opens August–November. Verify on NSP each year.

How do I apply for National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education?

Applications are submitted through NSP (scholarships.gov.in). Ensure the girl student has passed Class 8 and is actively enrolling in Class 9 at a government, government-aided, or local body school.

Can I withdraw the ₹3,000 when I am in Class 10?

No, the money is locked in a fixed deposit. You can only withdraw the principal and the interest when you reach 18 years of age and pass the Class 10 exams.

Are general category girls eligible for this incentive?

General category girls are only eligible if they passed Class 8 specifically from a Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV).

Does this scheme cover girls in private schools?

No, girls studying in private unaided schools are explicitly excluded from this incentive scheme.

What happens if a girl drops out in Class 10?

If the student drops out before passing Class 10, she forfeits the incentive, and the fixed deposit funds revert to the government.

New to the National Scholarship Portal? Read our step-by-step guide to applying on NSP.