Education
Jun 24, 2026
Ministry of Education Launches 'Pragati 2.0' Scholarship for Rural STEM Students
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Amitav Ghosh
Jun 24, 2026
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In a major move to boost female participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the Ministry of Education has launched the 'Pragati 2.0' scholarship scheme for the 2026-27 academic session. Building on the success of the original Pragati scheme, the 2.0 version has doubled its budget and increased the number of beneficiaries from 10,000 to 50,000 annually. The scheme provides a financial grant of ₹75,000 per year for the entire duration of the undergraduate degree, covering tuition fees, books, and living expenses.
Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, during the launch event in New Delhi, emphasized that the scheme is specifically designed to bridge the urban-rural divide. 'We have brilliant minds in our villages, but financial constraints often prevent girls from pursuing high-end technical education. Pragati 2.0 is our commitment to ensuring that no girl is left behind in India's journey to becoming a global tech hub,' he said. To be eligible, the candidate's family income must be less than ₹8 lakh per annum, and they must have secured admission in a recognized technical institution through a national or state-level entrance exam.
The application process will be entirely digital through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The window for applications will open on July 1, 2026, and close on August 31, 2026. A unique feature of Pragati 2.0 is the 'Mentorship Component,' where scholarship recipients will be paired with women leaders from the industry and academia. This is intended to provide them with the professional guidance and networking opportunities necessary to succeed in the competitive STEM workforce. Furthermore, 10% of the scholarships are reserved for students from aspirational districts as identified by NITI Aayog.
Educationalists have hailed the move, noting that while enrollment in STEM has increased, the dropout rate for rural girls remains a concern. 'Financial aid is the first step, but the mentorship and the sense of community this scheme provides will be the real game-changer,' says Dr. Meera Nair, an education policy researcher. The Ministry has also collaborated with several state governments to ensure that the scholarship information reaches the grassroots level through schools and community centers. Students are advised to ensure their Aadhaar is linked to their bank accounts for the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of the scholarship funds.
Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, during the launch event in New Delhi, emphasized that the scheme is specifically designed to bridge the urban-rural divide. 'We have brilliant minds in our villages, but financial constraints often prevent girls from pursuing high-end technical education. Pragati 2.0 is our commitment to ensuring that no girl is left behind in India's journey to becoming a global tech hub,' he said. To be eligible, the candidate's family income must be less than ₹8 lakh per annum, and they must have secured admission in a recognized technical institution through a national or state-level entrance exam.
The application process will be entirely digital through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The window for applications will open on July 1, 2026, and close on August 31, 2026. A unique feature of Pragati 2.0 is the 'Mentorship Component,' where scholarship recipients will be paired with women leaders from the industry and academia. This is intended to provide them with the professional guidance and networking opportunities necessary to succeed in the competitive STEM workforce. Furthermore, 10% of the scholarships are reserved for students from aspirational districts as identified by NITI Aayog.
Educationalists have hailed the move, noting that while enrollment in STEM has increased, the dropout rate for rural girls remains a concern. 'Financial aid is the first step, but the mentorship and the sense of community this scheme provides will be the real game-changer,' says Dr. Meera Nair, an education policy researcher. The Ministry has also collaborated with several state governments to ensure that the scholarship information reaches the grassroots level through schools and community centers. Students are advised to ensure their Aadhaar is linked to their bank accounts for the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of the scholarship funds.