Education
Jun 16, 2026
Ministry of Education Launches 'Pragati 2.0' Scholarship for Women in STEM Fields
S
Sunita Krishnan
Jun 16, 2026
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The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), has officially launched 'Pragati 2.0,' an enhanced version of the scholarship scheme aimed at empowering girl students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Recognizing the persistent gender gap in technical fields, the government has doubled the number of scholarships from 5,000 to 10,000 for the 2026-27 academic year. The scheme is designed to provide financial support to meritorious girl students from economically weaker sections of society who are pursuing degree or diploma courses in AICTE-approved institutions.
Under Pragati 2.0, each selected scholar will receive an annual grant of INR 50,000 for every year of study. This amount is intended to cover tuition fees, purchase of books, equipment, and other incidental expenses. Additionally, the government has introduced a 'Laptop Allowance' of INR 30,000 as a one-time grant for first-year students to ensure they have the necessary tools for digital learning. To be eligible, the candidate's family income must not exceed INR 8 lakh per annum, and she must have been admitted to the first year of a technical program through a centralized admission process of the State or Central Government.
'The Pragati scholarship has already transformed thousands of lives, and with version 2.0, we want to reach the most remote corners of India,' said the Secretary of Higher Education during the launch event. 'We are not just giving money; we are building a network of future woman leaders in technology.' The application process has been completely digitized through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), and the selection will be based entirely on merit in the qualifying examination. The portal will open for applications on June 20, 2026, and the deadline for submission is August 31, 2026.
In addition to financial aid, Pragati 2.0 scholars will gain access to exclusive mentorship programs hosted by women engineers from top tech firms like Google, Microsoft, and TCS. These mentors will provide guidance on career paths, resume building, and interview preparation. This holistic approach is aimed at ensuring that the scholars not only complete their education but also successfully transition into the workforce. Recent data suggests that scholarship recipients have a 40% higher chance of securing high-paying jobs compared to their peers from similar socio-economic backgrounds.
Educational activists have hailed the move but have also called for more awareness campaigns in rural schools. 'Many deserving girls in villages are unaware of such schemes,' said Smita Jha, founder of an NGO focused on girl's education. 'The government should use local community centers and radio to spread the word.' The Ministry has responded by stating that it will collaborate with State Education Boards to display scholarship details in all government high schools. As India strives to become a global technology superpower, initiatives like Pragati 2.0 are crucial for ensuring that half of the country's talent pool is not left behind.
Under Pragati 2.0, each selected scholar will receive an annual grant of INR 50,000 for every year of study. This amount is intended to cover tuition fees, purchase of books, equipment, and other incidental expenses. Additionally, the government has introduced a 'Laptop Allowance' of INR 30,000 as a one-time grant for first-year students to ensure they have the necessary tools for digital learning. To be eligible, the candidate's family income must not exceed INR 8 lakh per annum, and she must have been admitted to the first year of a technical program through a centralized admission process of the State or Central Government.
'The Pragati scholarship has already transformed thousands of lives, and with version 2.0, we want to reach the most remote corners of India,' said the Secretary of Higher Education during the launch event. 'We are not just giving money; we are building a network of future woman leaders in technology.' The application process has been completely digitized through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), and the selection will be based entirely on merit in the qualifying examination. The portal will open for applications on June 20, 2026, and the deadline for submission is August 31, 2026.
In addition to financial aid, Pragati 2.0 scholars will gain access to exclusive mentorship programs hosted by women engineers from top tech firms like Google, Microsoft, and TCS. These mentors will provide guidance on career paths, resume building, and interview preparation. This holistic approach is aimed at ensuring that the scholars not only complete their education but also successfully transition into the workforce. Recent data suggests that scholarship recipients have a 40% higher chance of securing high-paying jobs compared to their peers from similar socio-economic backgrounds.
Educational activists have hailed the move but have also called for more awareness campaigns in rural schools. 'Many deserving girls in villages are unaware of such schemes,' said Smita Jha, founder of an NGO focused on girl's education. 'The government should use local community centers and radio to spread the word.' The Ministry has responded by stating that it will collaborate with State Education Boards to display scholarship details in all government high schools. As India strives to become a global technology superpower, initiatives like Pragati 2.0 are crucial for ensuring that half of the country's talent pool is not left behind.