IIT Kanpur Scholarships 2025: List of Financial Aid, Eligibility & Application Process
IIT Kanpur, one of India’s premier engineering institutes, offers a wide range of scholarships and financial aid programs to support its undergraduate students, especially those pursuing BTech and BArch degrees. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden on students, reward academic merit, and promote equitable access to quality education.
With the results for JoSAA Round 5 seat allocation now published and the final Round 6 scheduled for July 16 to 20, students admitted to IIT Kanpur for the academic year 2025 can start exploring the financial aid options available to them.
Let’s take a look at the key scholarships offered by IIT Kanpur, along with their eligibility criteria and benefits.
1. Bright Minds Scholarship
For the brightest of the bright, IIT Kanpur offers the Bright Minds Scholarship. This merit-based scholarship is awarded to students who secure an All India Rank (AIR) under 100 in JEE Advanced. Each selected student receives Rs 3 lakh per year, which covers the entire undergraduate tuition fee. The goal is simple — ensure that no high-achieving student misses out on an IIT education due to financial constraints.
2. Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship
Students whose parents earn less than Rs 4.5 lakh annually, and who are not from SC/ST categories, are eligible for this need-based scholarship. Benefits include:
- Full tuition fee waiver
- Monthly pocket allowance of Rs 1,000
To remain eligible, students must maintain a Cumulative Performance Index (CPI) of 6.5 or above. If the CPI falls between 6.0 and 6.5, the tuition fee waiver continues, but the pocket allowance is stopped. The only required document is the parental income certificate.
3. INSPIRE Scholarship
For students pursuing a B.S. degree in Physics, Chemistry, or Mathematics, the INSPIRE Scholarship by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, is available. To qualify, students must be on the Common Merit List (CML) with an AIR of 10,000 or lower.
Benefits include:
- Rs 60,000 per year (Rs 30,000 per semester)
- Rs 20,000 annually as a research grant
Students must maintain a CPI of at least 6.0 and submit a declaration each semester stating they are not availing any other scholarship.
4. Donor-Funded Scholarships
IIT Kanpur also awards 129 donor-funded scholarships annually. These are sponsored by alumni, organizations, and well-wishers and are awarded based on either merit or financial need.
Eligibility varies depending on:
- Department
- Academic performance
- Socioeconomic background
These scholarships are managed by the Students’ Scholarship and Prizes Committee (SSPC), and students can apply during the specified application period.
5. Free Basic Mess Scholarship (FBMS)
Targeted at SC/ST students with family income below Rs 4.5 lakh/year, this scholarship covers:
- Full basic mess fee waiver
- Additional monthly pocket allowance
This helps ease the daily cost of living, especially for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
6. External Scholarships
Apart from institute-funded aid, IIT Kanpur also facilitates access to external scholarships provided by:
- State and central governments
- Public sector undertakings
- Private foundations
While students must apply independently, the institute supports the process with necessary verification and documentation. One key platform to track such opportunities is the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
7. Sports Scholarships
Every year, 20 sports scholarships worth Rs 1,000 per month for 9 months are given to students who excel in sports — whether at Inter-IIT events, national tournaments, or through leadership in campus athletics.
8. Academic Excellence Awards
Students with a CPI of 8.5 or more in the previous academic year are eligible for Academic Excellence Awards. These awards serve as recognition for outstanding academic performance.
9. Convocation Medals and Honors
At the institute’s annual convocation, IIT Kanpur awards various medals and honors to graduating students based on departmental rankings, academic achievements, and other distinctions.
How to Apply for Scholarships at IIT Kanpur
Most scholarships are administered by the Students’ Scholarship and Prizes Committee (SSPC). To apply:
- Submit your parental income certificate.
- Based on this, you may be automatically considered for several scholarships, including MCM and donor-funded scholarships.
- For external scholarships, students must fill in separate applications but can seek assistance from the relevant department for institutional certification.
IIT Kanpur regularly updates students about scholarship opportunities via internal announcements, emails, and the official website.
With a robust financial aid ecosystem, IIT Kanpur Scholarships 2025 aim to ensure that no talented student is held back due to economic constraints. Whether you’re a high ranker in JEE Advanced or a student facing financial hardship, there’s a scholarship for you. Check the eligibility, prepare your documents, and make sure to apply on time — because the right support can change your future
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