Top Scholarship Opportunities for Law Students in India

Introduction

If you are a student pursuing a law course in India, you know that doing well on your studies and managing the cost can be a troublesome. Education is a big deal for the future of the law subject, so we have prepared a guide to help you with a number of the excellent scholarships – “Top Scholarship Opportunities for Law Students in India.”

We understand that becoming a great legal professional takes greater than just hard works – it also takes getting access to a best law school and education. In this blog, our intention is to help you by way of sharing a gaggle of scholarship options for both undergraduates and postgraduates who need to pursue law. We will discuss about different scholarships including private and government scholarships. Our key aim is to offer the information that you need to follow your law dreams without stressing too much about money.

So, whether you are a passionate undergrad starting your legal journey or a post grad ready to dive into the depth of law, this blog is like a guide pointing you to scholarships that can make a real difference in your education.

Come along with us as we explore these opportunities, sharing details about scholarships that not only appreciate your good grades but also support your goals. We want the journey of studying law to be something everyone can do, where nobody gets left behind. Welcome to a place where your dreams and opportunities come together – welcome to the world of top scholarships for law students in India.

Scholarships for Law Students in India

Are you a law student trying to find Indian Law Scholarships? This is the place where your search stops! Here is a list of top LLB scholarships available to students in India, from both government and private organizations.

Top Law Scholarships for Indian Students 2024

Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship

This scholarship program aims to help deserving students from low-income households cover some of their ongoing living expenses as they pursue higher education.

Eligibility:

• Scholars who are over the 80th percentile of successful students in the relevant stream from the relevant Board of Examination in Class XII of the 10+2 pattern or the same
• Students who choose to pursue regular degree programs rather than correspondence or distance learning
• Students who are enrolled in colleges and institutions accredited by the relevant governing bodies; and students who are not receiving any benefits from other scholarship programs, such as state-run programs or fee waiver and reimbursement schemes.
• Under the programme, students with gross parental or family income up to Rs. 4.5 lakh annually are eligible for scholarships. Only new applicants will need to provide an income certificate.
• The scholarship may be continued or renewed by the student if they transfer colleges or institutes of study as long as the new institution has a valid AISHE code, which can be verified on the website https://aishe.gov.in/aishe/aisheCode.
• If they meet the qualifying requirements, students who neglected to submit an online application for renewal of their scholarship for the next year may do so.
• In addition to receiving at least 50% in the annual examination, maintaining a minimum of 75% attendance will be required for the scholarship to be renewed each year of study. The loss of the scholarship will occur if the student is the target of complaints about any illegal or in fractional behavior, including ragging.
• Recipients/Applicants under the program are required to apply online for new or renewed scholarships through the National Scholarships Portal (www.scholarships.gov.in). Applications that are submitted directly to the Ministry of Education—whether new or renewed—will not be accepted.

Scholarship Amount and Duration of Scholarship (from financial year 2022-23)

For the first three years of college and university studies, the scholarship rate is Rs. 12,000/-per year at the graduation level and Rs. 20,000/-per year at the post-graduation level. In the fourth and fifth years of their professional degrees, students who are enrolled in integrated or five-year programs will get an annual stipend of Rs. 20,000. However, scholarships for students studying technical degrees like B.Tech and B.Eng. would only be awarded up to the point of graduation, which is Rs. 12,000 each year for the first, second, and third years and Rs. 20,000 for the fourth year.

Note: For the first three years of new or renewed scholarships with regard to academic year 2021–2022—even if the actual disbursement occurs in FY 2022–2023—the rate of scholarship is Rs. 10,000/–per annum.

Official website: Click here for latest updates.

2. Aditya Birla Scholarship Programme

The Aditya Birla Scholarships, which were founded in 1999, provide scholars an incredible opportunity to study while interacting with the top truly global firm in the country. If qualified, scholars are welcome to collaborate with us; however, they are not required to become members of the Group when their studies are finished.

Scholarship Package

The Aditya Birla Scholarships cover a large amount of the cost of education, covering tuition for the legal streams.

• Law: INR 1,80,000 p.a. or fees at actual, whichever is lower

Eligibility For Aditya Birla Scholarship Programme

Students who are enrolled to the following institutes are eligible to apply for this scholarship –NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad; National Law School of India University, Bangalore;  Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar; The WB National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata; National Law University, Jodhpur, Jodhpur.

Selection Process

• The data provided in the application form will be used to evaluate 100 law school applicants. The student will be chosen for the next stage based on an evaluation of his or her overall performance in both academics and extracurricular.
• These student’s essays will be evaluated by a panel in order to create a shortlist of applicants for the next phase.
• Students who make the short list will be asked to an interview, whereby the 16 top students from the engineering and management streams and the 15 top students from the law schools will be designated the Aditya Birla Scholars.

An esteemed panel of scholars and celebrities will conduct the interviews. Students who have been shortlisted should provide all supporting documentation, including copies of their transcripts and certificates.

The shortlisted candidates will receive lodging, compensation for their travel expenses, and a meager allowance for the interviews, which are scheduled to take place in Mumbai.

Official website:

  Click here to check complete details from the official website.

Fully Funded Science & Law School Scholarship

Affidavit Institute of Judicial Practice launched the Fully Funded Science & Law School Scholarship in an effort to support overseas students worldwide to attend any science or law school under 1000 QS University Rank for free. Only undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students in science and law institutions are eligible for this fully funded scholarship.

Eligibility:

• The candidate for the master's program must be under 30 years old or older
• The previously taught course must have been in English
• The candidate must possess a pre-admission letter from any Science & Law School with a QS ranking of less than 1000, or they must have been admitted to the school successfully (no more than three months later)
• Two letters of recommendation from teachers they previously attended 
• The applicant must be a law-abiding citizen of any nation
• The candidate must have completed at least 75% of their coursework in high school or their most recent institution. Scholarships for science and law school are not available for programs taught in languages other than English
• Research proposals are necessary for admission to research-based legal programs
• Science & legal School Scholarships will be awarded to deserving students twice a year; the first assessment of applications will be based on the eligibility requirements listed above.

Application Process

• Enroll in any Science, Engineering, or Law program at a university that is among the top 1000 QS-ranked schools and obtain acceptance confirmation. Applicants who enrolled more than three months after the deadline are not qualified for this reward.
• Obtain the pre-admission letter from the university and successfully complete the enrollment process after being admitted.
• Verify that you are a regularly enrolled student at the university that qualifies.
• Provide your curriculum vitae to finaid@afidavit.com. If the resume lacks any of the following details, the application will be rejected during the screening phase:
• University Name and its QS Ranking
• Duration of the program and enrollment date
• Program Name and medium of instruction
• Candidate academic scores from high school to the highest degree
• Candidate’s age
• Email and contact information

Scholarship amount: Fully funded

Note: Click here to check the deadline of the scholarship.

4. Nirankari Rajmata Scholarship Scheme

In order to help meritorious students succeed in life, the Sant Nirankari Charitable Foundation previously introduced a Scholarship Scheme that offered financial support based on "Merit-Cum-Means" for the academic year 2014–15. This allowed learners to take professional and technical degrees at the graduate and postgraduate levels.

The program has developed a clear, objective system to support the deserving and eligible pupils. Since the academic year 2015–16, the scholarship program has been known as the "NIRANKARI RAJMATA SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME."

Eligibility: 

The need and capacity of the student to undertake the appropriate course will determine how much financial aid is awarded to an application. The candidate must have received an admission offer from one of the following departments at a college or institution approved by the state or federal government, and they must have received at least 90% of the possible points in Class XII of the test:

• LLB after securing a minimum of 90% marks in Class XII and passing Law Entrance Test for LLB or after qualifying Degree Exams

The candidate must pass a competitive written exam to be admitted as a regular student at any institution or college that the federal, state, or local governments have acknowledged.

The applicant's family's annual income, taken together from all sources, shall not exceed Rs. 3.50 lakh.

In order to prove that the family's overall yearly earnings does not exceed Rs. 3.50 lakhs, the candidate or the candidate's family must submit the most recent pay stubs and I.T.R. of each earning individual in the family or a family income certificate given by the SDM, Tehsildar, BDO, or any other officer designated in this capacity by the Revenue Department. The Income Certificate's issuance date shouldn't occur more than three months before the application is submitted.

Scholarship Amount: This scholarship will only pay the tuition fee. (The maximum benefit amount per student would be Rs. 75,000/-per year).

A Complete List of Documents Required for Nirankari Rajmata Scholarship Scheme:

• A completed, properly formatted, and photocopied application form that is attached for every academic year.
• Mark sheets for every prior academic degree, dating back to Class X.
• Pass the Class X and XII Examination Certificates.
• Earn at least 90% in Class XII.
• A copy of the family income certificate, which is provided by the Area SDM, Tehsildar, or BDO, or a copy of the most recent pay stub and I.T. returns for each earning member of the family.
• An official certificate from the school attesting to the following: (a) the candidate will not/has not received funding through any program run by another private company, religious or spiritual group, or government agency; and (b) the candidate has not applied for admission through the Management/Convenor Quota or any other Quota.
• Part III of the application form is the affidavit.
• A copy of the exam results for every semester that was passed.
• A copy of the University's or the Institutes' most recent fee receipts.
• The application may include details on fees, such as tuition, library, hostel, books, etc., that have been officially signed by the institute's administrator or principal.
• A copy of the applicant’s passbook for their savings bank accounts, in the event that they have already paid the institute or college and are requesting repayment. The student's name ought to be on the bank account. Please ensure that the copy of the passbook or check includes the student's name, bank account number, and IFSC code.
• A duplicate of the bank statement for each family member's savings account.
• The Admission Slip or Letter confirming the University's or Educational Institution's admission offer to the applicant.
• A copy of your voter ID, Aadhar card, Pan-Card, Pass-port, or other evidence of residency.
• A copy of the letter from the SNCF Education Department from the previous year (for former students)

For more details about the Nirankari Rajmata Scholarship Scheme, click here or check its official website.

5. GEV Memorial Merit Scholarship

An initiative of the GEV Scholarship Fund Trust, the GEV Memorial Merit Scholarship for Law Students seeks to financially assist deserving law students in their pursuit of a top-notch legal education at prestigious Indian universities.

Under this award, students studying undergraduate or graduate degrees in law are eligible to receive annual scholarships up to INR 2,00,000 to help with their educational costs. In addition, the program provides the chosen applicants with mentorship opportunities, fostering a vibrant network of young legal academics.

Eligibility: 

In order to be eligible to apply for this award, students need to meet the following requirements.

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Must be enrolled in any year of an LLB/LLM degree programme at an approved law school in India
• Must have applied for any law entrance exam, such as CLAT, LSAT-India, AILET, or another one
• Must have received at least a 60% on the Class X and XII board exams
• Must have a family income of no more than INR 10,00,000 per year from all sources
• Be prepared to enroll in the yearly mentorship programs offered by the scholarship fund in order to support and develop the next classes of GEV Merit Scholars.

Amount paid through scholarship: INR 50,000 to INR 2, 00,000 per year

Note: Check further and latest changes with the official website.

6. PNB Housing Finance Limited Scholarship for law

PNB Housing Finance Limited (PNB HFL) launched the PNB Housing Finance Protsahan Scholarship program to help financially disadvantaged students with their professional courses. Through this initiative, PNB HFL provides financial aid to students enrolled in law, MBA/PGDM, and CA programs, allowing them to pursue their education. The program's goal is to inspire gifted children to become tomorrow's capable and independent leaders. But first, let's quickly review the specifics of the PNB Housing Finance Protasahan Scholarship for legal studies:

Eligibility:

• Available to students participating in third or fourth year BA-LLB (Five Years Integrated Law) programs.
• Students at Army Institute of Law, Mohali who are studying law are eligible to apply.
• Candidates must have received at least 65% of the possible points in their Class 12 and Graduation (UG) coursework (first and second year).
• The applicant's household income must be less than or equivalent to INR 8, 00,000 annually.

For further information, such as the scholarship amount and the start and end date of the application process, see the official website.

7. Quill Foundation Scholarship

The Quill Foundation is starting a Mentoring/Scholarship Program for those who want to practice law but don't have a lot of money. It is also intended for prospective lawyers who wish to work on social issues while pursuing their legal education. Students in the program are paired with legal businesses, community organizations, and rights groups for mentorship during their LLB studies. They will get training with the goal of becoming resource people in the community who can address issues related to state provisioning and daily fights for rights.

Eligibility: To take benefit of this scholarship, candidates must qualify for the below:

• Candidates must have passed the 10+2 exams with a minimum 60% marks in English optional/elective subjects
• Candidates must not opt for payment/self-financing seats
• Scholarship will be offered to candidates who are financially week and/or unable to pay for their education

Official website: Click here.

8. Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities

The MOMA grant is a merit-and-means grant awarded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs [MOMA] to students from minority populations. Helping those in financial need is the aim of this student scholarship program. The maximum annual scholarship award is 20,000 Indian rupees.

Almost 20,000 students are able to continue their education thanks to the MOMA Scholarship. A family may submit up to two children for the MOMA scholarship, with female students receiving around thirty percent of the total grant money. For the MOMA scholarship list 2022, three distinct categories were established:

• Pre-Matric Scheme for Minorities:Children in grades 1 through 10 who come from families making less than INR 1 lakh are eligible for the pre-matric MOMA scholarship. Students must have scored at least 50% on their last exam in order to be eligible for a scholarship grant, which can total up to INR 600.
• Post Matric Scheme for Minorities:If the average yearly family income of a minority student in grades 11 through PhD is below INR 2 lakh, they are qualified. They must have passed their last final exam with at least a 50%.
• Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses:This grant is available to graduate or postgraduate students enrolled in professional and technical programs. Applicants for this scholarship must be members of national minority groups and have annual family incomes of less than INR 2.5 lakhs. The applicant's most recent final exam score has to be at least 50%.

Professional and Technical Courses Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

The shortlisting procedure for a professional and technical education minority scholarship is based on the below mentioned criteria:

• Applicants may apply if they have applied before for graduate and postgraduate admission to technical or professional programs.
• The student needed to have received at least a 50% on their previous final test.
• The yearly income of the candidate's household cannot be more than INR 2.5 lakhs.

Required Documents for Professional and Technical Courses Scheme

In order to receive the Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities, candidates are required to submit the following documents:

• A recent passport size photograph
• Current course fee receipt
• Parent’s income certificate
• Community certificate
• Copy of an Aadhaar card
• Domicile certificate
• Previous year mark sheet (self-attested)
• Bank passbook copy
• MOMA scholarship declaration form

MOMA Scholarship Selection Process

The candidate’s selection for the MOMA scholarship is based on the below:

• The committee will choose the candidates for the post-matric and pre-matric programs based on their financial situation.
• In technical and professional courses, merit is also considered.
• The scholarship program for post- and pre-matriculation gives preference to older applicants.
• Students enrolled in respected colleges will be given preference. The MOMA scholarship committee will make the names of the selected candidates public.
• The MOMA scholarship's current status may be viewed by logging onto the scholarship website.

Empowering the Future: A Comprehensive Guide to Top Scholarship Opportunities Easing the Financial Burden for Law Students in India

In the end, navigating the challenges of pursuing a legal education in India is certainly disturbing, and the financial aspects regularly provides an extra layer of pressure. However, this comp  rehensive guide to the “Top Scholarship Opportunities for Law Students in India” aims to be a beacon of hope for both undergraduate and postgraduate law students. By shedding light on different scholarships from government initiatives like the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship to private programs just like the Aditya Birla Scholarship, this resource offers a roadmap to relieve the financial burden associated with legal research.

Moreover, scholarships along with the GEV Memorial Merit Scholarship and the PNB Housing Finance Limited Scholarship for law not just offer best economic support however also emphasize mentorship and holistic development. The inclusion of worldwide possibilities like the Fully Funded Science & Law School Scholarships broadens horizons for those aspiring to pursue legal education beyond borders.

Furthermore, initiatives like the Nirankari Rajmata Scholarship Scheme and the Quill Foundation Scholarship reflect the commitment of organizations to support meritorious and financially deserving students, ensuring that talent doesn't go untapped due to financial constraints.

In essence, the above guide encourages law college students to discover these possibilities, emphasizing that the journey of studying law should be inclusive, offering equal access to quality education. By empowering students with details and information on a number of scholarships, this aid paves the way for a future where aspiring legal minds can focus on honing their skills and contributing to the legal landscape without the burden of financial/monetary constraints.

References

• https://www.lawctopus.com/7-law-scholarships-for-indian-students-2024/
• https://www.lawctopus.com/7-law-scholarships-for-indian-students-2024/
• http://www.quillfoundation.com/
• https://nirankarifoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SNCF-Scholarship-Scheme.pdf