IIT Kanpur Financial Aid: Check list of scholarships, eligibility criteria and more

Indian Express

16-07-2025

Scholarships at IIT Kanpur: The final round of Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) seat allocation, Round 6, will be released on July 16, with online reporting scheduled from July 16 to July 20. The Round 5 seat allotment results for BTech and BArch admissions for the academic year 2025 were announced last week.
Candidates can check their seat allotment status on the official website, josaa.nic.in.
Scholarships at IIT Kanpur: List of financial aid options available for scholars
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) provides several financial assistance schemes and scholarships to its undergraduate students. These include direct benefit transfers, fee waivers, donor-based scholarships, and other awards aimed at reducing the financial burden on students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and recognising academic merit.
Bright Minds Scholarship
The Bright Minds 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 is intended to cover the entirety of their undergraduate educational expenses. This scholarship is disbursed to ensure that meritorious students do not face financial difficulties in continuing their education at IIT Kanpur.
Merit-cum-means scholarship
Students who are not from SC/ST categories and whose annual parental income is less than Rs 4.5 lakh are eligible to apply for the Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship. Under this scheme, students are granted a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly pocket allowance of Rs 1,000. To remain eligible, recipients must maintain a minimum Cumulative Performance Index (CPI) of 6.5. If the CPI drops below 6.5 but remains above 6.0, the pocket allowance is discontinued, though the tuition waiver continues. Only the parental income certificate is required for applying.
INSPIRE scholarship
Students enrolled in B.S. programmes in the departments of Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, and who hold an AIR within 10,000 in the Common Merit List (CML), may apply for the INSPIRE Scholarship. This merit-based scholarship offers Rs 30,000 per semester (Rs 60,000 annually), along with a research grant of Rs 20,000 per year. Recipients must maintain a CPI of at least 6.0 and submit an undertaking every semester confirming they are not availing any other scholarship. The undertaking must be submitted to the Students' Scholarship and Prizes Committee (SSPC).
Donor scholarships
IIT Kanpur administers 129 donor-funded scholarships to students who demonstrate merit or financial need. These scholarships are funded by alumni and other private donors. Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements, which may include department, academic performance, or economic background. The SSPC handles the application and allocation process for these awards.
Free basic mess scholarship
SC/ST students with an annual parental income of less than Rs 4.5 lakh are eligible for the Free Basic Mess Scholarship. Under this scheme, students receive exemption from paying the basic mess bill and are provided with a pocket allowance. This is intended to support the day-to-day living expenses of students from economically weaker sections.
External scholarships
The institute facilitates applications for various external scholarships made available by central and state governments, public sector undertakings, and other organisations. Students are responsible for identifying and applying for these scholarships on their own. However, IIT Kanpur assists with the institutional formalities required. Information is shared with students periodically through the appropriate departments. The National Scholarship Portal (NSP), launched by the Government of India, is one such source for external scholarship opportunities.
Sports scholarships
A total of 20 sports scholarships, each worth Rs 1,000 per month for a period of nine months, are awarded annually. These are intended for students who demonstrate leadership in campus sports activities or have achieved excellence at Inter-IIT or external sports meets.
Academic excellence awards
Students who have a CPI of 8.5 or above in the preceding academic year are considered for Academic Excellence Awards. The CPI is calculated solely on the performance during the previous academic year and serves as the basis for awarding these recognitions.
Convocation medals, awards, and prizes
Graduating students are eligible for a variety of medals, prizes, and awards presented during the annual convocation ceremony. These are based on academic achievements, departmental performance, and other specific criteria established by the institute.
How to obtain scholarship benefits?
Most scholarships at IIT Kanpur are coordinated by the Students' Scholarship and Prizes Committee (SSPC). For certain scholarships, such as the Merit-cum-Means, once a student submits their parental income certificate, they are automatically considered for other eligible scholarships, including donor-funded ones. Formalities for institute scholarships are generally handled by the institute, while students applying for external scholarships are required to complete necessary procedures independently and seek institutional verification where needed.