Girls' Education Roadmap: India and Abroad

This roadmap is written for girls in India, especially rural girls, and for the parents and teachers who support them. It covers school, higher education in India, studying abroad, scholarships and the wider support a girl needs. I checked the figures and dates against official pages and public listings in October 2026. Scholarship amounts and deadlines change every year, so always confirm on the official portal before you apply.

The one idea behind this roadmap. A girl does not need to know everything at once. She needs to know the next step for her stage, and where to get help for it.

Information as of 4 October 2026.

Deadlines to watch

• 31 Oct 2026: National Scholarship Portal: most schemes close

• 20 Oct 2026: Commonwealth Master's (UK): reported

• Jan-Feb 2027: Erasmus Mundus (Europe): most programmes close

• 6 Oct 2026: Chevening (UK): closed

The roadmap at a glance

• Class 1-5: Stay enrolled. Build reading, basic maths and some English. Key schemes and exams: Right to Education, Lek Ladki (Maharashtra), Navodaya and Sainik School tests for Class 6 entry.

• Class 6-8: Strong basics. Consider a residential school. Sit the scholarship exam in Class 8. Key schemes and exams: KGBV, JNV, Sainik School, NMMSS.

• Class 9-10: Choose a stream with full information. Keep marks steady for scholarships. Key schemes and exams: NMMSS, Vigyan Jyoti, NSP pre-matric scholarships.

• Class 11-12: Prepare for entrance exams. Apply for scholarships. Decide on a career. Key schemes and exams: CBSE Single Girl Child scholarship, NDA, CUET, JEE, NEET, CLAT, PM-USP.

• Undergraduate: Pick a college using fee waivers, scholarships and a safe hostel. Key schemes and exams: PM-USP CSSS, AICTE Pragati, Maharashtra fee waiver, Sashakt, Kotak Kanya, MEXT (Japan).

• Postgraduate, PhD and abroad: Specialise, move into research, or plan two to three years ahead for study abroad. Key schemes and exams: UGC single-girl-child fellowship, DST WISE-KIRAN, Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, Commonwealth, Fulbright-Nehru.

Free or low-cost ways in

• KGBV: free residential schools, Class 6-12

• Navodaya (JNV): free, Class 6 entry

• Maharashtra: 100% fee waiver for eligible girls in professional courses

• PM-USP, Pragati, NMMSS and more on NSP

What is inside the full PDF

• School schemes with who can apply and what each gives

• Choosing a field: the usual entry route for science, medicine, engineering, law, defence, commerce, arts, agriculture, teaching and skills

• Government, Maharashtra and private scholarships with amounts and dates

• Studying abroad and education loans

• Safety helplines, free learning resources and what can help with common barriers

• Documents to prepare, how to apply on the National Scholarship Portal, and a yearly calendar

• A checklist for a girl, a parent and a teacher, and a list of official websites

Never pay to apply for a government scholarship. NMMSS and NSP applications have no application fee, and Government of India education portals do not take money for selection. Never share an OTP. Report online fraud on 1930.

Download the complete roadmap

The full bilingual guide (English and Marathi) has every scheme, amount, date and website.

Download the full Girls' Education Roadmap (PDF)

About the writer

Dr. Priyanka Bhoj

Dr. Priyanka Bhoj is an academic researcher and mentor specializing in public policy, human rights education, and student career development. She has guided numerous students toward government internships, research fellowships, and policy-oriented academic paths. Her work focuses on integrating academic excellence with institutional exposure, empowering students to make informed and impactful career decisions.

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Disclaimer: This article on girls' education in India and abroad is for informational purposes only. Dates, eligibility, and policies may change. Always refer to the official scholarship portal and the official websites of the schemes and exams mentioned.