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Scholarships for Sports in India: 10 Best Opportunities

Scholarships for Sports in India:10 Best Opportunities

The scholarship for sports quota students is a grant or payment made to support a student’s education, awarded based on achievement in the field of sports. Sports are not just hobbies but for many it is passion. Sports scholarships are awarded to students by institutions rare in India, recognizing and honoring the desire of young students in athletics. However, there are institutes in India willing to promote sport as a career option and offer good scholarships to students entering under sports quota.

Vision of sports scholarship programs

It provides the scope necessary to develop various sports activities within a sports scholarship program and to encourage young athletes to pursue sports as a career.

Development and assembly of the various needs of an athlete with a range of coexistence.

The scholarship is awarded to outstanding students in sports such as hockey, basketball, golf, soccer, hurling, soccer, cricket, tennis, taekwondo, etc.

Due to the various scholarship programs offered by the different universities in India, many Indian citizens are thriving in other sports activities nationally and internationally.

Some Renowned Sports Scholarships in India

  • NISD National Sports Scholarships: Scholars from all over India are eligible to apply for this scholarship sponsored by the National Institute of Sports Development. Awarded to sports achievers at the college, university, and national level. It amounts to a range of Rs. 6000 to Rs. 9000.
  • Indian Oil Sports Scholarship: Scholarships usually last for three years, and are renewed each year based on performance. The IOCL Sports Scholarship Exam must be passed to be rewarded with this scholarship.
  • AAI Sports Scholarship Program: The Airport Authority of India offers AAI Sports Scholarship Program for young sports enthusiasts aged 14 and over. This scholarship aims to improve sports standards at AAI by encouraging youth talent in India. This scholarship is awarded to Indian players who represented their country in the last two years at the junior, junior-level, and senior level national championships, intercollegiate tournaments, and national school games.

India has produced world class athletes such as Saina Nehwal, Abhinav Bindra, Sachin Tendulkar, Leander Paes and Vishwanathan Anand. Despite this, the trend continues to favor students who show more interest in studying and becoming lawyers and engineers. Parents and even teachers, to a certain extent, give classroom and textbook knowledge top priority.

Sports, the lessons he teaches, and the real-life learnings he teaches are almost always secondary. However, there are some universities in India that recognize and honor the desire of young students to practice sport professionally by providing opportunities and scholarships.

Selection Process

There will be a Selection Committee duly constituted to scrutinize the applications and select the candidates for these scholarships based on their performance and merit. The Committee’s decision will be final and permanent and no correspondence will be accepted in this regard. Scholarship payments will be made through the Regional Centers of the SAI and the head of the Institution in which the winners study.

The sports disciplines covered by the scholarship scheme are

Priority disciplines Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Football, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-kho, Tennis, Shooting, Swimming, Table tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Struggle. Other disciplines – Badminton Ball, Baseball, Billiards and Snookers, Bowing, Carrom, Chess, Cricket, Equestrian, Fencing, Golf, Kayak and Canoeing, Karate, Powerlifting, Rowing, Softball, Squash, Teak Wood, Wushu, Sailing.

For the University

All eligible athletes in this category will be considered for the award of a scholarship.

The value of this scholarship will be Rs. 10,200 / – per year (12 months), that is, Rs. 850 / – per month.

Applicant must be a regular bona fide student from a recognized college / university studying in classes above 10 + 2.

The applicant must be eligible for selection in the varsity combined team and their performance must meet the minimum qualification standard established for measurable events.

Scholarships will be decided on the basis of performance / participation in major recognized international sporting events such as the Olympic Games, World Cup Championships, Commonwealth Games / Championships, Asian Games / Championships as a member of the national team .

In the case of individual events, students who obtain the first, second or third position in the national level competitions organized by the National Sports Federations and the All India Interuniversity Competitions organized by the Association of Indian Universities will be eligible.

Members of the winning or runner-up teams in the national level competition organized by the respective recognized national sports federations and the all-India interuniversity competitions organized by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) will be eligible. In addition, individual athletes exhibiting outstanding performance participating in such championships, whose team failed to reach the final, may also be considered for awarding a scholarship based on the specific recommendations of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Scholarships for women

Scholarships for Female National Champions

There are 50 scholarships available for female athletes in this category.

The value of each scholarship is Rs 18,000 / – per year (12 months), i.e. Rs 1,500 / – per month

Women who obtain the first, second or third place only in individual events in recognized senior nationals carried out by National Sports Federations according to international rules or the rules of the National Federation will be eligible.

The applicant must be over 19 years old on the first day of the contest on the basis of which the scholarship is requested.

Women who are employed or who receive any other scholarship or who take advantage of the facilities of the sports hostel will not be eligible for scholarships.

The award of these scholarships will be subject to the candidate meeting the minimum qualification standards established for measurable events.

Scholarships for Women Doing Masters / PhD in Physical Education

There are 10 scholarships available for women with a Master of Physical Education and a Master of Philosophy / Doctorate. in Physical Education at a recognized university. Education:

The value of each scholarship is Rs 10,000 / – per year (12 months).

The scholarship will be for a maximum period of three years.

Students who obtain a scholarship from any other source or those who fail M.Phil on the first try will not be eligible for the scholarship.

These scholarships will be decided based on academic performance and the relevance of the study for the promotion of sport. Candidates must present the detail of educational performance from 10 onwards on a separate sheet, as indicated in

  • Board / University Name
  • Exam passed from the tenth onwards
  • Topics offered
  • Trademarks and Div Obtained
  • Month and year of approval

Universities that offer scholarships through sports fees

1. SRM University, Tamil Nadu

Keeping the tradition alive, SRM University awarded sports scholarships to 108 students in 2014. These students are distributed in engineering, technology, management, science and humanities, etc. In one year, the university awards scholarships worth Rs 7 million to senior and junior students. The selection criteria are fair judgments made in various sports such as cricket, basketball, volleyball, soccer, hockey, badminton, tennis, table tennis, and chess. These are evaluated by experts inside and outside the university. The icing on the cake each year is the speech of encouragement and admission cards distributed to the winners by the authorities. I must say that it is indeed a top-tier option if you are interested in building a career as an athlete.

2. Rizvi College, Mumbai

According to the Physical Education teacher, Mr. Sonawane, “Rizvi College is proud to offer athletic scholarships.” Based in Mumbai, the university offers help in various sports disciplines. Students who apply through the athletic quota must go through strict tests and those who pass the challenge are selected. “We understand the importance of sports and we always encourage our students to practice it professionally,” added Mr Sonawane.

3. Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS)

This is another institute that offers sports scholarships with the aim of promoting sports in the country. Located in Patiala, they have high-level facilities for sports training that also complement the high levels of academic programs. They offer state level scholarships, national level scholarships, college / university student scholarships, and special scholarships for women. Its purpose is to recognize and prepare talented athletes from all walks of life. They also have facilities for training coaches. Selection criteria are strictly based on merit and performance.

4. TNEA and Anna University, Tamil Nadu

TNEA or Tamil Nadu Engineering Admission has increased the number of sports seats from 100 to 500 in 2014. 12 seats will be with Anna University and the remaining 488 will be with Anna University of Technologies, Govt. private and assisted engineering colleges. They offer and teach up to 51 different sports disciplines, from athletics to swimming and everything in between. The purpose of the program is to recognize talented students and therefore to award grades based only on merit and achievement.

5. University of Delhi

The DU, as it is more popularly known, is also one of the universities in India that grants admissions through sports fees. Like most other universities, they also have two types of admission; A direct admission is granted to those students who have represented the country in certain competitions and the second for sports events. They need to pass 2 of the 3 tests (strength, endurance and speed) to make the cut.

6. St. Stephen’s College, Delhi

St. Stephen’s, which is part of DU, awards scholarships and other financial aid to students based on need and merit. In the sports category, these scholarships are divided into 15 disciplines. All students applying through the sports fee must pass a physical fitness test and the mandatory tests.

Frequently Asked questions

1. How can I get sports scholarship in India?

Ans. Universities that offer scholarships for sports fees:

SRM University, Tamil Nadu.

Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports and Sports Authority of India. …

Rizvi College, Mumbai

2. Which sport awards the most scholarships?

Ans. People-counting sports include soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s volleyball (although women’s tennis and gymnastics sometimes fall into this equation). Division I schools offer up to 85 full scholarships for soccer, 13 for boys’ basketball, 15 for girls’ basketball, and 12 for girls’ volleyball.

3. Which scholarship gives the most money in India?

Ans.  “INSPIRE Scholarship”

Inspire is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India to offer financial aid to students to take courses in Basic and Natural Sciences. This particular program is called the Higher Education Scholarship (SHE).

4. What is the easiest sport to get a scholarship in?

Ans.  As we said before, lacrosse, ice hockey, and baseball are the easiest men’s sports to get a scholarship. A good way to measure this is to look at the percentage of high school athletes who advance to play college and receive some type of athletic scholarship.

Sports Scholarship in India

Sports Scholarship in India

Through sports, various cultures come together, nationalities are linked, and generational differences are bridged. Excellence in academics is becoming more and more important, as extracurricular activities like sports fall to the wayside Despite this, only a few universities and organizations give sports the importance they should, thereby leading to improved performance and better chances for a talented sports person to pursue their dreams professionally in the form of Sports Scholarships. Scholarships are given to individuals who can play in a particular sport and are granted primarily for the purpose of attending a college or university. Thus, it encourages students to pursue their talents in particular sports, and it also gives India the opportunity to develop its next superstar in sports.

An award based on a student’s achievement in sports is a scholarship for the students of the sports quota. In addition to being a hobby, sports are a passion for many people. The Indian government awards athletic scholarships to young students, recognizing and honoring their interest in athletics. In India, there are some institutes that offer scholarships for those who take admission under a sports quota and promote sports as a career option.

Vision of Sports Scholarships

  • Young athletes can participate in a variety of sports activities through sports scholarship programs, which encourage them to pursue sports as a career.
  • The development and integration of an athlete’s complex needs while coexisting with all kinds of conditions.
  • Scholars will be recognized for excellence in sports including hockey, basketball, golf, football, hurling, soccer, cricket, tennis, taekwondo, and more.
  • Many Indians have been able to excel in other sports activities both at home and abroad due to different scholarship programs offered by Indian universities.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Netaji Subhas National Institute Of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala

Government-funded organizations like this sports facility are among the most prestigious in India. The university is located in Patiala, in Punjab. Founded by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), this educational franchise aims to develop sports in India and train people in a variety of sports-related disciplines. With a similar purpose of promoting sports and supporting students, the Institution has pioneered a program that recognizes and awards sports talent with a Sports Scholarship. In addition to national and state-level scholarships, student scholarships, and grants for women, there are several types of awards.

Scholarship Rewards: Rs.6600/- per annum.

Reliance Foundation Youth Sports, Navi Mumbai

Launched in 2015, Reliance Foundation Youth Sports is a national sports platform for school and college athletes. Youth in rural areas are encouraged to use sports to develop leadership qualities and to learn. We foster India’s next greatest champions through this platform, which encourages emerging talent. A number of sports scholarships and programs are also available, including the Young Champs program, which is a full-time residential program for the most promising of athletes.

To commemorate the birthday of Hockey legend, Dhyan Chand, RFYS also celebrates August 29th as Sports Day. 

Scholarship Rewards: Up to INR 2,00,000/-

SRM University, Kattankulathur

Students at SRM University, an institute of top private universities in India, receive prestigious sports scholarships in order to encourage and support their sports talents. There were almost 108 sports scholarships awarded at Stanford this year, which is the highest number awarded by our university in the past. In a ceremony, distinguished coaches and others choose the deserving candidates according to a set of criteria and then choose to award scholarships

Scholarship Rewards: Up to 50% of tuition fee waiver.

Delhi University, New Delhi

As the largest university in India, Delhi University (or DU) gives colleges the freedom to choose how many seats will be filled under the Sports Quota, based on the number of seats available. During the selection trial for new candidates, prospects are offered these sports scholarships. Internationally competitive students are given direct access to sports scholarships without having to complete any sports trials. DUSC (Delhi University Sports Council) receives the list of shortlisted candidates for further processing in the sports scholarship application process.

PACE Scholarships by GoSports Foundation, Bengaluru

By awarding PACE Sports Scholarships, GoSports Foundation empowers India’s next generation of athletes. Each year, they are distributed during the month of January. The mission of the sports scholarship is not only to provide financial assistance, but they also hope to inspire many less well-known athletes to participate in international competitions. Kidambi Srikanth, Dipa Karmakar, and Sharath Gayakwad are the various Olympic and Paralympic champions who were funded and fuelled by this Foundation. 

An athlete must be a national champion in their sport in order to qualify for this prestigious sports scholarship. In addition to Rahul Dravid and Abhinav Bindra sitting on the advisory board of GoSports, several other legendary athletes serve as advisory board members and mentors

Airports Authority of India, New Delhi

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is an organization that works for the Ministry of Civil Aviation and is responsible for civil aviation infrastructure all over India. Those who represent India at different levels receive financial assistance from the AAI Sports Scholarship Scheme. By offering these scholarships, the standard of sports is raised and young athletes are encouraged to pursue their sports passions. Depending on their performances and vacancies, they also hire sports professionals on a permanent basis.

Scholarship Rewards: INR 12,000/-per month.

Indian Oil Sports Scholarship, New Delhi

With headquarters in New Delhi, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is India’s largest and most significant public sector oil company. In addition to offering sports scholarships and sponsorship for a period of three years, they have promoted sports for over three decades. Athletes with talent are the sole beneficiaries of their programs. There are two categories of scholarships that they provide:

  1. Scholars in Sports 
  2. Elite Scholars in Sports

A major sponsor of the first India University Games (KIUG) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, was IOCL.  

Scholarship Rewards: Scholar: Rs. 12,000-16,000, Elite Scholar: Rs. 15,000-19,000

Amity University, Noida

Sports scholarships are offered annually at Amity University, a leading private research university in Noida with world-class infrastructure. Students who are talented in sports but financially weak can take advantage of the Amity University Sports Scholarships. Scholarships are awarded through two types of admission processes:

  1. Fast Track Admission – 100% Scholarship for International Players and 50% Scholarship for National Medal winners. 
  2. Admission through Sports Trials and Interview 

Sports Trials and Interviews are not required for students who apply through Fast Track Admission, but the latter’s selection will be determined exclusively by that process.   

Scholarship Rewards: Up to 30-40% of tuition fee waiver

Tamil Nadu Engineering Admission (TNEA) and Anna University, Chennai

In Tamil Nadu, Anna University has affiliations with 593 colleges. The TNEA and Anna University team up every year to offer sports scholarships to deserving candidates based on their athletic excellence. In addition, the total number of sports quota seats has been raised to 500.

They should attach a TNEA application form together with all the relevant documents and the required demand draft of Rs. 100/- to apply for a sports scholarship. After the application is approved, they will be contacted for a counseling session.

FG Power Player, Bengaluru

As part of Funngage.com’s digitally powered cricket scholarship program, Padma Shri winner Gautam Gambhir and sports technology firm Wingage collaborated to launch the first cricket scholarship program in India. As part of the PAN India program, aspiring cricketers from 12 to 24 years of age can get a Cricket Development Sports Scholarship and a free training camp in Perth, Australia. Students who are selected for the program will also receive training from the Cricket Academy of Pathans (CAP) for 5 years as part of the highly recognized Cricket Development Sports Scholarship. A great thing about this scholarship is that you can apply online, and the trial is held in front of five HD cameras with video analysis in full HD 

Jadavpur University, West Bengal

Jadavpur University, one of India’s most famous colleges, offers sports scholarships to deserving students so they are able to participate in sports such as cricket and football. Scholarships are awarded to students playing at the District, National, and International levels to assist their career as athletes and to continue playing the sport they like. 

Laxmibai National College of Physical Education, Thiruvananthapuram

For both individual events as well as team sports, The Laxmibai National College of Physical Education offers up to 10% scholarships under the sports quota. There are three to four scholarships available each year. In the future, they hope to develop more emerging successful athletes in India by encouraging and supporting young athletes. 

Athletes who excel in sports can pay for their college tuition with their athletic abilities. As there are a variety of opportunities for sports scholarships in India, obtaining admission or obtaining a waiver can never stand in the way of achieving equal success in sports and academics.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which sport is easiest to get a scholarship?

Ans. The easiest men’s sports to get a scholarship in are lacrosse, ice hockey, and baseball. A good way to measure this is by examining the percentage of high school athletes who receive an athletic scholarship and continue on to college.

2. How to get a sports scholarship in India?

Ans. Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports at Patiala provides sports scholarships to students who hold first, second, third places in individual events, or winner or runner-up positions in team events in recognized competitions and who are studying in schools, colleges, and universities.