National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela is committed to ensuring that financial limitations do not prevent meritorious and deserving students from pursuing world-class education. The institute's comprehensive financial assistance program offers a blend of Merit-based, Need-based, Government, Corporate, and Alumni-funded scholarships.
These scholarships and fee waivers play a crucial role in reducing the financial burden, particularly for economically disadvantaged students, allowing them to focus entirely on their academics and research.
Types of Scholarships
NIT Rourkela provides a range of internal financial aids funded by the institute and its alumni, alongside central and state government scholarships. Here is a breakdown of the scholarship structure at NIT Rourkela to help you identify the best options for your profile.
Institute Scholarships at NIT Rourkela
These scholarships are managed directly by the institute to support academic merit and provide relief to students facing financial hardships.
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Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship: This is the primary institute-funded scholarship for undergraduate (B.Tech) students.
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Who can apply: 1st-year students based on their JEE Main All India Rank, and subsequent years based on a CGPA of 7.0 or above. The family annual income must be less than ₹4.5 Lakhs.
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Basic benefit: Typically provides a monthly stipend of ₹2,000 for the duration of the academic year.
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Alumni Endowment Scholarships: Funded by various batches (like the 1972 Batch) and individual alumni.
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Who can apply: Mostly B.Tech and Integrated M.Sc. students. Examples include the NITROAA Scholarship, Banchhanidhi Das Memorial, and Shashikala Deo Memorial.
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Basic benefit: One-time or semester-wise cash awards ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹40,000 per year, depending on the specific endowment fund.
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Fee Waivers for Economically Weaker Sections: Following NIT Council norms, students from low-income backgrounds receive significant tuition fee waivers.
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Income 100% Tuition Fee Waiver.
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Income ₹1 Lakh – ₹5 Lakh: 2/3rd Tuition Fee Waiver.
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For PG and Research scholars, NIT Rourkela provides robust financial support. M.Tech students with valid GATE scores receive a stipend of ₹12,400 per month. PhD scholars receive an institute fellowship of ₹37,000 per month for the first two years (JRF), which increases to ₹42,000 per month for the remaining three years (SRF) upon satisfactory progress.
Government Scholarships Applicable for NIT Rourkela Students
These are external scholarships where the institute acts as a facilitator. Students must generally apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or state-specific portals (like Odisha's Prerana).
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Top Class Education Scheme (SC/ST): Funded by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (SC) and Ministry of Tribal Affairs (ST).
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Who can apply: Top-ranking SC/ST students (slots are limited, e.g., top 12 SC and top 5 ST students per year). Family income must be below ₹8.0 Lakhs (for SC) or ₹6.0 Lakhs (for ST).
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Basic benefit: Full tuition fee reimbursement, a living allowance of ₹3,000 per month, and a one-time grant for a computer/accessories (up to ₹45,000).
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Post-Matric Scholarship (State-specific): Specifically prominent for students from Odisha (Prerana Portal), but also available for students from other states.
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Who can apply: SC/ST/OBC/SEBC students.
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Basic benefit: Varies by state but usually covers tuition fees and a maintenance allowance.
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Central Sector Scholarship for College and University Students:
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Who can apply: Students above the 80th percentile in their Class 12 boards with a family income below ₹4.5 Lakhs.
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Basic benefit: ₹12,000 per year for the first three years and ₹20,000 per year for the fourth year.
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Private and Corporate Scholarships
NIT Rourkela students are frequently eligible for corporate social responsibility (CSR) scholarships from major industry players:
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Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access (FAEA): For B.Tech students from marginalized backgrounds.
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Corporate Awards: Scholarships from companies like TCS, OP Jindal (OPJEMS), Reliance Foundation, and ONGC are awarded based on a mix of high CGPA and online entrance tests conducted by the companies.
NIT Rourkela Scholarship Eligibility
1. Academic Performance Requirements
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Fresh Applicants (1st Year): Typically requires a minimum of 60% to 70% in Class 12th. For NIT Rourkela, many private and institute scholarships look for a JEE Main All India Rank (AIR) within the top brackets.
2. Annual Family Income Limits
The income threshold is the primary "Means" filter:
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Full Tuition Fee Waiver: For students with a family income less than ₹1 Lakh per annum.
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Partial Fee Waiver (2/3rd): For students with a family income between ₹1 Lakh and ₹5 Lakhs per annum.
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Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Stipend: Usually requires income to be below ₹4.5 Lakhs to ₹6 Lakhs (varies by year and specific donor).
3. Category-wise Eligibility
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SC/ST/PwD Students: Most of these students receive a 100% tuition fee waiver regardless of income at both institutes. Additionally, they are eligible for the Top Class Education Scheme if family income is below ₹8 Lakhs.
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OBC-NCL/EWS/General: Eligibility is strictly tied to the income brackets mentioned above and competitive merit.
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Minorities: Eligible for the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) schemes (e.g., Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Minorities) with an income cap of ₹2.5 Lakhs.
4. Course-wise Eligibility Breakdown
| Level | Scholarship Type | Primary Eligibility Criteria |
| UG (B.Tech) | Institute MCM / NSP | JEE Rank (Fresh) / CGPA 7.0+ (Renewal); Income |
| PG (M.Tech/M.Sc) | GATE Stipend / DBT | Valid GATE score; regular attendance; no income cap for stipend. |
| PG (MBA/MA) | Merit/Endowment | Top 5–10% of the class; Income certificate usually required. |
| PhD | Institute Fellowship / PMRF | Selection via interview/NET/GATE; PMRF requires exceptional research potential. |
NIT Rourkela: Scholarship & Benefit Structure
Scholarships and financial aid at NIT Rourkela are designed to ensure that merit remains the only criterion for education, regardless of a student's financial background. Here is the structured overview of scholarship amounts and benefits for 2026:
| Scholarship Type | Tuition Fee Coverage | Monthly Stipend / Allowance | Other Benefits | Renewal Conditions |
| Institute Merit-cum-Means | Full or partial waiver | INR 2,000 | Available to top 50 meritorious students | CGPA $ge$ 7.0, no backlogs, income |
| Post-Matric (SC/ST) | 100% Tuition Waiver | Variable (State-dependent) | Hostel & Mess reimbursement via State Govt | Satisfactory attendance & conduct |
| Top Class Education (SC/ST) | 100% Tuition Waiver | INR 2,220 (Living Exp.) | Books (INR 3,000/yr), Laptop grant (INR 45,000) | Minimum passing marks, income |
| National Fellowship (OBC/EWS) | N/A (Income based) | INR 1,000–2,000 | Coverage via National Scholarship Portal (NSP) | Based on NSP guidelines and merit |
| GATE Scholarship (M.Tech) | N/A | INR 12,400 | Financial aid for thesis/research work | 75% attendance, valid GATE score |
| Institute PhD Fellowship | Full Waiver (for some) | INR 37,000–42,000 | Contingency grants for research materials | Annual progress seminar, age |
| PMRF (Prime Minister’s Fellowship) | N/A | INR 70,000–80,000 | Research grant of INR 2 Lakh/year | Outstanding research performance |
How to Apply for NIT Rourkela Scholarships
Applying for financial aid at NIT Rourkela is a structured process involving both internal institute portals and national platforms. Follow these steps to secure funding:
1. Identify Applicable Scholarships
Research the specific category you fall into:
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Institute Scholarships: Includes the Merit-cum-Means (MCM) scholarship for B.Tech students.
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Alumni Scholarships: Various endowments (e.g., 1972 Batch, NITROAA, or Pendyala Memorial) offered via the NIT Rourkela Alumni Association.
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Government Scholarships: National (NSP) and State-specific (e.g., Odisha Post-Matric) scholarships for SC/ST/OBC and Minority students.
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Corporate Scholarships: Opportunities from providers like OP Jindal (OPJEMS), TCS, or Indian Oil.
2. Apply Via Official Channels
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For Internal & Alumni Scholarships: Log in to the NIT Rourkela ERP portal (NITRis). Navigate to
Academic → Scholarships → Apply Scholarship. For specific alumni grants, check the Dean (Alumni) office notices. -
For Government Scholarships: Register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in. If you are a resident of Odisha, you may also need to apply via the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
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Submit Hard Copies: After the online application, you must often submit a physical copy of the form and supporting documents to the Academic Section (UG & PG) or the Dean of Student Welfare (DSW) office.
3. Upload and Verify Documents
Scan and upload required proofs. The institute’s academic office will verify your income and caste details against the originals before forwarding your application to the respective granting authority.
4. Disbursement Timeline
Once approved, funds are typically credited directly to your Aadhaar-linked bank account via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). For institute-level scholarships, this usually occurs within 2–4 months after the application window closes.
Documents Required
Ensure you have the following ready (issued on or after April 1st of the current financial year):
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Income Certificate: Issued by a Tehsildar or higher revenue officer (Annual limit is usually ₹4.5 Lakhs for MCM and ₹8 Lakhs for some SC/ST schemes).
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Caste/Category Certificate: Mandatory for SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS/Minority applicants.
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Academic Records: Rank card (JEE Main for 1st year) and previous semester grade sheets (for seniors).
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Fee Receipt: Current semester fee payment proof from the institute.
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Bank Details: Copy of the passbook for an SBI account (preferred) linked with Aadhaar.
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Aadhaar Card: Scanned copy for identity verification.
Scholarship Renewal Rules at NIT Rourkela
To maintain your scholarship for the entire duration of your course, you must meet the following criteria annually:
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Academic Performance: * MCM Scholarship: Requires a minimum CGPA of 7.0 and no backlog (F-grade) in any subject.
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Government/Alumni Scholarships: Usually require a CGPA of 6.0+ or simple promotion to the next year without significant backlogs.
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Attendance Requirement: A minimum of 75% attendance is mandatory in all classes. Failure to meet this may lead to the suspension or termination of the stipend.
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Conduct: The student must maintain a clean disciplinary record. Any "X" grade (awarded for malpractice or disciplinary action) will result in immediate termination of the scholarship.
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Annual Income Review: You must submit a fresh income affidavit or certificate every year to prove your family income remains within the eligibility bracket.