ONGC Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026 – Complete Guide for SC/ST/OBC/EWS Students

The ONGC Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026 is a flagship financial assistance programme by ONGC Foundation, the CSR arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC). The scheme is designed to provide financial support to meritorious students belonging to SC (Scheduled Caste), ST (Scheduled Tribe), OBC (Other Backward Classes) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of the General Category.

The scholarship is exclusively available for students admitted to the first year of the following programmes:

• Graduate Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech)
• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
• MBA (Master of Business Administration)
• Master’s degree in Geophysics or Geology (Geoscience)

A total of 2,000 scholarships are offered every year, and each selected scholar receives Rs. 48,000 per annum to support their education. The last date to apply for ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026 is 15 May 2026.

1. Quick Facts – ONGC Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026

2. Scholarship Distribution by Category

The 2,000 ONGC Merit Scholarships are distributed across categories as follows:

ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026 – Category-wise Distribution

3. Eligibility Criteria for ONGC Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026

Eligibility conditions differ slightly by category. Read the criteria for your category carefully before applying.

3.1 SC / ST Category

• Candidate must be a student enrolled in the 1st year of Graduate Engineering or MBBS courses.
• OR enrolled in the 1st year of a Master’s degree in Geoscience (Geology / Geophysics) or MBA.
• The course must be a full-time regular programme recognised by AICTE / MCI / UGC / Association of Indian Universities / State or Central Government.

3.2 OBC Category

• Candidate must be a student enrolled in the 1st year of Graduate Engineering or MBBS courses.
• OR enrolled in the 1st year of a Master’s degree in Geology / Geophysics or MBA.
• The course must be a full-time regular programme recognised by AICTE / MCI / UGC / Association of Indian Universities / State or Central Government.

3.3 General (EWS) Category

• Candidate must belong to the Economically Weaker Section of the General category.
• Must be enrolled in the 1st year of Graduate Engineering or MBBS courses.
• OR enrolled in the 1st year of a Master’s degree in Geology / Geophysics or MBA.
• The course must be a full-time regular programme recognised by AICTE / MCI / UGC / Association of Indian Universities / State or Central Government.

3.4 Additional Eligibility Notes

• Only students who have passed Class XII (CBSE / ICSE / equivalent State Board) or completed graduation in the current year are eligible.
• A student cannot avail more than one ONGC Merit Scholarship at the same time.
• The scholarship is transferable through direct bank transfer; a valid individual bank account (not minor, joint, or current) is mandatory.

4. How to Apply for ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026

The application process is entirely online. Follow these steps carefully:

Direct Apply Link: https://ongcscholar.org/#/schemeAndRules/apply

1. Step 1: Register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
   Before starting the ONGC application, all candidates must first register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at https://scholarships.gov.in/ and obtain a One-Time Registration (OTR) Number. This is a mandatory prerequisite.
2. Step 2: Visit the Official ONGC Scholar Portal
   Go to www.ongcscholar.org and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button visible at the top right corner of the homepage.
3. Step 3: Check Eligibility
   Confirm that you meet all eligibility conditions for your category (SC/ST, OBC, or General EWS) before proceeding with the application.
4. Step 4: Fill the Application Form
   Complete the application in the prescribed format. Provide accurate personal, academic, and bank account details as required.
5. Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents
   Upload all required documents as mentioned in the application form. Documents must be duly certified and attested by the Head / Principal / Dean of your Institute, College, or University.
6. Step 6: Submit the Application Online
   Submit the completed application online. Save your application number or confirmation for future reference.
7. Step 7: Send Hard Copies to ONGC
   In addition to the online submission, send hard copies of the complete application along with all supporting documents to the designated ONGC office as specified in the application format.
8. Step 8: Provide Bank Account Details
   Ensure that your valid individual bank account details are submitted. The account must not be a minor, joint, or current account. Scholarship funds are disbursed directly to the bank account.
9. Step 9: Provide Enrolled College / University Documents
   To receive scholarship benefits, furnish proof of enrolment from your college or university as per the requirements stated in the application.

Note: Your OTR Number from NSP is required to validate your eligibility and finalise your ONGC scholarship submission. Do not skip this step.

5. Important Dates – ONGC Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026

ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026 – Key Dates

⚠ Important: Do not wait until the last day. Complete your NSP OTR registration well in advance to avoid delays in your ONGC scholarship application.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026

Q1. What is the ONGC Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026?

The ONGC Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026 is a financial assistance programme by ONGC Foundation for meritorious SC/ST/OBC and EWS General category students pursuing first-year Engineering, MBBS, MBA, or Master’s in Geoscience programmes.

Q2. How much scholarship amount is given per year?

Each selected student receives Rs. 48,000 per annum to support their education under this scheme.

Q3. How many ONGC scholarships are available in 2026?

A total of 2,000 scholarships are available: 1,000 for SC/ST students, 500 for OBC students, and 500 for General (EWS) category students.

Q4. What is the last date to apply for ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026?

The last date to apply is 15 May 2026. Applications must be submitted at ongcscholar.org.

Q5. Is NSP OTR Number mandatory for ONGC Scholarship?

Yes. All candidates must first register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at scholarships.gov.in and obtain a One-Time Registration (OTR) Number before applying for the ONGC scholarship.

Q6. How will the scholarship amount be transferred?

The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student’s bank account. The account must be an individual account and must not be a minor, joint, or current account.

7. Conclusion

The ONGC Merit Scholarship Scheme 2026 is a life-changing opportunity for meritorious SC/ST/OBC and EWS students across India. With 2,000 scholarships offering Rs. 48,000 per year, it empowers deserving students in Engineering, MBBS, MBA, and Geoscience to pursue their dreams without financial worry. Apply before 15 May 2026 at ongcscholar.org and secure your future today.

Read More: All India Under Graduate Scholarship Entrance Exam

✍️ Menka S.

Education Content Specialist · ScholarshipsX.com, BA in Arts, DU ,3+ yrs education writing, 500+ scholarships covered. Menka Singh is an education content specialist with over 3 years of experience writing about scholarships, government schemes, and higher education access in India. She holds a BA in Arts from Delhi University and has personally researched and covered 500+ scholarship programs across central and state governments. Her work has helped thousands of students from SC/ST/OBC backgrounds identify and apply for financial aid. She fact-checks all scholarship information against official government portals before publishing.

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