IIT Hyderabad Scholarships 2025: Complete Guide to Merit-cum-Means and SC/ST Schemes

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT-H) offers a range of scholarships to support deserving students in pursuing their academic goals. These scholarships are designed to reduce financial barriers for meritorious students and ensure access to world-class education. Awarded either as tuition fee concessions or direct benefit transfers to students’ bank accounts, these scholarships provide both financial relief and motivation for academic excellence. Among the institute’s key schemes are the Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship and the SC/ST Scholarship, catering to different student categories with specific eligibility criteria.

Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship: Key Features
The MCM Scholarship is aimed at students from the GEN, GEN-EWS, and OBC categories. To be eligible, the parental gross annual income must not exceed Rs 4,50,000. Students are required to submit an Income Tax Return (ITR) acknowledgement from the Income Tax Department as proof of their parents’ or guardian’s income.

Eligibility criteria also include:

• Maintaining a minimum SGPA/CGPA of 7.0.
• Having no active backlogs in any course, including additional courses.
• Students can avail only one scholarship or financial aid from a single stakeholder during a given period. Multiple scholarships from different sources—government, private, or external agencies—cannot be combined in the same academic year.
   

The number of awardees under the MCM Scholarship is capped at 25% of the class strength, ensuring a competitive selection process. Shortlisted students also receive a monthly pocket allowance of Rs 1,000 in addition to the tuition fee concession, providing additional support for personal expenses.

SC/ST Scholarship: Eligibility and Benefits
IIT Hyderabad also provides scholarships specifically for students from the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories. To qualify:

• Parental gross annual income must not exceed Rs 4,50,000.
• Applicants must provide an Income Tax Return (ITR) acknowledgement as proof of income.
• Students must maintain a minimum SGPA/CGPA of 7.0, with no active backlogs in any course.
   

Unlike the MCM Scholarship, there is no cap on the number of awards under the SC/ST scheme, provided applicants meet the eligibility criteria. Shortlisted students receive:

• A monthly pocket allowance of Rs 250.
• Refund of license fees and dining charges at actuals.

Similar to other schemes, students can avail only one scholarship or financial aid from a single stakeholder during the academic year, ensuring fair distribution of financial support.

Application Process
Students interested in IIT Hyderabad scholarships must submit proof of parental income, typically in the form of an ITR acknowledgement, along with any other required documents during the application process. These scholarships are generally awarded based on both merit and financial need, ensuring that deserving students have access to educational opportunities without undue financial stress.

Financial Support and Academic Incentives
These scholarships serve a dual purpose: easing the financial burden of tuition and related expenses while motivating students to maintain high academic performance. For MCM recipients, the Rs 1,000 monthly allowance helps manage everyday expenses, whereas SC/ST awardees benefit from the Rs 250 monthly pocket money, along with reimbursements for accommodation and dining, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to holistic student support.

The restriction that students can avail only one scholarship per academic year encourages equitable distribution of resources, ensuring that as many students as possible benefit from financial aid schemes.

Recent Achievements and Convocation Highlights
IIT Hyderabad celebrated its 14th Convocation, awarding degrees to 1,273 graduates across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes. The ceremony highlighted the institute’s emphasis on academic excellence and recognition of top-performing students.

Key highlights include:

• President of India Gold Medal: Awarded to Rahul Ramachandran from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, who achieved an outstanding 9.89 CGPA.
• Gold and Silver Medals: Four gold medals and 44 silver medals were awarded to deserving students in recognition of exceptional performance.
• Undergraduate Degrees: 460 students graduated with a BTech degree, while 20 students completed their BDes.
• Postgraduate Degrees: The postgraduate cohort included 11 MA graduates in Development Studies and Health, Gender & Society, 98 MSc graduates, and 33 MDes graduates, including 10 who completed the MDes by Practice programme.

The convocation was graced by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, who delivered the convocation address and presented the awards. The event underscored IIT Hyderabad’s focus on nurturing academic talent while promoting social inclusivity through scholarships and other support mechanisms.

Why IIT Hyderabad Scholarships Matter
Scholarships at IIT Hyderabad play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between merit and financial capability. By providing support to students from GEN, OBC, and SC/ST categories, the institute ensures inclusive access to world-class education. Financial aid not only supports tuition and living costs but also allows students to focus entirely on academic pursuits and skill development, rather than financial constraints.

The structured scholarship programmes also encourage high academic performance, as maintaining a minimum SGPA/CGPA is a key requirement. This ensures that recipients not only benefit financially but also uphold standards of excellence, fostering a culture of achievement and accountability.

Conclusion
For students aspiring to study at IIT Hyderabad, understanding the available scholarship opportunities is crucial. The Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship and SC/ST Scholarship provide vital support for meritorious students whose families meet specific income criteria. With benefits including tuition fee concessions, monthly allowances, and reimbursements for living expenses, these scholarships make world-class education more accessible.

Additionally, IIT Hyderabad continues to recognize and celebrate academic excellence through its convocation awards, highlighting the achievements of top performers and reinforcing the institute’s commitment to nurturing talent. Aspiring students should carefully review eligibility requirements, prepare necessary documents, and apply for scholarships early to maximize their chances of receiving support.

With strong financial backing, rigorous academic expectations, and a supportive learning environment, IIT Hyderabad scholarships offer students an opportunity to excel academically while minimizing financial burdens, paving the way for future leaders in science, technology, and innovation.