The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) has announced a suite of scholarships aimed at supporting meritorious and financially disadvantaged undergraduate students. The flagship programme, known as the Bright Minds Scholarship, is available for students who secure an All India Rank (AIR) under 100 in the JEE Advanced Examination, paving the way for full‐ride education without financial constraints. According to official details, each beneficiary of the Bright Minds Scholarship will receive an annual award of ₹3 lakh, which covers full undergraduate expenses at IIT Kanpur including tuition, hostel, and living costs. In addition, the institute offers multiple other scholarships such as Merit-cum-Means (MCM), INSPIRE, Donor-funded awards, and sports scholarships, each with distinct criteria and benefits.
Key Scholarship Programmes and Eligibility
Bright Minds Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students with AIR under 100 in JEE Advanced.
- Benefit: ₹3 lakh per year covering full cost of study and living.
- Number of awards: Special cohort for top rankers.
Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship
- Eligibility: Non-SC/ST students with annual parental income below ₹4.5 lakh.
- Benefits: Full tuition fee waiver + monthly allowance of ₹1,000.
- Retention: Minimum CPI 6.5 required each semester; if CPI falls between 6.0–6.5, allowance may be discontinued but tuition waiver continues.
INSPIRE Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students enrolled in BS programmes in Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics with CML AIR within 10,000.
- Benefit: ₹30,000 per semester (₹60,000 annually) + research grant of ₹20,000 per year. Retention requires CPI ≥6.0.
Donor-Funded & Other Scholarships
The institute administers 129 donor-funded scholarships from alumni and private benefactors, awarded based on merit or financial need. Criteria vary by department and donor. Additional categories include Free Basic Mess Scholarship for SC/ST students with income below ₹4.5 lakh, and Sports Scholarships (₹1,000/month for nine months) for campus sporting excellence.
Why These Scholarships Matter?
Financial barriers often prevent top talent from accessing premier institutions. IIT Kanpur’s scholarship framework is designed to ensure no meritorious student is denied education due to cost. The Bright Minds Scholarship alone targets the highest achievers and covers full expenses, making it a game-changer in engineering education access. The MCM and other scholarships also promote inclusivity by linking financial support to performance (CPI), thereby encouraging both excellence and equity. Candidates from economically weaker backgrounds can leverage these schemes to remove tuition burdens and focus on academics.
What Aspirants Should Do?
- Visit the official IIT Kanpur website to check eligibility criteria, application deadlines and supporting document requirements.
- For Bright Minds, monitor JEE Advanced results and ensure timely admission application.
- For MCM and other schemes, accurately submit income certificates, CPI records, and other documents during admission.
- Maintain required academic performance to retain scholarship benefits (e.g., CPI thresholds).
- Explore donor-funded scholarships too, which may involve additional forms or departmental applications.
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