ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27: Eligibility, Last Date, Benefits & Application Process

ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27- Pursuing professional education in India often comes with significant financial hurdles. To bridge this gap, the ONGC Foundation (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) runs a prestigious financial support initiative known as the ONGC Merit Scholarship. Designed to empower brilliant minds from marginalized and economically weaker sections of society, this scheme offers substantial financial aid to first-year undergraduate and postgraduate students.

If you are pursuing professional courses like Engineering, MBBS, MBA, or a Master’s degree in Geology or Geophysics, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the ONGC Scholarship 2026–27, including eligibility criteria, financial rewards, crucial dates, and the step-by-step application procedure.

Overview of ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27

The ONGC Foundation offers a total of 2,000 scholarships every year to meritorious students across India. Recognizing the importance of gender equality in higher education, 50% of these total scholarships are specially reserved for female students.

The primary objective is to ensure that financial constraints do not stop talented youth from completing professional or technical education.

Key Highlights Table ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27

Feature	Details
Scholarship Name	ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026–27
Executing Body	ONGC Foundation
Target Group	First-year students of UG & PG professional courses
Eligible Categories	SC, ST, OBC, and General (EWS) categories
Total Scholarships	2,000 scholarships
Scholarship Amount	₹48,000 per annum (₹4,000 per month)
Application Deadline	30 November 2026
Official Application Portal	www.ongcscholar.org

Breakdown of Available Scholarships by Category

The ONGC scholarship is distributed strategically across different social categories to ensure fair representation and support for weaker sections. The distribution includes:

Scheduled Caste (SC) & Scheduled Tribe (ST) Category: 1,000 scholarships
Other Backward Classes (OBC) Category: 500 scholarships
General Category (Economically Weaker Sections / EWS): 500 scholarships

Eligible Courses

The scholarship is strictly targeted at students enrolled in specific professional degree programs:

Undergraduate (UG) Programs:
- Engineering Degree courses (BE / B.Tech)
- MBBS Degree course
Postgraduate (PG) Programs:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master’s Degree in Geology
- Master’s Degree in Geophysics

Note: Applicants must be enrolled in the first year of these respective courses to qualify.

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Detailed Eligibility Criteria

To successfully apply for the ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026–27, candidates must satisfy all the parameters outlined by the foundation:

Age Limit

Applicants must not be more than 30 years of age as of 1st August 2026.

2. Academic Qualifications

For Engineering & MBBS: Candidates must have secured a minimum of 60% marks in their Class 12 board examination.

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For MBA, Geology, and Geophysics: Candidates must have scored at least 60% marks in their graduation degree.

College Mentor

(Relaxation in marks might apply based on category guidelines as specified on the portal, but a strong academic background is vital).

Family Income Thresholds

The financial eligibility criteria differ according to the applicant’s social category:

SC / ST Category: Gross annual family income from all sources must be less than ₹4.50 Lakhs.
OBC Category: Gross annual family income from all sources must be less than ₹2.00 Lakhs.
General (EWS) Category: Gross annual family income from all sources must be less than ₹2.00 Lakhs.

General Conditions

The student must be an Indian citizen.
The applicant must not be availing of any other scholarship or financial assistance scheme from any other government or private source concurrently. If awarded another scholarship later, the student must refund the ONGC amount.

Scholarship Benefits and Financial Reward

Financial Assistance: Selected scholars receive a lump-sum amount of ₹4,000 per month, which totals ₹48,000 per annum.
Direct Transfer: The money is directly deposited into the student’s bank account via the Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) facility.
Duration: Once awarded, the scholarship continues annually until the successful completion of the course, provided the student is promoted to the next academic year and maintains academic performance.

Important Dates to Remember

Application Start Date: 18 October 2026
Application Deadline (Last Date): 30 November 2026

Tip: Avoid waiting until the final days to apply to prevent last-minute server bottlenecks on the portal.

Documents Required for Application

Keep soft copies (scanned documents) and physical copies ready before starting your registration. The requirements vary slightly depending on your category:

Common Documents Needed:

Proof of Age: Birth Certificate or Class 10 Marksheet
Academic Marksheets:
- Class 12 Marksheet (for Engineering/MBBS students)
- Consolidated Graduation Marksheet (for MBA/Geology/Geophysics students)
Income Certificate: Certified annual family income certificate issued by a competent government authority (in Hindi or English).
Bank Details: Bank account details filled in the prescribed Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) form, duly attested by the bank manager.
PAN Card: Copy of the student’s PAN card or an undertaking with the tentative submission date.
Institutional Verification:
- College / Institution ID Card
- Official College Admission Receipt / Fee Receipt
Signed Undertaking: Form signed by the student as per the schema guidelines.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) OTR Number: Mandatory registration detail.

Category-Specific Documents:

Caste Certificate: Certified copy of the caste certificate issued in Hindi or English (mandatory only for SC, ST, and OBC applicants).

Selection Process and Merit Criteria

The selection of candidates for the ONGC Merit Scholarship is transparent and structured:

No Written Exam or Interview: There is no separate entrance test or interview conducted by ONGC for this scholarship.
Purely Merit-Based: Selection depends strictly on the aggregate percentage of marks secured in the qualifying examination (Class 12 for UG, Graduation for PG).

College Mentor

Preference for BPL Families: Priority is given to students belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. Other eligible low-income applicants are considered if adequate BPL candidates are unavailable.
Tie-Breaking Rule: If two or more candidates secure identical marks, the student belonging to a lower family income bracket is given preference.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27

Applying for the ONGC Scholarship involves a two-stage registration procedure:

Step 1: Obtain your National Scholarship Portal (NSP) OTR Number

Visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Complete your registration to generate your mandatory One-Time Registration (OTR) Number. Keep this safe.

Step 2: Register on the ONGC Scholarship Portal

Open the official ONGC scholarship website: www.ongcscholar.org.
If you are a new user, click on ‘First Time Registrant’.
Fill in your basic information matching your NSP profile and generate your passkey.

Step 3: Complete the Application Form

Log in using your registered credentials and your NSP OTR number.
Navigate to the ‘Apply Scholarship’ section.
Fill out all personal, educational, and bank details carefully without errors.

Step 4: Upload Documents and Submit

Upload clear scanned copies of all required documents (Income certificate, marksheets, category proof, ECS bank form).
Review your application thoroughly and submit it online.
Take a printout of the final submitted application form. As per instructions, you may be required to mail or send the hard copy along with attested documents to the designated ONGC regional or corporate office address specified in the application packet.

Important Guidelines & Warnings

Accuracy Matters: Ensure that all data entered matches your official documents. Applications with incorrect details are summarily rejected.
Strict Penalties for Fraud: Submitting false, forged, or malafide information will lead to immediate cancellation of the award, permanent barring from future applications, and official reporting to your university/college.
Employment Disclaimer: Winning this scholarship does not create any legal right or guarantee to regular or contractual employment with the ONGC group of companies or its joint ventures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27

Q1. What is the financial value of the ONGC Merit Scholarship?

Ans: Selected candidates receive ₹48,000 per annum (calculated as ₹4,000 per month) deposited directly into their bank accounts.

Q2. What is the last date to submit the online form for 2026-27?

Ans: The last date to apply for the ONGC Merit Scholarship 2026-27 is 30 November 2026.

Q3. Can second or third-year college students apply?

Ans: No, this scholarship is exclusively meant for students enrolled in the first year of eligible professional courses (Engineering, MBBS, MBA, Geology/Geophysics).

Q4. Is a caste certificate mandatory for General-EWS applicants?

Ans: No, a caste certificate is only required for SC, ST, and OBC applicants. General-EWS candidates must provide their valid income certificate and relevant economic status proof instead.

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