IIT Scholarships for Exam Rankers 2026: Check Kharagpur, Kanpur and Delhi Benefits

In 2026, IIT Kharagpur has announced the Director’s Platinum Jubilee Excellence Fellowship (DPEF) for top GATE and JAM rankers. IIT Kanpur continues its Bright Minds Scholarship for top JEE Advanced rankers, while IIT Delhi offers scholarships and fellowships based on merit, JEE Advanced rank and financial need.

IIT Kharagpur DPEF 2026: Up to Rs 90,000 Per Month

IIT Kharagpur has introduced the Director’s Platinum Jubilee Excellence Fellowship (DPEF) as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations.

Under the scheme, candidates who secure a top 50 rank in GATE 2026 and choose to pursue a PhD at IIT Kharagpur can be considered for the fellowship. Selected candidates will receive Rs 80,000 per month for the first two years and Rs 90,000 per month for the following three years, subject to the applicable admission and fellowship conditions.

The institute has also extended the DPEF initiative to JAM 2026 rankers placed in the top 50 who opt for a master's programme at IIT Kharagpur.

IIT Kharagpur DPEF Details

Candidates should check the latest IIT Kharagpur admission notification for the complete eligibility and selection conditions.

IIT Kanpur Bright Minds Scholarship: Rs 3 Lakh Per Year

IIT Kanpur's Bright Minds Scholarship is aimed at students who secure a place among the top 100 All India Rank holders in JEE Advanced and join IIT Kanpur's BTech or BS programmes.

Each selected student receives Rs 3 lakh per year. The amount covers Rs 2 lakh towards tuition fees and Rs 1 lakh towards hostel, mess, books, medical insurance and other living expenses.

The scholarship can be provided for all four years of the undergraduate programme, subject to the prescribed academic requirements. IIT Kanpur states that selected students need to maintain a minimum CPI of 8.0 for continuation.

IIT Kanpur Bright Minds Scholarship: Key Details

The scholarship is designed to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent high-performing JEE Advanced candidates from pursuing undergraduate studies at IIT Kanpur.

IIT Delhi Scholarship for JEE Advanced Rankers

IIT Delhi also provides scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate students. One such initiative is the Amit and Deepali Sinha Foundation Scholarship, which is linked to JEE Advanced performance and financial eligibility.

According to IIT Delhi's official scholarship page, the scholarship is available to undergraduate students enrolled in BTech or dual-degree programmes whose family income is below Rs 9 lakh per year and who are not availing the Vidya Lakshmi Loan Facility.

The institute's official page states that the top 15 students in the eligible pool based on JEE Advanced rank are selected for this scholarship. It lists the scholarship amount as Rs 60,000.

The Sinha Foundation separately states that its IIT Delhi endowment now supports 20 incoming students each year, including five full-ride fellowships based on AIR and 15 additional scholarships for high-achieving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

IIT Scholarships 2026: Kharagpur vs Kanpur vs Delhi

Who Can Get IIT Scholarships?

Eligibility depends on the individual scholarship. Students may be selected based on one or more of the following:

• JEE Advanced rank

• GATE rank

• JAM rank

• Family income

• Academic performance

• Programme and year of study

• Continuation requirements

• Other scholarship or loan benefits

Therefore, securing a high rank does not automatically mean that a student will receive every scholarship. Candidates must satisfy the specific eligibility conditions of the institute and scholarship.

Do IIT Scholarships Require a Separate Application?

The application process varies from one scholarship to another.

For the IIT Kharagpur DPEF, the announcement states that eligible candidates do not need to submit a separate application.

For IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi scholarships, students should check the respective institute's latest scholarship and admission instructions for selection, documentation and continuation requirements.

Why Are IIT Scholarships Important for Students?

IIT scholarships can reduce the financial burden of higher education by covering tuition fees and, depending on the scheme, other academic and living expenses.

For students who perform well in JEE Advanced, GATE or JAM, such scholarships can provide an additional opportunity to pursue undergraduate, master's or doctoral education at an IIT with financial support.

IIT Scholarship 2026: Key Takeaways

• IIT Kharagpur's DPEF offers up to Rs 90,000 per month to eligible top GATE rankers pursuing a PhD.

• IIT Kharagpur has also extended the DPEF initiative to eligible top 50 JAM 2026 rankers pursuing master's studies.

• IIT Kanpur's Bright Minds Scholarship provides Rs 3 lakh per year to eligible top 100 JEE Advanced rankers.

• IIT Delhi offers scholarships and fellowships based on JEE Advanced rank and financial need.

• Scholarship eligibility and continuation rules vary across IITs.

• Students should always check the respective IIT's official website for the latest scholarship notification before applying.