Keralam Pratibha Scholarship Programme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Keralam Pratibha Scholarship Programme, is a merit-based science scholarship run by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE). The Council awards this scholarship to students of Kerala origin who score outstanding marks in the Higher Secondary Examination and then join an undergraduate or integrated postgraduate course in Basic or Natural Sciences at any recognised institution or university in India.

KSCSTE launched the programme to pull bright young minds towards pure science at a stage when most toppers move to professional courses. The Pratibha Scholarship Scheme aims to motivate meritorious students, especially girls, to take up higher studies, research and long-term careers in science. Through this objective, the Council wants to build a strong pool of human resources in Basic Sciences and strengthen women’s participation in science and technology.

Under the scheme, selected students receive an annual scholarship that grows every year of study. A student gets ₹12,000, ₹18,000 and ₹24,000 in the first three years of UG, followed by ₹40,000 and ₹60,000 at the postgraduate level. The support can continue for a maximum of five years, covering UG, UG (Hons)/FYUGP, PG and Integrated PG courses. Prathibha Scholars also get a chance to join Science Enrichment Programmes, residential science camps under the SPEED programme and summer internships at leading R&D institutions in Kerala, where they interact directly with practising scientists.

The scheme works through a two-stage online process. Students first register on the Prathibha scholarship web portal after KSCSTE issues its annual notification. KSCSTE then ranks eligible applicants on the basis of their aggregate Higher Secondary marks in Science subjects, groups them under Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, and publishes a Provisional Rank List.

Shortlisted students upload their documents, and KSCSTE prepares the Final Rank List after verification. The Council reserves at least 50% of the seats for girl students and 10% for SC/ST students, and it credits the scholarship directly to the student’s bank account through NEFT.

Besides the Prathibha Scholarship Programme, the Kerala government also runs the A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Scholarship (APJAK), providing ₹6,000 to eligible minority girl students pursuing three-year diploma courses in recognised polytechnics, and the Keralam Aspire Scholarship, which supports PG, M.Phil and Ph.D students undertaking short-term research activities. You can check the complete details of both schemes here.

Scheme Benefits

The Prathibha Scholarship provides a year-wise increasing financial grant, along with opportunities to gain exposure to scientific institutions and interact with research mentors. Under this scheme, students are entitled to receive the following scholarship amounts and additional benefits:

Scholarship Amount

KSCSTE releases the following annual scholarship to selected students, subject to renewal conditions.

Additional Benefits

• Total support: A scholar who continues for all five years receives ₹1,54,000 in total.
• Direct bank transfer: KSCSTE credits the amount yearly to the student’s bank account through NEFT.
• SPEED camps: Scholars can attend fully residential 5-day science enrichment camps with sessions by eminent scientists, field trips, and practical work.
• Internships: Scholars get opportunities for summer internships at leading R&D institutions in Kerala.
• Study anywhere in India: Students can pursue their course at any recognised institution or university in the country.

Reservation and Subject Weightage

• At least 50% of the scholarships go to girl students.
• 10% of the total seats remain reserved for SC/ST students.
• KSCSTE distributes seats among Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences in proportion to the number of applications received in each area.
• Under the scheme, applicants under each group are ranked with a weightage of 30% for Mathematical Sciences, 40% for Physical Sciences and 30% for Life Sciences.
• Students with triple-main subjects are considered in all three areas and selected on their best ranking.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must fulfil the following eligibility criteria prescribed by KSCSTE to qualify for the Prathibha Scholarship Programme.

• The applicant must be of Kerala origin.
• The applicant must have passed the Higher Secondary Examination from Kerala.
• Minimum 90% marks (or equivalent grade) in aggregate and 90% in Science subjects total.
• Minimum 80% marks (or equivalent grade) in aggregate and 80% in Science subjects total.
• The applicant must have secured admission in the same academic year of application to a 3-year UG, 4-year UG (FYUGP/Hons) or 5-year Integrated PG programme in Basic/Natural Sciences.
• The course can be in any recognised institution or university in India.
• The applicant must study one of the 23 approved subjects as Major/Honours or in combination.

Eligible Subjects

KSCSTE has divided the 23 eligible subjects into three broad subject areas.

• Students who study Physics, Chemistry, and any one of Biology/Life Sciences/Biotechnology/Mathematics/Statistics as Main should register under “Triple Main”.
• Students who joined the Biotechnology Triple Main course should register only under “Biotechnology” in the Life Sciences category.

Required Documents

Only students placed in the Provisional Rank List need to upload the following documents for confirmation of the scholarship.

• Student Data Sheet (Confirmation Data Sheet), signed by the applicant and endorsed by the Head of the Institution where the student is admitted.
• Self-attested copy of the Higher Secondary Examination mark list.
• Community Certificate (only for SC/ST applicants).
• Certificate as proof of Place of Origin (Kerala nativity).
• “Terms & Conditions” signed by the applicant in the prescribed format.
• E-payment form in the prescribed format.

Steps to Apply

Students can apply for the Prathibha Scholarship only through the online mode on the Prathibha Scholarship web portal of KSCSTE; the scheme has no offline application process. Applicants can follow the steps below to understand the application process and submit their applications successfully.

Stage 1: Online Registration

• Wait for the annual Prathibha Scholarship notification on the KSCSTE website, which the Council normally issues in January.
• Open the Prathibha scholarship web portal through the link given on the KSCSTE website.
• Keep a valid mobile number, an email ID that you can access throughout the selection process, and a passport-size photograph (150W × 200H pixels) ready.
• Enter your Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, and HSE Roll Number to start the registration.
• Enter the OTP received on your mobile number.
• Create a password of at least 6 characters and complete the registration.
• The portal generates an Application Number. You will receive this number and your password on your registered mobile number. Use them for all future logins.
• Complete the application before the last date mentioned in the notification.

Stage 2: Document Upload after the Provisional Rank List

• Check the Provisional Rank List (Main List and Waiting List), which KSCSTE usually publishes on its website during March/April.
• If your name appears in the main list, log in to the Prathibha scholarship web portal using your Application Number and password.
• Download the Confirmation Data Sheet, Terms & Conditions, and E-payment form from the KSCSTE website.
• Get the Data Sheet signed by you and endorsed by the Head of your Institution.
• Upload all required documents within the time limit published on the website.
• KSCSTE verifies the documents and prepares the Final Rank List. Only students who submit complete documents on time make it to the final ranking.

Selection Process

Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment selects scholars purely on merit through the following process.

• The Council ranks applicants on the aggregate marks secured in all Science subjects in the Higher Secondary Board Examination.
• It groups eligible applicants under Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences or Life Sciences based on the Main subject of the degree course and ranks each group separately.
• It applies the reservation for girls and SC/ST students.
• In case of a tie, KSCSTE gives priority to HSE marks in this order:
  • Mathematical Sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Computer Science, Overall marks.
  • Physical Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology/Computer Science, Overall marks.
  • Life Sciences: Biology/Biotechnology/Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Overall marks.
• After document verification, KSCSTE issues the sanction order and releases the first instalment through NEFT.

Renewal and Continuation Process

Scholars must renew their scholarship every year by meeting academic norms and submitting the prescribed documents to KSCSTE.

• Renewal (2nd and 3rd year UG/Integrated PG, 2nd year PG/5th year Integrated PG): The student must meet the minimum credit requirement for the previous year as per the UGC curriculum and credit framework under NEP-2020 and submit the previous year’s mark lists along with a duly signed Renewal Data-sheet.
• Continuation (4th year UG Hons/PG/4th year Integrated PG): The student must meet the minimum credit requirement and submit the consolidated UG mark list (or mark lists of all previous three years of the Integrated course) with a duly signed Renewal Data-sheet.
• PG continuation for 3-year UG students: The student must complete UG with at least 75% marks and must have received the scholarship in all three years of UG.
• Completion: After finishing the course, the scholar must submit copies of the final UG and PG mark lists to KSCSTE.

When the Scholarship Stops

• KSCSTE stops the scholarship immediately if the student fails to score the minimum marks/credits, discontinues the course, or avails multiple scholarships.
• A student who avails another scholarship for the same course must refund the entire Prathibha amount to KSCSTE.
• If any detail furnished by the student turns out to be false, KSCSTE cancels the scholarship and starts recovery of the amount paid.

Relevant Links

• Keralam Pratibha Scholarship Programme Details
• Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) Portal
• Guidelines of Keralam Pratibha Scholarship Programme 

Contact Information

• Keralam Pratibha Scholarship Programme Helpline Number: 0471-2548402
• Keralam Pratibha Scholarship Programme Helpdesk Email: [email protected]
• KSCSTE Helpline Number: 0471-2548200
• KSCSTE Helpdesk Email: [email protected]