KVPY Fellowship 2026: Complete Guide to Eligibility, Benefits, and Selection Process
Discover everything about the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) fellowship, including scholarship amounts, eligibility for SA/SX streams, and how it fos
The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) is a flagship national program of fellowship in Basic Sciences, initiated and funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The primary objective is to identify students with talent and aptitude for research and encourage them to take up research careers in Science. Note: As per the latest government directives, the KVPY exam has been sub-sumed with INSPIRE; however, legacy benefits and specific institutional pathways continue to remain vital for aspiring scientists.
What is this scheme?
KVPY is a prestigious fellowship program that provides financial assistance to students interested in pursuing basic science courses like B.Sc., B.Stat., B.Math., Integrated M.Sc., and Integrated M.S. Administered by the Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Bangalore, it identifies highly motivated students from Class XI to the first year of undergraduate studies, offering them a monthly stipend and an annual contingency grant.
Who is eligible?
- Stream SA: Students enrolled in XI Standard (Science subjects) with a minimum percentage in Maths and Science as per latest notification.
- Stream SX: Students enrolled in XII Standard (Science subjects) aspiring to join undergraduate programs in Basic Sciences.
- Stream SB: Students enrolled in the 1st year of an undergraduate program in Basic Sciences (B.Sc./B.S./B.Stat./B.Math./Int. M.Sc./MS).
- Must be an Indian Citizen.
- Candidates must secure the minimum threshold marks in their respective board examinations to activate the fellowship.
How much money?
Fellows receive a monthly stipend ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹7,000, along with an annual contingency grant of ₹20,000 to ₹28,000, depending on the level of study (B.Sc./M.Sc.).
Documents needed
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Scanned signature
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Medical certificate (for PwD candidates)
- Academic transcripts and marksheets
- Identity proof (Aadhar/School ID)
How to apply (step by step)
- Visit the official KVPY/IISC portal or the integrated INSPIRE portal as per current guidelines.
- Complete the online registration to generate a User ID and Password.
- Log in and fill in personal, academic, and contact details.
- Upload the required documents in the specified format/size.
- Pay the application fee via Net Banking, Credit Card, or Debit Card.
- Download the confirmation page and keep a copy of the admit card for the aptitude test or entrance criteria.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Commencement | As per latest notification, verify on official portal |
| Examination/Aptitude Test Date | As per latest notification, verify on official portal |
| Merit List Declaration | As per latest notification, verify on official portal |
Conclusion
The KVPY fellowship remains a hallmark of excellence for science students in India. Beyond the financial support, being a KVPY fellow provides access to prestigious national laboratories and libraries, fostering a deep-seated culture of research. Students are encouraged to stay updated with the IISC and DST portals for the most recent integration notices regarding the INSPIRE fellowship convergence.
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