How to Apply for Tata Scholarship in 2025: Step-by-Step Process

Tata scholarship helps students with  ₹100,000 to ₹10,00,000 for education, research, and public service in India. On the other hand, programs like the Tata-Cornell scholarship offer $70,000 every year, and they cover tuition, living expenses, and travel for Indian undergraduates fully. 

So in this blog, I will help you learn how to apply for a Tata scholarship in 2025 and carve your way to a better future. 

J.N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship

• What is it?

Also known as the J.N. Tata Endowment, this is a loan scholarship (INR 1 – 10 Lakh), intended for Indian students pursuing full-time Master's, Ph.D., and postdoctoral fellowships abroad.

• Scale & legacy

Founded in 1892 by Jamsetji Nusserwanjee Tata, it’s one of India’s oldest higher‑education scholarships, with more than 5,700 students supported so far.

• Who is eligible?

Indian citizens, aged ≤ 45 years (as of 30 Jun 2025), with ≥ 60 % in the previous degree. Applicants must have an admission offer abroad or be in their second year of study.

• Loan terms

Typically a one-time loan between INR 1‑10 Lakh, at a low 2 % simple interest, repayable in 5 equal annual installments (over years 3–7 post‑studies).

• Extra benefits

Selected scholars may also receive a gift scholarship (up to ₹7.5 L) and travel assistance (up to ₹50,000).

• Application timeline

The app window for the Fall 2025–Spring 2026 cycle opened on 7 Jan 2025, with registration closing on 21 Mar and final submission by 23 Mar 2025. Aptitude tests and interviews are scheduled in May–June 2025.

• Why it matters

It is the flagship Tata Scholarship, ideal for high-achieving Indians aspiring to study abroad, especially in STEM, management, humanities, and virtually any field.

Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship

• What is it?

Run by Tata Capital under CSR, the Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship supports underprivileged talents in classes 11–12, or diploma/UG courses. It covers up to 80% of tuition fees, or a capped amount (₹10,000–12,000) per student.

• Eligibility

Indian nationals from financially weaker sections:

• Classes 11–12: ≥ 60 % marks, family income ≤ ₹2.5 Lakh/year
• UG/Diploma/ITI: ≥ 60 % marks, family income ≤ ₹2.5 Lakh (some sources say ₹4 Lakh).

• Benefits
• Classes 11–12: 80 % tuition or up to ₹10,000.
• UG/Diploma: up to ₹12,000 or 80 % tuition, whichever is less.
• Selection & cycle

Multi-stage: online form → shortlisting → interviews → final committee selection. Deadline usually around 15 Feb 2025 for the 2024–25 cycle.

• Why does it matter?

The Tata scholarship ensures access to secondary and tertiary education for socially/financially disadvantaged but meritorious students.

Ratan Tata Scholarship for Engineering Students (Cornell University)

• What is it?

A partnership between the Tata Education & Development Trust and Cornell, this covers full tuition for up to 20 Indian undergraduates at Cornell in select engineering and sciences programs.

• Coverage

Finances full tuition for 4‑year engineering degrees; architecture is funded for 8 out of 10 semesters.

• What does it support?

Programs such as Electrical, Civil, Computer Science, Chemical, Environmental Engineering, Hotel Admin, Economics, Engineering Physics, etc.

• Eligibility

Indian citizen, secondary education in India, admitted to Cornell via Cornell's financial aid process (CSS Profile), with strong academics and demonstrated need.

• Application timelines

For Fall 2025:

• Early Decision: 1 Nov 2024
• Regular: 2 Jan 2025
• Transfer: 15 Mar 2025.

• Why it matters

One of the most prominent Tata scholarships for engineering students aiming for top global education with full financial coverage.

Other Tata Trust Grants & Scholarships

These include:

• Lady Meherbai D. Tata Education Trust: Merit‑based overseas master’s scholarship for women in social sectors; ~10 scholarships per year.
• Spectrum Grants: Support for athletes and caregivers in specified sports like swimming, archery, gymnastics, etc.
• Lady Tata Memorial Trust: Research grants in blood disorders, leukemias; >1 million GBP awarded in 2021–22.
• Civil Aviation & Professional Enhancement Grants: Aid for pilot courses or training abroad for medical professionals

How to Apply

J.N. Tata Endowment (Tata Endowment Scholarship)

• Visit the official jntataendowment.org in early January.
• Register by March of each year, and submit the full form with documents.
• After screening, attend the aptitude test in early May; interviews follow in Apr–June.
• Successful candidates receive the loan, repayable post-study

Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship

• Track announcements (February) and apply via the Tata Capital portal
• Provide academic proof (≥ 60%), income certificate, admission proof, ID, bank details, caste/disability docs if needed.
• Undergo screening and interviews; final decisions in ~March. Funds disbursed by reimbursement.

Ratan Tata Scholarship for Cornel Engineering

• Apply for Cornell, complete the CSS Profile by the corresponding deadlines
• Submit finance forms, transcripts, and essays.
• Cornell processes your application with the Tata Scholarship aid.
• Funds fully cover tuition (and living costs, travel) for 4 years 

2025 Last Dates (Quick‑View)

• Tata Scholarship 2025 Last Date:
• Tata Endowment (J.N. Tata): Application due by 23 March 2025 
• Tata Capital Pankh: Application due around 15 February 2025
• Ratan Tata Scholarship (Cornell):
• Early: 1 Nov 2024
• Regular: 2 Jan 2025
• Transfer: 15 Mar 2025

Please Note: The last date for this year’s Tata Scholarship enrollment dates have gone by. You can keep an eye on their portal, or our newsletters to learn about this year’s date.

Need More Support? Try Student Cover Education Loan

While scholarships like the Tata Scholarship ease financial burdens, not every student qualifies or gets full coverage. 

That’s where a Student Cover education loan can help. Student Cover offers competitive interest rates, minimal collateral requirements, and fast processing that are designed specifically for Indian students heading abroad. 

It bridges the funding gap between tuition, living expenses, and partial scholarships, making it a reliable backup when scholarships alone aren’t enough.

FAQs

Q: Is the J.N. Tata Endowment a grant or a loan?

A: It's a loan scholarship with simple 2% interest, repayable 3–7 years after the course. 

Q: Can ₹10 Lakh cover a US Master’s tuition?

A: Not entirely—a portion might; supplemental funding or additional loans may be needed.

Q: Can undergraduates avail of J.N. Tata?

A: Yes, as long as they are Indian graduates, under 45, and have an offer for a Master's or fellowship abroad.

Q: Is Pankh renewable?

A: No. It's a one-time scholarship per academic cycle. Renewal isn’t guaranteed. 

Q: Do I need to repay the Ratan Tata Scholarship?

A: No—this is full financial aid, not a loan.

Key Takeaways

• Tata Scholarship spans loans (J.N. Tata), grants (Pankh), and full tuition aid (Ratan Tata @ Cornell).
• Plan ahead: Check timelines! 23 Mar 2025 for JNT, 15 Feb for Pankh, and between Oct 2024–Mar 2025 for Cornell.
• Apply online: via official websites, Buddy4Study, and CSS Profile.
• Prepare docs early: transcripts, income proofs, test scores, essays, letters of recommendation.
• Excel in screening/interviews, especially for Pankh and JNT evaluations.
• Scholarship benefits vary: loans vs. reimbursements vs. full tuition coverage.

Wrapping Up

The Tata scholarship ecosystem is broad and deep, serving students from financially challenged schools to aspiring engineers aiming for top US universities. Whether you're chasing a low-interest overseas education loan, tuition assistance for UG/PG courses in India, or a full ride at Cornell, there’s a Tata scholarship for you.

Staying organized—that means tracking deadlines, prepping documentation, tailoring application essays, and meeting eligibility criteria—can tilt the scale in your favor. Best wishes for 2025 applications: may your journey be bright and your efforts rewarded.