IIT Delhi Scholarships 2025: Complete Guide to Merit-cum-Means, Fee Waivers, and Donor-Funded Awards

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has long been recognized not only for its academic excellence but also for its commitment to ensuring financial inclusivity. Every year, the institute extends comprehensive financial aid to meritorious and deserving students through scholarships, tuition fee waivers, and donor-led initiatives.

These financial assistance schemes are designed to ease the burden of education costs, motivate academic achievement, and empower students from all socio-economic backgrounds to pursue their studies without constraints.

A Holistic Financial Aid Framework

IIT Delhi offers a well-structured financial aid system that caters to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The framework includes:

• Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarships
• Institute Free Studentship
• Tuition Fee Exemptions for SC, ST, and PwD Students
• Over 120 Donor-Funded Scholarships and Fellowships

These aids are awarded based on various parameters—such as academic performance, annual family income, social category, or specialization in specific fields—and typically range between ₹25,000 and ₹1,00,000 per year.

By blending institutional and donor-driven efforts, IIT Delhi ensures that no talented student has to compromise on education due to financial hardship.

Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship: Encouraging Excellence with Equity

The Merit-cum-Means (MCM) Scholarship is one of IIT Delhi’s flagship financial aid schemes, aimed at supporting undergraduate students from economically weaker backgrounds.

Eligibility:

• Available to students enrolled in BTech, MA, MSc, and MPP programmes.
• Students must have an annual family income of up to ₹8 lakh.
• Approximately 25% of students at IIT Delhi receive this scholarship every year.

Benefits:

• ₹4,000 per month as a financial allowance.
• Full tuition fee waiver for the duration of the course.

Renewal Criteria:

• Students must maintain a minimum SGPA/CGPA of 6.0.
• Valid income proof needs to be submitted annually to remain eligible.

The MCM scholarship is a perfect blend of merit and need-based aid, ensuring that students who excel academically are also supported financially.

Institute Free Studentship: Extending Help Beyond the MCM Quota

Recognizing that financial need extends beyond the 25% of students covered by the MCM scheme, IIT Delhi offers an Institute Free Studentship to additional students purely on the basis of means criteria.

Key Highlights:

• Applicable to students who meet MCM income conditions but fall outside the 25% cap.
• Provides a complete tuition fee waiver for up to an additional 10% of students.

This initiative ensures that more students facing genuine financial hardship can benefit, even if they don’t make it within the limited MCM slots.

Tuition Fee Exemption for SC, ST, and PwD Students

In keeping with its inclusive ethos, IIT Delhi provides full tuition fee exemption for all students belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disabilities (PwD) categories, irrespective of their family income.

Additional Benefits:

• Hostel seat rent waiver for students whose annual family income is below ₹8 lakh.
• Free messing (basic menu) in the hostel dining facilities.
• ₹1,000 monthly pocket allowance to help with everyday expenses.

Through these measures, the institute ensures that students from marginalized communities have equitable access to high-quality education and campus life.

Donor-Funded Scholarships: Alumni and Industry Giving Back

Complementing IIT Delhi’s institutional scholarships are a wide range of donor-funded scholarships established by alumni, philanthropists, corporations, and charitable foundations. These awards not only recognize merit and need but also promote excellence in specific disciplines or social contributions.

Some of the notable donor-supported scholarships include:

• ABB Scholarship
• Bina Dewan Singh Scholarship
• Budhwanti Mrig Memorial Educational Scholarship
• Buti Foundation Scholarship
• Bhatia Scholarship
• CS&E 1998 Batch Scholarship
• GS Bhasin Scholarship
• Gobind H. Keswani Scholarship
• Gyan Scholarship
• IITDAA Scholarship

These contributions reflect the strong alumni and industry engagement that IIT Delhi fosters. Each scholarship has its own set of eligibility criteria and award amounts, typically ranging between ₹25,000 and ₹1 lakh per year.

By combining donor generosity with institutional support, IIT Delhi creates a robust ecosystem that sustains academic aspirations across generations.

Application Process and Renewal Guidelines

Students interested in applying for scholarships and financial aid can access all details through IIT Delhi’s Financial Assistance Portal. The portal provides information on:

• Eligibility criteria for each scholarship scheme
• Application deadlines and required documentation
• Renewal and continuation policies

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the eligibility conditions and submit accurate income proofs and academic records within the stipulated timelines. Renewal of scholarships is contingent upon maintaining the required academic performance and submitting updated income details each year.

Beyond Financial Aid: Building a Culture of Empowerment

IIT Delhi’s scholarship ecosystem does more than just offer monetary relief—it fosters a culture of empowerment and inclusivity. By providing structured support, the institute ensures that students can focus on innovation, research, and leadership without financial barriers.

Moreover, donor-led initiatives strengthen the institute’s vision of collective growth, where alumni and benefactors play an active role in shaping the next generation of engineers, scientists, and thinkers.

Conclusion: Financial Inclusion at the Core of IIT Delhi’s Vision

Through a thoughtful blend of Merit-cum-Means, fee waivers, and donor-funded scholarships, IIT Delhi reaffirms its dedication to equal educational opportunity. Whether it’s a tuition waiver for an economically disadvantaged student or a merit-based grant sponsored by alumni, each initiative contributes to the institute’s broader goal — making education accessible, inclusive, and excellence-driven.