UGC Free Education for Sportspersons 2026: Fee Waiver, Kit Allowance & Details

At a glance

About the scheme

Introduced by the University Grants Commission under the Ministry of Education, the Free Education for Sports Medal Winners / Participants of National/ International Events scheme supports elite sportspersons who wish to pursue higher academic qualifications without financial strain. The initiative reimburses educational expenses, provides monthly stipends for advanced research or professional programmes, and covers boarding, lodging, and sports kits. It also directs institutions to make special academic provisions for attendance and missed lectures so that athletes can balance both sporting excellence and university degrees.

Benefits

• Olympics or World Championship medalists (>20 nations): 100% tuition and other fees, actual hostel boarding and lodging, ₹15,000 annual kit allowance, ₹7,500 monthly stipend plus actual fees for M.Phil and MBA/professional courses, and UGC JRF scale support for Ph.D.
• Olympics/World Championship participants (>20 nations) or Commonwealth/Asian/Afro-Asian medalists: 100% tuition fees, actual hostel expenses, ₹15,000 annual kit allowance, ₹7,500 per month plus actual fees for M.Phil and MBA, and UGC JRF scale for Ph.D.
• World Championship (<20 nations), Commonwealth, Asian, Afro-Asian participants or Asian Championship medalists: 100% tuition fees, actual hostel expenses, ₹10,000 annual kit allowance, ₹7,500 monthly stipend plus actual fees for M.Phil and MBA, and JRF scale for Ph.D.
• Asian Championship/World University Games participants or SAF Games medalists: 100% tuition fees, actual hostel expenses, ₹7,500 annual kit allowance, ₹7,500 per month plus actual fees for M.Phil and MBA, and JRF scale for Ph.D.
• SAF Games participants or National level medal winners: 75% reimbursement of tuition fees for Bachelor, PG, and Diploma programmes; ₹5,000 monthly stipend plus actual fees for M.Phil and MBA; ₹7,500 monthly stipend plus actual fees for Ph.D.; actual hostel facilities; and ₹6,000 annual kit allowance.
• Allowances for approved special courses abroad as per Government of India norms.
• Special institutional support to cover missed syllabus and academic attendance caused by sporting commitments.
• Direct reimbursement of financial support by UGC via DBT mode to the institution without barring recipients from other scholarships.

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Medal winners in National Games or competitors who participated in international events recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Olympic Committee of Asia (OCA), or World University Service.
• Must be admitted to a regular full-time course (undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, M.Phil, Ph.D., or professional courses like MBA) in an eligible institution.
• The institution must fall under Section 2(f) and 12(b) of the UGC Act 1956, be a UGC-aided deemed university under Section 3, be funded by the Central/State Government, or be an Institute of National Importance.
• Renewal in subsequent academic years is contingent upon continued sports performance.

Who cannot apply

• Students guilty of misconduct reported by their college, university, or institution.
• Candidates showing unsatisfactory academic progress, such as frequently failing examinations.
• Scholarships terminated on the recommendation of the university by UGC.
• Students who discontinue their academic studies without prior UGC approval must refund the fellowship amount received.

Documents required

• Duly filled application in the prescribed format.
• Original or valid copy of sports participation or medal-winning certificate attested by the college Principal or university Registrar.

How to apply

1. 1Download the prescribed application form from the official UGC portal.
2. 2Enter all personal, academic, and sports achievement details accurately.
3. 3Attach the medal winner or sports participation certificate duly attested by the Principal or Registrar of your enrolled institution.
4. 4Check that all entries and attached proofs are complete and correct.
5. 5Submit the verified application through the online UGC portal via your university or college authorities.

Frequently asked questions