Higher Education Scholarship Test for Indian Students (HEST) 2025

The Higher Education Scholarship Test (HEST) is India's largest scholarship competition designed for students aiming to study abroad. Powered by WeMakeScholars and supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the Digital India Campaign, this national-level test provides financial backing to meritorious and financially needy students.

About HEST

HEST is a prestigious initiative that allows students from top Indian colleges to compete for funding. This year, the committee has allocated a total fund of ₹2 Crore, with individual scholarships designed to ease the burden of international education.

🏛️ Provider: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Govt. of India

📈 Total Fund: ₹2 Crore

🌍 Scope: Valid for all major study abroad destinations

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in this national-level test, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Nationality: Must be an Indian national with a valid Indian passport.

• Academic Record: Minimum 55% marks in both Class 10th and Class 12th.

• Eligible Degrees: Bachelors, Masters, MBA, and Diploma.

• Course Restriction: All courses are eligible except Medicine/MBBS.

• Financial Status: Applicants must require financial assistance. Students who are 100% self-funding are not eligible, as the program prioritizes those who need an education loan or external support.

• Admission Status: You do not need a foreign university admission letter at the time of the test; it can be submitted later during the award process.

Scholarship Value & Benefits

Selected winners receive significant financial and administrative support:

• Cash Reward: Up to ₹3,00,000 per student.

• Full Fee Waiver Access: Participants get exclusive access to other full-fee waiver scholarships from government bodies and trusts.

• National Recognition: An opportunity to compete in one of India’s most recognized inter-college scholarship tests.

Important Details

• Application Deadline: 20 January 2026

• Updated on: 01 December 2025

• Selection Basis: Performance in the HEST Online Test.

Key Points to Remember

• The exact scholarship amount depends on the quality and volume of applications received in the current season.

• The test is part of the Digital India Campaign, ensuring a transparent and tech-driven selection process.

🌐 Official Link Register and apply for the test through the official HEST portal: 👉 https://hest.wemakescholars.com/