The Higher Education Scholarship Test (HEST) 2026 is a government‑run scholarship competition for Indian students seeking financial support to study abroad. HEST is organized by Higher Education and powered by WeMakeScholars, an initiative funded and supported by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology under the Digital India programme. The test is conducted at a national level, inviting candidates from colleges across the country to compete for a share of the total scholarship pool. The official HEST page provides the latest information on the number of scholarships, eligibility criteria, and the amount awarded to each recipient.

Indian citizens enrolled in any undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral programme are eligible to apply. Candidates must be studying at a recognized Indian institution and meet the academic performance standards set by the organising body. The test is open to students from all categories, including SC, ST, OBC, EWS and PwD, provided they satisfy the criteria detailed on the official HEST website.

Visit the official HEST website and create an account. Complete the online application form, upload the required academic transcripts, identity proof and any category certificates. Pay the examination fee, if applicable, and submit the application before the deadline. After registration, download the admit card, appear for the test, and later check the results on the portal to see if you have been awarded a scholarship.