Apply for scholarships and colleges while you are still enrolled in school, ideally during the autumn after your final  year. There are a lot of deadlines that come after your tests, so be careful of them all. Applying early shows that you are serious about the program and gives you enough of time to prepare essays, acquire necessary paperwork, and get reference letters.

some may be as soon as the end of November or December.

Dear Resipient,

Regarding your question about when to apply for college, it depends on what colleges you have in your mind. If you want to get into top colleges in India in any field , you should begin your research about the college you have in your mind and their application requirements.most college applications are due between November and January . Submit your applications during this period. Also there are many colleges which requires the candidate to clear certain tests before addmission.and if you are preparing for CUET start your preprations in 12th grade itself. As for  when to apply for scholorships,you should definately start applying while you are still in school,ideally during your 12th grade.Many scholorship dedlines are during your 12th grade year so you should definately start researching for the required scolorship and the dedline to apply for it.

All the best!