At a press conference held on Thursday, Anurag Behar, CEO of the Azim Premji Foundation, announced that the Foundation will provide scholarships to 2.5 lakh girls across the country for the academic year 2025–26.
He stated that in 2024–25, scholarships were awarded to over 25,000 girls in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. This year, the initiative is being expanded to 18 states, including Karnataka. Girls who have passed 10th or 12th grade and are pursuing further education will be eligible for support.
Students from both urban and rural government schools and colleges, including those run by local bodies such as BBMP, can apply for the scholarship. Talented girls studying diploma and degree courses in government and recognized private institutions will be considered. Students enrolled in select reputed private higher education institutions will also be eligible. A total of ₹2,250 crore has been allocated for three years, at ₹750 crore annually. Each eligible student will receive ₹30,000 per year until they complete their course. The scholarship amount will be transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account in two installments each year.
Anurag Behar emphasized that girls often face social and economic barriers to education. To become self-reliant, higher education is essential. Expenses such as travel, clothing, and books can be a burden, and the Foundation is stepping in to help reduce this burden.
He also mentioned that Karnataka’s implementation of the three-exam system with webcasting has become a model for the entire country. This system helps reduce exam fear and promotes the development of talented students.
Applications Open in September
Girls who gain admission to diploma engineering or various degree courses for the 2025–26 academic year can start applying from September 1. The application process will be widely publicized across different media platforms, and a dedicated application link will be made available on the Azim Premji Foundation website. Selection will be based on academic merit.
Who is Eligible?
- Students who studied in government schools and colleges
- Girls admitted to diploma programs
- Engineering and medical students
- Girls pursuing other degree courses
Scholarship Highlights:
- ₹750 crore allocated annually
- ₹2,250 crore total support over three years
- 2.5 lakh girl students to benefit
- ₹30,000 annual scholarship per student