Graphic for SDEF Scholarship Program with scholarship guidelines, application notice, and illustration of two people reviewing a profile with magnifying glass.

Overview

The SDEF India Scholarship Program supports academically deserving students from financially constrained families who are pursuing undergraduate professional education in India.

The program is designed to help students continue their higher education while reducing the financial burden on their families. Selection considers academic performance, financial need, family circumstances, and other factors as part of a comprehensive review.

Scholarships are available to eligible students entering the first year of a full-time undergraduate professional degree program for the 2026–27 academic year.

Scholarship Structure

  • Total Scholarships Awarded Each Year: 100 to 150

  • Level of Study: First year of a full-time undergraduate professional degree program for the 2026–27 academic year.

  • Drop/ Gap Year after Class XII is not eligible.

  • A minimum of 80% marks (or equivalent CGPA) in the Class XII Board Examination.

  • Duration: Renewable for up to four years, subject to continued eligibility.

Award Amount

Total Award Value: Up to ₹2,00,000 (four academic years)

  • Annual Award: Up to ₹50,000 per academic year

  • Scholarships are renewable annually, based on continued eligibility and academic performance

Scholarship funds are disbursed directly to the student’s college or university account and applied toward approved educational expenses.

Funds will not be disbursed in any personal bank accounts.

Eligible Professional Undergraduate Programmes include:

  • Engineering & Technology — B.Tech./B.E.

  • Medicine — MBBS

  • Dentistry — BDS

  • Nursing — B.Sc. Nursing/B.Nursing

  • Pharmacy — B.Pharm./Pharm.D

  • Architecture — B.Arch.

  • Veterinary Science — BVSc & AH

Eligible Entrance Examination Requirements include:

  • JEE Main — AIR 50,000 or below

  • JEE Advanced — AIR 40,000 or below

  • NEET UG — AIR 50,000 or below

  • NATA — Minimum 100 marks

For other eligible programmes, applicants must have qualified the relevant recognized entrance examination, where applicable.

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Enroll as a first-year full-time undergraduate student in a professional programme in India for 2026–27.

  • Be enrolled in one of the eligible programmes.

  • Have secured a minimum of 80% marks or equivalent CGPA in Class XII

  • Meet the applicable entrance examination requirement, where required.

  • Have an annual family income of ₹12,00,000 or less from all sources.

  • Provide complete and accurate information and the required supporting documents

  • Be willing to participate in the aptitude assessment and other selection stages if shortlisted

Additional Eligibility Notes:

  • Students from agricultural families may apply, but must provide details of agricultural land holdings and supporting documents.

  • Preference may be given to first-generation college students.

  • Preference may be given to academically meritorious female students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

  • Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection. Final selection is based on academic merit, financial need, supporting documents, application authenticity, and performance in subsequent selection stages.

Not Eligible:

  • ❌ Second-year or later students.

  • ❌ Part-time undergraduate programmes.

  • ❌ Students who have taken a drop/gap year after Class XII.

  • ❌ Applicants who do not meet the applicable academic, income, or entrance examination requirements.

Required Documents

Applicants must upload the following documents through the scholarship portal:

  • Recent passport-size photograph

  • Aadhaar Card

  • Class X Marksheet

  • Class XII Marksheet

  • Relevant Entrance Examination Scorecard

  • Admission Letter

  • College ID

  • Latest College Fee Receipt

  • Family Income Proof

  • Utility Bill — Electricity, Water or Gas

  • Three photographs of the applicant's residence

  • SDEF Scholar Pledge Form

Additional Documents, if applicable:

  • Agricultural land documents

  • Educational loan documents

  • ITR

  • Salary Slip / Salary Certificate

  • Pension Proof

  • Other supporting documents requested by SDEF

Applicants may be asked to provide additional documents to support the financial information provided in their application.

Guidelines

Applications must be submitted online only through the official SDEF India Scholarship Portal

  1. ❌ Paper or emailed applications will not be accepted.

  2. The application portal link will be posted on the SDEF website once applications open.

  3. Applicants must upload all required documents directly to the portal.

  4. Only complete applications will be reviewed.

  5. This application is for new applicants. Each applicant may submit only one application.

  6. Please provide complete and accurate information and ensure that all uploaded documents are clear and readable.

  7. Applicants may save the application and complete it later. Must be submitted before the deadline.

  8. Please review all information carefully before submitting.

  9. Shortlisted applicants may be required to participate in document verification, an online assessment and/or an interview.

  10. If selected for the online assessment, applicants must arrange access to a laptop/desktop and a reliable internet connection. A nearby cyber café or computer centre may also be used.

  11. All application responses must be the applicant's own work. Plagiarism, false information, forged documents, or undisclosed AI-generated responses may result in disqualification.

  12. SDEF may verify the information and documents provided as part of the selection process.

  13. Submitting an application does not guarantee selection.

Administration & Selection

The SDEF India Scholarship Program is administered by the Swami Dayanand Education Foundation. Scholarship recipients are selected by SDEF Scholarship Administrators based on published criteria.

No external organization, donor, or Foundation trustee influences the selection process.

Scholarship Renewal & Continued Eligibility

The SDEF India Scholarship is reviewed annually and may be renewed for up to four years, subject to continued eligibility and satisfactory academic performance.

To continue receiving the scholarship, students may be required to:

  • Remain enrolled in the eligible undergraduate programme.

  • Have no academic backlogs.

  • Maintain satisfactory academic performance.

  • Complete the Scholarship Renewal Application Form each year.

  • Provide academic records and other documents requested by SDEF.

  • Continue to meet the Foundation's applicable scholarship requirements.

  • Inform SDEF of any significant change in their academic or financial circumstances.

Scholarship renewal is not automatic. SDEF will review the student's academic progress and continued eligibility before approving renewal.

The scholarship may be discontinued if a student no longer meets the Foundation's requirements or provides false or misleading information.

Failure to meet renewal conditions may result in loss of funding.

Swami Dayanand Education Foundation Renewal Scholarship Portal

Apply - Renewal Applicants

Now Accepting Applications!

Application & Technical Support

For assistance with the application process, required documents, or technical issues, contact:

📧 scholarships@swamidayanand.org

  • Subject line: “Application Support Needed” (general questions related to the application)

  • Subject line: “Application Technical Support” (system or upload issues; screenshots recommended)