Overview

The SDEF Shiksha Shakti Scholarship Program supports academically deserving, financially constrained girl students pursuing non-technical undergraduate education in India.

Selection considers academic performance, financial need, family circumstances, and application authenticity. Open to first-year, full-time students for 2026-27.

Scholarship Structure

  • Total Scholarships Awarded Each Year: 150 to 200

  • Level of Study: First year of a full-time undergraduate non-technical degree.

  • 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 three years or five years for an integrated course, subject to continued eligibility.

Award Amount

Total Award Value: Up to ₹1,00,000 (five academic years)

  • Annual Award: Up to ₹20,000 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 Non-Technical Undergraduate Programmes include:

  • Arts & Humanities — B.A. (all streams)

  • Commerce — B.Com

  • Science (Non-Engineering) — B.Sc. (Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Maths, etc.)

  • Business Administration — BBA

  • Computer Applications — BCA

  • Journalism & Mass Communication — BA JMC / BJMC

  • Hotel Management — BHM

  • Law (Integrated) — BA LLB / BBA LLB

  • Other approved integrated courses

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Enroll as a first-year, full-time undergraduate student in a non-technical 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.

  • 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 document verification 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 applicants who studied in Government or Government-aided schools.

  • 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 or income requirements.

  • ❌ Male applicants, since this scholarship is for female students only.

Required Documents

Applicants must upload the following documents through the scholarship portal:

  • Recent passport-size photograph

  • Aadhaar Card

  • Class X Marksheet

  • Class XII Marksheet

  • 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 Shiksha Shakti 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 and/or an interview.

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

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

    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

  1. The SDEF Shiksha Shakti Scholarship is reviewed annually and may be renewed for the full length of the student's undergraduate programme, subject to continued eligibility and satisfactory academic performance.

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

  • Remain enrolled in the eligible non-technical 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.

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)