SDEF Shiksha Shakti Scholarship 2026-27

The SDEF Shiksha Shakti Scholarship supports academically deserving female students with financial need who are pursuing non-technical undergraduate education in India. For 2026-27, it is open to eligible students entering the first year of a full-time undergraduate program.

The official application period runs from September 5 to October 31, 2026. The foundation lists scholarship notifications for mid-November 2026 and funding beginning in January 2027.

Scholarship support

• Up to ₹20,000 per academic year.
• Renewable annually for up to three years, or up to five years for eligible integrated courses, subject to continued eligibility and academic performance.
• The stated total award value is up to ₹1,00,000 over five academic years.
• Funds are paid to the student's college or university account for approved educational expenses, not to a personal bank account.
• SDEF states that 150 to 200 scholarships are awarded each year.

Eligible courses

• BA, including arts and humanities streams.
• BCom.
• BSc in non-engineering subjects such as physics, chemistry, botany, zoology, or mathematics.
• BBA and BCA.
• Journalism and mass communication, hotel management, integrated law, and other approved non-technical courses.

Selection

Selection considers academic performance, financial need, family circumstances, supporting documents, application authenticity, and any further selection stage. Shortlisted applicants may be asked to complete document verification or an interview. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee selection.

Documents to prepare

• Recent passport-size photograph and Aadhaar card.
• Class X and Class XII marksheets.
• College admission letter or college ID and latest fee receipt.
• Family income proof and an electricity, water, or gas utility bill.
• Three photographs of the applicant's residence.
• Completed and signed SDEF Scholar Pledge Form, uploaded as a scanned copy.
• Agricultural land records, education loan documents, ITR, salary or pension proof, or other support documents when applicable.