Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2025-26: Financial Assistance of INR 1.5 Lakh Per Year for Girls Pursuing Engineering, MBBS, Law, Design, and Other Professional Degrees

Education is the cornerstone of empowerment, especially for young women striving to create a better future for themselves and society. Recognizing this, the Kotak Mahindra Group, through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in collaboration with the Kotak Education Foundation, launched the Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2025-26. This scholarship aims to promote higher education among meritorious girl students from economically weaker sections of society. It provides much-needed financial assistance to deserving young women pursuing professional degree programs such as Engineering, MBBS, Law, Design, Architecture, and Integrated Science Courses. Through annual financial support of INR 1.5 lakh, the program enables students to complete their higher education without financial barriers and empowers them to contribute to India’s growth story.

Important Dates

Objectives of the Scheme

1. Promote Girl Education: Encourage meritorious girls to pursue higher studies in professional streams after completing Class 12.
2. Provide Financial Support: Offer monetary assistance to cover tuition fees, hostel charges, and educational materials.
3. Reduce Dropouts: Prevent academically bright students from discontinuing education due to financial hardship.
4. Empower Women Through Education: Enable young women to become self-reliant and career-oriented professionals.
5. Foster Gender Equality: Bridge the gender gap in professional and technical education.
6. Encourage Skill Development: Build a generation of competent and confident women leaders in various professional domains.

Key Features of the Scheme

• A CSR-based educational initiative by Kotak Mahindra Group implemented through Kotak Education Foundation.
• Applicable to meritorious girl students from low-income families across India.
• Covers professional degree programs such as Engineering, MBBS, Integrated Law (5 Years), Integrated BS-MS, Architecture, Design, and other reputed professional courses.
• Students must be admitted to NAAC/NIRF-accredited institutions or recognized universities such as IISc (Bangalore) and ISER.
• Provides INR 1.5 lakh per year until completion of the professional course.
• Scholarship funds can be used for tuition, hostel, internet, laptop, transportation, books, and stationery.
• Based on merit-cum-means, ensuring that deserving candidates receive equal opportunity.
• Entirely digital and transparent selection process with direct bank transfer of funds.
• Renewable every academic year, subject to satisfactory performance and adherence to scheme guidelines.

Scholarship Amount

Each selected scholar will receive a financial grant of INR 1.5 lakh per year for the full duration of her professional degree.

Utilization of Funds

The scholarship amount may be used to cover:

• College tuition and examination fees
• Hostel and accommodation costs
• Transportation, internet, and digital-learning expenses
• Purchase of laptops or study devices
• Books, stationery, and other academic supplies

Note: The continuation and quantum of the scholarship are at the discretion of Kotak Education Foundation, depending on academic performance and fulfillment of eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Gender: Only girl students are eligible.
2. Nationality: Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
3. Academic Qualification:
   • Passed Class 12 board examination with at least 75% marks or equivalent CGPA.
   • Secured admission to the first year of a professional undergraduate program in the 2025-26 academic session.
4. Eligible Courses:
   • Engineering (B.Tech/B.E.)
   • MBBS
   • Integrated LLB (5 Years)
   • Integrated BS-MS / BS-Research
   • Architecture, Design, or other professional programs from accredited institutions.
5. Family Income: Annual household income must not exceed INR 6 lakh.
6. Institution Accreditation: Admission must be in NAAC-accredited or NIRF-ranked colleges/universities.
7. Exclusions:
   • Daughters of employees of Kotak Mahindra Group or Kotak Education Foundation are not eligible.
   • Applicants already receiving another scholarship from the same foundation for similar purposes cannot apply.

Reservation Policy

The Kotak Kanya Scholarship is purely merit-cum-means based and does not follow any caste-based or regional reservation. However, priority may be extended to:

• Students from economically weaker backgrounds,
• Single-parent or orphaned candidates, and
• Those from rural or under-served areas.

Distribution of Scholarships

1. Number of Awards:
   Determined annually based on the CSR budget and the number of eligible applications received.
2. Mode of Disbursement:
   Scholarship amounts are transferred directly to the student’s verified bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.
3. Renewal:
   • Renewal granted every year until completion of the course.
   • Continuation depends on academic progress and maintenance of good conduct.
4. Monitoring:
   The Kotak Education Foundation periodically reviews scholars’ performance and may request progress reports or academic transcripts each year.

Documents Required

Applicants must upload clear, legible copies of the following documents:

1. Class 12 Marksheet
2. Income Proof of Parents/Guardians
3. Income Tax Return (ITR) for FY 2024-25 (if available)
4. Fee Structure for Academic Year 2025-26
5. Bonafide Student Certificate or Admission Letter
6. College Seat Allocation Document
7. Entrance Exam Scorecard (if applicable)
8. Aadhaar Card
9. Bank Passbook (first page with name, account number and IFSC)
10. Passport-Size Photograph
11. Disability Certificate (if applicable)
12. Death Certificate (for single-parent/orphaned students)
13. Photographs of the House as residence proof

Application Process (Step by Step)

Step 1 – Visit the Official Portal

Go to the authorized online scholarship portal of Kotak Education Foundation dedicated to Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2025-26.

Step 2 – New Registration

• Click “Apply Now.”
• Register using your email ID, mobile number, or Gmail account.
• Verify the OTP (One-Time Password) to create your login credentials.

Step 3 – Login to the Dashboard

Use the newly created credentials to log in and access your personalized scholarship dashboard.

Step 4 – Start Application

Click “Start Application” to open the scholarship form for the academic year 2025-26.

Step 5 – Fill in Personal and Academic Details

Enter accurate information such as:

• Name, Date of Birth, and Contact Details
• Family Income and Occupation of Parents
• Course Name, College Name, and Admission Details
• Marks secured in Class 12 board exam

Step 6 – Upload Documents

Attach all mandatory documents as scanned copies in PDF or JPEG format, ensuring clarity and correct file size.

Step 7 – Preview Application

Review all information thoroughly. Confirm that details such as name, marks, and bank information are correct.

Step 8 – Accept Declaration

Read the terms and conditions, agree to the applicant declaration, and check the confirmation box.

Step 9 – Submit Application

Click “Submit” to finalize your application. You will receive a confirmation message upon successful submission.

Step 10 – Verification and Selection

• Applications are verified for accuracy and authenticity.
• Shortlisted candidates are evaluated based on academic merit and financial need.
• Selected scholars are notified via registered email or phone number.

Selection Process

1. Screening of Applications – Based on eligibility, academic performance, and income details.
2. Document Verification – Cross-checking of submitted documents for authenticity.
3. Final Selection – Merit list prepared by Kotak Education Foundation.
4. Award Notification – Selected students are informed individually and required to submit bank details for DBT transfer.

Renewal Conditions

• Renewal depends on satisfactory academic progress each year.
• Scholars must maintain good attendance and conduct.
• Any discontinuation or change in course without approval will cancel the scholarship.
• Submission of false information or misconduct will lead to termination and recovery of funds if necessary.

Expected Impact of the Scheme

The Kotak Kanya Scholarship has far-reaching effects beyond financial aid:

• Promotes women’s education in professional sectors traditionally dominated by men.
• Reduces educational dropouts among girls from low-income backgrounds.
• Enhances employment opportunities and encourages skill-based careers.
• Contributes to gender equality and inclusive socio-economic development.
• Builds future leaders who inspire other young women to pursue higher education.