Introduction
In a landmark move aimed at bridging the gender gap in higher education, the Azim Premji Foundation (APF) has committed ₹2,250 crore over three years (2025–28) to support up to 2.5 lakh girls from government schools across 18 Indian states. Launching in Academic Year 2025–26, this initiative—often dubbed the Azim Premji Girls’ Scholarship 2025-26—provides a straightforward, need-blind grant of ₹30,000 per annum for the duration of each beneficiary’s degree or diploma program. By removing financial barriers and empowering young women, the Foundation hopes to reverse the steep drop-off in female enrollment that occurs between secondary school and college.
Understanding the Azim Premji Foundation Rs 2,250 Crore Girls’ Scholarship 2025-26
At its core, the scholarship is designed to:
- Reach Scale Quickly – From a pilot supporting 25,000 girls in 2024–25, APF aims to scale to 2.5 lakh beneficiaries in 2025–26, investing ₹750 crore in the first year and ₹2,250 crore over three years.
- Keep Design Simple – No merit-based ranking, no income verification; eligibility hinges on being a girl student of a government school who has secured admission to a recognized higher education institution.
- Direct Funding – All awards are transferred—twice yearly—directly into the student’s bank account, empowering her to use the funds for tuition, books, transportation, clothing, or other educational expenses.
“Financial issues are one reason why a large percentage of girls do not continue into higher education… our hope is that with this kind of scholarship support, many more girls will continue”
— Anurag Behar, CEO, Azim Premji Foundation (The Times of India, azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in)
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
Who Can Apply?
- Gender & Schooling: Female students who have completed Class 10 or 12 in government schools.
- Admission Status: Confirmation of admission in any government higher education institution or selected private colleges/diploma programs.
- Residency: Must reside in one of the 18 eligible states (listed below).
Key Points
- No Income Test: Recognizing that 90–95% of government-school attendees come from disadvantaged backgrounds, APF foregoes family-income verification to simplify access.
- Non-Merit Based: All qualifying applicants who meet basic criteria—up to the cap of 2.5 lakh—receive the full award.
Application Timeline
- Opens: September 2025
- Mode: Online portal on the Azim Premji Foundation website (Azim Premji Foundation)
- Instalments: Award disbursed in two equal tranches each academic year.
Financial Mechanics and Scholarship Benefits
Each scholar receives ₹30,000 per year, disbursed in two instalments. Over a typical three-year bachelor’s degree, that amounts to:
- Total Award per Student: ₹90,000
- Total Commitment per Year: ₹750 crore
- Three-Year Commitment: ₹2,250 crore
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual Amount per Scholar | ₹30,000 (two instalments) |
| Duration | Length of the degree/diploma program |
| Total Scholars (2025–26) | Up to 2.5 lakh |
| Three-Year Funding Commitment | ₹2,250 crore |
Geographic Reach: 18 States Covered
The expansion to 18 states marks a significant broadening of scope from the pilot’s four-state footprint. Eligible states include:
| Region | States Covered |
|---|---|
| North | Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan |
| West | Madhya Pradesh |
| East & Northeast | Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura |
| South | Karnataka, Telangana |
| Central & Others | Chhattisgarh |
Table organized for clarity; please refer to official portal for any future additions. (The Times of India)
Comparative Analysis: Pilot Phase vs 2025-26 Expansion
| Aspect | Pilot Phase (2024–25) | Expansion (2025–26) |
|---|---|---|
| States Covered | Madhya Pradesh + select districts in UP, RJ, Jharkhand | 18 states nationwide |
| Beneficiaries | 25,000 girls (from 1.1 lakh applications) | Up to 2.5 lakh girls |
| Annual Funding | ₹75 crore | ₹750 crore |
| Per-Student Support | ₹30,000 annually | ₹30,000 annually |
| Total Three-Year Commitment | ₹75 crore | ₹2,250 crore |
This rapid scaling underscores APF’s confidence in the model’s simplicity and the urgent need to plug the gender gap in higher education. (The Times of India, Deccan Herald)
Implications for Girls’ Education in India
- Bridging the Drop-Off
- National surveys reveal near‐parity in primary schooling but a sharp decline in female enrollment at the college level.
- By targeting those transitions between secondary and tertiary education, the scholarship addresses a critical pinch point in girls’ learning trajectories. (The Times of India, The Economic Times)
- Economic and Social Uplift
- Increased female higher‐education rates drive improvements in women’s labor‐market participation, health outcomes, and community leadership.
- A single cohort of 2.5 lakh degree‐holding women can meaningfully shift household incomes and break cycles of intergenerational poverty.
- Policy Signaling
- A large‐scale private investment in girls’ education can spur complementary public policies, from safe transport to gender‐sensitive pedagogy.
- The non‐means‐tested design sends a powerful message: empowering girls is a societal imperative, not just a charitable option.
Insights into Gender Gap and Higher Education
- Financial vs. Non-Financial Barriers
While APF’s scholarship tackles direct educational costs, girls also face cultural norms, safety concerns, and limited role models. Pairing the scholarship with mentoring or community outreach could amplify impact. (The Times of India) - Potential for Holistic Support
Some organizations complement scholarships with counseling, internships, or leadership programs. APF’s lean design optimizes speed and scale, but future iterations might explore such wrap-around services. - Data and Accountability
With a simple eligibility checklist, APF can streamline disbursals. Transparent dashboards on disbursement rates, retention, and graduation outcomes will be critical to refining—and justifying—this massive investment.
Conclusion: Empowering India’s Future Through Education
The Azim Premji Foundation Girls’ Scholarship 2025-26 represents one of the largest single commitments to female higher education in India’s history. By combining:
- Scale (2.5 lakh beneficiaries),
- Simplicity (no means test, no merit ranking), and
- Direct Funding (bank transfers twice a year),
APF has crafted a model poised to move the needle on female college enrollment. As the applications open in September 2025, girls, educators, and policymakers alike have an unprecedented opportunity to join a movement that—over the next three years—could reshape India’s workforce, social dynamics, and gender norms.
Call to Action
- Eligible students: Mark your calendars for the September 2025 application window at the APF scholarship portal (Azim Premji Foundation).
- Educators & NGOs: Spread awareness in government schools and community groups to ensure no eligible girl misses this chance.
- Policymakers: Consider complementary measures—transport subsidies, safe‐campus initiatives, and mentorship programs—to build on APF’s financial support.
Together, we can ensure that financial constraints no longer dictate whether India’s girls complete their college education—and that our nation reaps the full social and economic benefits of an empowered female workforce.
Empower a girl today, and watch India’s tomorrow flourish.