- Navjeevan Express–Buddy4Study Scholarship Alert spotlights opportunities for school and college students
- Financial assistance of up to ₹75,000 under selected programmes; professional-course scholars can receive renewable support
- Special initiatives cover girls, students with disabilities, transgender learners and children of drivers and mechanics
- Family-income ceilings range from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹12 lakh across the listed schemes
- Application deadlines begin October 18; eligible students urged to check criteria and apply online
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, OCT 16
Can a student’s dream of becoming an engineer, doctor, management professional or entrepreneur be allowed to fade simply because the family cannot afford the next step in education? And how many talented young people miss life-changing opportunities because they never hear about the scholarships designed for them?
Seeking to bridge this information gap, Navjeevan Express, in association with Buddy4Study, presents seven scholarship opportunities for 2026–27, aimed at helping meritorious and financially disadvantaged students pursue education, professional training and career aspirations.
The opportunities span school education, undergraduate and postgraduate studies, professional courses, CAT preparation for students with disabilities, and dedicated assistance for transgender students. Some programmes also specifically support girls, children of commercial drivers and mechanics, and students from economically weaker sections.
For eligible applicants, these schemes could provide timely financial relief—from assistance towards tuition and other academic expenses to specialised preparation for competitive examinations.
The message is simple: before financial hardship forces a student to give up, families should explore the support available. Students, parents, teachers, school administrators and career counsellors can help by identifying eligible candidates, sharing the information and ensuring that application deadlines are not missed.
Thirukkural’s timeless message: Give so that learning can flourish
The Tamil classic Thirukkural offers a powerful ethical foundation for supporting education and helping those in need.
Kural 221 — On charity
“வறியார்க்கொன்று ஈவதே ஈகைமற் றெல்லாம்
குறியெதிர்ப்பை நீர துடைத்து.”
Meaning: True charity is giving to those in need; other forms of giving may carry an expectation of something in return.
Kural 400 — On the enduring wealth of education
“கேடில் விழுச்செல்வம் கல்வி ஒருவற்கு
மாடல்ல மற்றை யவை.”
Meaning: Education is the imperishable wealth of a person; all other forms of wealth cannot equal it.
Together, these couplets capture the spirit of educational philanthropy: when assistance reaches a deserving student at the right time, it can protect a valuable opportunity and help learning become a lifelong asset.
SEVEN SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: WHO CAN APPLY?
- SDEF India Scholarship Programme 2026–27
For meritorious students entering professional undergraduate courses
The Swami Dayanand Education Foundation offers financial support to academically meritorious students from financially constrained families beginning eligible professional undergraduate programmes in India.
- Eligibility: First-year students admitted in 2026–27 to eligible full-time B.Tech./B.E., MBBS, BDS or B.Arch. programmes. Annual family income must not exceed ₹12 lakh. Applicants should not have taken a gap year after Class 12 and must meet the applicable academic, entrance-examination and category-wise requirements.
- Scholarship: Up to ₹50,000 per academic year, renewable for up to four years, subject to annual review and continued eligibility.
- Disbursement: Directly to the college or university towards approved educational expenses.
- Last date: November 30, 2026.
- Apply online: www.b4s.in/nnes/SDEF1
- Indic AI Scholarship Programme — CAT 2026
A 100% CAT-preparation scholarship for students with disabilities
In collaboration with IMS Learning, this programme seeks to help eligible students with disabilities prepare for the Common Admission Test (CAT) and pursue their MBA ambitions.
- Eligibility: Students with disabilities across India who are pursuing an undergraduate degree, particularly in the third or final year, and planning to take CAT. A valid Unique Disability ID (UDID) card is required.
- Scholarship: 100% scholarship for CAT preparation.
- Training: An eight-week structured programme featuring live online classes, study materials, mock tests and learning support.
- Last date: October 18, 2026.
- Apply online: www.b4s.in/nnes/IASP1
Students should treat this as the most urgent deadline among the seven listed opportunities.
- Aditya Birla Capital Scholarship Programme 2026–27
Financial assistance for meritorious girl students
Instituted by the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, the programme supports girl students studying in government schools, colleges and recognised institutions across India.
- Eligibility: Girl students in Classes 9–12, polytechnic diploma courses, undergraduate programmes or postgraduate courses. Applicants must have secured at least 60% marks in the most recent academic year.
- Annual parental income: Must not exceed ₹6 lakh.
- Scholarship: Up to ₹60,000.
- Last date: October 30, 2026.
- Apply online: www.b4s.in/nnes/ABCC18
- Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship Programme 2026–27
A helping hand for students from economically weaker sections
Tata Capital Limited’s programme provides financial assistance to eligible students pursuing school education and recognised post-school courses.
- Eligibility: Indian students in Classes 11 and 12, undergraduate programmes, diploma courses or ITI courses at recognised institutions.
- Academic requirement: At least 60% marks in the previous academic year.
- Annual parental income: Must not exceed ₹4 lakh.
- Scholarship: Between 80% and 100% of tuition/course fees, subject to the scheme’s conditions, capped at ₹15,000 for Classes 11–12 and ₹18,000 for undergraduate, diploma and ITI courses, whichever is lower.
- Last date: October 26, 2026.
- Apply online: www.b4s.in/nnes/TCPS37
- Parivartan ECSS Programme 2026–27
Support from primary school to postgraduate studies
The Parivartan ECSS programme is designed to assist meritorious students from financially disadvantaged families across a broad spectrum of education.
- Eligibility: Students in Classes 1–12, diploma, ITI, polytechnic, undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including general and professional programmes.
- Academic requirement: At least 55% marks in the most recent qualifying examination.
- Annual family income: Must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh.
- Scholarship: Up to ₹75,000, depending on the level of education.
- Additional consideration: Preference is given to applicants who have experienced a personal or family crisis in the preceding three years that has significantly affected their ability to continue studying.
- Last date: October 31, 2026.
- Apply online: www.b4s.in/nnes/HDFC63
- Muskaan Scholarship Programme 2.0 (2026–27)
Helping children of drivers, mechanics and EWS families stay in education
An initiative of Valvoline Cummins Private Ltd. (VCPL), the Muskaan programme supports eligible students in Classes 9–12 in specified southern, eastern and northeastern states and regions.
- Eligible locations: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
- Eligible applicants: Children of commercial light and heavy motor vehicle drivers, children of mechanics, and students belonging to economically weaker sections.
- Academic requirement: At least 60% marks in the previous class.
- Annual family income: Must not exceed ₹8 lakh.
- Scholarship: Up to ₹12,000, based on actual expenses, along with mentorship support that includes a road-safety session.
- Last date: October 30, 2026.
- Apply online: www.b4s.in/nnes/MKSP3
Children of employees of VCPL and Buddy4Study are not eligible.
- Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Transgender Scholarship Programme 2026–27
Expanding educational access for transgender students
This corporate social responsibility initiative of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited, implemented through Buddy4Study, aims to support deserving transgender students pursuing school or higher education.
- Eligibility: Transgender students across India studying in Classes 9–12 or pursuing undergraduate/postgraduate studies through recognised government or private open schools and universities.
- Academic requirement: A minimum score of 35% in Class 10 and/or Class 12, as applicable under the programme criteria.
- Annual household income: Must not exceed ₹10 lakh.
- Scholarship: A one-time award of up to ₹40,000.
- Permitted expenses: Academic costs, including examination, admission and tuition fees.
- Last date: October 30, 2026.
- Apply online: www.b4s.in/nnes/USFB2
Children of employees of Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited and Buddy4Study are ineligible.
A CALL TO STUDENTS, PARENTS AND EDUCATORS
The scholarships have different eligibility conditions, financial ceilings and application deadlines. Applicants should carefully check the complete scheme guidelines, required documents, eligible courses and selection process through the respective application portals before submitting their applications.
Students should also remember that meeting the basic eligibility conditions does not guarantee selection; awards remain subject to the individual programme’s assessment and rules.
Navjeevan Express urges schools, colleges, teachers, community organisations and career counsellors to circulate these opportunities among students who may benefit. A timely message, a conversation with a parent or assistance in completing an online application could make a meaningful difference.
Education is a young person’s wealth; helping a deserving student access it is a contribution to society’s future. No scholarship can remove every barrier, but the right information, reaching the right student at the right time, can open a door that might otherwise remain closed.
NAVJEEVAN EXPRESS SCHOLARSHIP ALERT — Share the opportunity. Check the eligibility. Respect the deadline. Help a deserving student take the next step.