Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship 2026: Apply
Many talented students in India struggle to continue their education because tuition fees, books, travel, and hostel costs quickly become unaffordable. For learners from low-income families, even strong marks may not keep college plans within reach.
The Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship 2025 offers monthly financial support for eligible Class 11, ITI, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, engineering, and medical students. By meeting the income, age, marks, and document rules, you can apply for help and continue studying with less pressure.
Scholarship Overview
The Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship 2026 is a merit-cum-means programme that helps financially disadvantaged Indian students continue their education. It supports eligible learners from Class 11 through postgraduate study, including ITI, diploma, engineering, and medical courses at recognised institutions across India.
Instead of offering one fixed benefit, the scheme considers academic merit, family income, course level, and special circumstances. Selected students may receive monthly financial assistance and hostel support, helping them manage fees, books, accommodation, and other essential study costs.
Important Dates and Deadline
Applicants should check the live scholarship portal before relying on a deadline. An older official page lists 31 October, while the current ScholarConnect portal accepts online registrations without displaying a clear public closing date for the published 2025 application cycle.
| Important event | Date or status |
| Application opening date | Check the active ScholarConnect portal |
| Older official annual deadline | 31 October |
| Application mode | Online registration |
| Recommended action | Apply early and verify the latest official notice |
| Application status | Confirm through the official student dashboard |
Eligibility Criteria
Age and Income Limits
Applicants must be Indian students enrolled in eligible recognised courses and generally remain below 30 years of age. Annual family income cannot exceed ₹4 lakh for salaried families or ₹2.5 lakh for other families under current portal criteria, respectively.
| Eligibility factor | Current requirement |
| Nationality | Indian nationals |
| Study location | Recognised institutions in India |
| Maximum age | 30 years |
| Salaried family income | Up to ₹4 lakh annually |
| Other family income | Up to ₹2.5 lakh annually |
| Application frequency | Only once during the same course |
Minimum Marks Required
Minimum marks vary by course, gender, state, and applicant category. Boys and girls often follow different percentage requirements, while Karnataka, West Bengal, disabled students, and special-category applicants may receive separate standards. Always confirm the current official criteria before applying online.
| Course category | Boys | Girls |
| Class 11 and Class 12 | 60% | 55% |
| Class 11–12 in Karnataka | 70% | 65% |
| Class 11–12 in West Bengal | 65% | 60% |
| Government ITI courses | Pass marks | Pass marks |
| Private ITI courses | 45% | 35% |
| Undergraduate courses | 55% | 50% |
| Postgraduate courses | 60% | 55% |
| Diploma courses | 55% | 50% |
| Engineering and medical courses | 65% | 60% |
Note: These percentages come from an older scholarship schedule. Applicants should verify the latest requirements through the official Sitaram Jindal Foundation website.
Eligible Classes and Courses
The scholarship supports students in Classes 11 and 12, as well as those pursuing ITI, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, engineering, and medical programmes. Applicants must study regular courses at recognised Indian institutions and meet the academic, income, age, and admission requirements for their category.
| Education level | Eligible classes or courses |
| School education | Class 11 and Class 12 |
| Vocational education | Government and eligible private ITI courses |
| Diploma education | Polytechnic, nursing, pharmacy, laboratory technology, and technical diplomas |
| Undergraduate education | BA, BSc, BCom, BBA, BCA, agriculture, and other recognised degrees |
| Postgraduate education | MA, MSc, MCom, MBA, and other approved master’s programmes |
| Engineering education | Undergraduate and postgraduate engineering courses |
| Medical education | Medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, Ayurveda, and allied health courses |
Ineligible Students
Students may become ineligible if they exceed the age or income limits, study an unrecognised or non-regular course, submit incorrect documents, receive a conflicting scholarship, or apply again during the same course through the foundation portal.
- Students aged above 30 years
- Applicants exceeding the annual family income limit
- Students studying at unrecognised institutions
- Learners enrolled in short-term or ineligible courses
- Students pursuing distance or part-time courses where regular study is required
- Applicants receiving another restricted scholarship or fee reimbursement
- Students submitting false, incomplete, or unclear documents
- Repeat applicants applying again during the same course
- Final-year students excluded under applicable course rules
Course-Wise Eligibility
Course-wise eligibility helps applicants identify the correct marks, documents, and award category for their programme. Requirements differ across schools, ITIs, diplomas, general degrees, engineering, and medical education, so students should carefully compare their specific course before submitting the form online.
- Class 11 and Class 12: Applicants must meet the prescribed marks, age, and income requirements.
- ITI courses: Government ITI students may qualify with passing marks, while private ITI students may need higher percentages.
- Diploma courses: Students must attend recognised institutions and meet the required academic percentage.
- UG courses: Eligible undergraduate students may apply from arts, commerce, science, agriculture, and other approved fields.
- PG courses: Postgraduate applicants must meet higher academic standards and provide graduation records.
- Engineering courses: Students may need proof of admission through an approved or government merit quota.
- Medical courses: Applicants must study at recognised institutions and provide course, fee, and admission documents.
- Special categories: Disabled students, orphans, and eligible wards of ex-servicemen may receive academic relaxation.
Class 11, Class 12 and ITI
Class 11, Class 12, and ITI students can apply when they meet the required marks, age, income, and institution rules. Government ITI learners may qualify with pass marks, while private ITI applicants generally need higher scores under older official criteria.
| Course category | Minimum marks for boys | Minimum marks for girls | Reported monthly amount |
| Class 11 and Class 12 | 60% | 55% | ₹500 for boys and ₹700 for girls |
| Class 11–12 in Karnataka | 70% | 65% | Based on the approved category |
| Class 11–12 in West Bengal | 65% | 60% | Based on the approved category |
| Government ITI courses | Pass marks | Pass marks | ₹500 |
| Private ITI courses | 45% | 35% | ₹700 |
Note: These figures come from an older scholarship schedule. Students should confirm the latest criteria through the official Sitaram Jindal Foundation website.
Diploma, UG and PG Courses
Diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate applicants must study regular courses at recognised institutions. Their required marks differ by programme and gender. Students should submit current admission proof, previous marksheets, income documents, and any course-specific certificates requested by the foundation for review.
- Diploma students generally need 55% marks for boys and 50% for girls.
- Undergraduate students may apply from arts, commerce, science, agriculture, management, and other approved fields.
- Postgraduate students must provide graduation marksheets and current admission evidence.
- Applicants must study regular courses lasting at least one academic year.
- The institution must hold valid recognition or affiliation.
- Students must meet the age and annual family income limits.
- Applicants receiving another restricted scholarship may become ineligible.
Engineering and Medical Courses
Engineering and medical students may receive higher monthly assistance because professional courses often involve greater fees. Applicants must study at recognised institutions, meet category-specific marks, and provide admission, fee, income, and merit-quota documents whenever the foundation officially asks for them.
- Applicants generally need 65% marks for boys and 60% for girls under older criteria.
- Eligible programmes may include engineering, architecture, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, Ayurveda, and homeopathy.
- Postgraduate engineering and medical students may qualify for higher monthly support.
- Students should provide current admission proof and previous examination marksheets.
- A government merit-quota certificate may be required for certain professional courses.
- The institution must confirm annual fees and the applicant’s enrolment status.
- Students must disclose every scholarship or fee-reimbursement benefit they receive.
Special Category Eligibility
Special-category applicants may receive academic relaxation or higher assistance under older scholarship rules. These groups include students with disabilities, orphans, single-parent children, widows, and unmarried wards of ex-servicemen. Every claim requires valid, current, and properly verified documentary proof for approval.
- Students with disabilities may qualify with relaxed academic requirements.
- Orphans may need to provide their parents’ death certificates.
- Single-parent students must submit supporting family documents.
- Widows and unmarried wards of ex-servicemen may receive enhanced monthly assistance.
- Dependants of veterans may need a PPO or relationship dependency card.
- Applicants with disabilities must provide a valid disability certificate.
- Special-category benefits remain subject to document verification and current foundation rules.
Scholarship Amount and Benefits
The scholarship offers course-based monthly support to eligible students from Class 11 through postgraduate engineering and medicine. Historical rates range from ₹500 to ₹3,200 per month, while approved hostellers may receive additional assistance for accommodation and essential monthly living expenses.
- Monthly support depends on the student’s course and category.
- Girls may receive a higher amount in several course groups.
- Engineering and medical students may qualify for increased assistance.
- Eligible hostellers may receive an additional hostel allowance.
- Payments may support fees, books, accommodation, and study materials.
- Scholarship continuation depends on academic progress and verified eligibility.
- Students should keep an active bank account for receiving approved funds.
Course-Wise Monthly Amount
Monthly scholarship amounts vary by course, gender, and applicant category. Older published rates start at ₹500 for some school and government ITI students and rise to ₹3,200 for eligible girls studying postgraduate engineering or medical programmes in recognised institutions nationwide.
| Course or category | Amount for boys | Amount for girls |
| Class 11 and Class 12 | ₹500 per month | ₹700 per month |
| Government ITI | ₹500 per month | ₹500 per month |
| Private ITI | ₹700 per month | ₹700 per month |
| Diploma courses | ₹1,000 per month | ₹1,200 per month |
| Undergraduate courses | ₹1,100 per month | ₹1,400 per month |
| Postgraduate courses | ₹1,500 per month | ₹1,800 per month |
| Undergraduate engineering | ₹2,000 per month | ₹2,300 per month |
| Undergraduate medicine | ₹2,500 per month | ₹3,000 per month |
| Postgraduate engineering and medicine | ₹2,800 per month | ₹3,200 per month |
| Special-category undergraduate students | Up to ₹1,400 per month | Based on approved category |
| Widowed or unmarried wards of ex-servicemen | Up to ₹1,800 per month | Up to ₹1,800 per month |
Important: The table reflects older published scholarship rates. Applicants should verify the current monthly amount through the official scholarship portal before making financial plans.
Hostel Allowance
Eligible hostellers may receive extra financial support alongside the regular monthly scholarship. Older schedules report ₹1,200 per month for ITI, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate students, while engineering and medical students may receive ₹1,800 after submitting verified hostel and accommodation documents.
| Student category | Reported hostel allowance |
| ITI students | ₹1,200 per month |
| Diploma students | ₹1,200 per month |
| Undergraduate students | ₹1,200 per month |
| Postgraduate students | ₹1,200 per month |
| Engineering students | ₹1,800 per month |
| Medical students | ₹1,800 per month |
Note: Students may need a hostel certificate, fee receipt, warden’s confirmation, or accommodation-owner certificate. Current allowance rates should be verified through the official Sitaram Jindal Foundation website.
Required Documents
Applicants must provide clear, valid documents that confirm identity, admission, academic performance, income, bank details, and special-category status. Missing signatures, blurred scans, outdated certificates, or mismatched information can delay verification or lead to rejection during the official scholarship review process.
- Completed scholarship application form
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Aadhaar card or Aadhaar details
- Previous examination marksheets
- SSLC or HSC marks card
- Current admission or bonafide certificate
- Course fee receipt or official fee structure
- Valid family income certificate
- Salary certificate for employed parents
- Student bank passbook and IFSC details
- Hostel certificate, if applicable
- Disability certificate, if applicable
- Ex-serviceman or dependency documents, if applicable
- Declaration confirming other scholarship details
- Government merit-quota certificate for specified courses
Application Process
Students can apply through the official ScholarConnect portal by registering, completing the online form, uploading documents, and reviewing every entry before submission. Older instructions mention postal applications, so applicants should confirm whether offline submission remains available for the scholarship cycle.
- Visit the official scholarship portal.
- Select the student registration option.
- Enter an active mobile number and email address.
- Create login credentials and verify the account.
- Complete personal and family information.
- Add academic, course, and institution details.
- Enter annual family income and fee information.
- Provide the student’s bank account details.
- Upload clear copies of all required documents.
- Review names, marks, dates, and account numbers.
- Submit the application and save the reference number.
- Track updates through the student dashboard.
- Confirm offline submission rules before sending documents by post.
Selection, Renewal and Payment
The foundation selects applicants after checking academic merit, financial need, course details, institution recognition, and supporting documents. Approved students may receive bank payments, while annual continuation depends on satisfactory performance, updated records, and continued full compliance with the scholarship rules.
- The foundation screens every application for basic eligibility.
- Officials verify age, income, marks, course, and institution details.
- The institution may confirm admission, fees, and academic records.
- Incomplete or conflicting documents may delay the decision.
- Meeting every condition does not guarantee final selection.
- Selected students receive payment through the approved bank account.
- Students must keep their account active and correctly linked.
- Renewal may depend on annual academic performance.
- Continuing students may need updated marksheets and certificates.
- Applicants should not submit another fresh application for the same course.
- The foundation may stop support when eligibility conditions change.
- Students must report changes in their course, institution, or bank details.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Who can apply for the Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship 2025?
Indian students studying in Class 11, Class 12, ITI, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, engineering, or medical courses may apply. They must meet the required age, income, marks, and institution criteria.
What is the family income limit for the scholarship?
The annual family income should not exceed ₹4 lakh for salaried families. For non-salaried or other families, the maximum annual income limit is generally ₹2.5 lakh.
How much scholarship amount can students receive?
The reported monthly scholarship ranges from ₹500 to ₹3,200, depending on the course, gender, and applicant category. Eligible hostellers may also receive an additional hostel allowance.
How can students apply for the scholarship?
Applicants can register through the official ScholarConnect portal, complete the online form, and upload the required documents. Students should verify whether offline postal submission remains available for the current cycle.
Can students apply again during the same course?
No, students should not submit another fresh application for the same course. Continuing recipients may need to provide updated marksheets, admission proof, and other documents for renewal.
Conclusion
The Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship 2025 gives deserving students practical support to continue their education without carrying the full financial burden alone. By covering school, diploma, degree, engineering, medical, and postgraduate courses, the scheme creates a valuable path for learners from low-income families.
Before applying, check the deadline, eligibility rules, award rates, and document requirements on the official portal. A complete, accurate application improves your chances and helps the foundation assess your academic merit, financial need, and course details.
