Students looking for financial assistance to continue their education have two important scholarship opportunities available in August 2026. The SBI Asha Scholarship 2026 is offering financial support ranging from ₹15,000 to as much as ₹15 lakh per year across different education categories, including school, undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and overseas studies.
The current SBI scholarship programme has a ₹100 crore budget and is expected to support 25,707 students from economically disadvantaged families. Applications for the 2026–27 cycle are open, with the deadline set for September 4, 2026. SBI Foundation has confirmed that the programme covers students from Class 9 through higher education and overseas studies. (LinkedIn)
At the same time, the Azim Premji Scholarship 2026 is accepting applications from eligible girl students. The programme provides ₹30,000 annually for the full duration of a student’s first undergraduate degree or diploma course. Applications for the first round of the 2026 cohort are open from August 10 to August 31, 2026. (Azim Premji Foundation)
SBI Asha Scholarship 2026: Up to ₹15 Lakh Financial Support
The SBI Asha Scholarship 2026 is an initiative of SBI Foundation designed to help meritorious students from economically disadvantaged families access quality education.
The scholarship covers multiple categories, meaning students can potentially receive financial assistance from secondary school through postgraduate education. The highest award is available for eligible students pursuing postgraduate studies overseas.
According to SBI Foundation’s latest 2026 announcement, scholarships range from ₹15,000 to ₹15 lakh per annum, with the programme targeting more than 25,000 students. (LinkedIn)
Scholarship Amount by Education Category
| Education Category | Maximum Annual Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Class 9–12 | ₹15,000 |
| Undergraduate | ₹75,000 |
| Postgraduate | ₹1.50 lakh |
| MBBS | ₹2 lakh |
| IIT | ₹2 lakh |
| IIM MBA/PGDM | ₹5 lakh |
| Overseas Postgraduate Studies | ₹15 lakh |
The exact award depends on the category, course and institution requirements applicable to the applicant.
SBI Asha Scholarship 2026: Who Can Apply?
Applicants must generally be Indian citizens enrolled in eligible full-time programmes. The programme uses different eligibility requirements depending on the education category.
The academic requirement is generally at least 75% marks or the prescribed equivalent CGPA in the previous academic year. SBI Foundation has also announced relaxations for certain categories, with the latest 2026 information stating 65% for SC/ST students and 60% for students with disabilities. (LinkedIn)
Family income limits also apply:
- School students: Annual family income up to ₹3 lakh
- Higher education categories: Annual family income up to ₹6 lakh
Applicants should also check the specific institutional and course requirements for their scholarship category before submitting an application.
Which Institutions Are Covered?
For higher education categories, eligibility is linked to specific institutions and rankings depending on the programme.
The scholarship includes students studying at leading institutions and professional institutions, including eligible IITs, IIMs and medical institutions. The overseas category is also subject to institution and course requirements.
This makes the programme particularly relevant for students who have secured admission to recognised institutions but are struggling to meet the cost of tuition and other education-related expenses.
Documents Required for SBI Asha Scholarship 2026
Applicants should keep their documents ready before beginning the online application. Depending on the category, these can include:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Aadhaar or other identity document
- Previous academic year’s marksheet
- Admission or enrolment proof
- Income certificate
- Bank account details
- Caste certificate, where applicable
- Disability certificate, where applicable
- Course or institution-related documents
Applicants should ensure that all uploaded information is accurate and clearly readable. Errors in academic, income or bank details can create problems during verification.
How Are SBI Asha Scholarship Applications Selected?
Selection is not based only on academic performance. The programme considers both academic performance and financial circumstances.
Applications may go through an initial screening followed by document verification. Shortlisted applicants may also be contacted for a telephonic interview before the final selection.
Once verification is completed, the scholarship amount can be transferred directly to the selected student’s bank account.
The application process is online, and students should rely on the official scholarship portal rather than unofficial agents or individuals asking for payment.
SBI Asha Scholarship 2026 Last Date
The last date to apply for SBI Asha Scholarship 2026 is September 4, 2026. SBI Foundation’s 2026 announcement confirms the deadline and the scholarship range of ₹15,000 to ₹15 lakh. (LinkedIn)
Students who meet the requirements should avoid waiting until the final day because document verification and online submission can take time.
Azim Premji Scholarship 2026: ₹30,000 Every Year for Girl Students
The second major opportunity is the Azim Premji Scholarship 2026, which is specifically designed to support girl students from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing higher education.
The foundation says selected students receive ₹30,000 every year for the full duration of their first undergraduate degree or diploma course. (Azim Premji Foundation)
For the 2026 cohort, the first application round is open from August 10 through August 31, 2026. Andhra Pradesh and Delhi (NCT) have also been added to the eligible regions for the 2026 cohort. (Azim Premji Foundation)
Who Is Eligible for the Azim Premji Scholarship?
According to the foundation, applicants must:
- Be girl students.
- Have passed both Class 10 and Class 12 as regular students from a government school or college in an eligible state or Union Territory.
- Have taken admission in the first year of a recognised undergraduate degree or diploma programme for the 2026–27 academic session.
- Be enrolled as regular students.
- Be pursuing a recognised degree or diploma course lasting between two and five years.
- Be studying at a government or credible private college or university anywhere in India.
The scholarship is intended for the student’s first undergraduate degree or diploma. (Azim Premji Foundation)
Eligible States and Union Territories
For the 2026 cohort, the eligible regions listed by the foundation are:
Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi (NCT), Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. (Azim Premji Foundation)
What Does the Azim Premji Scholarship Cover?
Selected students receive ₹30,000 per year, which can be used toward education-related expenses.
This may include costs such as:
- College fees
- Books and study materials
- Hostel expenses
- Other educational expenses
Unlike a merit-only scholarship, the foundation states that the scholarship is not awarded based on merit, although applicants must meet the specified eligibility conditions. (Azim Premji Foundation)
Documents Required for Azim Premji Scholarship 2026
Students applying for the scholarship need to submit documents online through the official application process.
The foundation lists the following documents:
- Recent passport photograph
- Aadhaar card
- Bank account details or bank passbook
- Class 10 marksheet
- Class 12 marksheet
- College admission proof
The admission document should clearly show information such as the student’s name, college, degree or course, year of study and academic session. Accepted file formats include PDF, PNG and JPG, with file sizes between 30 KB and 500 KB. (Azim Premji Foundation)
There is no application fee for the Azim Premji Scholarship, and the foundation has specifically warned applicants to be cautious about people asking for money in connection with the application. (Azim Premji Foundation)
SBI Asha Scholarship 2026 vs Azim Premji Scholarship 2026
| Feature | SBI Asha Scholarship 2026 | Azim Premji Scholarship 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Target students | Class 9 to higher education | Girl students entering UG/diploma |
| Maximum support | Up to ₹15 lakh annually | ₹30,000 annually |
| Overseas studies | Yes, eligible overseas PG category | No |
| Application deadline | September 4, 2026 | August 31, 2026 |
| Application fee | Free | Free |
| Income criteria | Up to ₹3 lakh/₹6 lakh depending on category | Eligibility is based on the foundation’s specified criteria |
| Application mode | Online | Online |
The two programmes serve different groups of students. Students should therefore check the specific eligibility conditions rather than assuming that meeting the requirements for one scholarship automatically qualifies them for the other.
Important Dates for Students
Students interested in these opportunities should keep the following deadlines in mind:
Azim Premji Scholarship 2026:
Applications open August 10, 2026, and close August 31, 2026. (Azim Premji Foundation)
SBI Asha Scholarship 2026:
Applications are open for the 2026–27 cycle and the deadline is September 4, 2026. (LinkedIn)
Because the Azim Premji deadline comes earlier, eligible girl students should prioritize completing that application first.
Why Students Should Apply Before the Deadline
Scholarships can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education, particularly for students from families with limited income.
The SBI Asha Scholarship 2026 is particularly notable because it covers a wide range of education levels and includes an overseas postgraduate category with support of up to ₹15 lakh per year. Meanwhile, the Azim Premji programme provides recurring annual support throughout the eligible student’s first undergraduate degree or diploma. (LinkedIn)
Students should apply only through the respective official scholarship platforms and carefully verify eligibility, documents and deadlines before submitting an application.
FAQs : SBI Asha Scholarship 2026
What is the SBI Asha Scholarship 2026?
The SBI Asha Scholarship 2026 is a scholarship programme run by SBI Foundation that provides financial assistance to eligible students from Class 9 through higher education and eligible overseas postgraduate studies. The 2026 programme offers awards ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹15 lakh per year. (LinkedIn)
What is the maximum amount available under the SBI Asha Scholarship 2026?
The maximum scholarship amount is ₹15 lakh per year for eligible overseas postgraduate studies. (LinkedIn)
When is the last date to apply for the SBI scholarship?
The application deadline for the 2026–27 programme is September 4, 2026. (LinkedIn)
How much does the Azim Premji Scholarship provide?
The Azim Premji Foundation provides ₹30,000 per year for the full duration of a student’s first undergraduate degree or diploma, subject to the programme’s conditions. (Azim Premji Foundation)
When does the Azim Premji Scholarship 2026 application close?
The first application round for the 2026 cohort closes on August 31, 2026. (Azim Premji Foundation)
Is there an application fee?
No. The Azim Premji Foundation states that there is no fee for submitting the scholarship application and warns applicants about fraudulent requests for payment. (Azim Premji Foundation)
Where should students apply?
Students should use the official scholarship application platforms of SBI Foundation and the Azim Premji Foundation and avoid third-party individuals who promise guaranteed selection or request money.
Source : Dainik Bhaskar
Read About : Alberta AAIP Nomination Allocation 2026 Increases By 200 Additional Spaces
One thought on “SBI Asha Scholarship 2026: Up to ₹15 Lakh for Students; Azim Premji Scholarship Offers ₹30,000 a Year to Girls”