Azim Premji Scholarship Program Empowers Over 18,000 Girls in Sehore; Expands Nationwide to 2.5 Lakh Beneficiaries
The Azim Premji Foundation is significantly expanding its flagship education Azim Premji scholarship with a dual push: a regional roll-out benefiting over 18,000 girl students in Sehore district, and a nationwide scheme aiming to support 2.5 lakh girls across 18 states in the 2025–26 academic year.
1. Sehore District: 832 Girls Enrolled in Scholarship Program
In a heartening development for Madhya Pradesh, local authorities announced that over 18,000 students received scholarships, among whom 832 are girl students from Sehore district. This initiative—aligned with the national program but administered locally—ensures that girl students continuing to higher education receive much-needed financial support. The precise distribution includes monthly disbursement or annual support of ₹30,000, mirroring the national pattern.
This strong uptake in Sehore reflects effective outreach and awareness campaigns by district administrators and community educators. Many of these girls attended awareness events at schools and colleges, which offered help with online application processes through QR codes and simplified registration.
2. National Rollout: Azim Premji Scholarship to Benefit 2.5 Lakh Girls
Parallel to regional gains, the Azim Premji Foundation unveiled a major expansion: providing scholarships to up to 2,50,000 girl students who have completed their Class 10 and 12 education at government schools and have gained admission to recognized undergraduate or diploma courses.
- Financial Support: Each eligible girl receives ₹30,000 annually, directly transferred to her bank account in two installments. The full term of support spans the duration of her degree or diploma—typically up to five years. For example, a B.Sc. (Nursing) student could receive up to ₹1.2 lakh over four years.
- Pilot Phase Success: Launched in 2024–25 across Madhya Pradesh and parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand, the pilot phase awarded scholarships to over 25,000 girls, with funds already disbursed.
- Geographic Reach: The expanded coverage spans 18 states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
- Application Process: Applications begin in September 2025, with timelines typically running from mid-September to the end of the month, and a second window sometimes opening in January 2026. The process is entirely online, free of charge.
- Equity Focus: The program is non-merit-based and does not tie eligibility to household income. It’s designed to bridge systemic barriers and reduce gender gaps, enabling girls from socio-economically vulnerable communities to continue education.
3. Impacts and Broader Significance
- Local Impact in Sehore: Reaching 832 female students through district mobilization is an inspiring microcosm of how broader policies can yield tangible benefits in communities. This offers hope that educational equity is achievable with dedicated outreach.
- Social Upliftment: The scholarship aims to counter dropout patterns among girls, especially during the transition to higher education. With flexible funds, recipients can manage expenses like books, clothing, travel, and daily needs.
- Long-Term Commitment: The Foundation’s multi-year, ₹2,250 crore funding commitment highlights its ambition to sustain educational support and drive equity across generations.
- Boosting Enrollment: By removing financial hassle, the scholarship is expected to improve enrollment and retention in colleges, meeting both equity and policy goals like those in national campaigns.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
| Sehore Scholarship Impact | 832 girl students benefitted locally |
| National Expansion | Aims to support 2.5 lakh girls in 18 states |
| Amount | ₹30,000 per year for full duration of degree/diploma |
| Pilot Year | 2024–25: 25,000 girls across 4 states awarded |
| Coverage | All-government eligible; recognized UG/diploma programmes |
| Application | Starts September 2025; no fees; fully online |
| Objective | Encourage higher education among girls, bridge gender disparity |
Final Thoughts
The Azim Premji Scholarship’s dual momentum—from local pockets like Sehore to the national stage—is a promising story in education equity. For thousands of girls, what might have been an insurmountable financial barrier to pursuing a degree is now a tangible pathway forward. As applications open in September, awareness and access will be key to ensuring that as many eligible girls as possible benefit from this life-changing opportunity.