Azim Premji drops Rs 750 crore power move: 2.5 lakh scholarships for girls across 18 states

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 15, 2025

In a bold push to level the playing field for girls in higher education, the Azim Premji Foundation has announced a massive scholarship program set to benefit up to 2.5 lakh girl students across 18 states, including Assam and the Northeast, in the 2025–26 academic year.

Called the Azim Premji Scholarship, the program aims to support girls who have completed Classes 10 and 12 in government schools and are now enrolled in recognized degree or diploma programs at public or select private higher education institutions.

Each eligible student will receive Rs 30,000 annually, directly transferred to her bank account in two instalments annually. The scholarship will continue for the entire duration of the program. For example, a girl pursuing a 4-year B.Sc. in Nursing will receive a total of Rs 1.2 lakh over four years—with no restrictions on how the money can be used.

Speaking on the launch, Anurag Behar, CEO of the Azim Premji Foundation, said, “Higher education transforms economic and social futures. Despite progress, girls still face entrenched financial and societal barriers. This initiative is about changing that reality—so girls can take charge of their own lives.”

The scholarship was piloted in 2024–25 in select districts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand, benefiting over 25,000 girls. The Foundation confirmed that the first year’s funds have already been disbursed.

The 18 states included in the 2025–26 rollout are: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Expansion to a nationwide program is expected in the coming years.

The application process for the next cycle will begin in September 2025, with updated program details to be shared at that time.