If you cleared Class 12 this year and have taken admission in a professional course — engineering, MBBS, law or design — but the fees are becoming a burden on your family, there is good news for you. One of India’s leading foundations is offering generous financial support to girl students, and the last date to apply for this year’s cycle is only a few days away.
In this guide, we explain what the scholarship is, who can apply, how much money you get, which documents you need, and the exact step-by-step process to apply online. You will also learn about the common mistakes that get applications rejected, and which other scholarships are still open if you miss this one.
Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026-27: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026-27 |
| Offered by | Kotak Mahindra Group, implemented through Kotak Education Foundation |
| Annual amount | Rs 1.5 lakh per year* |
| Duration | Till completion of the professional graduation course/degree |
| Who can apply | Meritorious girl students across India |
| Class 12 marks required | At least 75% or equivalent CGPA |
| Family income limit | Less than Rs 6 lakh per year |
| Applications opened | 14 July 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 15 November 2026 |
| How to apply | Online, through the Buddy4Study portal |
| Payment mode | DBT (Direct Bank Transfer) |
*Terms and conditions apply. Selection and the scholarship amount are at the discretion of Kotak Education Foundation.
What Is the Kotak Kanya Scholarship?
The Kotak Kanya Scholarship is a CSR initiative of the Kotak Mahindra Group, implemented by the Kotak Education Foundation (KEF). It is designed for meritorious girl students from underprivileged backgrounds who want to pursue professional higher education after Class 12.
The programme is now in its sixth year and runs under the campaign banner “One in a Million”. It was launched in 2021, and since then it has supported 1,525 girls across 24 states. In the 2026-27 cycle, 500 new scholars will be onboarded from 136 leading institutions across India.
The biggest strength of this scholarship is that it is not a one-time payment. A selected scholar receives Rs 1.5 lakh every year until she completes her professional degree. For a four-year engineering course, that can add up to Rs 6 lakh in total support. Along with the money, scholars also receive life-skills training, mentoring and mental well-being sessions, so that they grow in confidence and not just in academics.
What Can the Scholarship Money Be Used For?
The scholarship amount can be used to cover academic expenses, including:
- Tuition fees
- Hostel fees
- Internet expenses
- Transportation
- Laptop
- Books and stationery
The money is sent directly to the scholar’s bank account through DBT. That is why it is very important that the bank account details given in the application are correct and the account is active.
Who Can Apply? Full Eligibility Criteria
Read all the conditions below carefully before applying. If even one condition is not met, the application will not be accepted.
- Girl students only: This scholarship is open only to meritorious girl students.
- 75% marks in Class 12: Applicants must have scored at least 75% marks or an equivalent CGPA in the Class 12 board examinations.
- First-year admission: The applicant must have secured admission to the first year of a professional graduation programme in the academic year 2026-27.
- Recognised institute: The institute must be accredited by NIRF or NAAC and be an institute of repute.
- Income limit: The annual family income must not exceed Rs 6,00,000.
Who cannot apply: Children of employees of Kotak Mahindra Group, Kotak Education Foundation and Buddy4Study are not eligible to apply.
Which Courses Are Eligible?
Girl students in the first year of the following professional graduation courses can apply:
- Engineering (B.E./B.Tech)
- MBBS
- Integrated LLB (5 years)
- Integrated BS-MS / BS-Research (IISER, IISc Bangalore)
- Design
- Architecture
Please note: only the professional courses listed above are covered. General graduation courses such as B.A. or general B.Sc. are not eligible under this scholarship.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications opened | 14 July 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 15 November 2026 |
| Result | Not announced yet — selected scholars will be informed by email and on the portal |
No applications will be accepted after 15 November 2026. On the last day, the portal may be slow because of heavy traffic, so complete your application at least 2-3 days before the deadline.
Documents Required
Keep all the documents below ready before you start filling the form. An incomplete or incorrect document can lead to rejection at the verification stage.
- Marksheet of the previous qualifying examination (Class 12)
- Income proof of parents/guardians
- ITR of parents for FY 2025-26 (if available)
- Fee structure for the academic year 2026-27
- Bonafide student certificate/letter from the college
- College seat allocation document
- College entrance examination scorecard
- Masked Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook
- A passport-size photograph
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Death certificate of the parent (for single-parent/orphan candidates)
- Photographs of the house
Scan all documents clearly. Do not upload blurred or cropped copies, because the same documents will be checked during verification.
How to Apply Online: Step-by-Step Process
Applications are accepted only online, through the Buddy4Study portal. There is no offline form and no agent can apply on your behalf. Follow these steps:
- Open the official page: Go to the Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026-27 page on Buddy4Study.
- Click ‘Apply Now’: Scroll down the page and click on the ‘Apply Now’ button.
- Login or register: Log in to Buddy4Study with your registered ID. If you do not have an account, click on ‘Create an Account’ and register with your Email/Mobile number/Gmail account and password.
- Application form page: You will be redirected to the “Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026-27” application form page.
- Start Application: Click the ‘Start Application’ button to begin the process.
- Check your eligibility: Fill in the ‘Check Your Eligibility’ form to confirm that you meet the criteria.
- Fill the form and upload documents: Complete the online application form and upload all the required documents.
- Accept the terms: Accept the ‘Terms and Conditions’, check all the boxes, and click on ‘Preview’.
- Review and submit: Check all the details carefully once again and click on the ‘Submit’ button to complete your application.
After submitting, save the acknowledgement or reference number safely. You will need it to track your application status later.
How Are Scholars Selected?
According to the official information, all applications are screened on the basis of eligibility and documents. The final selection is at the discretion of the Kotak Education Foundation — meeting the eligibility criteria alone does not guarantee selection. In the 2026-27 cycle, 500 scholars will be selected.
No fixed date for the result has been announced. Selected scholars are informed through email and the Buddy4Study dashboard, so keep checking your email and phone regularly after applying. Never pay any person who promises selection in exchange for money — this scholarship is completely free.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Wrong income proof: If the family income shown is above Rs 6 lakh, the application is rejected straight away. Upload a correct and recent income certificate.
- Wrong Class 12 marks: Enter exactly the marks shown on your marksheet. Do not apply if your marks are below 75%.
- Wrong course selected: Only the listed professional courses are valid.
- Incomplete documents: Even one missing document can stall verification.
- Incorrect bank account: For DBT, the account must be in the scholar’s name and active.
- Waiting till the last day: Filling the form on 15 November at the last minute risks slow servers and failed uploads.
Missed This Scholarship? Other Options Still Open
If you are not eligible for this scholarship or the deadline has passed, consider these:
- Infosys STEM Stars Scholarship 2026-27: Up to Rs 1 lakh per year for girl students, last date 30 November 2026.
- AICTE Pragati Scholarship: Rs 50,000 per year for girl students, last date 30 November 2026.
- Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship 2026-27: For students who passed Class 12 — read our complete guide: Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship 2026-27
- Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM): For students of West Bengal — SVMCM Scholarship 2026-27 Complete Guide
- Vidyasamunnathi Scholarship: For students of Kerala — Vidyasamunnathi Scholarship 2026-27
Please note: applications for the SBI Asha Scholarship 2026-27 closed on 19 September 2026, so it cannot be applied for this year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026-27?
Meritorious girl students across India who scored at least 75% marks (or equivalent CGPA) in Class 12 and have taken admission in the first year of a recognised professional graduation programme (Engineering, MBBS, Integrated LLB, Design, Architecture and others) in the academic year 2026-27 can apply, provided the annual family income does not exceed Rs 6 lakh.
2. How much money is given under this scholarship?
Selected scholars receive Rs 1.5 lakh per year, and the support continues till the completion of their professional graduation course/degree. The amount is transferred directly to the bank account through DBT.
3. What is the last date to apply for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship?
The last date to apply is 15 November 2026. Applications opened on 14 July 2026.
4. Where and how do I apply?
Apply online only, through the Buddy4Study portal. Open the Kotak Kanya Scholarship page on Buddy4Study, click ‘Apply Now’, create an account or log in, fill the form, upload the documents and submit.
5. Is there any fee to apply?
No. The application is completely free. If anyone asks for money in exchange for selection, it is a fraud — stay away and contact the official email kotakscholarship@buddy4study.com.
6. Can girls with less than 75% marks in Class 12 apply?
No. A minimum of 75% marks or an equivalent CGPA is a mandatory condition. Applications with lower marks will not be accepted.
7. When and how will I know the result?
No fixed result date has been announced. Selected scholars are informed by email and through the Buddy4Study dashboard. For help, call 011-430-92248 (Ext-262), Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Official Links
- Application portal (Buddy4Study): Search “Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026-27” on buddy4study.com and click ‘Apply Now’.
- Implementing organisation: Kotak Education Foundation — kotakeducationfoundation.org
- Email: kotakscholarship@buddy4study.com
- Phone: 011-430-92248 (Ext-262), Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Disclaimer: GramSuvidha is a private information portal, not a government website. The information in this article is based on the official details published on Buddy4Study and public information from Kotak Education Foundation, checked on 10 November 2026. Eligibility, amounts and dates can change — please verify the latest information on the official portal before applying.
Last Updated: 10 November 2026
