Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship 2026
The Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship — financial support for meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds, so that money is never the reason a capable student stops studying.
A scholarship decided by merit and need, and nothing else
The Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship 2026, offered by Shiksha Sarathi Foundation, supports the education of meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds. Applications are assessed rigorously on academic performance and financial need, and shortlisted students are assessed and interviewed before their documents are verified.
It exists for one purpose: to ensure that financial difficulty never decides who gets access to quality education.
For the 2026–27 cycle the programme is open to students studying in or domiciled in Karnataka. We would rather run one state thoroughly — verifying documents and following up with families — than accept applications across the country that we could not process properly. The programme is built to grow beyond Karnataka, and that is where it is headed.
The award
A scholar receives between ₹5,000 and ₹20,000 a year, paid directly into their own bank account. If you are selected, your bank account details, IFSC code and a bank passbook or a cancelled cheque in your name are required before any amount is released.
Who can apply
All four conditions must be met. If you are unsure whether you qualify, apply anyway — we would rather assess a borderline case than have you rule yourself out.
You are in class 11 or 12
The scholarship supports the step from school into college. Students currently studying in class 11 or class 12 may apply.
Family income below ₹8 lakh a year
Total annual household income from all sources must be under ₹8,00,000. This is verified from the income proof you submit.
At least 60% in your last completed year
Your most recent completed year — class 10 for a class 11 applicant, or class 11 for a class 12 applicant — must show a minimum of 60% (or the equivalent grade or CGPA).
Studying in or domiciled in Karnataka
For the 2026 cycle, applicants must either study at an institution in Karnataka or hold Karnataka domicile.
The application process
A few simple steps, all online. No account or login needed — follow them in order to apply for the Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship 2026.
Open the application form
Click Apply on this page to open the form. No account and no login are needed — you can fill it in one sitting.
Fill in your details
Complete every section — your details, academics, family and bank information. Details that match your documents exactly are what save you time later.
Tell us your stream and exams
Choose your stream and class, and the competitive exams you plan to take. The form adjusts to class 11 or class 12 automatically.
Review and submit
Check every detail on the preview, accept the declaration, then submit. Once submitted, the application cannot be changed.
Save your acknowledgment
You get an Application ID on screen and a printable acknowledgment you can download or print and keep.
Keep your documents ready
If you are shortlisted, we ask for your marksheets, income certificate and admission proof for verification. Keep clear copies ready so this moves quickly.
Keep these ready for verification
You do not upload anything with the form. If you are shortlisted, we ask for these for verification — and several take days to obtain from a local office, so it is worth gathering them early.
Academic records
Marksheets of your latest and previous year — for example class 10 and class 11.
Passport-size photograph
A recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.
Identity proof
A government-issued photo ID, such as Aadhaar.
Income proof
An income certificate issued by a government authority.
Admission proof
Your current-year fee receipt or fee structure.
Caste certificate
For reserved categories, if applicable.
Disability certificate
If applicable.
BPL ration card
Optional — include it if you have one.
Key milestones
The application window for the Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship 2026, covering the 2026–27 academic year.
Applications are accepted only within this window. Submit before the deadline — late applications cannot be considered.
Ready to apply?
Applying costs nothing and takes about twenty minutes once your details are ready.
Any more doubts? Don’t hesitate to contact us — write to connect@shikshasarathifoundation.org or call +91 84949 77440.
The rules of the Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship
These are the main conditions under which the scholarship is awarded and kept. Read them before you apply — by submitting the form you accept them.
- 01Selection is on merit — the percentage of marks obtained, and an interview where applicable.
- 02If two candidates tie on marks, the one with the lower family income is preferred. If both are still tied, a financial assessment by the Foundation decides.
- 03As a rule, only one student per family receives the scholarship. This may be relaxed to two if the later applicant is female, or if both applicants are female.
- 04Candidates must submit an income certificate from a competent revenue authority — Tehsildar, Deputy Commissioner, Revenue Circle Officer or equivalent — stating the parents’ gross annual income from all sources.
- 05To keep the scholarship, scholars must maintain regular class attendance and the marks criteria set by their institution.
- 06Students studying through correspondence, part-time (evening or night) classes, or open universities are not eligible.
- 07Clearing a failed subject in a later year, or passing on grace marks, makes a candidate ineligible — except in genuine, unavoidable cases supported by a recommendation from the competent authority.
- 08Scholars who change school or college during the scholarship must inform the office immediately and submit their transfer or leaving certificate along with their marksheets.
- 09A scholarship obtained through false statements or certificates will be cancelled and the amount recovered. Any breach of these terms may lead to suspension or cancellation.
- 10Selected candidates are informed by the Foundation through email. In any dispute, the decision of the Executive Committee is final and binding.
To process your application, you authorise Shiksha Sarathi Foundation to use the details you submit to assess it. The full scheme document, with every condition in detail, is available from the Foundation on request.
Scholarship FAQs
What is the selection process for this scholarship programme?
Applications are first shortlisted based on academic performance and financial background. Shortlisted candidates then go through an assessment and an interview where needed, followed by document verification for final selection.
How will I receive the scholarship funds if selected?
The scholarship amount is transferred directly into the bank account of the selected scholar.
How do I apply for the Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship 2026?
Open the application form from this page — no account or login is needed — fill in every section, check the preview, accept the declaration and submit. You get an Application ID and a printable acknowledgment straight away. If you are shortlisted, we ask for your documents for verification at that stage.
What can I submit instead of a fee receipt if I study at a government school?
Provide a letter from your school confirming that you are enrolled and that no fees are charged.
Are diploma students eligible to apply?
No. This scholarship is for students currently studying in class 11 or class 12.
When will the results be announced?
Results will be announced on this website and will also be sent to your registered email ID.
Does applying cost anything?
No. There is no application fee, no processing fee and no charge at any stage of the scholarship. If anyone asks you to pay in order to apply, to process your application or to release an award, it is a fraud — please do not pay, and please tell us who approached you.
My family income is just above ₹8 lakh. Can I still apply?
The income limit is applied strictly, so an application above it will not be shortlisted. Do send us a request anyway — there are other scholarships and fee-concession schemes you may qualify for, and pointing you towards them is something we are glad to do.
Who runs the application process
The application process for this programme — checking eligibility, guiding students through the form and documents, and supporting them through to the award — is run for the Foundation by ScholarshipBuddy and its team. The Foundation funds and awards the scholarships; the process is theirs to run, so every applicant is handled the same way.