India Invests $270 Million in Scholarships for Girls

The Azim Premji Foundation, one of India’s largest philanthropic organizations, has announced a landmark scholarship program aimed at supporting girls in their pursuit of higher education. Beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year, the foundation will allocate ₹2,250 crore (approximately USD 270 million) over three years to offer annual scholarships of ₹30,000 to 250,000 students across 18 states in India.

The program targets girls who have completed 10th and 12th grade in public schools and have secured admission to accredited colleges or universities. The scholarships will be disbursed in two equal installments each academic year, directly into the students’ bank accounts.

A pilot version of the program was implemented during the 2024–2025 academic year in four states: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. During the pilot phase, the foundation received 110,000 applications, and 25,000 girls were awarded scholarships.

Anurag Behar, CEO of the foundation, emphasized that the program is not based on academic merit or family income, as most public-school students come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. The primary aim is to eliminate financial obstacles that often prevent girls from continuing their education beyond school.

Applications for the 2025–2026 academic year will open in September 2025. The foundation hopes that this initiative will help bridge the gender gap in education and offer girls from underprivileged communities a meaningful path to a better future.

Azim Premji, the philanthropist behind the initiative, is widely recognized for his significant contributions to social causes. Once at the helm of Wipro — one of India’s leading IT firms — Premji has since redirected much of his personal fortune toward philanthropy. In 2001, he established the Azim Premji Foundation with an initial donation of Wipro shares worth $125 million.

Over the years, Premji has donated more than $21 billion — nearly 90% of his personal wealth — to charitable work. The foundation now runs teacher development programs in 60 districts across six Indian states, operates a university in Bengaluru, funds NGOs, and supports primary healthcare clinics. As of 2023, its endowment is valued at approximately $38 billion, making it the fifth-largest private philanthropic fund in the world.

Azim Premji’s legacy continues to inspire millions. This newly launched scholarship program focused on girls’ education marks yet another milestone in his impactful philanthropic journey.