Every year, thousands of bright girl students in India get a college admission letter and a fee receipt they can’t afford in the same envelope. The Kotak Kanya Scholarship exists for exactly this moment. Run by Kotak Education Foundation along with Kotak Mahindra Group companies, it gives meritorious girl students from low-income families up to Rs. 1.5 lakh every year, right through their professional undergraduate degree — Engineering, MBBS, Law, Architecture, Design and similar courses.
This guide covers the updated eligibility rules, the exact benefits, the documents you’ll need, and a clear step-by-step apaplication walkthrough for the 2026-27 cycle.
Kotak Education Foundation (KEF) has been working since 1985 to support economically disadvantaged children and youth through school interventions, higher-education scholarships and vocational training. Its “Inch Wide, Mile Deep” model focuses on going deep with the students it supports rather than spreading thin, and the Kotak Kanya Scholarship is one of its flagship higher-education programmes.
Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026-27: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | Kotak Kanya Scholarship |
| Organised By | Kotak Mahindra Group & Kotak Education Foundation |
| Eligible Applicants | Girl students only |
| Qualifying Exam | Class 12 with 75% or equivalent CGPA |
| Family Income Limit | Up to Rs. 6,00,000 per year |
| Course Level | First year of a professional UG degree |
| Scholarship Amount | Up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year, till degree completion |
| Application Mode | Online, via Buddy4Study |
What Is the Kotak Kanya Scholarship?
It’s a merit-cum-means scholarship for girl students who’ve passed Class 12 with good marks and secured admission to the first year of a recognised professional undergraduate course. Once selected, a scholar keeps receiving the amount every year until she finishes her degree, as long as she maintains satisfactory academic progress — no dropouts, no disciplinary issues, and the CGPA or promotion criteria the Foundation sets each year.
Kotak Kanya Scholarship Benefits
Selected scholars receive up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year, credited directly to the scholar’s bank account (or the parent/guardian’s account if she’s still a minor at selection). The amount is meant to cover:
- Tuition fees
- Hostel or PG charges
- Books and stationery
- Laptop and internet costs
- Transportation and other academic needs
Beyond the money, several recent cycles have also included mentorship sessions and career-guidance support for scholars, though the exact non-financial benefits can vary by year.
Eligibility Criteria
- Gender: Only female students
- Qualifying Exam: Passed Class 12 with at least 75% marks or equivalent CGPA
- Family Income: Annual family income not more than Rs. 6,00,000
- Course Stage: Admitted to the first year of a professional undergraduate programme
- Institute: A recognised, NAAC/NIRF-accredited college, university or institute (this includes premier institutes like IISc Bangalore or an IISER)
Children of employees of Kotak Mahindra Group, Kotak Education Foundation, or Buddy4Study are not eligible to apply.
Courses Covered
- Engineering (B.Tech / B.E.)
- MBBS / BDS / B.Sc. Nursing
- Integrated LLB (5 years)
- Architecture
- Design courses
- Integrated BS-MS / BS-Research programmes
- Other recognised professional degrees
Documents Required
- Class 12 marksheet
- Family income certificate (or ITR, where applicable)
- College/university admission proof
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook or account details
- Passport-size photograph
How to Apply for Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026-27
- Visit the official Kotak Education Foundation website and open the Kotak Kanya Scholarship section.
- Click on the “Apply Now” link, which takes you to the Buddy4Study application portal.
- Register using your email ID or mobile number, or log in if you already have a Buddy4Study account.
- Fill in your academic, personal and family income details carefully.
- Upload the required documents in the specified format.
- Preview your form, accept the terms and conditions, and submit before the deadline.
- Save your Application ID for future reference and status tracking.
Selection Process
Shortlisting is based on academic merit and financial background. Applicants who clear this stage are usually called for one or two rounds of interviews, and final selection is based on rank order at the discretion of Kotak Education Foundation. Because the scholarship is high-value, competition is intense, so applying early and keeping documents error-free genuinely improves your chances.
Real Example: How the Scholarship Helps
Ananya, a student from a small town in Bihar, scored 88% in her Class 12 boards and got admission into a B.Tech programme at a NAAC-accredited engineering college. Her father’s annual income was under Rs. 5 lakh, which made her eligible. She applied through Buddy4Study, uploaded her income certificate and admission proof, and after an interview round, was selected for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship. The Rs. 1.5 lakh she now receives each year covers her hostel fees and a large part of her tuition, letting her focus on her engineering degree without constantly worrying about the next semester’s fees.
Application Timeline: What to Expect
The 2025-26 application cycle closed in mid-2026, and the next cycle for 2026-27 admissions typically opens later in the year. Since exact dates change year to year, it’s best to check the official Kotak Education Foundation page or the Buddy4Study portal directly rather than relying on a fixed date. Bookmark this page — we update it as soon as the official notification for the new cycle is out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who can apply for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship?
Girl students who’ve passed Class 12 with at least 75% marks and belong to families with an annual income of Rs. 6 lakh or less.
Q2. What is the scholarship amount?
Up to Rs. 1.5 lakh per year, continuing till the completion of the professional degree, subject to renewal criteria.
Q3. Is this scholarship available for all courses?
No. It’s limited to professional undergraduate courses such as Engineering, MBBS, Integrated LLB, Architecture and Design.
Q4. Is the scholarship renewed every year automatically?
Renewal isn’t automatic — it depends on maintaining the required academic performance and is ultimately at the discretion of Kotak Education Foundation.
Q5. Where do I apply for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship?
Applications are submitted online through the Buddy4Study portal, linked from the official Kotak Education Foundation website.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification / Apply Online | Kotak Education Foundation |
| Application Portal | Buddy4Study |
| More Scholarships for Girl Students | ScholarshipsX |
| Related: PM YASASVI Scholarship | Read on ScholarshipsX |
Final Word
The Kotak Kanya Scholarship remains one of the most generous private scholarships for girl students in India, especially for anyone entering a professional degree straight out of Class 12. If you meet the income and marks criteria, it’s worth applying the moment the 2026-27 window opens — the application itself takes less than an hour, but the yearly support it unlocks can make the difference between finishing a degree and dropping out midway.
Read More: JSW UDAAN Scholarship for PG Students
Menka Singh is an education researcher and scholarship consultant with over 5 years of experience helping Indian students navigate central, state and private scholarship programmes. Having personally applied for and received scholarships during her own education, she brings firsthand understanding to every guide she writes. She specialises in Bihar, UP, Maharashtra and all India scholarship schemes and has helped thousands of students find verified funding opportunities. Read More: Click Here
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