The Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship 2026-27 closed for applications at 11:59 PM IST on 5 October 2026, and the foundation says it will not consider extension requests. Selected scholars receive up to ₹2 lakh over their degree. If you already applied, you still have an aptitude test to take and bank and PAN details to submit by 18 October 2026. Final results are due by the end of December 2026.

Reliance Foundation Scholarship 2026-27 at a glance

What is the Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship?

The Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship is a merit-cum-means award for first year college students from across India. It is not limited to one stream, so a B.Com, B.Sc, BA or engineering student can apply as long as the degree is regular and full time. The idea of weighing marks together with family income is explained in more detail in this guide to merit-based and need-based scholarships.

Money is only part of it. Scholars also get leadership and soft-skills workshops, expert interactions, mentoring, volunteering opportunities and membership of the Reliance Foundation Scholar and Alumni Community at no extra cost.

Who is eligible for the Reliance Foundation Scholarship 2026-27?

An applicant needed to meet all of the conditions below. The official FAQ is clear that missing even one of them makes you ineligible.

• Be an Indian citizen residing in India.
• Have passed Class 12 with at least 60 per cent marks.
• Be enrolled in the first year (2026-27) of a regular, full-time undergraduate degree of three or more years, in any stream.
• Have a household income of ₹15 lakh or less a year. Only your parents' income counts, and families earning under ₹2.5 lakh get preference.
• Study at a NAAC-accredited or UGC-recognised institution in India.

There is no age limit. Students who finished Class 12 outside India can apply, and a student doing CA or CS can apply if they are also enrolled in a regular full-time degree such as B.Com or BBA.

How much is the Reliance Foundation Scholarship amount?

Selected scholars receive up to ₹2 lakh over the duration of the undergraduate programme. It is given as an annual grant that you can spend on tuition, hostel fees, a laptop, books and learning courses. You do not have to submit bills, but you must file an Annual Scholar Report with a Statement of Utilisation.

The money goes by NEFT or RTGS to a bank account in your own name. Accounts of parents or guardians are not accepted. If you are under 18, the account must be joint with a parent or guardian, with your name as the first holder. Renewal each year depends on staying enrolled, passing your exams, keeping good academic standing and following the terms.

Is the Reliance Foundation Scholarship still open?

No, applications for 2026-27 are closed. The deadline was 11:59 PM IST on Monday, 5 October 2026, and the official FAQ states that extension requests will not be considered. We found no extension notice on 9 October 2026.

A few websites list 15 October 2026 as the closing date. The foundation's own FAQ gives 5 October, so treat that other date with caution.

How to apply online for the Reliance Foundation Scholarship

This is how the online process worked, which is useful if you are planning for the next cycle. The form took about 30 minutes, and progress could be saved at any stage.

1. Register on the portal. Fill the registration form on the Reliance Foundation scholarships website using a personal email address. Institute emails can block the verification message.
2. Log in. Open the link in the invitation email and sign in with your registered mobile number and OTP.
3. Complete the form. It covers personal and contact details, academic information, achievements and awards, and supporting documents.
4. Upload documents. You can fetch your Aadhaar and Class 10 and 12 marksheets through DigiLocker or upload files manually.
5. Choose an aptitude test date. You select it before you submit.
6. Submit. You get a confirmation email and an application number on screen, and you can download a ZIP copy of your application.
7. Take the aptitude test in your assigned slot.
8. Add bank and PAN details. This section opens only after submission.

Only one application is allowed. If you spot a mistake, the foundation accepts a single correction request by email, so put every change in one message rather than submitting a second application.

What documents are required?

• Passport-size photograph
• Proof of permanent address
• Class 10 marksheet
• Class 12 marksheet
• Bonafide student certificate from your current institution, showing your name, institution, degree programme and year of study
• Family income proof issued by the relevant authority
• Government-issued disability certificate, if applicable

No passport is needed. Students with a disability can ask for support in the form, and the test gives them 30 extra minutes. For other scholarships that need disability documents, this guide to scholarships for disabled students lists what is commonly asked.

What is the Reliance Foundation aptitude test?

The Scholarship Aptitude Test is a mandatory, remotely proctored online test that you can take from any location. It is set at the level of a student who has finished Class 12 in any recognised board.

• It is available in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and Kannada, besides English.
• A mock test opens about a week before your slot.
• You may reschedule once, up to 7 days before the test, and the new date is assigned by the foundation.
• Missing the test can affect your candidature, and you cannot attempt it a second time.
• Keep your camera and microphone on, stay in full-screen mode and sit alone in a quiet room.

Students who prefer a person to talk through test preparation and applications can look at the Scholarlify mentorship programme.

How are scholars selected?

Selection has four stages: the online application with documents, the mandatory aptitude test, document verification and evaluation of shortlisted applicants, and final selection. Applications are judged on aptitude test performance together with the academic and personal information you provided, and household income is considered because the award is merit-cum-means.

What should applicants do now?

• Complete the aptitude test on your assigned date and time. An incomplete test makes the application incomplete.
• Submit your bank account and PAN details by 18 October 2026. PAN is compulsory even for applicants under 18, who need a minor PAN.
• Check your account details: the account must be in your name, active, KYC compliant and not dormant. You will need a passbook copy or a personalised cheque leaf.
• Watch your email, including the spam folder, for test reminders and results.
• For help, use the foundation's helpline on (011) 4117 1414 or WhatsApp "Hi" to 7977 100 100.

What if you missed the deadline?

You cannot apply for this cycle, but you have options. Reliance Foundation has opened applications in mid-August and closed them in early October in recent years: the 2024-25 window ran from 14 August to 6 October 2024 and the 2026-27 window from mid-August to 5 October 2026. That is a pattern, not a promise, and next year's dates have not been announced. Keep your Class 12 marksheet and income proof ready and check the official portal in August.

Meanwhile, other scholarships are still open. The National Scholarship Portal lists most central schemes for 2026-27 until 31 October 2026, and private programmes have their own dates. The Scholarlify scholarship list lets you filter by level, category and state.

What about the Reliance Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship?

The postgraduate scholarship is a separate programme for first year postgraduate students in select areas such as engineering, technology, energy and life sciences. Earlier flyers describe up to 100 awards of up to ₹6 lakh each over the degree. Education press reports and college notices gave 5 October 2026 as its 2026-27 closing date as well. The postgraduate route has extra requirements, such as essays and references, so read its own official page rather than this undergraduate guide.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a second application. Multiple applications can lead to disqualification.
• Using a parent's bank account. The account must be in the scholar's name.
• Treating the form as the whole application. It is complete only after the aptitude test.
• Entering online degree details. If you do CA or CS online, give details of your regular degree.
• Using an institute email. Firewalls can block the activation message.
• Trusting an unofficial date. Check the foundation's own FAQ before planning.

Frequently asked questions about the Reliance Foundation Scholarship

What to do next

If you applied, finish the aptitude test and the bank and PAN step first. If you did not, collect your documents now and check your eligibility on Scholarlify for the scholarships that are still open and for the next Reliance Foundation cycle.

Sources and official references

• Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship FAQ (official PDF)
• Reliance Foundation Scholarships portal
• Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships 2026-27 flyer (shared by IP University)
• Buddy4Study, Reliance Foundation UG Scholarships 2026-27 (application start date)
• Buddy4Study, Reliance Foundation PG Scholarships 2026-27
• National Scholarship Portal (for scholarships still open)

Scholarship dates, amounts and rules can change. This article reflects the official sources listed above on 9 October 2026. Scholarlify is an information platform, is not affiliated with Reliance Foundation, and does not guarantee the award of any scholarship.