The Reliance Foundation Scholarship 2026-27 is closed for new applicants. Applications for both the undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) programmes ended on 5 October 2026, and the foundation's official UG FAQ says extension requests will not be considered. If you already applied, two things still matter: submitting UG bank and PAN details by 18 October 2026, and watching for results in December 2026.
Reliance Foundation Scholarship 2026-27 at a glance
| Item | Undergraduate (UG) | Postgraduate (PG) |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Reliance Foundation | Reliance Foundation |
| Who it is for | First-year students of a regular, full-time UG degree in any stream | First-year students of a regular, full-time PG degree in select Engineering, Technology, Energy and Life Sciences courses |
| Number of awards | Up to 5,000 | Up to 100 |
| Amount | Up to ₹2 lakh over the degree | Up to ₹6 lakh over the degree |
| Selection basis | Merit-cum-means | Merit |
| Income limit | ₹15 lakh or less household income, with preference below ₹2.5 lakh | No income criterion |
| Academic requirement | At least 60% in Class 12 | GATE score of 550 to 1,000, or UG CGPA of 7.5 or above |
| Applications opened | 14 August 2026 | Mid-August 2026 |
| Applications closed | 5 October 2026 | 5 October 2026 |
| Aptitude test | 6 September to 12 October 2026 | 10 and 11 October 2026 |
| Other dates | Bank and PAN details by 18 October 2026 | Reference letters by 12 October 2026; virtual interviews in October and November 2026 |
| Results | By the end of December 2026 | December 2026 |
| Application fee | None | None |
Is the Reliance Foundation Scholarship still open?
No. Applications closed on 5 October 2026 for both programmes. The UG deadline was 11:59 PM IST that day, and the official UG FAQ states that requests for an extension will not be considered. We found no extension notice from the foundation for either programme as of 16 October 2026.
Extensions have happened before. In the 2024-25 cycle, the foundation moved its deadline from 6 October to 15 October 2024. That is history, not a signal for this year, so do not plan around a reopening. If an unofficial website shows a different closing date, check it against the official portal at scholarships.reliancefoundation.org before believing it.
What is the Reliance Foundation Scholarship?
The Reliance Foundation Scholarship is a scholarship programme run by Reliance Foundation, which was set up in 2010 to support the philanthropic initiatives of Reliance Industries Limited. It has two tracks: the Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships and the Reliance Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships.
Reliance says it has awarded over 33,000 scholarships so far. Last year's 5,100 scholars came from 1,350 institutions across 27 states and seven Union Territories. Beyond the grant, scholars get mentorship, leadership programmes and a place in a scholar and alumni community. You can also read the scheme summary on Scholarlify's Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships page.
Who was eligible for the Reliance Foundation Scholarship 2026-27?
For the UG scholarship, you had to be a first-year student of a regular, full-time undergraduate degree in 2026-27, with at least 60% in Class 12 and a household income of ₹15 lakh or less. The PG scholarship has no income test, but it asks for a strong academic record in an eligible field.
UG eligibility
- Indian citizen residing in India
- Passed Class 12 with a minimum of 60% marks
- Enrolled in the first year (2026-27) of a regular, full-time undergraduate degree of three or more years, in any stream
- Household income of ₹15 lakh or less a year, counting only your parents' income, with preference for families below ₹2.5 lakh
- Studying at a NAAC-accredited or UGC-recognised institution in India
There is no age limit. A student doing CA or CS can apply only if they are also enrolled in a regular full-time degree such as B.Com or BBA.
You could not apply if you were in second year or above, studying through online or distance mode, enrolled in a two-year or six-year UG programme, studying abroad, or if you skipped or repeated the aptitude test.
PG eligibility
- Resident Indian citizen
- First-year student of a regular, full-time PG programme in an eligible course
- Either a GATE score of 550 to 1,000, or an undergraduate CGPA of 7.5 or above (a percentage normalised to CGPA also counts)
The eligible courses are select future-ready programmes in Engineering, Technology, Energy and Life Sciences. The foundation publishes the full list on its website.
How much money does a Reliance Foundation scholar get?
UG scholars receive up to ₹2 lakh over the duration of their degree, and PG scholars receive up to ₹6 lakh. For UG scholars, the money is an annual grant paid once every academic year by NEFT or RTGS to a bank account in the scholar's own name.
You can spend the UG grant on tuition, hostel fees, a laptop, academic books and learning courses. You do not submit bills, but you must file an Annual Scholar Report with a Statement of Utilisation. There is no restriction on working while you study. The UG scholarship is renewable each year if you stay enrolled in a regular full-time degree, pass your exams, keep good academic standing and follow the scholarship terms.
What to do now if you already applied
If you applied for the UG scholarship, the most urgent task is your bank and PAN details, due on 18 October 2026. The section opens only after you submit the application form. If you skip it, the application is treated as incomplete and you may be disqualified.
- Check that your aptitude test is done. An application counts as complete only after you finish the test in your assigned slot. The UG test window ended on 12 October 2026. Missing the test may affect your candidature, and the FAQ says rescheduling is not available.
- Submit bank and PAN details by 18 October 2026. The account must be in your name, active, KYC-compliant and not dormant. Upload a passbook copy or a personalised cheque leaf. Accounts of parents or guardians are not accepted. If you are under 18, you need a joint account with a parent or guardian, with your name as first holder.
- Get a PAN if you do not have one. PAN is mandatory even for applicants under 18, who need a minor PAN. An instant e-PAN is accepted.
- Watch your email. Check the spam folder too, because test reminders and results come by email.
PG applicants had a separate timeline: aptitude test on 10 and 11 October 2026, reference letters by 12 October 2026, and virtual interviews in October and November 2026 for shortlisted candidates. If you applied and have not heard anything, use the helpline listed in the FAQ section below. For a step-by-step view of how the UG form worked, see Scholarlify's undergraduate application guide.
How are scholars selected?
UG 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 academic and personal details, and household income is considered because the award is merit-cum-means. Scholarlify's explainer on merit-based and need-based scholarships shows how these award types differ.
The aptitude test is online and remotely proctored, so you can take it from any location. It has 60 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, split equally across verbal ability, analytical and logical ability, and numerical ability. It can be attempted only once, and students with disabilities get 30 extra minutes. It is available in Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and Kannada as well as English.
PG applicants are assessed on academic merit, aptitude and other selection parameters, followed by a virtual interview for shortlisted candidates.
Documents the UG scholarship asked for
- 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
A passport was not required, and DigiLocker was optional for fetching Aadhaar and marksheets. PG applicants also submitted reference letters, and the full PG document list is on the foundation's PG page.
Mistakes that can cost you the scholarship
- Submitting a second application. The foundation allows only one, and multiple applications can lead to disqualification. If you spot an error, send a single correction request by email with every change in it.
- Using a parent's bank account. The account has to be in the scholar's name.
- Treating the form as the whole application. The test and the bank and PAN step are part of it.
- Using an institute email. Institutional firewalls can block the activation email, so the foundation recommends a personal address.
- Paying anyone for help. There is no fee at any stage. The Reliance Foundation website carries a caution notice about people who falsely claim to represent it and collect money.
Missed the deadline? How to prepare for the next cycle
You cannot apply for the 2026-27 cycle now. The foundation has not announced dates for the next one. Past cycles opened between mid-August and early September and closed in the first half of October, which is a pattern, not a promise.
Remember that the UG scholarship is only for first-year students. If you are in Class 12 now, you would be a first-year student in 2027-28, so that is the cycle to watch. Keep your Class 12 marksheet and a valid income certificate ready, and check the official portal from August.
Other scholarships may still be open for you. Scholarlify's scholarship list lets you filter by level, category and state. If you want help comparing options or preparing for tests, Scholarlify also runs a mentorship programme.
Frequently asked questions about the Reliance Foundation Scholarship
What is the last date to apply for the Reliance Foundation Scholarship 2026-27?
The last date was 5 October 2026 for both UG and PG, so applications are now closed. The UG deadline was 11:59 PM IST.
Will the Reliance Foundation Scholarship deadline be extended?
Not according to the official UG FAQ, which says extension requests will not be considered. We found no extension notice for either programme as of 16 October 2026.
How much is the Reliance Foundation Scholarship amount?
UG scholars receive up to ₹2 lakh over their degree, and PG scholars receive up to ₹6 lakh. The foundation plans up to 5,000 UG and 100 PG awards for 2026-27.
Is the Reliance Foundation aptitude test compulsory?
Yes. UG applications are complete only after the aptitude test, and PG applicants also had to take it. The UG test has 60 questions in 60 minutes and can be taken only once.
When will Reliance Foundation Scholarship results be announced?
All UG applicants will be informed of the final selection results by the end of December 2026. The PG flyer also lists December 2026 for announcing scholars.
How can I contact Reliance Foundation about my application?
Call the helpline at (011) 4117 1414, or send "Hi" on WhatsApp to 7977 100 100. UG queries can go to RF.UGScholarships@reliancefoundation.org, and PG queries to rf.pgscholarships@reliancefoundation.org.
What to do next
If you applied, finish the UG bank and PAN step by 18 October 2026 and keep an eye on your inbox until December. If you did not, use the time to check your eligibility for other scholarships and get your documents in order for the next cycle.
Sources and official references
- Reliance Foundation Scholarships 2026-27 media release, 14 August 2026
- Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship FAQ (official PDF)
- Reliance Foundation UG and PG 2026-27 flyers (copy shared by IP University)
- Reliance Foundation Scholarships portal
- Reliance Foundation 2024-25 deadline extension notice (copy hosted by a college)
- Careers360, Reliance Foundation Scholarship 2026-27 (supporting context, updated 10 October 2026)
Scholarship dates, amounts and rules can change. This article reflects the sources above as of 16 October 2026. Scholarlify is an information platform, is not affiliated with Reliance Foundation, and does not guarantee the award of any scholarship.