Kotak Kanya Scholarship: Eligibility, Amount, Documents and How to Apply
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The Kotak Kanya Scholarship gives eligible girl students ₹1.5 lakh a year until they finish a professional undergraduate degree such as engineering, MBBS, integrated law or design. It is run by Kotak Education Foundation for first-year students who scored at least 75% in Class 12 and come from families earning under ₹6 lakh a year. The 2026-27 application window closed on 30 September 2026.
Last verified on 26 October 2026 against the foundation's official scholarship page.
Kotak Kanya Scholarship at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship name | Kotak Kanya Scholarship |
| Provider | Kotak Education Foundation, as a CSR project of Kotak Mahindra Group companies |
| Who it is for | Girl students admitted to the first year of a professional undergraduate degree |
| Amount | ₹1.5 lakh per year until the degree is completed, subject to renewal conditions |
| Minimum marks | 75% or equivalent CGPA in Class 12 |
| Family income | Below ₹6,00,000 a year |
| Application mode | Online, through the Buddy4Study portal linked from the foundation's page |
| 2026-27 window | 14 July 2026 to 30 September 2026 |
| Current status | Closed for new applicants |
| Selection | Shortlisting on marks and finances, then two interview rounds |
Is the Kotak Kanya Scholarship still open?
No, not for the 2026-27 cycle. The foundation's page shows 14 July 2026 as the start date and 30 September 2026 as the last date, and we found no extension notice when we checked on 26 October 2026.
The dates were confusing this year because the closing date moved. News notices first carried 20 August, then 31 August, before 30 September became the final date. One education website also listed 15 October. All of those dates have passed, so the answer is the same either way: the form is no longer taking new applications. If the foundation announces anything further, its own page is where it will show up first.
What is the Kotak Kanya Scholarship?
It is a scholarship for girls from financially weaker families who have earned a seat in a professional degree. Kotak Education Foundation started it in 2021, and a July 2026 news report says it has reached 1,525 girls across 24 states, with 500 new scholars planned for 2026-27.
The money is only part of it. The foundation also offers mentoring, life-skills and mental well-being sessions, finishing school training and, for engineering and medical students, subscriptions to the Unstop and Marrow learning platforms. Girls who want similar support beyond one programme can also look at Wings for Her on Scholarlify.
Who is eligible for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship?
A girl student has to meet every condition below. Missing one means the application will not go through.
- She is a girl student studying in India and has passed Class 12 with at least 75% marks or an equivalent CGPA.
- Her annual family income is below ₹6,00,000.
- She has already secured admission to the first year of a professional graduation course in the cycle's academic year, at an institute of repute that is NIRF or NAAC accredited.
- The course is a professional one, such as engineering, MBBS, integrated LLB (5 years), integrated BS-MS or BS-Research at IISER or IISc Bangalore, or other professional courses like design and architecture.
- She is not the child of an employee of Kotak Mahindra Group, Kotak Education Foundation or Buddy4Study.
Two points from the foundation's FAQ clear up common doubts. A student who is already in the first year of an eligible course can apply, as long as she took admission in that cycle's academic year. And a one-year break after Class 12 to prepare for an entrance exam is allowed.
General degrees such as BA, BSc or BCom are not named in the criteria. If your course is not on the list, write to the helpline before you assume it qualifies.
How much is the Kotak Kanya Scholarship amount?
Selected scholars receive ₹1.5 lakh per year until they complete the professional degree. The foundation says this can be used for tuition fees, hostel fees, internet, transportation, laptops, books and stationery.
The amount is transferred once a year to the scholar's bank account. If she is still a minor at the time of selection, the money goes to a parent or guardian's account until she turns 18. The foundation also states that the amount and the final selection are at its discretion, so treat ₹1.5 lakh as the standard award and not as a promise.
Documents required for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship
Keep clear scans ready before you open the form. The foundation's list for 2026-27 is:
- Class 12 marksheet
- Income proof of parents or guardians
- Parents' ITR for FY 2025-26, if available
- Fee structure for the academic year
- Bonafide student certificate or letter from the college
- College seat allocation document
- College entrance examination scorecard
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook
- Passport-size photograph
- Disability certificate, if applicable
- Death certificate of a parent, for single-parent or orphan applicants
- Photographs of the house
Income proof can be an income certificate or an ITR. Use whichever matches your family's situation, and make sure the figure on it is below ₹6 lakh.
How to apply for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship
The application is online. When a cycle is open, the steps are:
- Open the Kotak Kanya Scholarship page on the Kotak Education Foundation website and click Apply Now.
- Log in to Buddy4Study with your registered ID. New users can register with an email address, mobile number or Gmail account.
- You will land on the Kotak Kanya Scholarship application form page. Click Start Application.
- Fill in the details and upload the documents listed above.
- Accept the terms and conditions and open the preview.
- Check every detail on the preview, then click Submit.
Do not pay anyone to fill this form. The foundation's page mentions no application fee.
How are Kotak Kanya scholars selected?
Selection happens in stages. First, applicants are shortlisted on academic merit and financial background. Then the top performers appear for two rounds of interviews. The final selection follows rank order, and Kotak Education Foundation has the last word.
Because the scheme weighs both marks and family income, it is a good example of a merit-cum-means award. If that idea is new to you, this guide to merit-based and need-based scholarships explains how the two differ and why many applications fail on the income side.
The foundation does not publish a result date on its page. Keep your phone number and email active after submitting, since interview calls and updates reach you there.
Kotak Kanya Scholarship renewal rules
The scholarship can run until the degree ends, but it is renewed every year and not paid automatically. A scholar needs to meet these conditions:
- No dropout from regular academic sessions
- No disciplinary issues
- At least 6 CGPA in the year, or promotion to the next academic year by the institute
- Fee structure, fee receipts and semester marksheets uploaded to the foundation's online tracking system
The foundation can change these criteria from time to time, and renewal remains at its sole discretion.
Closing dates in earlier cycles
There is no fixed month for this scholarship. The closing date has swung between September and January, and extensions are common.
| Cycle | Reported closing date | Where it was reported |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 30 November 2022 | University notice |
| 2023-24 | 30 September 2023 | News report |
| 2024-25 | 30 November 2024 | Programme poster |
| 2025-26 | 15 January 2026 | Scholarship roundup published on 14 January 2026 |
| 2026-27 | 30 September 2026 | Foundation's official page |
Treat this as history, not a forecast. The last two cycles were announced in July and early August, so July is a sensible month to start checking the official page again.
What if you missed the deadline?
You cannot apply for the 2026-27 cycle, but the year is not lost. Here is a sensible way to use the next few weeks.
First, keep your documents together. Your Class 12 marksheet, income proof, entrance scorecard, college allotment letter and fee structure are exactly what the next cycle will ask for, so scan them now and save them in one folder.
Second, look at what is still open. Most central schemes on the National Scholarship Portal accept student applications until 31 October 2026, and our guide to scholarships in India for 2026-27 lists the main ones with their verification dates. The Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship, a similar award for first-year students, also closed on 5 October 2026, and our Reliance Foundation scholarship guide explains what applicants do next and how to prepare for its next round.
Third, if you are in a later year of your degree, you are not eligible for this particular scholarship. Look for institute scholarships, state schemes and renewals instead.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying before admission is confirmed. The form asks for a seat allocation document and a bonafide certificate, so have admission in hand first.
- Choosing a course that is not professional. Check the list of eligible courses before you invest time in the form.
- Income proof that does not match the form. If the amount on your certificate and the amount you enter differ, expect questions.
- Missing the interview call. Selection does not end with the form, so keep your contact details correct.
- Trusting an unofficial date. Several websites quoted different closing dates this year. Always check the foundation's page.
Frequently asked questions about the Kotak Kanya Scholarship
What is the last date to apply for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship?
For the 2026-27 cycle, the last date was 30 September 2026, as shown on the foundation's official page. Applications are now closed. The next cycle's dates have not been announced.
Who can apply for the Kotak Kanya Scholarship?
Girl students who scored at least 75% in Class 12, belong to families earning below ₹6 lakh a year and have secured first-year admission to a professional degree at a NIRF or NAAC accredited institute. Children of Kotak Mahindra Group, Kotak Education Foundation and Buddy4Study employees cannot apply.
How much money does the Kotak Kanya Scholarship give?
It gives ₹1.5 lakh per year to each selected scholar until the professional degree is completed. The yearly renewal depends on meeting the foundation's conditions, including at least 6 CGPA or promotion to the next year.
Can a first-year student who is already studying apply?
Yes. A student who is already in the first year of an eligible course can apply if she took admission in that cycle's academic year and meets the other conditions. A one-year gap after Class 12 for entrance exam preparation is also accepted.
Which courses are covered?
Professional degrees such as engineering, MBBS, integrated LLB, integrated BS-MS or BS-Research at IISER and IISc Bangalore, and other professional courses like design and architecture.
How is the scholarship amount paid?
It is transferred once a year to the scholar's bank account. If the scholar is under 18 at selection, it goes to a parent or guardian's account until she turns 18.
How can I contact the Kotak Kanya Scholarship helpline?
The foundation's page lists kotakscholarship@buddy4study.com and 011-430-92248 (Ext. 262).
What to do next
If you missed this cycle, save your documents today and check the foundation's page again in July. If you are looking for something open right now, check your eligibility and browse live options on the Scholarlify scholarship list, where you can filter by level, category and state.
Sources and official references
- Kotak Education Foundation, Kotak Kanya Scholarship (eligibility, amount, documents, dates, FAQs)
- Telangana Today, Kotak Education Foundation launches Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026 (28 July 2026, scale of the programme)
- DT Next, Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2026-27 notice (30 September 2026 last date)
- Morung Express, Scholarship Roundup, 14 January 2026 (2025-26 closing date)
Scholarship dates, amounts and rules can change. This article reflects the official sources listed above as checked on 26 October 2026. Scholarlify is an information platform, is not affiliated with Kotak Education Foundation, and does not guarantee the award of any scholarship.