Children of construction workers face a combination of challenges that most students do not encounter: irregular family income, frequent relocation when project sites shift cities, and limited access to quality academic resources. When financial pressure mounts, education is often the first sacrifice. The PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship 2025-26 is a targeted CSR scholarship in India that addresses this problem directly.
Launched as a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by PNB Housing Finance Limited (PNBHFL) and implemented in partnership with Scholarlify, this programme provides stage-appropriate financial support from Class 6 all the way through undergraduate studies. The objective is clear: reduce school and college dropout rates among children from construction worker families and help every deserving student complete their education with dignity and confidence. This article covers all details you need: eligibility conditions, scholarship amounts, required documents, the step-by-step application process on Scholarlify, the selection procedure, and answers to the most common questions.
About the PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship The PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship for Children of Construction Workers 2025-26 is a need-based scholarship in India implemented by Scholarlify on behalf of PNB Housing Finance Limited. The programme targets students at the education stages where dropout risk is highest and offers financial support calibrated to the actual costs at each level.
The scholarship is open to students across all states and union territories of India, making it a true PAN India opportunity. It is not limited to any particular school board, college affiliation, or stream of study, which means students in general as well as professional undergraduate courses are equally eligible to apply.
Eligibility Criteria for PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship Confirm that every condition below is met before beginning the application. Each criterion is mandatory.
- Applicant must be studying in Class 6 to Class 12, or in an Undergraduate (UG) programme, whether general or professional.
- Must have secured a minimum of 60% marks in the previous academic year.
- Annual family income from all sources must not exceed Rs. 5,00,000.
- Applicant must be a child of a construction worker.
- Open to students from all states and union territories across India (PAN India).
Who Is Not Eligible Children of employees of PNB Housing Finance Limited or Scholarlify are not eligible to apply for this scholarship, regardless of whether they meet the other criteria.
Scholarship Amount and Benefits
- The scholarship amounts for this CSR programme have been benchmarked against the key cost drivers responsible for dropouts at each stage of education. Higher amounts are provided at the undergraduate level, where tuition and living costs are considerably greater.
- Class 6 to Class 10: Rs. 12,000 per year — covers school fees, books, transport, digital access, remedial learning.
- Class 11 and Class 12: Rs. 18,000 per year — covers tuition fees, exam fees, hostel or living expenses, digital access.
- Undergraduate (UG): Rs. 30,000 per year — covers tuition fees, exam fees, hostel or living expenses, digital access. How the Funds Can Be Used
Scholarship funds must be directed to academic-related expenses. The primary permitted uses are admission and tuition fees, examination fees, and books and study materials. If funds remain after these expenses, they may be used for stationery, online learning tools, or internet and data packs to support digital education.
Documents Required The following documents are required for all applicants from Class 6 to UG level. Gather all documents before beginning the online form to avoid incomplete submissions.
- Proof of Admission or Current Year Enrolment — School or College ID card, Bonafide Certificate, or current year Fee Receipt.
- Previous Year Marksheet — Must show a minimum of 60% marks.
- Family Income Certificate — Issued by a competent authority, or one of the following alternatives: BOCW (Building and Other Construction Workers) Card or Labour Welfare Board Card; self-declaration or affidavit of income countersigned by a local authority, NGO, or employer; or wage slip with attestation from the site supervisor.
- Construction Worker Proof (any one of the following) — BOCW Card or Labour Welfare Board Card; employer or contractor certificate on official letterhead; or payment slip from the construction site.
- Aadhaar Card of the student or parent.
- Bank Account Proof — Passbook copy of the student or parent or guardian. The scholarship amount is disbursed directly to this account.
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
- Submitting an income certificate without the construction worker proof. Both documents are required separately, even if one partially covers both.
- Uploading a marksheet that shows below 60% marks. The academic criterion is strict.
- Using a bank account that does not belong to the student or parent or guardian. Disbursement goes only to the verified account.
- Leaving the application in draft status. An unsubmitted form will not be considered for the current cycle.
- Applying after the closing date. Applications submitted after the deadline are not processed.
How to Apply for the PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship Applications for this free scholarship in India are submitted exclusively online through the Scholarlify platform. There is no offline application route. Applications opened on 1 March 2025 and the closing date is yet to be announced. Follow these steps carefully.
- Step 1 — Visit Scholarlify: Open scholarlify.com in your browser and go to the scholarship listings page.
- Step 2 — Search for PNB: Use the search bar on the scholarship list page and type PNB. The PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship 2025-26 will appear in the results.
- Step 3 — Click Apply Now: Click the Apply Now button on the scholarship detail page.
- Step 4 — Register or Log In: If you are a first-time user, register on Scholarlify using your Email ID, Mobile Number, or Gmail account. Existing users can log in directly at dashboard.scholarlify.com.
- Step 5 — Fill the Application Form: Complete the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and financial details. Double-check all entries before proceeding.
- Step 6 — Upload Documents: Upload all required documents in the formats specified in the form. Ensure files are clear, complete, and readable.
- Step 7 — Submit the Form: Read and accept the declaration, then click Submit. You will receive a confirmation with your application reference number. Keep this number for any future follow-up.
Selection Process Selection is conducted in multiple stages to ensure that this need-based scholarship reaches genuinely eligible and deserving students. ** Step 1 — Eligibility Screening: Applications are reviewed against the stated criteria including class level, marks, income, and construction worker background. Step 2 — Shortlisting: Candidates are shortlisted based on academic performance and financial background. Step 3 — Document Verification: Uploaded documents are checked for completeness and authenticity. Step 4 — Telephonic Interview: A telephonic conversation is conducted with the parent or guardian to validate income details and the construction worker background. This is a mandatory step in the process. Step 5 — Final Approval and Scholar Onboarding: Selected students are informed and formally onboarded as scholarship awardees. Step 6 — Fund Disbursement and Tracking: The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the verified bank account of the student or parent or guardian.**
Programme Safeguards Income details are validated through the telephonic interaction with the parent or guardian. Construction worker proof remains mandatory regardless of which alternate income document is submitted. Final eligibility is confirmed only after both document validation and the telephonic interview are completed successfully.
Important Dates
- Application Start Date: 1 March 2025
- Application End Date: To Be Announced
- Telephonic Interview: After document verification
- Scholarship Disbursement: Post final approval and onboarding
- Dates will be updated on the Scholarlify announcements page as soon as they are confirmed. Do not wait until the last moment to gather documents. Applications opened on 1 March 2025 and the application window is currently active.
HOW TO USE SCHOLARLIFY FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP Scholarlify is the official application platform for the PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship. Students can register, fill the form, upload documents, and track their application status entirely through the Scholarlify dashboard at dashboard.scholarlify.com. Beyond this scholarship, Scholarlify hosts hundreds of free scholarships in India spanning school, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels. Visit scholarlify.com/scholarshiplist to explore all open opportunities or visit scholarlify.com/mentorship to connect with a mentor for personalised guidance.
Additional Support for Women Students Female students from construction worker families may also want to explore the Wings for Her programme on Scholarlify at scholarlify.com/wingsforher, which specifically supports higher education for women from underserved communities across India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship 2025-26? Students from Class 6 to Class 12 and Undergraduate (UG) level whose parent or guardian is a construction worker, who have scored at least 60% marks in the previous academic year, and whose annual family income from all sources is up to Rs. 5,00,000. The scholarship is open to students from all states and union territories of India.
How much scholarship money can a student receive? Students in Class 6 to 10 receive Rs. 12,000 per year. Students in Class 11 and 12 receive Rs. 18,000 per year. Undergraduate students receive Rs. 30,000 per year. The amount is transferred directly to the verified bank account.
When did applications open and when is the last date to apply? Applications for the PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship opened on 1 March 2025. The closing date has not yet been announced. Students are advised to apply early rather than wait for the deadline.
What proof is accepted to show that a parent is a construction worker? Accepted proofs include a BOCW Card, Labour Welfare Board Card, an employer or contractor certificate on official letterhead, or a payment slip from the construction site. At least one of these is mandatory, even when an alternate income certificate is provided.
Can a student from any state apply? Yes. The PNB Housing Finance Pehel Shiksha Scholarship is open PAN India. Students from all states and union territories may apply as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
Is there a telephonic interview in the selection process? Yes. A telephonic interview with the parent or guardian is a mandatory step. It is used to validate income details and confirm the construction worker status before final approval is given.
Is this scholarship renewable? The scholarship is valid for one academic year. Renewal for subsequent years is subject to programme guidelines and performance criteria for the next cycle. Students are encouraged to reapply when the next cycle opens.