Deepika Scholarship 2026-27: Eligibility, Dates & How to Apply

Girls in Karnataka who dream of college now have a reliable source of financial support. The deepika scholarship, launched in September 2025 by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation, gives eligible girl students ₹30,000 every year towards a degree or diploma. With the 2026-27 cycle under way, here is everything applicants and parents need to know.

Deepika Student Scholarship. Source Yogendra Singh, Unsplash

What Is the Scheme About?

The scheme is designed to ease the financial pressure that often stops girls from entering or continuing in higher education. When it was launched, the aim was to support more than 37,000 girl students from the 2025-26 academic year, and the government indicated that qualified applicants beyond that number would still be considered. The deepika scholarship is part of the Azim Premji Foundation’s wider programme, which operates across 18 states, including Karnataka.

Each selected student receives ₹30,000 per year for the full duration of her course, provided she passes every year. That means a three-year degree can bring up to ₹90,000 in support, and a five-year programme up to ₹1.5 lakh.

Deepika Scholarship 2026: Important Dates

Round 1 applications for the 2026-27 cohort ran from August 10 to August 31, 2026, and have now closed. Round 2 is scheduled for January 10 to January 31, 2027, on the official portal at azimpremjifoundation.org. Girls who missed the first round can still apply in this window. Every deepika scholarship 2026 applicant should keep an eye on the Foundation’s website, as dates are occasionally revised. Students already selected in the 2024 and 2025 cohorts do not reapply; they follow the separate renewal process.

Who Can Apply?

To qualify for the deepika scholarship, a student must meet these conditions:

Be a girl student who completed Class 10 and Class 12 (PUC) as a regular student in a government school or college in an eligible state.
Have taken admission in the first year of a recognised undergraduate degree or diploma course of two to five years during 2026-27. Professional degrees are included.
Not be studying at Azim Premji University.
Not be a current or past recipient of a Wipro scholarship, including the Santoor Scholarship.

There is no age limit, and no application fee is charged at any stage.

Documents Required for the scholarship

Keep clear, coloured and unedited scans ready before the portal opens. These typically include your Aadhaar card, Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets, proof of admission such as a bonafide certificate or 2026-27 fee receipt, bank account details, and an active mobile number linked to the application.

How to Apply Online for the scholarship

Follow these steps to apply for the deepika scholarship 2026 Round 2 when the portal opens:

Visit azimpremjifoundation.org and open the scholarship application link.
Click “Create Your Application” and register with your mobile number.
Confirm your eligibility when the portal prompts you.
Fill in your personal, academic and bank details.
Upload the documents, submit the form and save the acknowledgement.

Key Points to Remember

Because continued funding depends on passing every year, regular attendance and timely renewal matter as much as the first application. Students should also confirm that their college and course qualify before applying, since the deepika scholarship covers only recognised programmes of the required duration. Rules can differ slightly between sources, so always cross-check against the official portal.

For girls from government schools, the deepika scholarship can be the difference between stopping at Class 12 and finishing a degree. If you or someone you know is eligible, prepare the documents now and apply as soon as Round 2 opens. Sharing this information with families in your community helps more deserving students benefit from this scholarship.