Apply Now: The Swami Dayanand Education Foundation Scholarship 2025–26 |Students Can Receive Up To ₹50,000 Per Year|
The Swami Dayanand Education Foundation (SDEF) is changing that. Founded in 2015 by Ashutosh Garg and fellow trustees, the foundation provides Merit-cum-Means Scholarships to exceptional students pursuing professional degrees such as engineering, medicine, pharmacy, IT, and architecture at Indian institutions. For many academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students in India, educational opportunities—especially in professional fields—can feel out of reach.
Vision and Impact
SDEF’s mission is simple yet impactful: “We can’t help everyone, but everybody can help someone.” Every scholarship awarded fuels a chain reaction—empowering an individual student to lift themselves and inspire others in their community. One rupee invested in a talented child is estimated to yield a 140x return to society.Moreover, scholars pledge to support at least two other students when they are able, reinforcing the program’s sustainable and community-driven ethos.
Scholarship Details and Categories
SDEF offers up to ₹50,000 per annum to deserving students who meet rigorous eligibility criteria. The funds are remitted directly to the educational institution to pay for academic fees only—ensuring transparent use of resources.
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The foundation awards scholarships in multiple categories, each honoring a benefactor or distinguished figure:
- Smt. Shyam Lata Garg Scholarship – ₹50,000 per annum
- Sh. Anand Swarup Garg Scholarship – ₹25,000 per annum
- Sh. Ram Lal Gupta Scholarship – ₹20,000 per annum
- Smt. Shanti Devi Scholarship – ₹20,000 per annum
- Sh. Ram Ji Lal Scholarships – ₹15,000 per annum (40 awards)
- Additional named scholarships such as Shanti Devi, Indira Jayendrakumar Shah, etc
Notably, 30% of scholarships are reserved for women, reinforcing SDEF’s commitment to gender equity in education.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the SDEF scholarship under the India program:
- You must be a current 1st or 2nd year undergraduate student enrolled in a professional course (e.g., engineering, medicine, pharmacy, IT, architecture) at a government or private institute in India.
- Acceptable academic performance includes:
- At least 80% in CBSE board or 70% in other state boards in 12th class; or
- A CGPA of 8.0 or higher in the second year, if applying then.
- For engineering and architecture applicants, the All India Overall Rank must be under 90,000; for medical courses, under 40,000.
- Age limit: 19 years for first-year students, and 20 years for second-year students.
- Only one year of education gap between school and college is allowed.
- Candidates must demonstrate family income under ₹8 lakhs annually—if income cannot be verified through official documents, alternate verification via neighbor affidavits may be accepted.
Application Process
SDEF aims to streamline applications through an online process. Applicants must:
- Complete the online form carefully, including accurate contact and personal details.
- Upload required documents: ID, mark sheets, fee receipts, income proof, photos, and more.
Once the foundation reviews applications, shortlisted candidates may be asked to submit:
- A handwritten 500-word essay (in Hindi, English, or a regional Indian language) on historical figures like Swami Dayanand Saraswati or Rani Laxmi Bai.
- A video reciting all six stanzas of “Vande Mataram.”
These submissions help SDEF uphold academic rigor while fostering expressions of learning and cultural values.
Transparency and Reach
In 2023–24, SDEF received around 4,800 applications and shortlisted about 700 candidates based on merit. Of these applicants, 70% came from agricultural or labor backgrounds with family incomes under ₹1 lakh, underscoring the foundation’s pro-poor focus.
Since its inception, SDEF has awarded over $78,800 in scholarships to Indian students pursuing professional degrees, and continues to expand access based on merit and means.
How You Can Support
All funds received by the foundation go directly towards scholarships—none are diverted for administrative purposes. Donors can sponsor specific scholarships in honor of loved ones, with 100% of contributions dedicated to student support.
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In Summary
The Swami Dayanand Education Foundation stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for India’s talented yet under-resourced students. By combining merit and financial need, reserving seats for women, promoting social sustainability, and demanding meaningful student engagement, SDEF ensures that its scholarships produce not just academic success, but future community leaders.
If your goal is to pursue professional education in India—especially in fields such as engineering or medicine—and you come from a modest background, SDEF offers a powerful platform to build your future.
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