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Applications for the Persistent Foundation Kiran Girls Scholarship 2026–27 are open until September 21, 2026. Eligible female students who are pursuing B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science, IT or Data Science-AI/ML can receive ₹50,000 annually.
This is subject to academic and family-income criteria. Since 2010, the initiative has supported over 550 girls across 6 cities through scholarships and mentoring.
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2026-27 Timeline
| Stage | Date |
| Application Deadline | September 21, 2026 |
| Aptitude Test | October 10, 2026 |
| Level 1 Interview | October 17 – October 24, 2026 |
| Final Interview | October 26 – October 30, 2026 |
| Onboarding / Welcome Meet | November 1 – November 4, 2026 |
Given the compressed timeline between application closure and the aptitude test. It is worth applying as early in the window as possible rather than right at the deadline. The servers tend to slow down and forms sometimes glitch when everyone submits at once.
What is the Kiran Girls Scholarship?
The Kiran Girls Scholarship and Mentoring Programme is a Persistent Foundation initiative that has been running since 2010. It was built to help academically strong girls who face financial constraints build careers in tech.
This isn’t just about a cheque. It pairs the ₹50,000 annual scholarship with
- structured mentoring.
- coding and soft-skills training.
- exposure to corporate environments through residential programmes and industry visits.
The programme started small, supporting just 10 girls from Pune and Nagpur in its first year. It now onboards around 50 new scholars annually and has become one of the more consistent girls-in-tech scholarships in India.
This is largely because Persistent Systems employees themselves volunteer as mentors. It reportedly logged over 600 volunteering hours a year for this programme alone.
Eligibility Criteria for 2026-27
The eligibility criteria are merit-cum-means. This simply means you need both a strong academic record and a genuine financial need to qualify.
Eligibility at a Glance
| Parameter | Requirement |
| Academic Stream | B.E/B.Tech in Computer Science / Information Technology / Data Science – AI/ML |
| Entry Route | Fresh First Year (admitted 2026) OR Direct Second Year after Diploma (admitted 2026) |
| Class 10 Marks | 85% or above |
| Class 12 / Diploma Marks | 70% or above |
| Family Income | Below ₹8.00 lakh per annum |
| Eligible Locations | Colleges in Pune & Nagpur districts, and in Indore, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Goa |
| Additional Screening | CET/JEE scores considered while shortlisting |
| Continuation Requirement | CGPA/SGPA of 7+, no backlogs, mandatory mentoring attendance |
Note:
The candidates are expected to apply as soon as their college admission is confirmed, not after. The Foundation doesn’t entertain late entries once the window shuts. So, keep your documents ready in advance rather than scrambling at the last minute.
Scholarship Benefits and What You Actually Get
The ₹50,000 is the headline number. But the real value of this scholarship shows up in what surrounds it. This includes mentoring, skill-building, and the network.
Benefits Breakdown
| Component | Details |
| Annual Scholarship | ₹50,000 per scholar, renewable every year until degree completion |
| Mentoring | One-on-one and group mentoring by Persistent Systems employees |
| Skill Development | Coding fundamentals, project guidance, career planning sessions |
| Corporate Exposure | Residential programmes, industry visits, soft-skills workshops |
| Affirmative Support | Extra slots for candidates from especially difficult financial backgrounds, including hostel students |
For a lot of scholars, the mentoring piece ends up mattering as much as the money. It is the difference between just finishing a degree and actually walking into a placement interview with some idea of what the industry expects.
Application and Selection Process for 2026-27
The process this year is time-bound. So, knowing each stage in advance helps you avoid missing a step.
Step-by-Step
- Confirm your admission in an eligible college and branch.
- Apply online at the official Persistent Foundation website before the window closes on September 21, 2026.
- Appear for the aptitude test, scheduled for October 10, 2026.
- Clear the Level 1 interview, held between October 17 and October 24, 2026.
- Attend the final interview round, conducted from October 26 to October 30, 2026.
- Get onboarded – selected scholars are welcomed between November 1 and November 4, 2026 Their mentoring schedule and renewal conditions are shared at this stage.
Renewal and Continuation Conditions
Getting selected is only step one. This keeps the scholarship for all four years of engineering depends on a few conditions:
- Maintain a CGPA/SGPA of 7 or above. Should not have any backlogs from the previous academic year.
- Attend all mandatory mentoring sessions, residential programmes, and skill workshops that are organized by the Persistent Foundation.
- Submit annual progress reports and mark sheets for verification each year.
Falling short on any of these can lead to the scholarship being discontinued. So treat the mentoring commitments as seriously as your coursework. They are built into the eligibility, not optional extras.
Impact and Career Outcomes
What makes this scholarship worth the effort isn’t just the tuition support. It is what scholars go on to do afterward.
Programme Impact at a Glance
| Metric | Detail |
| Programme Running Since | 2010 |
| Lives Impacted | 550+ (scholarships and mentoring combined) |
| New Scholars Added Annually | Around 50 |
| Alumni Salary Range | ₹6-8 LPA, going up to ₹22 LPA and, for top performers, as high as ₹43 LPA |
| Top Recruiters of Alumni | Persistent Systems, Barclays, Amdocs, Capgemini, Texas Instruments, Cisco, Flipkart, Dassault Systèmes |
| Annual Mentoring Effort | 600+ volunteer hours from Persistent Systems employees |
For girls from first-generation learner families, landing a role at any of these companies isn’t a minor achievement. It often marks the first time their household sees a return of this scale on higher education.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
A few practical steps can meaningfully improve your chances:
-
Academic proof:
Keep your Class 10, Class 12/Diploma mark sheets and admission letter ready to upload.
-
Income documentation:
Arrange a valid income certificate showing family income below ₹8 lakh.
-
CET/JEE scorecard:
Upload this if you have it. It is factored into shortlisting.
-
Personal statement:
Be specific about your financial situation, your interest in tech, and your willingness to commit to the mentoring programme.
-
Apply early:
Don’t wait for the last date. Submitting within the first few days of the window opening avoids last-minute technical issues.
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Other Scholarships Worth Exploring
If you’re building a shortlist of merit-cum-means scholarships beyond this one, a few others worth checking are
- the PM YASASVI Scholarship for OBC/EBC students
- the AICTE Pragati Scholarship for girls in technical education
- the Reliance Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship
- the HDFC Bank Parivartan ECSS Scholarship
Eligibility windows and criteria vary each year. So, it is worth checking each foundation’s own website closer to your application cycle.
Conclusion
The Kiran Girls Scholarship 2026-27 is one of the more practical and well-structured routes into a tech career. This is exclusively for girls who have the marks but not necessarily the means. The application window closes on September 21, 2026. Also, a fairly tight selection timeline runs through October.
So, the smartest move right now is to get your documents together and apply immediately. Between the ₹50,000 annual support, the mentoring, and the track record of alumni landing roles at recognizable tech companies, it is a scholarship that pays off well beyond the tuition cheque. Don’t miss the deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for this scholarship?
Girls freshly enrolled in first-year engineering in 2026, or those entering directly into second year after a diploma, in CS/IT/Data Science-AI/ML branches, are eligible. They must also meet the marks and income criteria listed above.
Can diploma holders apply for this scholarship?
Yes, girls admitted directly into the second year of engineering after completing a diploma can apply. They need at least 85% in Class 10 and 70% in their diploma.
Which cities and colleges are covered under this scholarship?
Colleges within Pune and Nagpur districts, and in Indore, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and across Goa state, are covered. Colleges outside these locations are not eligible.
What is the family income limit for this scholarship?
Annual family income must be below ₹8.00 lakh. An income of exactly ₹8 lakh or above does not qualify.
How much money does the scholarship provide?
The scholarship provides ₹50,000 per year to each selected scholar. This amount is renewable annually until the completion of the B.E/B.Tech degree.
What is the selection process for this scholarship?
Shortlisted candidates go through an aptitude test followed by two rounds of interviews. The entire process for 2026-27 runs from October 10 to October 30, 2026.
Is the scholarship renewed automatically every year?
No, renewal depends on maintaining a CGPA/SGPA of 7 or above with no backlogs. Scholars must also attend all mandatory mentoring and training sessions.
Do CET or JEE scores matter for selection?
Yes, CET/JEE scores are considered while scrutinising applications alongside your academic marks. They’re one of several factors used to shortlist candidates.
What kind of support does the scholarship include besides money?
Scholars receive one-on-one and group mentoring from Persistent Systems employees, along with coding and soft-skills training. They also get corporate exposure through residential programmes and industry visits.
Which companies have hired alumni of this scholarship programme?
Alumni have been placed at companies including Persistent Systems, Barclays, Amdocs, Capgemini, Texas Instruments, Cisco, Flipkart, and Dassault Systèmes. This list continues to grow with each graduating batch.
