1,000 Students Just Won ₹73,500 Each: Kotak Junior Scholarship List Out for Mumbai Students

The list is out. Kotak Education Foundation has announced 1,000 students from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region as the winners of the Kotak Junior Scholarship for 2026-27. Each scholar gets ₹73,500 over 21 months, along with mentoring and career guidance through Class 11 and Class 12.

The programme, called “Future Ka Golden Ticket”, targets students who have just finished Class 10 and come from families with limited income. Many such students drop out after Class 10 because fees, books, and travel costs add up. This scholarship is meant to make sure money does not stop them from finishing higher secondary school.

Who got selected and on what basis

The 1,000 winners were picked from students across Mumbai and nearby areas who cleared a fixed eligibility test. They had to score at least 85% in their Class 10 board exams from the SSC, CBSE, or ICSE boards in 2026. They also needed admission in Class 11 at a college in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region for the 2026-27 academic year.

Money was the other big filter. Only families with an annual income of ₹3.2 lakh or below could apply. The student also had to be a resident of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Children of Kotak Education Foundation employees were not eligible.

More than a cheque: what the ₹73,500 covers

Each scholar receives ₹3,500 a month for 21 months, which adds up to ₹73,500. The money is paid quarterly and is meant for academic expenses like tuition fees, books, stationery, and travel.

But the foundation says the programme is about much more than cash. Scholars get a personal mentor who stays in touch regularly. There is academic assistance, career counselling, and support for preparing for competitive entrance exams. The team also organises exposure visits and visits the scholar’s home to keep the family involved in the student’s education.

Arati Kaulgud, Director and Head of Scholarship at the foundation, said the organisation was pleased to welcome the new group of 1,000 scholars and would focus on building their confidence through mentoring and family engagement.

A programme with a long track record

Kotak Education Foundation has been running scholarship programmes for over 19 years. More than 7,900 students have received support through its initiatives so far, and over 1,400 funded scholars have graduated as alumni. This year, the foundation is supporting over 5,655 scholars across its five scholarship programmes.

The foundation says past scholars have cracked competitive entrance exams and secured high ranks, and many are now building careers in engineering, medicine, finance, and government services.

What this means for next year’s Class 10 students

If you are in Class 10 right now and studying in the Mumbai region, this is the pattern to watch. The selection criteria have stayed the same year after year: 85% or above in Class 10, Class 11 admission in the MMR, income below ₹3.2 lakh, and residence in the region.

Keep your income certificate ready early. Government-issued income documents take time, and last-minute paperwork is the most common reason applications get stuck. You can check the official details on the Kotak Education Foundation website for the next cycle.

Students outside Mumbai should look at scholarship schemes open for all-India applicants. If you missed this one, the NSP scholarship deadline of October 31 still gives you a window to apply, and the SML Mahindra scholarship for daughters of truck and bus drivers is open till October 21.

“The scholarship steps in at the stage where many bright students from low-income families are forced to give up their studies. It combines money with mentoring so they stay in school and dream bigger.”

How the selection process worked

The foundation opened applications earlier this year. Students applied online through the Buddy4Study portal with their Class 10 marksheet, income certificate, photo, and bank account details. Applicants were then assessed against the published eligibility criteria before the final 1,000 were chosen.

There was no separate entrance test. Selection was based on marks, income, residence, and admission in an eligible Class 11 college.

FAQ

Who was eligible for the Kotak Junior Scholarship 2026?

Students who scored 85% or more in Class 10 (SSC, CBSE or ICSE) in 2026, took admission in Class 11 in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, had a family income of ₹3.2 lakh or below, and lived in the MMR.

How much money does each scholar get?

₹73,500 over 21 months, paid as ₹3,500 per month on a quarterly basis during Class 11 and Class 12.

Is the scholarship only about money?

No. Scholars also get one-on-one mentoring, academic help, career guidance, entrance exam preparation support, and exposure visits.

Can students outside Mumbai apply for this scholarship?

Not for this programme. The Kotak Junior Scholarship is open only to students living in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.