The SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship Program was launched by the SBI Foundation, the CSR arm of the State Bank of India (SBI). The initiative is designed to encourage and help academically strong students from financially weaker backgrounds. It empowers meritorious students from economically weaker backgrounds, covering educational stages from Class 9 all the way to overseas study.

Overview of SBI Asha Scholarship 2026
The SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship 2026–27 is a significant ₹100 Crore CSR initiative from the SBI Foundation designed to support meritorious students from low-income families across India. The application period runs from July 22 to September 4, 2026.
Financial assistance under the program ranges from ₹15,000 to ₹20,00,000 per academic year, depending on the category of study. The scholarship funds are distributed through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT).
The scholarship tracks and their respective maximum award amounts per year are as follows:
- School Students (Classes 9 to 12): Up to ₹15,000
- Undergraduate (UG): Up to ₹75,000
- Postgraduate (PG): Up to ₹2,50,000
- Medical (MBBS): Up to ₹4,50,000
- IIT Students: Up to ₹2,00,000
- IIM Students: Up to ₹5,00,000
- Overseas Studies (SC/ST students): Up to ₹20,00,000
Eligibility Criteria
The scholarship has specific academic and financial criteria based on the level of study.
General Eligibility:
- Nationality: Indian citizens.
- Bank Account: Must hold an active bank account in their own name, with a preference for SBI accounts.
- Reservation: 50% of the total scholarship slots are reserved for female candidates.
Standard Eligibility Criteria
For all of the higher education categories (UG to Overseas), the family’s annual income must be ₹6,00,000 or less.
The academic cutoffs from the previous year are strictly defined as:
- General Category: 75% marks or 7.5 CGPA
- SC/ST Candidates: 65% marks
- Divyang (PwD) Candidates: 60% marks
Category-Specific Criteria:
| Category | Academic Requirement | Family Income Limit | Special Conditions |
| School (Classes 9-12) | Min 75% marks in the previous year | Up to ₹3,00,000 | Studying in a recognized regular school. |
| UG/PG | Min 75% marks or 7.0 CGPA | Up to ₹6,00,000 | Enrolled in Top 300 NIRF or NAAC ‘A’ and above institutions. |
| Medical (MBBS) | Min 75% marks or 7.0 CGPA | Up to ₹6,00,000 | Enrolled in AIIMS or Top 50 NIRF medical college. Valid NEET scorecard. |
| IIT / IIM | Min 75% marks or 7.0 CGPA | Up to ₹6,00,000 | Pursuing studies at an IIT or one of the 22 IIMs. |
| Overseas Studies | Min 75% marks or 7.0 CGPA | Up to ₹6,00,000 | SC/ST candidates only. Admission to QS Top 200 university. |
Relaxations: SC/ST candidates receive a 10% relaxation (minimum 65% or 6.3 CGPA), and PwBD candidates receive a 15% relaxation (minimum 60%).
How to Apply Online
Eligible students can apply online for free by September 4, 2026. Follow these steps:
1.Register on the Portal:
Visit the Official SBI Asha Scholarship Portal or the Buddy4Study portal. Click “Apply Now” to start registration. Create an account using an active mobile number, email ID, or Google account.
2.Log In and Start Application:
Log into your dashboard and select the appropriate educational category. Click “Start Application.”
3.Fill the Form:
Provide personal information, academic details (marks/CGPA), and exact current family income.
4.Upload Documents:
Upload clear, scanned copies of the required documents, including marksheets, Aadhaar card, admission proof, fee receipt, family income proof, and a scanned copy of an SBI Bank Passbook or a cancelled cheque.
5.Review and Submit:
Check the declaration box, review your application for accuracy, and click “Submit.” Entries cannot be modified after submission.
Application & Selection Process Highlights
- Ineligible Students: The video explicitly states that Diploma students are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.
- Government School Students: If applying as a government school student where there are no tuition fees, the applicant must submit a specific document/letter from the school confirming that no fees are charged.
- Selection Stages:
- Initial shortlisting based on academic merit and income.
- A mandatory Telephonic Interview.
- Document Verification.
- Funds are credited directly to the student’s bank account (DBT).
- Renewal: The scholarship will continue every year until the course is completed, provided the student maintains the required academic percentage.




