THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
MUMBAI, AUGUST 14, 2026
On the eve of India’s Independence Day, Reliance Foundation
on Friday announced the opening of applications for its flagship Reliance
Foundation Scholarships 2026-27, offering 5,100 first-year undergraduate and
postgraduate students an opportunity to pursue higher education and embark on a
journey of leadership, innovation and nation-building.
Positioned as one of India’s largest private scholarship
programmes, the initiative underscores Reliance Foundation’s commitment to
nurturing exceptional young minds and empowering students from diverse
backgrounds to translate their aspirations into meaningful contributions to the
country’s growth story.
“Education has the
power to transform lives, strengthen communities and build nations,” Reliance
Foundation said, reiterating its belief in identifying and supporting promising
talent across India and enabling young people to pursue higher education with
confidence, capability and a broader perspective.
Reliance has been providing scholarships for more than three
decades. In December 2022, on the 90th birth anniversary of Reliance
Founder-Chairman Dhirubhai Ambani, Reliance Foundation Founder and Chairperson
Nita M Ambani announced an additional commitment of 50,000 scholarships over 10
years, making the programme one of the largest private scholarship initiatives
in the country.
To date, Reliance has awarded more than 33,000 scholarships.
Last year, the 5,100 selected scholars came from 1,350 institutions spread
across 27 states and seven Union Territories, highlighting the depth and
diversity of talent and aspirations across India.
Under the Reliance
Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships, 5,000 meritorious students will be
supported every year through a merit-cum-means selection process. The programme
is designed to help deserving students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds
access higher education and pursue their ambitions without financial
constraints becoming a barrier.
The Reliance
Foundation Postgraduate Scholarships will support 100 exceptional students
annually pursuing future-ready disciplines, including Engineering, Technology,
Energy and Life Sciences. Selected on the basis of academic excellence,
aptitude and other selection parameters, the programme aims to nurture
researchers, innovators and professionals equipped to tackle some of the most
pressing challenges of the future.
Selected undergraduate scholars will receive scholarships of
up to Rs 2 lakh, while postgraduate scholars will receive up to Rs 6 lakh
during the duration of their respective programmes.
Beyond financial assistance, the Reliance Foundation Scholarships offer scholars a holistic
development journey encompassing mentorship, leadership development programmes,
networking opportunities, interactions with industry experts and access to a
vibrant scholar community. These opportunities are designed to help students
build skills, confidence, professional networks and the perspective required to
create meaningful impact.
Eligible students can apply online through https://scholarships.reliancefoundation.org/. The undergraduate selection process includes
an aptitude assessment and evaluation of the applicant’s financial background,
while postgraduate applicants will be assessed on academic merit, aptitude and
other selection parameters. There is no fee at any stage of the application
process.
Over the years, Reliance Foundation scholars have gone on to make their mark across technology, healthcare, research, academia, entrepreneurship, public leadership and several other fields, creating impact within their communities and beyond.
With applications for the 2026-27 cohort now open, Reliance Foundation said it looks forward to welcoming another group of exceptional young minds whose ideas, innovations and leadership can help shape the India of tomorrow.
