Introduction:
Launched in 2024 by the Bharti Airtel Foundation—the philanthropic wing of Bharti Enterprises—the Bharti Airtel Scholarship Program is a merit‑cum‑means initiative aimed at supporting students from socio-economically diverse backgrounds pursuing technology-oriented engineering courses. Focused on gender equity and inclusivity, the program offers fully funded scholarships to bright students at India’s top engineering institutions
1. Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must meet the following:
- Academic Admission: Must have secured confirmed admission in the first year (2025–26 academic session) of UG or 5‑year integrated engineering programmes—such as Electronics & Communication, Telecom, IT, Computer Science, Data Science, Aerospace, or Emerging Technologies (AI, IoT, AR/VR, ML, Robotics)—offered by any of the top 50 NIRF‑ranked engineering colleges in India
- Citizenship and Residency: Applicants must be Indian citizens and residents
- Household Income: Total annual family income must not exceed ₹8.5 lakh
- Non-receipt of Similar Aid: Applicants must not already be receiving another scholarship/grant for the same purpose from the Bharti Airtel Foundation
- Preference Categories: The program gives additional weightage to girls, persons with disabilities, transgender individuals, and students from single-parent or no-parent families
2. Key Benefits
Selected students, called Bharti Scholars, receive:
- Full Tuition Fees: 100% of annual tuition fees covered for up to five years (subject to renewal each year)
- Hostel & Mess Fees: Entire hostel and mess fees are covered; if residing off-campus, reimbursement is provided up to institutional hostel fee norms
- Laptop Support: Scholars receive a laptop in their first year and are responsible for its upkeep (no replacement offered)
- Soft Contribution: Upon graduating and gaining employment, Scholars are expected to mentor or financially support at least one student at school or college level, promoting a culture of giving back
Additional details include:
- Coverage Duration: Scholarships are renewable annually through the academic duration, up to five years for integrated courses
- No Miscellaneous Expenses: Non-tuition charges like security deposits, counselling fees, breakage charges, library dues etc. are not covered and must be borne by the student
- Integrity Clause: Falsification of information leads to immediate rejection or cancellation of scholarship and requires the student to repay amounts received, including the laptop
3. Programme Scale & Vision
Inaugurated in July 2024 with 250 students, the scholarship is projected to eventually support up to 4,000 scholars annually with over ₹100 crore funding per year Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Vice-Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, described it as “a pioneering initiative to dissolve financial barriers” especially for female and underrepresented students
From its 2024 kickoff, the Foundation already awarded scholarships to 276 students across India . The initiative aligns with Airtel Foundation’s broader mission of educational empowerment, adding sustained college-level support to its ongoing school initiatives.
4. Application Process & Timeline
- Application Period: For the 2025–26 cohort, the online application window runs from early June 2025, with deadline on July 31, 2025—via the Buddy4Study portal
- Required Documents: Applicants must upload:
- ID proof (Aadhaar),
- Admission letter/fee proof,
- Class 12 marksheet,
- JEE or entrance exam scores (if applicable),
- Parent/guardian income proofs (IT returns or government-issued income certificate),
- Bank statements (applicant and guardian),
- Institute fee account details,
- Passport photos,
- SOP, and
- Supporting documents for extracurriculars or personal circumstances (e.g., disability, single parenthood, PG rent receipts)
- Submission & Review: After uploading, applicants must agree to terms and submit. Selection details remain confidential; scholarships are disbursed via the Foundation directly to the institute.
- Post-Award Expectations: In addition to academic excellence, scholars must maintain proper conduct, renew annually, and commit to the “give-back” initiative after employment.
5. Impact & Significance
The scholarship addresses multiple barriers:
- Financial, by absorbing full fees and other educational costs.
- Gender and Inclusion, emphasizing support for women, disabled, transgender, and disadvantaged students.
- Technology-Focused, ensuring a pipeline of skilled graduates in critical engineering and emerging tech sectors.
- Social Responsibility, as scholars are encouraged to become mentors, reinforcing community support structures.
This approach reflects a holistic model—covering expenses, resources, mentorship, and long-term societal contribution.
Conclusion
The Bharti Airtel Scholarship Program stands as one of India’s most ambitious and inclusive merit-plus-means initiatives in engineering education. With full fee coverage, laptop provision, sustenance support, and a clear emphasis on equity and future giving, it equips capable students—especially from underrepresented groups—to pursue tech careers without financial constraints. Interested students who meet the eligibility criteria—and apply by 31 July 2025—can embark on a transformative journey that extends well beyond graduation.