The Bharti Airtel Scholarship is a full-support scholarship for first-year engineering students at top-ranked institutions. It is linked to the Bharti group’s foundation (sources name it as Bharti Foundation or Bharti Airtel Foundation) and is applied for through Buddy4Study. The listing describes cover of tuition and hostel costs, a laptop and mentoring, worth more than Rs 3 lakh a year. The last date shown for the latest cycle was 31 July, so it is likely closed as of 24 October 2026.
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Bharti Foundation / Bharti Airtel Foundation (sources use both names) |
| Application platform | Buddy4Study (buddy4study.com/page/bharti-airtel-scholarship) |
| Who | First-year UG engineering or 5-year integrated technology students at top-50 NIRF engineering institutions |
| Marks | At least 60 per cent (as reported) |
| Family income | Up to Rs 8 lakh a year (one section says Rs 8.5 lakh) |
| Benefit (reported) | Tuition, hostel and mess, a laptop in year one, mentoring; listed as Rs 3 lakh or more a year |
| Last date shown | 31 July (the year is unclear in the source). Likely closed. Last checked October 2026 |
What this scholarship is
Unlike scholarships that give a fixed small amount, this one is designed to pay for most of a student’s engineering education. The listing says it covers 100 per cent of the annual course fee for the full programme (four or five years), and 100 per cent of the hostel and mess fees. Students who live in a PG or private accommodation receive either the institute’s hostel and mess charges or their actual cost, whichever is lower. A laptop is given in the first year, and the scholar also gets mentoring and career guidance.
There is also a note that girls, persons with disabilities, single-parent or orphaned students and transgender students are given preference. One news report says the programme especially focuses on girl students, but we did not find a rule that reserves it for girls.
Who runs it?
The sponsor is the philanthropic arm of the Bharti group. Our sources are not consistent on the exact name. One lists Bharti Foundation as the sponsor, while the final selection is attributed to Bharti Airtel Foundation; a news report calls the scholarship one by Bharti Airtel Foundation. Both are linked to Bharti, but we could not open the foundation’s own website to settle the name. Applications are taken on Buddy4Study.
Eligibility
- You must be an Indian citizen and resident.
- You should be in the first year of an undergraduate engineering degree, or a five-year integrated technology programme, in the current academic year.
- Your institution must be among the top 50 in the NIRF engineering ranking. The exact ranking year used is not stated in what we read.
- You need at least 60 per cent marks (the listing does not make clear whether this is Class 12 or the entrance exam).
- Family income up to Rs 8 lakh a year. The same page also mentions Rs 8.5 lakh in another section, so verify the right figure.
- The scholarship is open to all categories and all states.
- You should not be receiving another scholarship for the same purpose.
How to apply
- Open the official Bharti programme page on Buddy4Study (or reach it from the Bharti foundation’s website) and register.
- Complete the application form with personal, academic and family details.
- Upload the documents and write your Statement of Purpose.
- Submit the form before the closing date and keep the acknowledgement.
- Be ready for a phone interview if you are shortlisted.
Documents
- Government ID such as Aadhaar, PAN or driving licence
- Proof of admission
- Class 12 marksheet and JEE or university entrance scorecard
- Family income proof, such as an ITR or an income certificate with six months of bank statements
- Bank details of the student (Aadhaar-linked) and of the institution
- Passport-size photograph
- Statement of Purpose
- Hostel or PG rent receipts, if they apply
- Papers for achievements, projects or part-time work, if any
Selection process
The selection is merit-cum-means and has these reported stages: screening of the application, shortlisting, document verification, a telephonic interview and final selection. Shortlisting looks at Class 12 marks, entrance rank, verification by the institute, family income and the Statement of Purpose. The final decision looks at need, merit and communication. We could not find the number of scholars chosen each year.
Renewal conditions
The scholarship is renewable every year, for up to five years of undergraduate study, if you:
- maintain a CGPA of at least 6.0,
- have at least 75 per cent attendance,
- get promoted to the next year, and
- keep a clean conduct record without disciplinary action.
These conditions come from a single listing, so confirm them in your award letter.
Dates
The listing gives 31 July 2026 for the latest cycle but has the field marked ‘check portal’, and another section mentions 31 July 2025. A news report also shows only ’31 July’ without a year. Given that today is 24 October 2026, the safest reading is that the window has closed and the next one will probably open in the first half of 2027. This is our inference, not an official statement. Check the Buddy4Study page for a current notice.
Who should think twice
Students at colleges outside the top 50 NIRF list will not qualify for this particular programme, however good their marks are. If that is you, look at other scholarships instead. It is better to use time on a scheme you can actually win.
Beware of scams
A scholarship worth several lakh rupees attracts fake agents. A genuine selection never needs a payment for ‘confirmation’, ‘laptop courier’ or ‘bank verification’. Do not share your OTP, and be careful of messages that tell you that you have ‘already been selected’ for a scholarship you never applied for. Use only the Bharti foundation’s website and the Buddy4Study page that it links to.
What we could not verify
- The Bharti foundation’s own page for the programme, which we could not open
- Which foundation name is correct (Bharti Foundation or Bharti Airtel Foundation)
- The income limit (Rs 8 lakh or Rs 8.5 lakh) and what the 60 per cent refers to
- The exact deadline year and the date the next cycle will open
- The number of scholarships
Final word
For an engineering student in a top institute, this is among the most generous private scholarships in India. If you have just joined such a college, start preparing your income documents now, and check the programme page after the new year for the next window.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can apply for the Bharti Airtel Scholarship?
First-year undergraduate engineering or 5-year integrated technology students at top-50 NIRF engineering institutions, with family income up to about Rs 8 lakh.
What does the scholarship cover?
Reported benefits are 100 per cent of tuition fees, hostel and mess costs, a laptop in the first year and mentoring.
Where do I apply?
On Buddy4Study, using the Bharti Airtel scholarship programme page linked from the official foundation.
How is it renewed?
Reportedly yearly for up to five years if you keep a CGPA of 6.0, 75 per cent attendance and good conduct.
Is the application open now?
The last date shown was 31 July, so it is probably closed. Check Buddy4Study for the next cycle.
