The Directorate of College Education, Rajasthan, has issued a circular to all Colleges and Universities both government and private across Rajasthan announcing the launch of the Azim Premji Foundation Scholarship program for girls.

This program will be initiated from the 2024-25 academic session, applications for which, will begin by the second week of September.

Announcing the program, the circular mentioned that the Azim Premji Foundation will provide a scholarship upto Rs 30,000 per year to deserving female students. This amount will be applicable for the entire duration of the program, both for degree as well as diploma programs. Explaining about the program, the circular said that the Azim Premji Scholarship Programme is part of Azim Premji Foundation’s commitment to improving quality and equity of education in India. The programme seeks to support girl students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their pursuit of college education. The program is being launched in select geographies in its pilot stage. The geographies covered include all across Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Ranchi and select districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

The DCE has instructed all universities and colleges across the state to advertise the program in their respective institutions. While the applications will be available from the second week of September, the following guidelines will be applied:

1. Girl students who have passed Class 10 from a Government School and Class 12 from a regular/open government school in 2023-24 and prior.
2. Secured admission as a regular student in the 1st year of  recognised undergraduate degree or diploma course at a government institution or credible bona fide private college or university at the time of application.
3. Selected students will be awarded a scholarship of Rs. 30,000 per year for the entire duration (two, three, four or five years) of the undergraduate course/ programme to cover tuition fees or any other expenses incurred towards completion of their education.

Districts in Rajasthan covered under this scheme (Pilot Phase)

Ajmer, Alwar, Balotra, Banswara, Baran, Barmer, Chittorgarh, Dudu, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Jaipur (Gramin), Jalore, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, Kekri, Pali, Pratapgarh, Rajsamand, Sawai Madhopur, Sirohi, Tonk and Udaipur

Disctrics in Uttar Pradesh covered under this scheme (Pilot Phase)

Ambedkar Nagar, Amethi, Ayodhya-Faizabad, Azamgarh, Bahraich, Ballia, Balrampur, Banda, Bara Banki, Basti, Chandauli, Chitrakoot, Deoria, Fatehpur, Ghazipur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kaushambi, Kushinagar, Lucknow, Mahrajganj, Mau, Mirzapur, Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad), Pratapgarh, Rae Bareli, Sant Kabir Nagar, Sant Ravidas Nagar (formerly Bhadohi), Shrawasti, Siddharthnagar, Sitapur, Sonbhadra, Sultanpur and Varanasi