Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government has launched the Azim Premji Scholarship Scheme, a targeted initiative to financially assist girls from government schools in pursuing higher education. The scheme was officially launched by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai during a ceremony held at his residence in Raipur.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that this scholarship will ensure that girls from economically weaker sections are not forced to drop out due to lack of funds. “When daughters study, entire generations become educated,” he said, adding that the state is committed to improving enrollment and retention of female students in higher education.
A Push for Equity in Education
The scheme, introduced in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation, aims to offer ₹30,000 per year to eligible girls who have passed Class 10 and 12 from government schools and are enrolling in the first year of undergraduate or diploma courses during the 2025–26 academic session.
CM Sai praised the foundation’s efforts, stating that the scholarship would provide thousands of young women an opportunity to pursue their academic dreams. He also highlighted the significant role girls have played in the state’s development over the past two decades.
Supporting the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ Mission
This initiative reinforces the objectives of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CM Sai noted that the program would especially benefit girls from low-income families and encourage long-term educational and social empowerment.
Who Can Apply and How
Students eligible for the scholarship must:
- Be regular students of government schools in Chhattisgarh.
- Have passed Class 10 and 12.
- Be enrolled in a recognized degree or diploma course starting in 2025–26.
Application process:
- Students must apply online at:
https://azimpremjifoundation.org/what-we-do/education/azim-premji-scholarship - Applications can also be submitted via QR code scanning.
- No application fee is required.
Application Windows:
- Phase 1: September 10 to September 30, 2025
- Phase 2: January 10 to January 31, 2026
All operations under the scheme will be conducted free of cost by the Azim Premji Foundation. Any complaints or suspected fraud can be reported to: [email protected]
Top Officials Attend Launch Event
The scholarship launch event saw the presence of senior state and foundation representatives:
- Deputy CM Arun Sao
- Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap
- Principal Secretary to CM Subodh Kumar Singh
- Higher Education Secretary Dr. S. Bharathidasan
- Commissioner of Higher Education Santosh Devangan
- Director of Technical Education Vijay Dayaram K.
- Azim Premji Foundation State Head Sunil Shah
