Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025–26 | Financial Aid for Class 11

Introduction

The Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025-26 is launched by the Kotak Education Foundation (KEF), which is the CSR implementation of Kotak Mahindra Group. The Kotak Junior Scholarship Program aims to help deserving students with both financial and academic support. This program is available to students who completed 10th grade from SSC, CBSE, or ICSE boards in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Students selected for the scholarship will receive an amount of INR 3,500 per month for 21 months (totaling INR 73,500) for their studies in Class 11 and 12. Apart from the scholarship, scholars will also be able to receive mentorship opportunities, academic support, career planning assistance, and exposure visits to better their educational experience and career prospects.

About Kotak Mahindra Group

Kotak Mahindra Group, a leading and trusted financial services conglomerate in India, was established in 1985. Indicator of its successful ascent, Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd. (KMFL), the group's flagship company became the first non-banking finance company to receive a banking license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). KMFL was transformed into Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. (KMBL) in February 2003, and has since become an important player in India's banking and financial ecosystem.

Kotak Junior Scholarship 2025–26: Eligibility Criteria

Academic Qualification:

The applicant must have obtained 85% or higher in their Class 10 Board Examination (in 2025), irrespective of whether this was an SSC/CBSE/ICSE Examination.

Admission Criteria:

The applicant must have secured admission to Class 11 for the academic year 2025–26 in junior colleges/schools with either Arts/Commerce or Science streams in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Income Criteria:

The annual family income (of the applicant) must be less than INR 3,20,000.

Residential Criteria:

The applicant’s current family residence must be located in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Exclusion Criteria:

The children of employees of Kotak Education Foundation are excluded from applying.

Important Notes

MMR includes:

Mumbai Suburban & Mumbai City
District of Thane:Kalyan,Dombivli,Ulhasnagar,Bhiwandi,Ambernath,Badlapur,Murbad,Shahapur,Vasai,Virar
Palghar
District of Raigad: Panvel-Uran-Karjat-Khalapur-Pen-Alibag
Municipal Areas: Mira Bhayandar and Navi Mumbai

Deadline:

The deadline to apply is 30th June 2025.

Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025-26 – Welfare and Benefits Overview

Chosen students participating in the Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025-26 will receive financial aid and holistic academic support in their educational journey through higher secondary education.

Category	Details
Monthly Scholarship	INR 3,500 per month
Duration	21 months (during Class 11 and 12)
Total Scholarship Value	INR 73,500
Disbursement Frequency	Paid on a quarterly or half-yearly basis
Fund Usage	Strictly for academic expenses such as tuition fees, books, stationery, educational travel, etc.
Mentorship Support	Continuous guidance from mentors to help students navigate academic and personal challenges
Academic Assistance	Learning support, study materials, and resources to improve academic performance
Career Guidance	Expert advice to help students make informed decisions about further education and career paths
Exposure Visits	Educational visits to institutions or workplaces to broaden students’ horizons and real-world learning
Special Notes	1. Fund utilization is monitored by Kotak Education Foundation. 2. Usage may be tailored as per student needs

Required Documents for Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025-26

To complete the application, you must upload the required documents for Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025-26.

Document	Requirement Status	Notes
SSC/ICSE/CBSE Marksheet (2025)	Mandatory	E-copy is acceptable
Income Certificate (FY 2025–26) issued by Govt. of Maharashtra or Govt. of India (उत्पन्नाचा दाखला)	Mandatory	Must be valid and issued by a competent government authority
Recent Passport-size Photograph	Mandatory	Should be clear and recent
Aadhar Card (Student + Both Parents)	Mandatory	Copies of Aadhar cards for all three required
PAN Card of at least one earning parent/guardian	Mandatory	For income verification
School Leaving Certificate	Mandatory	Issued by the student’s previous school
Income Tax Return (ITR), Form 16, or 26AS	Non-Mandatory	Only if any family member pays income tax
Death Certificate (if applicable)	Conditional	Required only in the case of a single-parent household
Student’s Bank Account Details (Passbook first page or bank statement)	Mandatory	To verify bank account for scholarship disbursement

How to Apply for Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025–26

Click the 'Apply Now' button (below or on the Buddy4Study website).
Log into Buddy4Study with your registered email ID or mobile number in case you have not registered.
If you have not registered yet, you can sign-up either by Email, Mobile number or sign-up with Gmail.
After logging in, you will automatically be redirected to the Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025–26 application form page.
Click 'Start Application' to initiate the application process.
Fill the details in the online application form.
Upload all documents that are required (mentioned).
Accept the 'Terms and Conditions' and click on 'Preview' to check all entered details.
When you are sure, everything is fine on the preview screen, click on 'Submit'.

Conclusion

The Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025–26 is a significant proposal from the Kotak Education Foundation, which aims to promote the progressive development of deserving candidates from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region through funding support and beneficial academic assistance. Monthly scholarships, mentorship and career guidance are designed to provide deserving candidates with the funding support they require but typically lack, and to support the growth of future leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025–26?

Students who scored 85% or above in Class 10 (SSC/CBSE/ICSE) and are admitted to Class 11 in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) with family income below ₹3.2 lakhs

What is the scholarship amount?

Selected students receive ₹3,500 per month for 21 months during Class 11 and 12, totaling ₹73,500

How do I apply for the scholarship?

Apply online via the Buddy4Study portal by filling the application form and uploading required documents

What documents are required for the application?

Income certificate, Class 10 mark sheet, Aadhaar card, passport-size photo, PAN card (if available), bank account details, and school leaving certificate

Can students from outside MMR apply?

No, only students residing in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) are eligible

Kotak Junior Scholarship Program 2025–26 | Financial Aid for Class 11–12 Students in MMR