Chandigarh University AFEWS Scholarship: ₹10 Cr Scheme for Defence Wards & Spouses

Chandigarh University Launches ₹10 Crore Defence Personnel Wards Scholarship Scheme

Chandigarh, Punjab ESTD 2012

India's number one education university, Chandigarh University (CU), has once again demonstrated its nationalist service philosophy by launching a ₹10 Crore scholarship program under the Armed Forces Educational Welfare Scheme (AFEWS). The program is designed to reward the willing sacrifices of Indian Armed Forces personnel and spur the educational dreams of their kin—wards, and spouses of Defence personnel.

The scholarship program is in line with CU's policy of nation-building, gratitude, and respect through offering education opportunities and funding to people who have made the country sovereign and secure.

Reserved Seats in All Courses for Defence Families

CU has reserved special seats in all its courses:

5% of total seats in each course for wards and spouses of Defence Martyrs.

It gives these Defence families top-priority admission into the best-class education in several streams such as engineering, management, humanities, law, etc. It is the foundation of Defence family educational equality in the long term.

AFEWS Fee Concession Categories: Detailed Analysis

To make education easily accessible and affordable for Defence families, Chandigarh University has categorized its scholarship into three levels of fee concession depending on the connection of the applicant with Defence services.

Sl. No.	Fee Concession	Eligible Categories	Details
1	15% Fee Concession	- War widows- Wards of war casualties- War-injured and discharged Defence personnel- Spouses and wards of superannuated war-disabled Defence personnel	This is the highest slab of concession, granted to families most directly affected by war and service-related casualties. It serves as a gesture of deep respect for their sacrifice.
2	10% Fee Concession	- Wards and spouses of serving Defence personnel- Wards and spouses of retired Defence personnel- Personnel serving in paramilitary forces	This waiver recognizes continuing and retired service and is meant to encourage educational access for families who have contributed to national security over the long term.
3	20% Fee Concession	- Serving Defence officers on study leave	A liberal concession that supports the professional growth of serving Defence officers. Additionally, 1% of seats per course (minimum one seat per course) are reserved under this category to ensure access.

This encourages current officers to renew their qualifications and pursue higher studies free of cost.

Structured Priority System for Admissions

CU grants admissions to the Defence service-affected worst on a priority basis. The priority order is as follows:

War widows and war casualties' wards
Discharged Defence personnel, war-wounded, and their wives, children
Superannuated war-disabled Defence individuals, wives, and wards
Wards of Defence personnel in service
Wards of Defence retired individuals

This latter order gives due preference to the most deserving families.

Special Tribute: Shaheed Captain Vikram Batra Scholarship

In the spirit of the valor of India's Kargil heroes, Chandigarh University launched the Shaheed Captain Vikram Batra Scholarship in honor of the war icon and CU alumnus. The scholarship includes:

Reserved seats for wards of Kargil War martyrs

15% fee waiver forwards of Kargil martyrs
10% fee waiver for wards of Defence personnel injured in Kargil
Applicable for the entire course period
Total of ₹25 lakh per student

It is a symbolic and financial recognition of those individuals who have served India with unparalleled bravery.

A Decade of Meaningful Contribution

CU's connection with the Defence fraternity is nothing new. Over the past 12 years, the university has:

Awarded ₹5.70 crore value of scholarships
Supported 5,723 Defence personnel children
Exhibited its unwavering dedication towards the Armed Forces ecosystem

Such sustained efforts are great testimony to CU's efforts being a long-term vision at an institutional level and not an ad-hoc exercise.

Molding Future Leaders through NCC

Chandigarh University also has a vibrant National Cadet Corps (NCC) Wing, which:

Molds students in discipline, leadership, and patriotism
Has already dispatched 43 commissioned officers to the Indian Armed Forces
Acts as a field training ground for students to serve the nation more than study

This places the scholarship program on par with national service and leadership development.

Long-Term Support Through Performance-Based Renewal

To allow CU to give scholarships to hardworking and deserving students, CU created rigorous renewal standards:

Students ought to demonstrate steady academic performance
There are to be no semesters or academic years that slip
Students are not to fail regular tests
This makes the students devoted and focused throughout the course period.

How to Apply: Simple Online Procedure

It is easy and online to apply for the AFEWS scholarship:

Step 1: Log in to Chandigarh University Scholarship Portal

Step 2: Fill out the application form

Step 3: Upload Defence service documents (e.g., discharge letters, casualty certificates, or service documents)

Step 4: Wait for CU's admissions and scholarship department to confirm

CU provides handholding and support at each step so that no meritorious candidate is denied due to technicality.

Chancellor's Message: A Legacy of Honour

"While spending time at Chandigarh University, we never felt that the country's power is only in its military, but in the way it values and takes care of those who are serving the country. Our NCC training sessions and scholarships are our way of 'saying thank you' to martyr families of the gallant soldiers guarding the country's borders."

— Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University

This mode of communication is a reflection of the institution's ethos to weave education with appreciation and responsibility.

Conclusion: A Milestone Step Towards Holistic Nation Building

AFEWS Scholarship Scheme of Chandigarh University is no fee waiver scheme—it's a life-changing program of appreciation, national service, and layers.

By also including financial support, reserved seats, study counseling, and leadership training, CU is enabling our Defence Forces' families the means to succeed at every phase of life.

The scheme is an example

of academia-industry-patriotism collaboration, and it can revolutionize the lives of tens of thousands of families who have given so much to the country.