Srinagar, June 30: The Bengaluru-headquartered Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI) has launched its flagship Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme in Jammu and Kashmir, offering long-term financial assistance, mentorship and career guidance to meritorious students from economically disadvantaged families from Class 11 until graduation.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Tuesday, SFPI Principal Consultant Pankaj Tripathi said the scholarship programme, which has been running since 1999, is being introduced in Jammu and Kashmir this year as part of its expansion to new regions.
“The programme is operational in 27 states and Union Territories. This year we are launching it in Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland and, if possible, Chhattisgarh,” Tripathi said.
He said students who have secured at least 75 per cent marks in the Class 10 examination and whose annual family income is below Rs 2 lakh are eligible to apply. Selection will be based on a written test and interview.
Tripathi said the scholarship, which continues for five to seven years, supports students from Class 11 through the completion of graduation.
Unlike conventional scholarship schemes, the Vidyadhan programme also focuses on mentorship, career guidance and internship opportunities, he said.
“In the last 27 years, we have learnt that mentoring is equally important. Students will receive guidance on career opportunities and later be connected with mentors and internships,” he said.
Tripathi said the programme was launched in Jammu and Kashmir in May and around 45 students from the Union Territory have already applied.
He said applications will remain open until the end of July, and the online application process is free of cost.
He urged students from remote areas and government schools to apply, adding that a helpline has been set up to assist applicants facing difficulties with the online process.
The Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme was founded in 1999 by Infosys co-founder S.D. Shibulal and his wife under the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives.
According to Tripathi, the programme operates through a transparent IT-enabled platform and is supported by several corporate partners, including UST, Flex India, FANUC India and Intrepid Finance.
Tripathi said SFPI has selected 50 students from Jammu and Kashmir in the first batch and plans to induct 50 to 60 new students every year, creating a continuous pipeline of beneficiaries from Class 11 through graduation.
He said the initiative aims to help talented students pursue higher education and careers in fields such as medicine, engineering, nursing and public service, irrespective of their financial background.
