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For a lot of bright students in Jammu, the barrier after Class 10 isn't marks — it's money. A national scholarship that has quietly funded thousands of students across India is now, for the first time, open to Jammu & Kashmir — and the clock is ticking: applications for the Vidyadhan SFPI-2026 scholarship close on July 31, 2026.
Who runs it
Vidyadhan is run by the Shibulal Family Philanthropic Initiatives (SFPI), founded in 1999 by Infosys co-founder S.D. Shibulal and Kumari Shibulal and headquartered in Bengaluru. The programme supports meritorious students from economically weaker families from Class 11 right through graduation — meaning it isn't a one-off cheque but a multi-year commitment to see a student through their studies.
Are you eligible?
This year's cycle is aimed at students who passed Class 10 in 2026. The core criteria, as reported:
Marks: at least 75% (or 7.5 CGPA) in the 2026 Class 10 exams. For students with disabilities, the bar is 65% or 6.5 CGPA.
Family income: annual family income not exceeding Rs 2 lakh, certified by a Tehsildar.
How to apply
Applications are free and submitted online at vidyadhan.org or through the SDF Vidya mobile app. You will need a passport-size photograph, your Class 10 marksheet, an income certificate and a valid email ID. For J&K applicants, SFPI has listed dedicated helpline numbers (0806 833 3500, 96635 17131) and an email, vidyadhan.jk@sdfoundationindia.com, for queries.
Why this is worth an evening of your time
Scholarships like this are exactly the kind of opportunity that goes unclaimed simply because students never hear about them in time. If you — or a classmate, or a younger sibling — cleared Class 10 this year with good marks but are worried about affording Class 11, 12 and beyond, this is a rare chance to lock in support all the way to a degree. The application takes an evening; the payoff can be years of funded education.
One practical note: keep your income certificate ready early, since the Tehsildar attestation is often the slowest step. With the July 31 deadline close, don't leave it to the final day.
Sources: Greater Kashmir — Vidyadhan Scholarship SFPI-2026 opens registration for J&K students; Vidyadhan / SFPI official portal.
