Introduction
The SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship 2025-26 is a major initiative by the SBI Foundation — the CSR arm of State Bank of India — aimed at empowering meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds across India. It is designed to remove financial barriers to education by offering support from school level through to postgraduate studies and even overseas education.
Objectives of the Scholarship
The core objective of this scholarship is to ensure that promising students, despite limited family income, can pursue their educational goals with fewer financial constraints. By targeting a broad range of academic levels — from classes 9–12, through undergraduate and postgraduate studies, including professional courses and study abroad — the programme seeks to foster inclusive development and nation-building through education.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility conditions differ by category of study, but several common parameters apply. Candidates must be Indian nationals and should have obtained a minimum of 75 % marks or a CGPA of 7.0 in their previous academic year. A relaxation of 10 % (i.e., 67.5 % or CGPA 6.3) is permitted for students belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. Additionally, for the school category (classes 9–12) the maximum annual family income is capped at ₹3 lakh, while for undergraduate, postgraduate, medical, IIT/IIM, and overseas categories it is up to ₹6 lakh. For undergraduate and above levels, students must be studying in institutions ranked among the top 300 in the National Institution Ranking Framework (NIRF) list (or equivalent standards) or in leading institutions such as IITs/IIMs, and for overseas study categories the institution must be in top 200 international rankings.
Scholarship Amount and Scope
The amount awarded under the scheme varies depending on the level and course of study. For school-level students it begins around ₹15,000. For undergraduate students the amount may go up higher (for example up to ₹75,000 as indicated in some categories), while for postgraduate, professional, and overseas students the scholarship amount can reach up to ₹20 lakh in certain cases. The scheme supports a large number of students — for the 2025-26 edition, over 23,000 students are expected to be selected.
Reservation and Inclusivity Features
The scholarship scheme includes several inclusive elements to ensure wider participation. Half of the total slots in each category are reserved for female students. A further 25 % each of the slots are reserved for SC and ST students respectively, thereby ensuring representation of historically under-represented communities. The minimum academic criteria are relaxed for SC/ST students as mentioned earlier. Having an account in the State Bank of India is also required for the disbursement process.
Application Process and Important Dates
Students interested in applying must visit the official portal of the scholarship and fill in the online form with accurate personal, academic and financial information. They must upload requisite documents including mark-sheets, identity proof (such as Aadhaar), income certificate or proof, bank account details, admission letter or bonafide certificate, and any caste certificate if applicable. The application window for 2025-26 opened on 19 September 2025. The last date for applications is 15 November 2025 in many sources, though there may be slight variations for each category.
Selection and Renewal
Selection is based on a combination of factors including academic performance, family income, and availability of seats in the respective category. Shortlisted candidates may undergo verification of documents and possibly telephonic or in-person interviews as part of the selection process. Once selected, students may continue to receive the scholarship for subsequent years of the same course provided they maintain the required academic standards and continue to meet other eligibility conditions.
Impact and Significance
The SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship is a significant step toward making higher education more accessible and equitable in India. By targeting merit and need together, the programme helps reduce dropout rates, encourages students from low-income backgrounds to aim high in their education, and ultimately contributes to human capital development across society. Given the scale of the initiative — tens of thousands of students, large scholarship amounts, coverage across academic levels — the scheme stands out as one of the most ambitious education-support efforts by a corporate CSR arm in recent years.
Tips for Applicants
Applicants should ensure that they meet all eligibility criteria before applying, especially the income threshold, minimum marks/CGPA, and institutional ranking requirements (for UG/PG). It is wise to open or maintain a functional SBI bank account early to avoid delays. Careful scanning of mark sheets, admission proof and income proof with correct format will help avoid rejection. Applicants should also apply early to avoid last-minute website issues and keep a copy of the submission acknowledgement. Maintaining academic performance and good conduct is important for renewal. Finally, applicants should ensure that they submit all documents and information truthfully — discrepancies may lead to disqualification.
Conclusion
For students seeking financial assistance to pursue studies from class 9 through postgraduate level (including professional and overseas study), the SBI Platinum Jubilee Asha Scholarship 2025-26 offers a powerful opportunity. It blends merit-based selection with financial-need support, structured with wide eligibility across levels and strong inclusivity in terms of gender and marginalized communities. Any eligible student keen on maximising their educational prospects should strongly consider applying before the deadline. With proper preparation and a strong profile, this scheme can serve as an important stepping stone in one’s academic and professional journey.
