Vidyadhan Mathura Scholarship for Women in STEM 2026-27: up to ₹75,000 a year, apply by 31 October
The Shrimati Sadhana Khaitan Vidyadhan Scholarship for Women in STEM supports first-year women students from Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh, who are studying STEM subjects. It pays ₹15,000 to ₹75,000 a year until course completion, plus training and mentoring. It is run by the Shibulal family's Vidyadhan programme (Sarojini Damodaran Foundation), applications are free on vidyadhan.org, and the last date is 31 October 2026.
At a glance
- What: scholarship plus mentoring for women in STEM, funded by the Shibulal family under Vidyadhan
- Who: female students from Mathura District, UP, in the FIRST YEAR of a degree or professional STEM programme (MBBS, engineering, BSc, other STEM) in academic year 2026-27
- Marks: at least 70% in Class 12 (60% for students with disabilities)
- Income: annual family income below ₹3 lakh
- Amount: ₹15,000 to ₹75,000 a year, renewed till course completion on satisfactory performance
- Deadline: 31 October 2026; interviews 15-30 November 2026
- Where: vidyadhan.org, free; no fee anywhere
The location and first-year rules matter
This scholarship is narrow by design, so check these before anything else:
- The foundation describes eligible applicants as female students from Mathura District, Uttar Pradesh.
- It also requires that you completed Class XII from a school in Mathura District, OR are currently studying at an institution located in Mathura District.
- Only first-year students of academic year 2026-27 are eligible; senior-year students cannot apply.
- Only STEM programmes count: MBBS, engineering, BSc and other science/technology/healthcare degrees.
The foundation's page states both location conditions without explaining how they combine for edge cases (for example, a student from Mathura District whose Class XII school and current college are both outside it). If that is you, confirm with the foundation at vidyadhan.up@sdfoundationindia.com before applying.
How to apply
Checked on the foundation's own apply page on 26 October 2026. We did not create an account, so the steps describe the route the page presents.
- Open vidyadhan.org/apply and find Vidyadhan Mathura Scholarship for Women in STEM - UP under the currently open programmes.
- Click Apply Now and create your account with your own email (an activation link is mailed; the foundation warns against using cyber-cafe or DTP-centre email IDs).
- Fill the application and upload scanned documents: Class 12 marksheet, income certificate from a competent authority (ration card is NOT accepted), photograph, and Class 10 marksheet (provisional or online marksheet accepted).
- Submit before 31 October 2026. Shortlisted candidates face a test and interview; interviews run 15-30 November 2026 with dates intimated individually.
What selection looks like
Selection is not first-come-first-served: eligible applicants go through a screening test and an interview before final selection. Beyond money, scholars get training and mentoring support from the foundation.
Video guides
We searched YouTube on 26 October 2026 for a walkthrough of this specific Mathura programme in English and in Malayalam. Only generic Vidyadhan application guides exist, none for this programme, so we are not linking any. The foundation does publish application instructions in several Indian languages on its own site.
Stay safe
- Applying is free, and the foundation says so itself: no other person or institution is authorised to select students on its behalf. Anyone charging money for a form or a guaranteed slot is a fraud.
- Apply only on vidyadhan.org. Official contact for doubts: vidyadhan.up@sdfoundationindia.com.
- Your income certificate must come from a competent authority; a ration card is explicitly not accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Who funds it? The Shibulal family under Vidyadhan, the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation's higher-education programme, which says it supports over 14,000 students across India. The scholarship is instituted in memory of Shrimati Sadhana Khaitan.
I am from another district of UP. Can I apply? The foundation limits this programme to female students from Mathura District and also asks for a Class XII school or current institution in Mathura District, so applicants from other districts are outside both conditions.
I am in my second year of engineering. Can I apply? No. Only first-year students of academic year 2026-27 are eligible.
How much will I get? ₹15,000 to ₹75,000 a year depending on the course, renewed each year till you finish, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
Source: Vidyadhan (Sarojini Damodaran Foundation) apply page, Mathura Women in STEM programme details. Checked on the live page on 26 October 2026. This is an AiCoN explainer, not the foundation's publication.