The Bharti Airtel Scholarship covers eligible students’ full tuition fees at selected engineering colleges. It also covers hostel and mess fees and provides students with a laptop. The Bharti Airtel Foundation offers this scholarship to students admitted to the first year of an eligible undergraduate engineering course. The information in this guide is based on the Foundation’s official website.
What is the Bharti Airtel Scholarship?
The Bharti Airtel Foundation launched the Bharti Airtel Scholarship in 2024 to support students from diverse economic backgrounds, with a special focus on girls. The scholarship is fully funded, and its recipients are known as Bharti Scholars.
It is a merit-cum-means-based scholarship program. This means your eligibility is based on your academic performance and your family’s financial situation. The scholarship is open to first-year undergraduate and 5-year integrated engineering students. The college must rank among the top 50 in the NIRF engineering rankings.
The programme has expanded since its launch. In 2024–25, 276 students received the scholarship. That number increased to 500 students in 2025-26. The Foundation also holds an investiture ceremony for Bharti Scholars. You can find details and coverage of the 2025 ceremony on its official scholarship page.
About the Bharti Airtel Foundation
The Bharti Airtel Foundation has worked in education for over 25 years. It also offers several education scholarships. Its flagship Satya Bharti School Program educates underprivileged children, and TheTeacherApp offers free teacher training. The Bharti Airtel Scholarship supports the Foundation’s higher-education work.
Eligibility Criteria for Bharti Airtel Scholarship
You must meet all four eligibility conditions to apply for the Bharti Airtel Scholarship.
1. Admission and course
You must have confirmed admission to the first year of an undergraduate or five-year integrated programme. Students in the second year or later are not qualified to apply. Your college must also rank among the top 50 in the latest NIRF Engineering rankings.
Eligible fields: Electronics and Communication, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, or Aerospace. Eligible emerging technology fields include Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Machine Learning, and Robotics.
2. Family income
Your family’s total annual income from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh.
3. Citizenship
You must be an Indian citizen and resident to qualify for the scholarship.
4. No other scholarship for the same purpose
You must not receive another scholarship or grant from Bharti Airtel Foundation for the same academic purpose.
Benefits of the Bharti Airtel Scholarship
The Bharti Airtel Scholarship offers four key benefits to eligible students.
| Benefits | Details |
|---|---|
| Full tuition fees | Covers 100% of your annual tuition fees for the duration of your course, up to five years, as long as you meet the renewal criteria. |
| Hostel and mess fees | Covers hostel and mess fees. Students living in private accommodation receive support up to the institute’s applicable hostel and mess rates. |
| A laptop | Each scholar receives a high-end laptop to support their studies. |
| Mentoring | Scholars receive regular guidance from industry leaders and academic mentors to support their education and career development. |
The Foundation also emphasises supporting female students to promote gender equality in the technology sector.
Note: We could not find detailed renewal criteria on the official website. Contact the Foundation’s scholarship team to confirm the conditions.
Hostel and Mess Fees
If you live in your college hostel, the Bharti Airtel Scholarship covers your hostel and mess fees in full.
If you live in a paying guest (PG) accommodation or a rented room, we calculate support based on your institute’s hostel and mess fees. Check your college’s fee structure to understand the amount covered. If you apply for PG or a rented room, upload expense receipts or your rent agreement. Keep them safe from the day you move in.
Note: The scholarship does not cover refundable and security deposits, so keep separate funds available for these expenses.
Documents Required for the Bharti Airtel Scholarship
Keep the following documents ready before you start your Bharti Airtel Scholarship application.
Document Checklist:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Government-issued ID proof | Voter ID, PAN card, driving licence, or another accepted ID. |
| Admission proof | Your admission letter or college fee letter for the current academic year. |
| Marksheets | Class 12 marksheet. |
| Entrance exam scorecard | Your JEE scorecard or university entrance exam scorecard, whichever applies. |
| Parent’s or Guardian’s Income Proof | The required documents depend on their employment and income status. |
| Bank details and statements | Your bank account number, IFSC code, branch address, and bank statements for the last six months. Keep the same details and statements ready for your parent or guardian. |
| College bank details | The account name, account number, IFSC code, and branch address. |
| Photographs | Recent passport-size photograph. |
| Supporting Documents for Activities and Achievements | Extracurricular activities, achievements, part-time jobs, projects, or innovations. |
| Proof of Accommodation | Expense receipts or a rent agreement if you live in paying guest (PG) accommodation or a rented room. |
| SOP Document | Statement of Purpose (SOP). |
Income Proof Required for Parents or Guardians
The required income proof depends on your parent’s or guardian’s financial situation.
| Financial Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Salaried or self-employed | The latest complete Income Tax Return (ITR) form and bank statements for the last six months. A tax acknowledgement receipt alone is not accepted as proof of income. |
| No taxable income or unemployed | A government-issued income certificate and bank statements for the last six months. |
Your Statement of Purpose should briefly explain your background, why you need the scholarship, and how you plan to use your education to achieve your goals. The Foundation’s page does not specify a format or word limit, so keep it clear, honest, and focused.
If you have certificates or other evidence of extracurricular activities, achievements, part-time jobs, or projects, collect them early. The Foundation requests these details as part of the application.
How to Apply for the Bharti Airtel Scholarship
You can apply online through the official scholarship page. Follow these steps to complete the process.
- Open the scholarship page and click “Apply Now”.
- Register or log in. The application portal will open. Register for a new account or log in to access the current year’s interest form.
- Complete the form. Enter the required details and upload the necessary documents.
- Review and submit. Check your information and documents carefully before clicking “Submit.”
Complete every section and check your documents before submitting. Visit the official scholarship page regularly for announcements about new application cycles.
Apply Through the Official Website
This link redirects you to the official website. The Foundation warns about fraudsters who falsely claim to represent it. If you receive a suspicious email, letter or call, contact the Foundation by email to verify it.
The scholarship page does not mention an application fee. Do not pay anyone who promises to submit your application or reserve a scholarship seat.
The Giving Pledge
The Bharti Airtel Scholarship includes a voluntary pledge to give back to society. After you graduate and start work, Bharti Scholars commit to supporting at least one student’s education. The Foundation describes this commitment as voluntary.
The pledge aims to build a culture of giving back. It provides educational support for future generations. Scholars are also encouraged to plant and nurture at least 5 trees each year during the scholarship period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to this program?
First-year students admitted to eligible courses at engineering colleges ranked in the top 50 in the latest NIRF Engineering rankings can apply. Applicants must be Indian citizens and residents with an annual family income of no more than ₹8 lakh. Students cannot receive another scholarship for the same academic purpose.
Is the Bharti Airtel Scholarship only for girls?
No. Any student who meets the eligibility criteria can apply. However, the Foundation places special emphasis on supporting girls.
What does merit-cum-means mean?
It means eligibility depends on two factors: academic merit and family financial circumstances.
Can second-year students apply?
No. The scholarship is intended for students entering the first year of an eligible undergraduate or five-year integrated programme.
Does the scholarship cover private colleges?
Yes. Both government and private colleges qualify if they meet the scholarship’s NIRF ranking requirements.
Does the scholarship cover hostel and mess fees?
Yes. Hostel and mess fees are covered in full for students living in their college hostels. For guest accommodation or rented rooms, support is based on the institute’s hostel and mess rates.
What expenses are not covered?
Refundable and security deposits are not covered. Students must pay these expenses themselves.
Do I have to repay the scholarship?
The Foundation’s official page does not mention a repayment requirement. It describes a voluntary pledge to support another student’s education after they start working.
Can I hold another scholarship at the same time?
You cannot receive another scholarship or grant for the same academic purpose supported by the Bharti Airtel Foundation. Check the official terms if you receive other financial assistance.
My course isn’t on the list. Can I still apply?
The scholarship covers specific eligible fields. If your course does not fall within the listed fields, you may not qualify. If your course combines two eligible fields, contact the Foundation to confirm your eligibility before applying.
Where do I apply?
Visit the official scholarship page and click on “Apply Now” to access the application portal.
How can I contact the Foundation?
You can contact the Foundation at this email: bharti.foundation@bhartiairtelfoundation.org
Should You Apply?
If your college, course and family income meet the eligibility criteria, consider applying when the application window opens. Keep your documents ready in advance.
Note: We take information from the official Bharti Airtel Scholarship website. Eligibility criteria, benefits, and application procedures can change each year; verify the details against the latest official notification before applying.