Talent is everywhere.
Opportunity is not.
Merit scholarships and mentorship for students who have the talent but not the means, across Karnataka.
Five kinds of support, from school to the first job
The first removes a financial barrier. The other four remove an information barrier — and in our experience the second kind stops just as many students as the first. We fund the scholarship ourselves and provide the mentorship that goes with it, including help with the cost where a student needs it.
Shiksha Sarathi Merit ScholarshipApplications open
Direct financial support for meritorious students from low-income families, paid when college fees actually fall due.
Education Mentorship
Which stream, which course and which college — and what each one actually leads to.
Career Mentorship
What a job actually involves, what it pays and what it demands — before you spend three years preparing for it.
Competitive Exam Guidance
CET, NEET, JEE, banking, SSC, railways and state services — which examination suits you, and how to prepare without wasting money.
Add-on Skill Courses
Short courses that lead to real work, alongside a degree or instead of waiting for one.
Five ways to help a student before the decision is made
For schools and colleges
Partnering costs your institution nothing. Nominate one teacher as coordinator, tell your students that the scholarship and the guidance services exist, and let us hold a session on your campus once a year. There is nothing to host and nothing to pay.
Institutions whose students are selected as scholars are recognised publicly and invited to our annual ceremony.
For NGOs and other organisations
Help us find the students we would otherwise never hear about. You already know the families in your area, and you can tell which child is capable and which household simply cannot find the fees.
Refer them to us and we will assess them properly. We are also glad to work the other way round, and to point students towards what your organisation does when it fits them better than anything we offer.
Donations
Fund a scholar directly. A contribution goes to the Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship award pool — merit scholarships for class 11 and 12 students across Karnataka, paid into a scholar’s own bank account.
No payment is taken on this website. Tell us how you would like to help and the team will reach out and explain exactly how it is used.
Become a mentor
Give a little of your free time. A short conversation about a course, a career or an exam can change a student’s direction — and you already know things they have no way to find out.
Tell us your field and how much time you can spare, and we will match you with students who need exactly that.
Volunteer with us
Are you a student at one of our partner schools or colleges? You are closest to the students who need us — spread the word on campus, help at our sessions, and guide your juniors through applying.
Tell us how you can help and how much time you can spare, and we will get you started.
Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship 2026 is open for applications
Frequently asked
What does Shiksha Sarathi Foundation actually provide?
Two different things. The Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship, which we fund and award ourselves, and four guidance services — education mentorship, career mentorship, competitive exam guidance and add-on skill courses — which we part-fund for students who need them.
Does applying for the scholarship cost anything?
No. There is no application fee, no processing fee and no charge at any stage of the scholarship. If anyone asks you for money to apply, to process an application or to release an award in our name, it is a fraud. Please do not pay, and tell us who approached you.
What about the mentorship and skill courses — are those free?
These are delivered by partner mentors and institutes, and the Foundation part-funds them, so the cost to a student is reduced. We always tell you the cost before anything is booked. Where a student genuinely needs a service and the family cannot meet the balance, we arrange a further concession or cover it in full, decided case by case on family income and on how much difference the service will make.
Does the Foundation earn anything from the partners it recommends?
No. We take no commission and no referral fee from any mentor, institute, college or coaching centre. That independence is deliberate: it is what allows us to recommend one honestly, and to tell a student that a course is not worth paying for.
Who is eligible for the Shiksha Sarathi Merit Scholarship 2026?
Students currently studying in class 11 or class 12, with a total annual family income below ₹8 lakh, who scored at least 60% in their last completed year, and who study in or are domiciled in Karnataka. Full details are on the scholarship page.
How are scholars selected?
Applications are first shortlisted on academic performance and financial background. Shortlisted candidates then go through a telephonic interview, followed by document verification before the final selection.
How is the scholarship money paid?
By bank transfer, directly into the selected student’s own bank account. Never in cash, never through a college, and never through a third party.
Do I have to apply for a scholarship to ask for guidance?
No. The two are entirely separate. You may ask for any of the guidance services without ever applying for a scholarship, and asking for guidance gives you no advantage in scholarship selection.
How soon will someone contact me after I send a request?
We aim to call you back within three working days. During admission season it can take a little longer, so it is worth asking early rather than in the last week before a deadline.
Which languages do you work in?
English, Kannada, Hindi and Urdu. Mention your preference when you send your request and we will match you accordingly.
I am not sure which service I need. What should I do?
Send a request and say that you are unsure. Working out what you actually need is a large part of the first conversation. If you would rather write first, email us at connect@shikshasarathifoundation.org.