Mumbai, 12th October, 2026: Kotak Education Foundation (KEF), the implementing agency for the education-focussed CSR initiatives of Kotak Mahindra Bank, today announced that 1,000 meritorious students from economically disadvantaged communities across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) have been selected for the Kotak Junior Scholarship – “Future Ka Golden Ticket.” A leading scholarship in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Kotak Junior Scholarship provides financial aid for high-performing students who have completed 10th Grade from SSC/CBSE/ICSE boards. The scholarship steps in at a critical stage when many deserving students from underserved communities may otherwise be compelled to discontinue their education due to financial constraints. Going beyond financial aid, the scholarship provides regular one-on-one mentorship, academic assistance, career guidance, competitive entrance exam preparation support, exposure visits to broaden their horizons and home visits to strengthen family support systems.
A merit-cum-means scholarship fostering academic and holistic development, Kotak Junior Scholarship equips scholars with critical thinking, 21st-century competencies and communication skills, cultivating self-confidence and the ability to navigate a range of challenges. Dedicated Kotak Junior Scholarship mentors are key to easing scholars’ transition from Class 10 to Class 11, from school to college campus, and helping them cope with socioemotional, academic and peer pressure, and language barriers. Mentors maintain academic focus and go the extra mile, boosting goal-setting, time management, task prioritisation, exam preparation and stress management.
Each of the 1,000 selected scholars will receive financial assistance of ₹73,500 over a period of
21 months, covering both Class 11 and Class 12. Applicants were assessed against the scholarship’s eligibility criteria, which included scoring 85% or more in their SSC/CBSE/ICSE Class 10 board examinations, securing admission into Class 11 at a college within the MMR, belonging to a family with an annual income of less than ₹3,20,000, and being a resident of the MMR.
With this selection, the Kotak Junior Scholarship continues to build on KEF’s 19-plus-year legacy of scholarship support, during which the Foundation’s initiatives have positively impacted the lives of more than 7,909 scholars, of whom over 1,469 funded scholars have gone on to graduate as accomplished alumni. This year, Kotak Education Foundation will be supporting over 5,655 scholars across its five scholarship programmes.
“We are delighted to welcome this year’s cohort of 1,000 Kotak Junior Scholars. Each of these students has shown exceptional determination to continue learning despite financial constraints, and it is our privilege to walk alongside them at this pivotal stage of their journey. Beyond the financial support, our focus is on building their confidence through mentorship, career guidance and consistent engagement with their families, so that this scholarship truly becomes their Future Ka Golden Ticket,” said Ms. Arati Kaulgud, Director and Head of Scholarship, Kotak Education Foundation.
KEF will continuously track the progress of the selected scholars through structured mentorship and periodic academic reviews through 11th and 12th Grades, to strengthen continuity in education and post-school academic outcomes of meritorious students from low-income backgrounds.
Kotak Education Foundation
Kotak Education Foundation (KEF) is the primary implementing agency for the education-focussed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the Kotak Mahindra Group under its CSR identity, Kotak Karma.
For nearly two decades, KEF has been working to transform the lives of children and youth from economically disadvantaged communities through high-quality education, skills development, and livelihood opportunities. Guided by its philosophy of creating deep, sustainable impact, KEF designs and implements evidence-based interventions that strengthen education ecosystems and enable learners to realise their full potential.
KEF’s integrated approach spans the entire educational continuum, from strengthening foundational learning, improving school leadership and building teacher capacity, Communicative English Future Readiness (CE-FR) skills, and STEM education to expanding access to higher education through scholarships, and enhancing employability through vocational education and skilling programmes.
Through strategic partnerships with government bodies, educational institutions, communities, and sector stakeholders, KEF has built scalable models that are driving measurable improvements in learning outcomes and educational access.
Today, KEF’s programmes reach thousands of schools, educators, and learners across multiple states in India through its flagship initiative- KSHAMATA. As it enters the next phase of its journey, KEF is expanding its vision from school-level interventions to district and state-level transformation. By combining on-ground implementation expertise with system-strengthening partnerships, innovation, and scale, KEF is working towards creating equitable, future-ready education systems that empower millions of children and youth to thrive and contribute meaningfully to India’s growth story.
Beyond school education, KEF has built a comprehensive ecosystem of scholarships and employability initiatives that support young people at critical transition points in their educational and professional journeys. KEF’s scholarship programmes are designed to ensure that financial constraints do not become barriers to aspiration and achievement. The Kotak Kanya Scholarship empowers meritorious young women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds across India to pursue professional higher education through financial assistance, mentorship, academic support, and holistic development opportunities. The Kotak Junior Scholarship enables high-potential students from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to continue their education in Grades 11 and 12, while the Kotak Graduate Scholarship supports deserving students in pursuing undergraduate studies and preparing for successful careers.
Complementing these efforts, KEF’s vocational education and employability programmes equip youth from underserved communities with industry-relevant skills, including digital literacy, spoken English, life skills, workplace readiness, and professional competencies. With a strong focus on employment outcomes, these programmes empower young people to access sustainable livelihood opportunities and confidently navigate the world of formal employment. Today, KEF stands at the forefront of education transformation in India. Building on nearly two decades of implementation experience and deep community engagement, the organisation is evolving from driving impact at the individual school level to enabling systemic change across districts and states. Through strategic partnerships with governments, institutions, and ecosystem stakeholders, KEF is creating scalable models that strengthen education systems, improve learning outcomes, enhance employability, and expand opportunities for millions of children and youth. By combining innovation, evidence-based practice, and a commitment to equity, KEF continues to work towards building a future where every learner has the opportunity to learn, thrive, and succeed.
