Sikh Human Development Foundation (SHDF) Scholarships 2025: Eligibility, Benefit, Selection & Application Process

The SHDF scholarship, also known as the Sikh Human Development Foundation Scholarships, was established by the Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council. The SHDF scholarships aim to support academically talented students from economically disadvantaged families in Punjab and other states in North India. 

Over the past 20 years, more than 7,000 scholarships have been awarded to deserving students under the SHDF scholarship program, with approximately three-quarters of the recipients being Indian girls who are in critical need of financial assistance for higher education.  Keep reading this blog article till the end to know about Sikh Human Development Foundation Scholarships in detail.

Scholarship Name	SHDF scholarship
Conducted By	Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council and Sikh Human Development Foundation
Rewards	Up to INR 48,178.59
Deadline	31st October 2025
Who Can Apply?	Sikh students who are pursuing professional degrees or diploma courses

Sikh Human Development Foundation Scholarship: Eligibility Criteria

The SHDF is granted to meritorious students from the Sikh community. The eligibility criteria for the SHDF scholarships, also referred to as NISHKAM, are as follows: 

1. The applicant must be studying at a recognised university in India. It can be a government or a private educational institution.
2. They must have obtained a minimum of 60% marks in their previous final examination. 
3. Additionally, the total annual family income of the candidate applying for the scholarship should not exceed INR 3 lakh per month. 
4. Stay within Punjab or neighbouring states. This includes the Delhi/NCR region.

Sikh Human Development Foundation Scholarship: Rewards

The SHDF scholarship scheme was initiated by the Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council in collaboration with the Sikh Human Development Foundation, based in the USA. The program benefits various deserving students, including orphans, children of widows, individuals with chronically ill parents, Gurudwara sewadars, farmers, household servants, and female tailors, among others. 

In the year 2023, about 70% of the applicants have a family income of less than USD 110 per month. The average scholarship amount was USD 550/ INR 48,178.59 per month. To continue receiving the benefits of the scholarship, applicants must submit a renewal application. 

Selection Process For New Applicants

The SHDF scholarship places great importance on the selection process as it ensures that the scholarships are awarded to the most deserving candidates who meet the established criteria.

The selection procedure for new applicants for the SHDF scholarships is based on the following criteria:

1. Firstly, there will be a written examination consisting of two papers. Paper I will assess the candidates’ proficiency in the Punjabi language at an elementary level. Paper II will cover religious and moral studies. 
2. After the written exam, candidates will be called for an interview. 

Selection Process for Renewal Applicants

The selection process for the renewal applicants is different from the new applicants. Below, we have clearly explained the selection process. You must know about this since you are applying for a prestigious scholarship. The process for renewal applicants are as follows:

1. The selection process for the SHDF scholarships involves an interview. 
2. The interviews for renewal candidates will be conducted at various centres located in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, Faridkot, Bathinda, Moga, Hoshiarpur, Shahbad, and New Delhi.  
3. These selection procedures aim to identify deserving candidates for the SHDF scholarship. 
4. The written exam tests the candidates’ language proficiency and knowledge of religious and moral studies, while the interview provides an opportunity for a comprehensive assessment of their qualifications, aspirations, and suitability for the scholarship program.  

By conducting written exams and interviews, the SHDF scholarships program strives to identify individuals who demonstrate academic potential, a strong understanding of Sikh values, and a commitment to their community.  Candidates who complete the selection process and are awarded this scholarship will receive financial support to pursue their educational goals and realise their career aspirations. The SHDF scholarships not only provide financial assistance but also recognise the recipients’ dedication, hard work, and potential to contribute positively to society.  

Also Read: Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in UK

Documents Required

The SHDF scholarships have provided young people in India with an opportunity to achieve financial independence and pursue their desired careers. Students who have benefited from this scholarship program have already secured successful professional positions in various fields such as IT, Medicine, Engineering, Architecture, and more. When applying for this scholarship, applicants will need to submit certain essential documents. These documents include the following:

1. DMC/attested copies of professional courses by a Gazetted officer
2. Copies of fee receipts 
3. Family income certificate 
4. Recent photographs of the applicant 
5. Mark sheet copies of class 10th class examination 
6. Photocopy of the front page of the passbook/cancelled cheque 
7. Report from college/ institute authorities, duly signed by the Head of the College/Institute, with date and stamp in the prescribed format

Also Read: Top Scholarships To Study Online

6 Steps to Apply for the SHDF Scholarship

The primary objective of the SHDF scholarships, which are administered by the Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council in New Delhi and the Sikh Hindu Development Foundation, is to provide financial assistance to Sikh students from low-income families in Punjab. However, students from other states in North India may also benefit from this scholarship program. If you are also seeking the benefits of this scholarship and wish to apply for it, then follow the steps given below: 

1. Visit the new official website of the SHDF (https://www.shdf.org/)
2. On the home page, go to the scholarships section
3. Choose the option ‘Scholarships India’
4. Select the option – New application/Renewal application (depending on whether you are a new applicant or you are seeking renewal of the scholarship).
5. Fill out the seven-step application form
6. Attach any relevant documents (If required)
7. Thereafter, submit the application form
8. The last date to apply for the SHDF scholarships is 31st October 2025.  

SHDF Scholarships USA:

Apart from the above scholarship, the SHDF is also offering a scholarship to students who want to study in the US. This scholarship is mainly for American citizens or those with a PR. However, international students on a student visa can be considered. That is, if the funds are available. The scholarship amount is about USD 3,000 per year. Exceptional students can get an award of up to USD 5000! Here are some key details about the scholarship that you must know:

1. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
2. You must demonstrate your financial need (show family or personal income/FASA information)
3. The scholarship applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. 
4. Selected students will get this scholarship for 1 year at a time. Reapplication is necessary each year.
5. Should you be selected for the scholarship, the amount will be sent directly to the USA university you are enrolled in.
6. You are required to participate in scholarship activities after the completion of your studies. You will have to contribute to support the scholarship mission.

Also Read: Aga Khan Scholarship

Contact Details

To obtain further information about the scheme, interested students can refer to the provided contact details:  

Email	[email protected]
Helpline Numbers	011‐28333842/28334477

FAQs

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