StudyDesk Scholarships
About the scholarship
The Muskaan Scholarship Program 2.0 (2026–27) is a CSR initiative of Valvoline Cummins Private Limited (VCPL), implemented through Buddy4Study. It helps schoolchildren from eligible family backgrounds continue their studies by reducing the financial burden of education.
Alongside money, the programme provides mentorship support, including a session on road safety.
Eligibility
- Studying in Class 9, 10, 11 or 12 in 2026–27, in one of the 18 eligible states/UTs: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Tripura, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal.
- Belong to one of: children of commercial drivers (LMV/HMV licence holders), children of mechanics, or EWS category students.
- Minimum 60% marks in the previous class.
- Total annual family income not exceeding Rs 8 lakh from all sources.
- Children of VCPL or Buddy4Study employees are not eligible.
Benefits
- Financial grant of up to Rs 12,000, disbursed based on actual verified educational expenses (tuition, books, uniforms, stationery — keep every receipt).
- Mentorship support, including a dedicated road-safety session.
Documents required
As listed on the official application form. Keep your previous class marksheet, ID proof, parent's occupation proof (driving licence / mechanic declaration), income proof, expense receipts and bank details ready.
How to apply
- Open the programme pageOn the Buddy4Study portal.
- Check state + category eligibilityConfirm your state is among the 18 and your category fits.
- Fill and uploadPersonal, academic, occupation and income details with documents.
- Applications closed 30 October 2026Online only.
FAQs
The programme specifies commercial LMV/HMV licence holders — check the official page for how your licence category is treated.
No — children of mechanics and EWS-category students are also eligible.
18 states/UTs across southern, eastern and northeastern India (list in Eligibility above).
Based on actual verified expenses via direct bank transfer — keep all receipts.
Verified 31 Oct 2026 via Buddy4Study's official programme page, Education Post, The Hindustan Gazette and AimIndia. Deadline: the official Buddy4Study programme page (most recent, 16 days ago) shows 30 Oct 2026; older pieces (Sakshi, AgriJob) mentioned 30 Sept 2026 — confirm on the application portal before applying. Eligibility, 18-state list, Rs 12,000 reimbursement model and Rs 8 lakh income limit corroborated across sources (corrected 31 Oct 2026 — applications closed 30 Oct 2026 per the Buddy4Study programme page, which still lists Deadline: 30-Oct-2026; no extension found).
