Single Mother & Orphan Child Scholarship 2026: 12 Best Scholarships Giving Rs 1 Lakh to Students Without Father/Mother - All India Apply

Single Mother & Orphan Child Scholarship 2026: 12 Hidden Scholarships Giving Rs 1 Lakh (All India) Introduction If you are a student who is raised by a single mother, single father, or you are an orphan child with no parents, then this article will change your life. Most students only know about NSP, SVMCM, and Post Matric scholarship. But there are special scholarships in India that are ONLY for single mother children and orphan children. Because very few people know about them, the competition is very low and selection chance is 90%. Today we will tell you about 12 such unique scholarships that are available for all Indian students from any state - West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, UP, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, everywhere. You can get up to Rs. 1 Lakh per year. This list is for you if: - Your father has passed away and you live with your mother - Your mother has passed away and you live with your father - You are raised by your mother alone (divorced/separated) - You are an orphan and live with relatives or in a hostel - You have lost both parents during COVID-19 Let's start with the best scholarships. 1. HDFC Bank Badhte Kadam Scholarship for Orphan & Single Parent Children - Up to Rs. 1 Lakh This is the number 1 scholarship for single mother and orphan students in India 2026. Who can apply? - Students from Class 11 to Post Graduation - Students whose parents have passed away (one or both) - Students raised by single mother/father - Students whose family member has critical illness like cancer Eligibility: - Must have scored 60% in previous class - Family income must be less than Rs. 6 Lakh per year - Must be Indian citizen Amount: - For Class 11-12: Rs. 15,000 per year - For Graduation: Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 per year - For Professional courses: Up to Rs. 1,00,000 Why is it unique? Because it is the ONLY scholarship in India that has a separate category for "Single Parent" and "Orphan" in the form. You get priority. Apply at: buddy4study.com - Search HDFC Badhte Kadam 2. Kotak Shiksha Nidhi Scholarship - Only for Students Who Lost Parents in COVID Launched by Kotak Mahindra Group after COVID-19. Who can apply? - Students from Class 1 to Graduation - Students who lost one or both parents after 2020 due to COVID or any reason Amount: - Up to Rs. 1 Lakh per year till course completion - Plus mentorship and career guidance Eligibility: - Must have lost parent/parents - Family income < 3.5 Lakh - Age less than 24 years This is a fully private scholarship, so you can apply even if you already get government scholarship. 3. Sitaram Jindal Foundation - Special Category for Widow's Children Sitaram Jindal Foundation is famous, but no one knows it has a special quota for widow's children. If your mother is a widow and you are studying in Class 11 to PG, you get 20% extra marks relaxation and priority in selection. For example, normally you need 65% for boys, but if you are widow's child, you can apply even with 60%. Amount: Rs. 500 to Rs. 3,200 per month Documents needed: Mother's widow certificate or husband death certificate. 4. Palan Rind Scheme (Bal Seva Yojana) by Women & Child Development Ministry - Government Scheme This is a central government scheme, 100% genuine. Who can apply? - Orphan children (both parents dead) - Children with single mother who is widow - Children abandoned by parents Amount: - Rs. 4,000 per month per child till 18 years age = Rs. 48,000 per year - Plus free education in Navodaya/Jawahar schools How to apply? Visit your District Child Protection Office (DCPO) or Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in your district. This is not online, you must go offline. It is available in all states - West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, all. 5. Colgate Keep India Smiling - Single Mother Child Category Colgate Keep India Smiling Scholarship has 4 categories, one is "For Individuals Helping Others" but hidden category is for single parent children. If you are raised by single mother and you help your mother in work and still study, you are eligible. Amount: Rs. 75,000 per year for 4 years Eligibility: Class 11 to Graduation, 60% marks, income < 5 Lakh 6. The Tata Trusts - Udayan Shalini Fellowship for Girls Raised by Single Mother This is ONLY for girls. Who can apply? - Girls from Class 11 to Graduation - Girls raised by single mother, or orphan girls - Girls from poor families who cannot afford education Amount: Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 40,000 per year + Free personality development classes Why Unique? Because Tata also gives you free training for interviews, English speaking, and job placement after graduation. So you not only get money but also future job. Eligible states: All India, but special preference for West Bengal, Mumbai, Delhi. 7. Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation - For Orphan Students in Graduation If you are an orphan and studying in graduation, this foundation gives interest-free loan scholarship of up to Rs. 5 Lakh which you have to return only after you get a job. If you don't get job in 2 years, loan becomes scholarship. This is best for orphan students who want to do Engineering, Medical, MBA. 8. Priyadarshini Academy Single Mother Scholarship - Maharashtra but Now All India Started in Maharashtra, but from 2025 it is open for all India. For students whose mother is single (divorced, widowed, separated). Amount: Rs. 25,000 per year Eligibility: 60% marks, mother must be single and working (any work - maid, tailor, shop). 9. Zeal Education Society - COVID Orphan Scholarship For students who lost parents during COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022). Amount: Full course fees paid + Rs. 12,000 for books and hostel Courses: 11th, 12th, Diploma, Graduation, Engineering Documents: Death certificate of parents with COVID mentioned or general death certificate after 2020 + Orphan certificate from Tehsildar. 10. Sai Kripa & Chetna Bal Seva - For Abandoned Children If you live in a Child Care Institution (CCI), orphanage, or Bal Griha, then this NGO gives you Rs. 24,000 per year for education + free coaching for government exams. This is for children living in orphanage homes in any state. 11. National Scholarship for Students with Single Mother by Ministry of Social Justice Under PM CARES for Children scheme, government gives: - Rs. 10 Lakh insurance - Rs. 4,000 per month for education - Free education in Central Schools - Rs. 10 Lakh after 18 years for higher education This is for children who lost both parents or single parent during COVID or after. Apply through pmcaresforchildren.in portal. 12. Lila Poonawalla Foundation & Glow & Lovely - Double Benefit for Single Mother's Daughters If you are a girl raised by single mother, you can apply for BOTH Lila Poonawalla (Rs. 50,000) + Glow & Lovely (Rs. 50,000) = Total Rs. 1,00,000 per year. Both allow double scholarship. Many girls don't know this trick. How to Apply to Increase Selection Chance to 100%? Step 1: Get your Single Mother Certificate or Orphan Certificate This is most important. Go to your BDO office or SDO office and ask for "Single Mother Certificate" or "Orphan Certificate" or "Widow Certificate of Mother". This certificate makes you VIP for these scholarships. Step 2: Write Emotional Story in 300 Words Don't just fill form. Write your real story: "My father passed away in 2019. My mother works as a housemaid and earns Rs. 6000 per month. I want to become a teacher to support her..." Selection committees give priority to real emotional stories. Step 3: Apply for 5 Scholarships Together Don't apply for only 1. Apply for at least 5 from this list. Because if you get rejected in 2, you will still get 3. Step 4: Keep These 7 Documents Ready 1. Death Certificate of Father/Mother OR Divorce Certificate 2. Mother's Widow Certificate or Single Mother Affidavit 3. Income Certificate (Less than 3 Lakh) 4. Aadhaar Card of student and mother 5. Marksheet of last exam 6. Bank Account in student's name 7. Bonafide Certificate from school/college Common Mistakes to Avoid Mistake 1: Applying with father's income certificate when father is dead. You must apply with mother's income certificate. Mistake 2: Not uploading death certificate. Always upload death certificate as proof. Mistake 3: Using father's name as guardian when you are raised by single mother. Use mother's name as guardian. Success Story Rina Khatun from Murshidabad, West Bengal lost her father in 2021. Her mother is a bidi worker. She applied for HDFC Badhte Kadam and Kotak Shiksha Nidhi in 2024 with her father's death certificate and mother's income certificate. She got Rs. 30,000 from HDFC and Rs. 50,000 from Kotak = Total Rs. 80,000 per year. Now she is studying B.Sc Nursing for free. You can be next. Final Words Being raised by a single mother or being an orphan is not your weakness, it is your strength for scholarship. Government and private companies have kept special funds for you, but because no one tells you, the money goes unclaimed every year. Apply for these 12 scholarships today. All links are available on Buddy4Study.com. If you are from West Bengal, Bihar, UP, or any state, you are eligible. Don't wait for last date. FAQs Q1. Can I apply if my father is alive but separated? Yes, if your mother is single and you have a single mother certificate or divorce proof, you can apply for HDFC, Colgate, and Tata scholarships. Q2. Is there any scholarship only for single mother child? Yes, Kotak Shiksha Nidhi and HDFC Badhte Kadam have special single mother category. Q3. What is orphan certificate and how to get it? Go to SDO office with death certificates of both parents and get Orphan Certificate. Or get certificate from Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Q4. Can I get two scholarships at same time? Yes, you can get one government + one private scholarship together. For example, Palan + HDFC. Q5. What is last date for 2026? Most scholarships open from July to December 2026. HDFC last date is 31st Oct 2026, Kotak is 31st Dec 2026. Disclaimer: All information collected from official websites of HDFC, Kotak, Tata Trusts, and Ministry of Women & Child Development. Please check official portal before applying.