Nagaland signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sarojini Damodaran Foundation to launch Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme for government school students.
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KOHIMA — Nagaland on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (SDF) to implement the Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme, a long-term initiative that will provide financial support, mentoring and career guidance to students from government schools in the state.
The MoU was signed at the Chief Secretary Conference Hall in Kohima by Pankaj Triparti, Principal Consultant of SDF, and Razouseyi Vese, Director of School Education, in the presence of Advisor for School Education and SCERT Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, Commissioner and Secretary Kevileno Angami, and other officials.
Speaking at the programme, Kevileno Angami described Vidyadhan as a scholarship initiative outside the government framework that focuses on transforming lives through education. She said the programme has already been implemented in several states, and with the signing of the MoU, Nagaland will now be included.
Triparti said the programme, which began in 1999 in Kerala, is now active in 22 states and union territories. He informed that more than 78,000 scholarships have been awarded so far, benefiting over 15,000 students.
He said the programme is not limited to financial support but also includes mentoring, career counselling, soft skills training and internship opportunities. It operates through a transparent and scalable IT-based platform, which also enables corporate sponsors to track the progress of the students they support.
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Explaining the structure, Triparti said the scholarship provides long-term support of five to seven years, starting from Class 11 and continuing through graduation, and in some cases beyond. If 100 students are selected in Class 11 this year, they will move to Class 12 next year while a new batch of 100 students is added. By 2029, the first batch will enter degree programmes, with new students inducted annually.
He added that the foundation is committed to a long-term partnership with the state and is keen to further develop the programme based on local needs.
Advisor Dr. Yhome said the scholarship will primarily target students from government schools who have recently passed matriculation. He said the initiative comes at an opportune time following the declaration of results and emphasised the need to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds who often face challenges in continuing their education.
He also noted that many students are left behind after failing matriculation, citing a study from Mokokchung where 555 students did not pass over a period of 10 years. He stressed the importance of tracking and supporting students across government, central and private schools.
Dr. Yhome said the MoU was the outcome of earlier engagement with SDF, including an interaction with Infosys co-founder SD Shibulal during the United Nations General Assembly and a subsequent conclave in Bengaluru attended by Nagaland officials.
Triparti clarified that students receiving the scholarship are free to choose their course of study and are not required to enrol in government colleges.
Financial support ranges from INR 10,000 per year for Classes 11 and 12 to between INR 25,000 and INR 75,000 annually for higher education, depending on the course.
Jacob Sukumar, Manager (Operations), SDF, said the programme is funded by sponsors and that no administrative charges are deducted, ensuring that the full amount reaches students’ bank accounts. He added that selected students will undergo residential training programmes focused on career guidance, motivation and employability skills.
Officials said the programme will initially cover around 100 schools and expand to 500 to 600 schools over the next five to six years.
Kevileno Angami informed that the MoU, vetted by the Justice and Law Department, outlines the responsibilities of both parties and will be valid for five years from May 1, 2026 to March 31, 2031, with provision for renewal.
How to apply
Students can apply online through the Vidyadhan portal at www.vidyadhan.org or via the SDF Vidya mobile application available on the Google Play Store.
The last date for submission of applications is July 31, 2026.
For further information, candidates may contact vidyadhan.nagaland@sdfoundationindia.com