Are you pursuing an MBA but worried about the cost? IDFC FIRST Bank has a great opportunity for you. The IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship 2026-28 is a need-based financial support program that helps students from lower-income families complete their MBA without financial stress.
In this article, you will find everything you need to know about this scholarship — who can apply, how much money you get, what documents are needed, and how to apply step by step.
What Is the IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship?
The IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship is a financial assistance program started by IDFC FIRST Bank to support students who want to pursue a full-time MBA but cannot afford it due to limited family income.
This scholarship is especially designed for students from families earning less than INR 6 lakh per year. The bank directly pays the scholarship money to your college — so you don’t have to worry about tuition fees.
Quick Overview
| Scholarship Name | IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship 2026-28 |
| Offered By | IDFC FIRST Bank |
| Type | Need-Based Scholarship |
| Total Amount | INR 2,00,000 (INR 1 lakh per year) |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Who Can Apply | Indian nationals pursuing 1st year full-time MBA |
| Family Income Limit | Less than or equal to INR 6 lakh per year |
| Application Deadline | 8 July 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online (via Buddy4Study) |
| Application Fee | Free (No charges at any stage) |
Eligibility Criteria
Before you apply, make sure you meet all the conditions listed below:
| Eligibility Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian nationals residing in India only |
| Program Type | 1st year of a 2-year full-time MBA or equivalent (Class of 2026) |
| College | Must be enrolled in one of the IDFC FIRST Bank approved colleges |
| Family Income | Annual family income from all sources must be INR 6 lakh or less |
| Aadhaar Linkage | Must have a valid mobile number linked to Aadhaar |
| Bank Employee | Earning member of the family should NOT be an IDFC FIRST Bank employee |
Note: Students doing a 1-year executive MBA, integrated MBA, or any other format other than a 2-year full-time MBA/PGDM are NOT eligible.
How Much Money Will You Get?
Selected students will receive a total scholarship of INR 2,00,000 spread over two years:
| Year | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|
| First Year (MBA Year 1) | INR 1,00,000 |
| Second Year (MBA Year 2) | INR 1,00,000 |
| Total | INR 2,00,000 |
The money is sent directly to your college/institution to cover tuition fees. The second year payment is only given if you pass the first year and move to the second year.
Documents Required
Make sure you have all these documents ready before you apply:
Admission-Related Documents
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Admission Proof | Must show institution name, admission year, and batch |
| Fee Receipt Copy | Proof of fees paid |
Residence / Age Proof (Any One)
| Document |
|---|
| Birth Certificate |
| 10th Passing Certificate |
| Passport |
Income Proof (Any One)
| Document |
|---|
| Earning member’s income certificate |
| 143(1) document (Income Tax) |
| No Income Certificate (if no earning member in the family) |
Other Documents (If Applicable)
| Document | When Needed |
|---|---|
| Disability Certificate | If you have a disability |
| Sanctioned Loan Letter | If you have taken an education loan |
| Death Certificate | If the sole earning member of your family has passed away |
| Other Scholarship Proof | If you are already receiving any other scholarship for MBA |
How to Apply — Step by Step
Applying for this scholarship is simple and completely online. Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Scroll down this page and go to Important Web-Links section and click on “Apply Now.”
Step 2: Log in to Buddy4Study using your registered email or mobile number.
Step 3: If you are not registered on Buddy4Study, create a free account using your email, mobile number, Facebook, or Gmail.
Step 4: You will be taken to the official IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship application page.
Step 5: Read all the details carefully and click “Apply Now.”
Step 6: Check your eligibility and verify your Aadhaar card and mobile number.
Step 7: You will receive a welcome email with your login ID and password.
Step 8: Log in to the application portal and fill in all the required details in the online form.
Step 9: Upload all the necessary documents.
Step 10: Submit your application form.
Important Web-Links
| IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship | Apply Now |
| More Scholarships | Click Here |
Important Terms and Conditions
Here are some important rules you should know before applying:
- Only students in the 1st year of a 2-year full-time MBA or PGDM program are eligible.
- Students doing executive MBA, integrated MBA, or other formats cannot apply.
- The scholarship amount will be sent directly to your college, not to your personal bank account.
- You must submit the fee receipt before the final payment is released.
- You must pass your first year to receive the second year scholarship.
- You must attend all IDFC FIRST Bank events related to this scholarship.
- IDFC FIRST Bank has the full right to make the final decision on who gets the scholarship.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee that you will get the scholarship.
- Children of IDFC FIRST Bank employees are not eligible.
- The application process is completely free. No fees are charged at any stage.
Beware of Fraud
IDFC FIRST Bank has warned students that the scholarship application is only available on its official platform. No fees are charged at any point. If someone asks you to pay money to apply, or if you receive a suspicious message or call, please report it immediately to: mbascholarship@idfcfirst.bank.in
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship?
It is a need-based financial assistance program offered by IDFC FIRST Bank to support MBA students from low-income families. Selected students receive up to INR 2,00,000 over two years.
Q2. Who is eligible to apply for this scholarship?
Indian nationals enrolled in the first year of a 2-year full-time MBA program at an approved college, with a family income of INR 6 lakh or less per year, are eligible to apply.
Q3. How much scholarship money will I receive?
You will receive INR 1,00,000 in the first year and INR 1,00,000 in the second year, totalling INR 2,00,000.
Q4. Is this scholarship only for a specific income group?
Yes. Your gross annual family income from all sources must be INR 6,00,000 or less to be eligible.
Q5. Where will the scholarship money be sent?
The scholarship amount is sent directly to your college/institution’s account to cover your tuition fees. It is not transferred to your personal bank account.
Q6. What is the last date to apply?
The deadline to apply is 8 July 2026.
Q7. Can students doing a 1-year MBA or executive MBA apply?
No. Only students enrolled in a 2-year full-time MBA or PGDM program are eligible. 1-year executive programs and integrated MBA programs are not eligible.
Q8. Is there any application fee?
No. The application is completely free. IDFC FIRST Bank does not charge any fees at any stage.
Q9. How do I apply for this scholarship?
You can apply online through the Buddy4Study platform. Visit the official IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship page, register or log in to Buddy4Study, and follow the step-by-step application process.
Q10. Can children of IDFC FIRST Bank employees apply?
No. Children of IDFC FIRST Bank employees are not eligible for this scholarship.
Q11. Will I get the second-year scholarship automatically?
No. You must pass your first year of MBA and be promoted to the second year to remain eligible for the second-year scholarship.
Q12. What documents do I need to upload?
You need admission proof, fee receipt, age/residence proof, income proof, and any other applicable documents such as a disability certificate or loan letter.
Q13. What if no one in my family earns?
If there is no earning member in your family, you must provide a “No Income Certificate” issued by a relevant authority.
Q14. How will I know if I am selected?
IDFC FIRST Bank will verify your documents and may also do on-ground screening. Selected students will be informed through the official communication channels.