DoSE signs MoU with SDF for scholarship programme

The Department of School Education (DoSE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (SDF) on April 28, 2026, to implement the Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme, aimed at providing long-term financial and mentoring support to meritorious students from government schools, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds.
According to a DIPR report, the MoU was signed at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Conference Hall in Kohima. Speaking at the signing programme, advisor for school education & SCERT, Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, expressed gratitude to the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation for partnering with the state in implementing the scholarship programme.
He said the scholarship would primarily benefit students who have recently cleared the HSLC examination and would provide support students not only at the school level but also through higher education, including professional courses.
Dr. Yhome described the initiative as timely and significant for Nagaland, where many students come from rural and economically constrained families.
Advisor noted that the programme stood out for offering continuous support beyond school level, helping expand opportunities and aspirations among underprivileged students.
He expressed confidence that the collaboration would have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of students in the state.
Also, speaking at the programme, commissioner & secretary for school education & SCERT, Kevileno Angami, termed the signing of MoU as a significant step towards enhancing educational opportunities for students in the state.
She informed that the initiative, aimed at transforming lives through education, was currently being implemented in around 18-19 states across the country and would now be extended to Nagaland, providing additional support to eligible students to pursue their academic aspirations.
She further stated that the scholarship programme would be implemented based on specific conditions and eligibility criteria.
SDF principal consultant, Pankaj Tripathi, expressed appreciation to the state government for the partnership, saying it was an honour for the foundation to implement the programme in Nagaland.
He informed that the Vidyadhan Scholarship Programme, launched in 1999 in Kerala, was now active in 22 States and Union Territories. So far, he said it has awarded over 78,000 scholarships and benefitted more than 15,000 students.
Tripathi highlighted that the programme goes beyond financial aid and includes mentoring, career counselling, soft skills development, and internship opportunities.
He added that selected students receive support for 5 to 7 years, adding that the entire process was managed through a transparent IT-based platform.
Speaking on the operational aspects of the programme, manager (operations) Jacob Sukumar informed that the scholarship was fully funded by sponsors, with 100 percent of the amount transferred directly to students without any deductions.
He added that the foundation also conducts regular residential training programmes focusing on motivation, career guidance, soft skills, and employability enhancement.
While students of Classes XI and XII were guided on academic choices and career pathways, he said those pursuing higher education were provided with employability training, including mock interviews and skill-building sessions.