Lucknow: Meritorious Class 12 science students studying at Jai Prakash Narayan Sarvodaya Vidyalayas, run by the Uttar Pradesh Social Welfare Department, can apply for a scholarship programme offering free preparation for engineering and medical entrance examinations.
Through the Joint Dakshana Selection Test (JDST-2027), the Dakshana Foundation will provide selected students with one year of free coaching for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) or the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), along with accommodation and meals. The programme will be conducted at the foundation’s Dakshana Valley campus near Pune after students complete their Class 12 examinations.
Students enrolled in Class 12 science during the 2026-27 academic session and appearing for their board examinations by May 2027 are eligible to apply, subject to the prescribed criteria. Selection eligibility is determined partly by Class 10 marks in Mathematics and Science, with different cut-offs for engineering and medical streams and various reservation categories.
For engineering, the general-category cut-off is 85 per cent for boys and 80 per cent for girls in Mathematics and Science. For medical aspirants, the cut-off is 80 per cent for the general category, 75 per cent for OBC and EWS candidates, and 65 per cent for SC and ST candidates. Separate provisions apply to students with disabilities.
The annual family income must be below ₹3 lakh for boys and ₹5 lakh for girls.
School principals and teachers have been asked to inform eligible students about the opportunity and encourage them to apply.
Applications for JDST-2027 are available online at https://apply.scholarship.dakshana.org. The initiative aims to help talented students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds access quality coaching and pursue careers in engineering and medicine.
