WINGS Scholarship 2027 – IIT Bombay Rs.2 Lakh Tuition Grant for Women in STEM

WINGS Scholarship IIT Bombay 2027 offers female students a full tuition fee waiver of Rs. 2 lakh per year to pursue undergraduate STEM courses at one of India’s most prestigious institutions. Launched by IIT Bombay Distinguished Alumnus Bharat Desai (B.Tech., Electrical Engineering, 1975) and his wife Neerja Sethi, this initiative directly targets the financial barriers that prevent talented women from entering STEM fields. This guide is for female students planning to join IIT Bombay’s undergraduate STEM programmes in the 2027–28 academic session who want full details on eligibility, the application process, CPI requirements, and the last date to apply.

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📋 Table of Contents

What Is the WINGS Scholarship at IIT Bombay?

The WINGS Scholarship — short for Women INspiring Growth in STEM — is a privately funded academic scholarship established at IIT Bombay to eliminate financial obstacles for talented women pursuing undergraduate education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is the first-of-its-kind alumni-backed initiative at IIT Bombay specifically designed to improve gender diversity in STEM at the undergraduate level.

The scholarship was founded by Bharat Desai, a Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay (B.Tech. Electrical Engineering, Class of 1975), and his wife Neerja Sethi. The initiative is backed by the IIT Bombay Heritage Fund (IITBHF) and reflects the alumni community’s commitment to building a more equitable campus environment.

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Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, has called the initiative a transformative step: financial constraints should never determine a student’s future, and this scholarship ensures that talented young women in STEM have the freedom to pursue their aspirations without limitations. The programme explicitly encourages applications from students belonging to rural communities, recognising that geographic and socioeconomic disadvantages compound gender barriers in accessing elite engineering education.

Why Was WINGS Launched?

Data on women in STEM in India tells a sobering story. According to a BiasWatchIndia study, only 13.5% of India’s STEM faculty are female. In elite engineering institutions, IIT Bombay’s own women faculty stands at around 12%, while women in engineering roles nationally account for just 3–9% depending on the sector. Despite a 20% supernumerary quota introduced at IITs in 2018, IIT Bombay’s female enrolment rose from 570 in 2017 to 694 in 2024 — meaningful progress, but far from parity. WINGS directly addresses the financial dimension of this gap, recognising that tuition cost is one of the most cited reasons families do not send daughters to engineering institutes.

Who Should Apply for the WINGS Scholarship?

The WINGS Scholarship is specifically structured for a defined audience. Read the profiles below to see if you qualify:

• 🎓 JEE Advanced 2027 qualified female candidates who have secured admission to an undergraduate STEM programme at IIT Bombay for the 2027–28 academic year.
• 💰 Students from financially constrained families where annual tuition fees of Rs. 2 lakh represent a significant barrier to attendance or completion.
• 🌾 Rural and semi-urban students — the scholarship explicitly encourages applications from women coming from rural communities across India.
• 📚 First-generation engineering students — women whose families have no prior history of higher engineering education and who face dual pressure of cost and social expectations.
• 🚫 Students not receiving any other government tuition grant or scholarship — the WINGS award is designed to fill a gap, not stack with existing public tuition support.
• ⭐ Students who can commit to maintaining a 6.0 CPI — the scholarship continues annually as long as the academic performance threshold is met.
• 🔬 Women passionate about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics who want to build careers in India’s fastest-growing innovation sectors: AI, biotech, clean energy, and data science.
• 🏆 Future leaders in STEM — students who aspire not just to graduate but to become researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs representing the next generation of Indian women in technology.

Scholarship Amount and Financial Benefits

The WINGS Scholarship covers 100% of IIT Bombay’s undergraduate tuition fees, which currently stand at Rs. 2,00,000 (Rs. 2 lakh) per academic year. This is a renewable annual scholarship, not a one-time grant — meaning a student who maintains the minimum CPI requirement receives financial support throughout the entire duration of her undergraduate degree.

For a typical 4-year B.Tech programme, a WINGS Scholar could save up to Rs. 8 lakh in tuition fees — a substantial financial relief that allows the student and her family to redirect resources toward living expenses, books, and career development activities during the programme.

Eligibility Criteria in Detail

Before applying, verify that you meet every one of the following eligibility conditions. Failing even one condition disqualifies the application:

• Gender: The applicant must be a female student.
• Institution: Must be planning to pursue (or currently enrolled in) an undergraduate STEM course at IIT Bombay specifically.
• Academic Session: The current open application cycle is for the 2027–28 academic session (students entering IIT Bombay in 2027).
• Scholarship Exclusion: Must NOT be availing any other government tuition grant or scholarship. Private scholarships and merit awards that are not tuition grants may be considered separately — check with the IIT Bombay financial aid office for clarification.
• Academic Performance (Continuation Criterion): Students must maintain a Cumulative Performance Index (CPI) of 6.0 or higher to continue receiving the scholarship in subsequent years.
• Programme Type: Applicable to undergraduate (UG) STEM programmes. This includes B.Tech, B.S., and dual-degree programmes in science and engineering disciplines at IIT Bombay.

How to Apply for WINGS Scholarship 2027 – Step-by-Step

Applications for the WINGS Scholarship are accepted online only. Follow these steps carefully before the last date of 31 October 2026:

1. Visit the Official Application Portal: Go to www.b4s.in/bjga/WINGS2 — this is the verified short URL for the WINGS Scholarship 2027 application.
2. Register / Log In: Create a new account on the scholarship portal using your email ID and mobile number, or log in if you have an existing account.
3. Fill Out the Application Form: Complete all mandatory sections including personal details, academic history, family income details, and your IIT Bombay admission information (if already admitted).
4. Upload Required Documents: Prepare and upload scanned copies of — identity proof (Aadhaar / passport), JEE Advanced 2027 scorecard (if applicable), class 10 and class 12 mark sheets, IIT Bombay admission letter (if available), and family income certificate or proof of financial need.
5. Declare Other Scholarships: Accurately disclose all other scholarships or tuition grants you are currently receiving. Concealing this information may lead to disqualification.
6. Review and Submit: Carefully review every field for accuracy before submitting. Once submitted, most scholarship portals do not allow major edits — double-check all numbers, dates, and document uploads.
7. Save Confirmation: After submitting, save the application reference number and confirmation email. This is your proof of application in case of follow-up queries.
8. Await Communication: The WINGS programme office will communicate shortlisting or selection results via email. Monitor your registered email inbox, including the spam folder.

WINGS vs Other Women STEM Scholarships in India

How does the WINGS Scholarship compare with other prominent women’s STEM scholarships available to Indian students? The table below provides a side-by-side comparison across key parameters:

Pros and Cons of the WINGS Scholarship

Every scholarship comes with advantages and limitations. Here is a balanced assessment:

Advantages of the WINGS Scholarship

• Full tuition coverage: Rs. 2,00,000 per year covers 100% of IIT Bombay’s undergraduate tuition fees — no partial burden left on the student.
• Multi-year support: Renewable annually (not a one-time grant), providing financial stability throughout the 4-year B.Tech degree if CPI is maintained.
• Institutional credibility: Backed by IIT Bombay’s Heritage Fund and a Distinguished Alumnus — this is not a fly-by-night corporate scholarship; it carries reputational weight.
• Rural inclusion: The programme explicitly encourages rural students, reducing the urban bias common in most elite scholarship programmes.
• WINGS Scholar designation: Recipients are officially recognised as WINGS Scholars, a credential that carries value in academia and industry.
• Zero application fee: Online application through the official portal is free, removing any cost barrier to applying.

Limitations to Be Aware Of

• IIT Bombay-exclusive: The scholarship is restricted to IIT Bombay students only — students at other IITs, NITs, or state engineering colleges are not eligible.
• Does not cover hostel or living costs: Tuition is covered, but accommodation, food, books, and personal expenses remain the student’s responsibility.
• Government scholarship exclusion: Students currently receiving government tuition grants cannot avail WINGS simultaneously, limiting access for some beneficiaries.
• CPI performance clause: Failing to maintain a 6.0 CPI may result in scholarship discontinuation, adding academic pressure on the recipient.

Important Terms Related to WINGS Scholarship

Understanding the following terms will help you navigate the application process and scholarship conditions more effectively:

• CPI (Cumulative Performance Index): IIT’s grading system equivalent, measured on a 10-point scale. A CPI of 6.0 is the minimum academic performance threshold to retain the WINGS Scholarship each year.
• IITBHF (IIT Bombay Heritage Fund): The alumni-funded foundation that manages endowments and donations for scholarships and infrastructure at IIT Bombay. WINGS is administered under this fund.
• UG STEM Programme: Undergraduate (bachelor’s level) degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics — at IIT Bombay, this includes B.Tech, B.S., and dual-degree programmes.
• JEE Advanced: The Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced), the national-level engineering entrance exam that is the gateway to IIT admission. Only JEE Advanced qualifiers are eligible for IIT Bombay admission.
• Supernumerary Quota: A 20% reservation of seats for women introduced across IITs in 2018, which increased female enrolment without reducing seats for other students.
• Government Tuition Grant: Any scholarship funded by central or state government that covers tuition fees (e.g., SC/ST scholarships, PM scholarship schemes). Students receiving these cannot apply for WINGS.
• Alumni-Funded Scholarship: A scholarship endowed by individual donors (alumni), as opposed to institutional or government funding. WINGS falls under this category, giving it flexibility in eligibility design.
• B.Tech Programme: Bachelor of Technology — the standard 4-year engineering degree at IITs. WINGS covers tuition fees across all 4 years, subject to CPI maintenance.
• Scholarship Renewal: The annual process by which a scholarship recipient demonstrates continued eligibility (here, CPI 6.0 and no new government tuition grant) to receive the award for the next academic year.
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics): The four academic disciplines covered by the WINGS Scholarship. All B.Tech and B.S. programmes at IIT Bombay fall within STEM by definition.

Important Dates and Timeline

Important Links

Conclusion: Final Thoughts on the WINGS Scholarship IIT Bombay 2027

The WINGS — Women INspiring Growth in STEM Scholarship is one of the most significant privately-funded tuition support initiatives for women in Indian engineering education in recent years. By covering the full Rs. 2 lakh annual tuition fee at IIT Bombay, it removes the single most cited financial barrier for families considering sending their daughters to India’s premier technical institution. If you are a female student planning to join IIT Bombay’s undergraduate STEM programme in 2027–28, this scholarship is specifically designed for you — and the application deadline of 31 October 2026 is approaching fast.

Apply online now at www.b4s.in/bjga/WINGS2 and bookmark this page — we update it as soon as new selection cycle announcements are made by IIT Bombay and the WINGS programme office.

Frequently Asked Questions About WINGS Scholarship IIT Bombay

What is the WINGS Scholarship at IIT Bombay?

The WINGS Scholarship — Women INspiring Growth in STEM — is an alumni-funded tuition scholarship at IIT Bombay that covers Rs. 2,00,000 per annum for female undergraduate STEM students. It was launched by IIT Bombay Distinguished Alumnus Bharat Desai and his wife Neerja Sethi to break financial barriers for women in science and engineering education at India’s premier technical institution.

How much does the WINGS Scholarship pay per year?

The WINGS Scholarship IIT Bombay pays Rs. 2,00,000 (Rs. 2 lakh) per academic year, which covers 100% of IIT Bombay’s undergraduate tuition fees. For a standard 4-year B.Tech programme, the total scholarship value is Rs. 8,00,000 — provided the student maintains a CPI of 6.0 or above throughout the degree.

Who is eligible for the WINGS Scholarship IIT Bombay 2027?

To be eligible for the WINGS Scholarship 2027, you must be a female student planning to pursue an undergraduate STEM course at IIT Bombay in the 2027–28 academic session. You must not be availing any other government tuition grant or scholarship, and you must commit to maintaining a CPI of 6.0 or higher to keep the scholarship in subsequent years.

What is the last date to apply for WINGS Scholarship 2027?

The last date to apply for the WINGS Scholarship 2027 (for the 2027–28 IIT Bombay session) is 31 October 2026. Applications are accepted online only through the official portal at www.b4s.in/bjga/WINGS2. It is strongly recommended to apply at least one week before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Can I apply for WINGS if I already have a government scholarship?

No. The WINGS Scholarship IIT Bombay explicitly excludes students who are currently availing any other government tuition grant or scholarship. The exclusion applies to tuition-based government scholarships. If you are uncertain about whether your existing scholarship qualifies as a “government tuition grant,” you should contact the WINGS programme office or IIT Bombay’s Student Affairs office for clarification before applying.

Is the WINGS Scholarship renewable every year?

Yes, the WINGS Scholarship is a renewable annual scholarship, not a one-time grant. Each year, a recipient must demonstrate continued academic eligibility by maintaining a Cumulative Performance Index (CPI) of 6.0 or above. If a student’s CPI falls below this threshold in any academic year, the scholarship may be discontinued for the following year.

Who founded the WINGS Scholarship at IIT Bombay?

The WINGS Scholarship was founded by Bharat Desai, a Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay (B.Tech. Electrical Engineering, 1975), and his wife Neerja Sethi. The scholarship is administered through the IIT Bombay Heritage Fund (IITBHF). Bharat Desai is a prominent figure in the global IT industry, co-founder of Syntel Inc., and a long-time supporter of education-based social initiatives.

Does the WINGS Scholarship cover hostel fees or living expenses?

No. The WINGS Scholarship covers only undergraduate tuition fees (Rs. 2,00,000 per year) at IIT Bombay. Hostel fees, mess charges, book allowances, and personal living expenses are not included. Students receiving WINGS may explore IIT Bombay’s internal merit-cum-means scholarship schemes and other private scholarships to supplement living costs, provided these do not constitute a government tuition grant.

How do I apply for the WINGS Scholarship online?

Applications for the WINGS Scholarship IIT Bombay are submitted exclusively online through the official scholarship portal at www.b4s.in/bjga/WINGS2. Register on the portal, complete all personal and academic details, upload the required documents, and submit before the deadline of 31 October 2026. There is no offline or postal application process.

Is the WINGS Scholarship available to students at other IITs?

No. The WINGS — Women INspiring Growth in STEM Scholarship is exclusive to IIT Bombay only. Students admitted to other IITs (Delhi, Madras, Kanpur, Kharagpur, etc.) or NITs and other engineering colleges are not eligible for this scholarship. Students at other institutions may explore similar women-in-STEM scholarships from DXC Technology, Rolls-Royce, Mahindra EmpowerHer, and other CSR-funded programmes that operate across multiple institutions.

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