This program addresses academically bright, adolescent girls from challenging backgrounds who are at risk of dropping out of the formal education system and enables them to complete their formal education from Higher Secondary School to Graduation. It provides financial assistance, personalized mentoring, life skills and employability training, to build agency and broaden their perspective. More than 18,500+ girls in 38 chapters across 15 states of India are proud, empowered Shalinis with thriving careers in almost all fields – academics, business, entrepreneurship, social work, etc.
Core Objectives and Support
Established in 2002, the Fellowship targets girls passionate about learning and provides financial aid, personalised mentoring, life skills training, employability development, and a strong sense of social responsibility. It relies on voluntary chapter convenors and dedicated collaborators to secure funding and mentorship opportunities for these girls, known as Shalinis.
Eligibility and Selection
The program supports bright, talented adolescent girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, specifically those from government or government-aided schools who score at least 60% in Class X and have family incomes below INR 3,00,000 ($3,1372 annually). Selection follows the ‘NAT’ model (Need, Ambition, Talent) through a rigorous four-step process: application, written tests, interviews, and home visits, ensuring only the most deserving candidates are chosen. opportunities for these girls, known as Shalinis.
Based on the ‘NAT’ model (Need, Ambition, and Talent), our rigorous screening process involves a four-step evaluation: application, written tests, interviews, and home visits. This ensures that only the most deserving and talented girls become Shalinis. Adhering to high standards is essential, and Shalinis are expected to demonstrate consistent academic and overall progress. Annual re-admission applications contribute to our 95% retention rate.
The final list of selected candidates is inducted into the program in a formal ceremony attended by the girls and their parents. During this ceremony, the girls take the “Shalini Pledge” to complete their education and adhere to moral and ethical values, thereby becoming good citizens. The selected girls are called Shalinis (Dignified Women) or Fellows and are supported for 5-6 years, from the XI standard until they graduate or complete specialised courses. The Udayan Shalini Fellowship (USF) rests on five interconnected component that empower girls to thrive academically, professionally, and socially.
A robust pyramid mentoring structure guides each Shalini’s journey of self-discovery. Senior (college-going) Shalinis mentor juniors (school-going girls), supplemented by dedicated mentors offering academic guidance, career counselling, and personal coaching at every stage.
USF instils social awareness and empathy, requiring Shalinis to complete 50 hours of annual volunteering for a cause of their choice. This shifts them from recipients to contributors, building self-esteem and a commitment to ‘pay it forward’.
Local chapter convenors—long-term volunteers—drive the program by partnering with individuals and organisations to secure funding and mentorship. They form core committees of passionate, resourceful volunteers as advisory bodies to sustain chapter operations.
The Udayan Shalini Fellowship Program marks 24 years of transformative impact, empowering adolescent girls with access to higher education and fostering their agency through remarkable stories of personal and societal change.
Program Reach and Scale
Today, the Fellowship thrives across 38 chapters in 15 states in India, opening pathways to education, leadership, and self-determination for resilient young women. Over 18,500 fellows and alumnae—predominantly first-generation learners—have redefined their futures while actively shaping the program’s vision and growth.
Fields of Pursuit
Our Shalinis (Dignified, Empowered Women) excel in diverse domains, including engineering, medical studies, chartered accountancy, company secretaryship, vocational training, nursing, and computer science.
The program has an active alumnae program. Our alumnae include Ph.D. graduates, Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Chartered Accountants, Company Secretaries, Engineers, and teachers. Many of our alumni continue to mentor younger Shalinis, provide references and recommendations for higher studies and scholarships, refer job or internship opportunities, and raise awareness and funds for USF
