In a significant expansion of its employee welfare initiatives, Amazon India's Pratidhi Scholarship programme is now supporting the educational needs of 5,000 children of its associates across the country, including those with disabilities. The programme, which provides financial assistance ranging from ₹6,000 to ₹10,000 per child, received over 8,000 applications within 45 days of its expansion announcement this year. Initially focused on children of delivery associates, the scholarship now extends to families of associates working throughout Amazon's operations network. The scholarship addresses one of the primary reasons for school dropouts in India – financial constraints.
With focused financial support and mentorship opportunities, the programme is transforming lives by enabling children to continue their education despite economic challenges, particularly benefiting the children of delivery associates, fulfilment centre workers, and other operational staff who form the backbone of Amazon's services in India.
Breaking barriers to education
India's education system shows promise for the future, though significant challenges remain. For many families, the financial burden of education becomes too heavy to bear.
The situation is even more challenging for parents of children with disabilities, who face additional expenses for medical treatment, assistive devices, or special education. With over 15% of workers facing a monthly financial deficit of approximately ₹5,000, education expenses often create significant pressure on household finances.
How the Pratidhi Scholarship works
The Pratidhi Scholarship programme provides targeted financial support for the education of associates' children. Since its inception, the initiative has supported approximately 3,000 children of drivers from last-mile operations, including those with disabilities.
In 2025, Amazon expanded the programme to benefit 5,000 children of associates working across India's operation network, including those in fulfilment centres, sort centres, and various support functions. The expansion generated tremendous response, with over 8,000 applications being received within just 45 days.
The programme offers tiered financial support:
- ₹6,000 each for children studying in grades 3-9
- ₹10,000 each for children studying in grades 10-12
- ₹10,000 each for children with disabilities
Notably, 47% of the applicants are girl students, and 35% of applicants are female associates working across Amazon's network.
Real impact: Mehek Preet's story
Mehek Preet, a 5-year-old nursery student from Dharamgarh, Punjab, is one such scholarship recipients whose life has been significantly impacted by the programme. Her father, Jagtar Singh, has been employed as a delivery associate at Amazon for the past three years, having previously worked as a security guard at a private company.
Mehek faces severe mobility challenges due to issues with her legs. Despite these challenges, her parents have ensured she receives an education by enrolling her in nursery school. Recognising her special needs, Amazon awarded Mehek the Pratidhi Scholarship, amounting to ₹10,000, which has been crucial in covering her pending school fees and securing future admissions.
The scholarship has been particularly meaningful for the family, which includes Mehek's 9-year-old brother and her mother, who works at a boutique to supplement the family income.
Transforming lives: Vedant's journey
Vedant Patil (13) from Kalyan, Maharashtra, is another beneficiary whose life has been positively impacted by the programme. His father, Nana Raghunath Patil, works as a delivery associate at Amazon in the New Mumbai region after joining the company in 2017.
Vedant, who studies in a private school, receives ₹6,000 through the scholarship to help cover his educational expenses. Additionally, he has participated in seven mentorship sessions covering topics such as cybersecurity, competitive exams, UPSC preparation, and social issues such as child labour.
Beyond financial assistance
The Pratidhi Scholarship programme goes beyond just financial support. It includes a specialised mentorship programme where Amazon leaders mentor interested children through one-on-one sessions focusing on:
- Goal setting and time management
- Financial literacy with emphasis on investments
- Communication skills
The initiative also plans to organise felicitation ceremonies across different zones in partnership with PR and PP teams, providing a platform to showcase the programme's impact to both internal and external stakeholders.
Building a better future
The Pratidhi Scholarship represents Amazon's commitment to inclusive education and equal opportunities. By reducing the financial burden on associates and supporting children with disabilities through specialised education assistance, the programme aims to improve school enrollment and retention rates while empowering families through education-driven socio-economic mobility.
Through this initiative, Amazon is not only investing in the education of these children but also strengthening bonds with its associates, fostering a sense of trust and community within the organisation while contributing to a more empowered society.
