UPES has launched the ‘1,000 Women – 1,000 Dreams’ initiative, offering 1,000 fully tuition-free scholarships for its Online MBA programme to women across India.

Announced on 6 March 2026 ahead of International Women’s Day, the scheme provides complete tuition fee waivers aimed at expanding access to higher education for women from different professional and social backgrounds.

Of the 1,000 scholarships, 300 have been earmarked for women from Armed Forces backgrounds, including serving personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with spouses and daughters of serving or retired personnel. Another 250 scholarships will be reserved for women working in the technology and start-up sectors. The remaining 450 scholarships will be open to women applicants across India, including eligible female staff and employees of the university.

Dr Sunil Rai, Vice-Chancellor of UPES, said the initiative aims to remove financial barriers to management education and support women seeking leadership roles in their careers.

The university said the dedicated allocation for women in technology and start-ups reflects the low participation of women in these sectors and aims to strengthen their managerial and strategic capabilities through formal management education.

The initiative also forms part of UPES’ broader engagement with women’s empowerment and the Armed Forces community. The university said the programme builds on its earlier efforts under Project Shakti, launched in 2020, and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.