“My dad dropped me off at 9:00 am. The exam did not start until 11:00, but I was too nervous to be at home,” said Laharika, an RDT special scholarship candidate.

On August 22, over 2,000 high-achieving high school students took the special scholarship exam at 17 testing centers in the Anantapur and Kurnool districts.

The RDT special scholarship is awarded to 360 students each year and covers tuition fees for school and college, uniforms, school supplies, and a stipend for qualifying students. For many students from marginalized communities, this is their best shot at higher education.

“I want this scholarship because one day I want to be a successful software engineer and live in the city and have a good job,” says Laharika through her mask.

“I want to be a doctor and be able to help people,” Karthikaya chimes in. “That is my dream!”

Currently, there are 18,469 students receiving financial assistance from RDT’s special scholarship program who are pursuing higher education at universities all over India.

Some have gone on to achieve great things, like Dr. Davendra Naik. Thanks to the special scholarship, Dr. Naik was able to go to medical school. He later won a grant to present his work in France and received an award for Outstanding Professional Achievement and Contribution in Nation Building.

Needless to say, the pressure is on for these young scholars.

“I was very scared this morning before the exam,” says Karthikaya on her way out of the exam room. “I thought I would not be able to answer any questions, but I think overall I did great! Biology was the most difficult part.”

“Now that the exam is over, I feel so relieved!” says Laharika with a laugh.

It will take some time for the results to be analyzed and for the winners to be named. In the meantime, the candidates can relax knowing that they have given the exam their very best shot.