New Delhi, Mar 9: Kanyathon 2026, India’s largest student-led charity run, successfully held its 15th edition across Bengaluru and Karjat, bringing together more than 13,000 runners, walkers, students, volunteers, and corporate partners united for the cause of girls’ education and empowerment.
Nearly 10,000 participants joined the run in Bengaluru, while over 2,000 runners participated in Karjat. In addition, close to 1,000 runners took part at Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, adding significant momentum to what has grown into one of the country’s most impactful student-led social initiatives.
The event is entirely planned and executed by students from IFIM Institutions, Jagdish Sheth School of Management (JAGSoM), and Vijaybhoomi University. After fifteen successful editions, Kanyathon stands as a powerful example of how long-term student initiatives can drive meaningful social change.
Endorsed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the Fit India Movement, Kanyathon has grown from a small campus run into a national movement addressing gender inequality driven by poverty and structural disadvantages.
The initiative began in 2011 with just 400 participants and has steadily expanded since. Since 2019, Kanyathon has raised several crores in donations, with approximately ₹65 lakh raised in 2026 alone. The initiative has received support from leading organizations including Wipro, HP, Timken, Biocon, Infosys, Siemens, Deutsche Bank, Brillio, Momentive, Sagility, and Tech Mahindra.
Kalpana Padode, Governing Board Member at Vijaybhoomi University, said:
“Kanyathon is not just a run. It is a movement in motion. With every step you take, a girl moves closer to education, dignity, and the power to shape her own destiny. What started as a simple initiative has grown into a meaningful movement. Over the last 15 years, more than three lakh girls have been impacted. Together, we have supported NGOs, enabled EWS scholarships, uplifted daughters from red-light areas, established Kanyathon Shiksha Kendras, and built washrooms in government schools—bringing dignity, education, and opportunity where it is needed most.”
Over the years, Kanyathon has established nine Kanyathon Shiksha Kendras (KSKs) in government schools across Karnataka and Maharashtra. These centres provide structured programmes in spoken English, computer literacy, and health and hygiene education to more than 1,000 students.
The initiative has also funded computer labs, classroom upgrades, and sanitation facilities, addressing key infrastructure gaps that affect learning outcomes. Additionally, Kanyathon offers higher education scholarships to meritorious girls from economically weaker sections.
Through its partnership with the Akshaya Patra Foundation, mid-day meals are provided to students at these centres, helping maintain attendance and ensure uninterrupted learning. The initiative also runs menstrual hygiene awareness programmes to support adolescent girls in staying healthy and continuing their education.
Sudhirkumar Barai, Director of Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, said
“Kanyathon at BITS Pilani was a meaningful celebration of women’s empowerment on International Women’s Day. It was especially heartening to see the participation of young girls from underprivileged communities, making the event not just symbolic but truly impactful. We are proud to collaborate on an initiative that reflects dignity, inclusion, and the transformative power of education.”
This year’s event featured 3 km walkathons, 5 km and 10 km timed runs, pro runs, family runs, and community fitness activities, giving participants of all ages and fitness levels a reason to join the cause.
Driven entirely by students, the event witnessed strong volunteer participation throughout. With growing corporate support, Kanyathon aims to reach around 1,000 more girls in the coming year, expanding its work in education, health, and digital literacy for underserved communities.
