HDFC Bank - Meritus Scholarship Program

Registration & Eligibility	Participation Process
Certificate Collection Process	Scholarship amount and collection process

What is HDFC Bank Meritus Scholarships?
The HDFC Bank Meritus Scholarships is a national level scholarship program for children from the 4th to 9th standard. A special panel of judges will evaluate the final shortlisted participants on pre-decided criteria and decide the winners.

Registration & Eligibility

How can one participate in the Meritus Scholarship
Registration forms are being distributed in select schools. At the same time, anybody can log on to www.hdfcbank.com/meritus website and register online.

Who can participate in Meritus Scholarship?
Only children studying in India from Std 4th to 9th can participate.

Can a NRI student participate in this program?
This scholarship is open only for Indian nationals residing in India

Is there any fee for registering in Meritus Scholarship?
NO. Registration in Meritus scholarship is absolutely free and is not linked to purchase of any product or service from HDFC Bank or any of its associates

What is the last date for registration?
The last date for registering in Meritus Scholarship program is 10th March,2009

How do I know that my registration form has been accepted under Meritus scholarship?
A) You will receive an email and SMS on the mobile number you have provided while filling the registration form. You can alternatively visit www.hdfcbank.com/meritus and check your status by inputting REGISTERED NUMBER (Residence/Parent`s Mobile No.)

On what basis will the participants be evaluated for the scholarship?
Evaluation will be based on the following parameters:
a.Academics – past 2 years final examination score
b.Certificates won in intra-school, inter-school, state level and national level competitions in sports or extra curricular activities like Dance, Music, Dramatics, Quiz, Debate, Painting, Elocution and social service etc.
c.Final written test

Is it necessary for me to be a customer of HDFC Bank to participate in Meritus scholarship?
NO. Any student studying from the 4th to 9th standard can participate in the Meritus Scholarship program. .

Can more than 2 children from the same family participate in the Meritus scholarship?
YES. Any number of children can participate in the Meritus scholarship. However, they need to provide different telephone nos. as Registered Numbers to take the IVR Test

I am an existing HDFC Bank customer. Will my child get any preference?
NO, there is no preferential treatment given for being an existing HDFC Bank customer..

Can I submit the form anywhere else than my school?
Forms cannot be submitted at any HDFC Bank branch or office. Forms can be submitted only at the schools, which have been approached by our ground agencies. Alternatively, the registration can be done online at www.hdfcbank.com/meritus before 10th March, 2009

What if my parents are in a different city/state?
A student can still participate in the program provided the registration form is signed by parents or filled online by either of them. The phone no. has to be of the place from where the student would dial in the IVR

Can I take the test without registering myself?
No, to appear for the test you will have to necessarily register yourself

Where can I register myself?
You can register yourself by logging on to www.hdfcbank.com/meritus.

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Participation Process

What do I have to do after my registration form gets accepted?
After registering, the participant would have to take a test conducted on phone through our Interactive Voice Recording System (IVR) or Online

What is IVR and what is an IVR based test?
Interactive Voice Recording, or IVR, is a technology that allows a computer to recognize inputs when you press the numbers on your phone keypad. In case of Meritus Scholarship program, the first two rounds of tests are conducted through IVR technology wherein

1. Participants are asked the questions automatically over the phone by the computer
2. Participant has to select the correct answer by pressing 1, 2 or 3 on his phone keypad
3. Participant is given step by step instructions by the IVR on how to proceed further and complete the test

How does one take the IVR based test?
There are three easy steps to take the IVR based test

1. Participant needs to call the IVR number specified in the Registration Form
2. Participant needs to call within the dates communicated via SMS & E-mail
3. Participant needs to dial from the REGISTERED NUMBER (Residence/Parent`s Mobile No.)

Which is my REGISTERED NUMBER?
REGISTERD NUMBER is the number (Residence/Parent`s Mobile No.)which you had selected to take the IVR Test while filling the Registration Form

How can one take an Online test ?
The par ticipant needs to visit www.hdfcbank.com/meritus to take the Online test. The participant needs to enter his / her Registered Phone Number to log in for the test. The participant will be asked 10 questions. Each question will have 3 answers. The participant needs to select the right answer

Is there a negative marking in the IVR test and Online test if the question is answered incorrectly ?
There is no negative marking in the test.

What are the different levels in Meritus Scholarship program?
There are 3 different levels in the Meritus Scholarship program, detailed as under:

1) Participation Round 1 – Interactive Voice Recording System (IVR) or Online

1. Parents of all participants will receive an SMS & email informing them about the dates on which the test can be taken.
2. The child under the guidance of the parent needs to dial from the REGISTERED NUMBER (Residence/Parent`s Mobile No.) within the given dates to take the test via telephone or logon on to www.hdfcbank.com/meritus to take the test Online.
3. Participants with the highest score will reach Round 2.
4. All participants who do not qualify for Round 2 will receive a Bronze Level Certificate or Participation Certificate based on their score. The participant will be requested to collect the certificate from the nearest HDFC Bank branch.

2) Participation Round 2 – IVR or Online

The students reaching the next level will be intimated through an SMS & email.
Round 2 will also be conducted on similar lines as Round 1.
Maximum of 6000 to 8000 Participants with the highest score will reach the finals.
Participants who do not clear Round 2 will be given a Silver Level Certificate. The participant will be requested to collect the certificate from the nearest HDFC Bank branch.

3) Intermediate Round

Participants reaching the Round 3 will be intimated through an SMS & Email
Round 3 will be an Online test only. This test cannot be taken over the phone. Participant needs to log on to www.hdfcbank.com/meritus in the Online test section with his / her Registered Phone Number.
Every participant will have 2 attempts to take the test. The best score of the two attempts will be considered as the final score. Participants with high scores will reach the Final round

4) Final Written Test

Particpants would be called at select venues in 8-10 cities.
An hour long written test (Multiple Choice questions) would be conducted on a Sunday either in May or June (Date would be communicated later)
Participants need to carry an original Photo ID Card along with copies of Achievement Certificates in Extra Curricular and sports activities(if any).

Can I take the IVR test from any number?
NO. The IVR test can only be taken from the selected REGISTERED NUMBER (Residence/Parent`s Mobile No.) provided in the registration form.

How many times can I take the IVR test?
You can take the IVR test maximum of 5 times (within 96 hours of first test).

Can I take the use any number to log-in for the Online test?
NO. You need to log in with the selected REGISTERED NUMBER (Residence/Parent`s Mobile No.) provided in the registration form.

How many times can I take the Online test?
You can take the Online test maximum of 5 times (within 96 hours of first test)

In what time period can I take all the 5 attempts?
In each round, you can take the test a total of 5 times within 96 hours from the time the 1st test is taken within the dates specified to you via SMS & E-Mail.

Is it compulsory to take the IVR and Online test?
Taking an IVR or Online test is optional. You can take wither one of them or both as per your convenience.

If I take the IVR and Online test which score will be considered?
You have 5 Online attempts and 5 IVR attempts. Please note your best score out of the attempts taken will be considered as your final score.

Will I be told about my scores? And if yes, how will I come to know?
Yes. The scores will be communicated to you at the end of each IVR attempt and Online attempt. In case of IVR, you will also receive an SMS on the registered mobile number. You can alternatively visit www.hdfcbank.com/meritus and check the same.

What are the Call Charges to take IVR test?
Premium Call Charges would be applicable to take the IVR Test. Rates are different for each service provider, the same is mentioned in the table below.

Operator	IVR number	Price in Rs. per minute	Availability
AIRCEL	505101012	6	South and North East
AIRTEL	505101012	6	National
BPL	505101012	6	Mumbai
IDEA	505101012	6.99	National
RELIANCE	505101012	6	National
TATA	505101012	6	National
TOUCHTEL (Airtel Fixed Line)	505101012	6	National
VODAFONE	505101012	6	National
BSNL (Landline)	1255512	2.4	National
BSNL (Mobile)	1255512	5	National
MTNL (Mobile)	1255512	5	Mumbai and Delhi
MTNL (Landline) - Delhi	12555	2	Delhi
MTNL (Landline) - Mumbai	127777	2	Mumbai

How much time would it take to complete the IVR or Online Test?
If a participant answers all questions correctly in first attempt, they should finish the IVR test in five to ten minutes.

How can I find out my status on the HDFC Bank Website?
Participant/parent would have to log onto the Meritus section (www.hdfcbank.com/meritus) and can search his/her status in MERITUS scholarship program by inputting the REGISTERED NUMBER (Residence/Parent's Mobile No) on the website.

Do I have to necessarily take 5 IVR attempts and 5 Online attempts?
No, the option of taking the test more than once is solely that of the participant.

Which numbers can I call to take the test?
You can call any of the given below numbers to take the test-

Telecom Service Provider	IVR (Telephonic Test) numbers to be called	Availability
AIRCEL	505101012	South & North East India
BPL	505101012	Mumbai
IDEA	505101012	All India (Except Karnataka & Punjab)
AIRTEL,VODAFONE,RELIANCE (CDMA Mobile & FWP,TATA Indicom (CDMA Mobile),TOUCHTEL (Airtel Fixed Line)	505101012	All India
BSNL (Landline)	1255512	All India
BSNL (Mobile)	1255512	All India
MTNL (Mobile)	1255512	Mumbai & Delhi
MTNL (Landline)-Delhi	12555	Delhi
MTNL (Landline)-Mumbai	127777	Mumbai

What is the timeline for the Participation Round 1?
The last date for the participation round 1 on IVR is 31st March, 2009, while that of participation round 1 on Online is 5th April, 2009. However, each participant would be intimated through an SMS & E-mail a range of 7 days within which they need to take the IVR/ Online Test.

Can I take the test immediately after registration?
NO, you will be informed once your registration is complete, after which you can take the test.

Will I be asked questions related to my syllabus?
YES, You will be asked questions relating to your syllabus from subjects like History, Geography, Science, English language & General Knowledge. There are 3 categories for taking this test - standard 4 and 5, 6 and 7 and 8 and 9 .The questions will be asked as per your respective category.

What happens if the line gets disconnected while appearing for the IVR test?

You can call again & take the test as you are allowed to make 5 attempts to take the test. Even if you have not completed answering the entire set of 10 questions, yet your score for that particular attempt will be considered and 1 attempt will also be counted as complete.

Can I take the IVR test and Online test only once?
You have an option to take 5 Online attempts or 5 IVR attempts in each round and improve upon your score. But you need to complete the 5 attempts within 96 hours of making the 1st attempt

How will I know about the number of attempts left?
In the beginning of every attempt, you will be informed about the number of attempts left.

Will I be informed the results of the test?
Yes, you will be informed about your score at the end of each attempt. Your score will also be sent via SMS.

How much time will be given to answer a question on the IVR?
You will be given a time limit of 7 seconds for each question. In case you do not answer the question in 7 seconds, we will repeat the question twice. Then, we will take you to the next question.

How much time will be given to answer a question Online?
You will be given 20 seconds to answer each question.

When will I be informed whether I have been selected for the next round?
If you have been selected for the next round, you will be intimated via SMS & e mail.

Will I be reimbursed for the expenses incurred by me to participate in the MERITUS program?
No, participants would have to incur their own expenses to participate in the Meritus Scholarship program, e.g.

1. Premium Call Charges to participate in IVR Rounds
2. Visit to HDFC Bank branch(s) to collect certificate/scholarship amount
3. Travel, accommodation and any other incidental expense for attending the Written Test(s) at allocated venues
4. Any other expense not specified above

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Certificate Collection Process

Will I get a Certificate for participating in Meritus Scholarship Program?
Yes, Each Participant would get ONE certificate in the MERITUS Scholarship program.

What Certificate will I get?
The certificate would depend on the levels cleared by each participant in the program. The detail of certificates is as under.

Achievement Level	Award
Participation in 1st IVR round	Meritus Participation Certificate
Attaining qualifying marks in 1st IVR round but do not qualify for 2nd IVR round	Meritus Bronze Certificate
Participation in 2nd IVR round but do not qualify for written tests	Meritus Silver Certificate
Participation in written tests but do not win a scholarship	Meritus Gold Certificate
Clearance of Written Tests	Winners Certificate & Scholarship

When will I get the certificate?
Post participation in the IVR rounds, an E Mail and SMS would be send to the participant informing him of the progress to the next level or the certificate that he is eligible for.

How and where will I get the certificate?
The parent along with the participant needs to visit the nearest HDFC Bank branch to collect the certificate on the dates specified to them via SMS with following documents

1. Details of the registered Telephone no.
2. Original Photo ID Card of the participant
3. Copy of the School ID Card/Diary

Will I get certificate for each level of Meritus Scholarship Program?
No, every participant would get only one certificate depending on the last/highest level cleared by him/her.

Can I get a Duplicate Certificate?
NO, HDFC Bank would not issue duplicate certificate to any participant.

What time should I go and collect my Certificate/scholarship from the HDFC Bank branch?
Normally HDFC Bank branches follow the below mentioned working hours. However, the same may differ in your respective city.
MON – FRI : 9.30 am to 15.30 pm
SAT : 9.30 am to 12.30 pm

Scholarship amount and collection process

What is the Scholarship Amount?
Total Scholarships given under MERITUS scholarship program are worth Rs. 1.5 crores. The amount of scholarship ranges from a minimum of Rs.2500 to a maximum of Rs. 10 Lacs.

How Many Participants would win the scholarships?
More than 5000 participants can get scholarships in MERITUS Scholarship program

How will I get the scholarship?
The scholarship amount would be given vide an account payee cheque in the name of the participant. The Parent along with participant would have to walk in to the specified HDFC bank branch/venue to collect the cheque with following documents

1. Details of the registered Telephone no.
2. Original Photo ID Card of the participant
3. Copy of the School ID Card/Diary

What are the tax implications of this scholarship?
The event of Meritus scholarship being a competitive event would be considered as contest / game of any sort and as per section 194B Bank will have to deduct tax (33.99%) from the scholarship amount in excess of Rs. 5000/-.

Under section 139A(5A), every person receiving any sum from which tax has been deducted shall intimate his PAN to the person deducting tax. Further, as per section 139A (5B), every person deducting tax shall quote PAN of the person to who payment has been made, on TDS certificate in Form 16.

No credit will be given by the Tax Authorities in the absence of PAN of the winners. Thus, we need to obtain PAN of the participants or in case of minor participants PAN of their parent in whose income the income of minor is clubbed with a declaration to that effect.

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