What is a referral, and whose name should I put? It's mandatory, but I don't have anyone - who qualifies as a referral?

What is a referral, and whose name should I put?

A referral refers to a person in an academic or institutional capacity who can vouch for your academic performance and credibility, and confirm that the information in your application is genuine.

Filling in a referral is a mandatory field and cannot be left blank. This is because referrals add credibility to your application and help SBI Foundation cross-verify your candidacy through a known institutional source, reducing the risk of misrepresentation.

Who qualifies as a referral?

Typically, someone who holds an official academic relationship with you, such as:

• Your class/subject teacher, principal, or vice-principal (School Category)

• A professor, course coordinator, or HOD/Principal (UG/PG Category)

• A faculty member or academic advisor at your institute (Medical/IIT/IIM Category)

Family members, relatives, friends, or private tutors unconnected to your institution generally do not qualify, since the field is meant to bring in an independent, institutional voice.

What if I don't have anyone to refer me?

Consider a teacher or professor who is familiar with your academic performance and conduct, even if you haven't approached them for this before, most educators are accustomed to such requests and are generally willing to assist. A class teacher, subject teacher, or a professor who has recently taught you is a good starting point.