Innovation In Science Pursuit For Inspired Research (INSPIRE) - Scholarship For Higher Education (SHE) 2026

This scheme sets up Disha Centres to provide early intervention, therapies, and support for children with disabilities Read More... aged 0-10 years, helping them prepare for school and supporting their families. Read less

Details

India's commitment to inclusive development extends to its youngest citizens with disabilities. The Disha - Early Intervention and School Readiness Scheme is a crucial initiative designed to give children with specific disabilities a strong start in life.

What Is The Disha Scheme?

The Disha Scheme, launched by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, focuses on creating special centres. These 'Disha Centres' are dedicated to providing early intervention and preparing children with disabilities for school. The scheme also offers vital support and training to the families of these children.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This program is specifically for Person with Disabilities (PwD) who are between 0 to 10 years of age. To be eligible, the child must have a disability as defined under the National Trust Act, 1999. This includes conditions like Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Early intervention is key to maximizing a child's potential. The Disha Scheme addresses this by providing timely therapies, crucial training for both the child and their parents, and essential support services. By focusing on school readiness, it helps children with disabilities integrate better into the education system and fosters their overall development, making them more independent.

Objective

This scheme sets up Disha Centres to provide early intervention, therapies, and support for children with disabilities aged 0-10 years, helping them prepare for school and supporting their families.

Benefits

The scholarship is valued at ₹ 80,000/- per annum.

Each candidate will receive an annual scholarship @ ₹ 5000/- per month with a total value of ₹ 60,000/-.

All the SHE scholars are required to undertake summer research projects under an active researcher in any recognized research centre across India.

A summertime Mentorship grant of ₹ 20,000/- will be paid every year.

The scholarship will be transferred to the scholar’s State Bank of India (SBI) bank account directly through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode.

Sources and references

FAQs

Who Can Apply for the Disha Scheme?

The child must be between 0 to 10 years of age.
The child must have a disability covered under the National Trust Act, 1999. This includes Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities.

How to Apply for the Disha Scheme

Parents or legal guardians of eligible children need to approach a Disha Centre or a Registered Organisation (RO). The centre will then conduct an assessment for the child with the help of a therapist or counsellor to understand their specific needs and plan the intervention.

Note: The scheme involves establishing Disha Centres by Registered Organisations. Interested organisations might need to apply to become a registered centre.

Documents Needed for Enrolment

Completed Enrolment Form.
Birth Certificate or proof of Date of Birth of the child.
Disability Certificate.
BPL certificate or Income Certificate for parents/guardians (issued by a competent authority) if the family falls under LIG or BPL category.
ID proof of the parent or guardian.
Proof of Residence (Local) - This is mandatory for LIG parents/guardians or for those availing transport facilities.

FAQ’s

What is the main goal of the Disha Scheme?

The primary goal of the Disha Scheme is to provide early intervention and help children with disabilities (aged 0-10 years) get ready for school. It also offers essential therapies, training, and support to their families.

Which government department is running the Disha Scheme?

The Disha - Early Intervention and School Readiness Scheme is managed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.

Can parents also get support through this scheme?

Yes, absolutely. The scheme aims at providing training for school readiness to children and also offers counselling and guidance to parents or guardians, helping them support their child's development effectively.

What types of disabilities are covered by the National Trust Act for this scheme?

The disabilities covered under the National Trust Act, 1999, which are relevant for this scheme, include Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities.

How do I enroll my child in a Disha Centre?

To enroll, parents or legal guardians need to visit a Disha Centre or a Registered Organisation. The centre will then assess the child's needs with the help of their experts, like a therapist or counsellor.

What specific services can my child receive at a Disha Centre?

At a Disha Centre, your child can receive day care services for at least 4 hours a day, along with various therapies and training programs. Experts will also regularly assess your child's progress to ensure they are receiving the best possible support.

Are there any age restrictions for this scheme?

Yes, the Disha Scheme is for children with disabilities who are in the age group of 0 to 10 years.

What if we need help with transport to the centre?

Registered Organisations associated with the scheme may offer transportation facilities if it's mutually suitable for both the organisation and the family. This is a practical support service to ensure children can attend.

What proof of income do I need if I'm applying under the LIG or BPL category?

You will need a BPL certificate or an Income Certificate for yourself (as Parent or Guardian) issued by a competent authority authorized by your State or Union Territory. This is needed to confirm your family's financial status for scheme benefits.

What are the essential documents required to apply?

You'll need to submit an enrolment form, the child's birth certificate or DOB proof, a disability certificate, income proof (if applicable for LIG/BPL), your ID proof, and a local residence proof.