Top Class Education For Students With Disabilities 2026

This scholarship supports students with disabilities in pursuing full-time higher education courses in recognized institutions across India. Read More... Read less

Details

For students with disabilities in India, pursuing higher education can often come with extra challenges. Recognizing this, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DoEPwDs) has launched the 'Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities' scheme. It aims to provide financial assistance so that deserving students can complete their studies in top institutions and build a successful future.

What Is This Scheme?

This is a scholarship program designed by the DoEPwDs specifically for students who have disabilities. It helps them fund their studies in full-time degree or diploma courses offered by 'notified institutions' in India, after they have completed Class 12. The scheme covers various types of disabilities as defined under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, including visual, hearing, speech, locomotor, intellectual disabilities, and others. The goal is to remove educational barriers and help these students gain skills for employment and a dignified life.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is for students who have a disability of 40% or more. They must be pursuing a graduate, postgraduate, or diploma course on a full-time basis in a college or institute that has been 'notified' under this scheme. Their family's annual income should not exceed ₹6 Lakh. An important condition is that the student should not be the third sibling in their family to receive this scholarship.

Why This Scheme Is Important

Many bright students with disabilities face significant physical, financial, and psychological hurdles in continuing their education. This scheme steps in to bridge that gap. By covering costs like tuition, living expenses, and essential study materials, it ensures that financial constraints don't stop them from achieving their academic and career goals. It's a crucial step towards equal opportunity and empowering individuals with disabilities to contribute fully to society.

Objective

This scholarship supports students with disabilities in pursuing full-time higher education courses in recognized institutions across India.

Benefits

Payment ofFull tuition feeand non-refundable charges (Ceiling of ₹ 2.00 LPA per student for private sector institutions)

Living expenses: ₹ 3000/- per month per student.

Books and stationery: ₹ 5000/- per annum per student.

Acomputer/laptopwith accessories (UPS and printer) is limited to ₹ 30,000/- per student (one-time assistance).

Reimbursement of expenses for the purchase ofAids and Assistive Devicesincluding necessary software related to the particular disability of the selected candidate: ₹ 30,000/- per student (one-time assistance).

Special Allowance(related to types of disabilities like Reader Allowance, Escort Allowance, Helper Allowance etc.): ₹ 2000/- per month.

The aids and assistive devices may include:For the blind I low vision:

Braille / Brailer Typewriter

Laptop with screen-reading software

Laptop with Screen Magnification software

Talk software for mobile phone accessibility

DAISY Recorder and player

For the hearing impaired:

Binaural digital programmable hearing aid with provision for button cells.

Cell phone with SMS SIM Card

Laptop with WiFi (Bluetooth) facility.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

You must be enrolled in a full-time course at an institution notified under this scheme.
Your disability percentage must be 40% or higher.
You should be studying for a Graduate or Postgraduate Degree, or a Diploma course.
The total annual income of your parents or guardian must be ₹6 Lakh or less.
You cannot be the third sibling in your family to be receiving this scholarship.

How To Apply

Applications for this scholarship are accepted online. You need to visit the official scholarship portal to apply.

Visit the National Scholarship Portal at https://scholarships.gov.in/.
Register yourself and fill out the application form carefully.
Upload all the required documents.
Submit the application before the deadline.

Documents Required

Proof of income (Income Certificate).
Proof of residence (Domicile Certificate).
Mark sheets or degree certificate of your last passed examination.
Receipt for the fees paid for the current academic year.
Bank account details (applicant's or parent/guardian's).
Aadhaar Number.
Bonafide Student Certificate from your school or institute.
A recent colour photograph of yourself.
Disability Certificate issued by a competent authority.
Declaration Certificate from the Head of Department (HoD) or competent authority of your university/institute.

FAQ’s

Can I apply for this scholarship if my two siblings are already receiving it?

No, you are not eligible if two of your siblings are already beneficiaries of this scholarship.

How will my tuition fees be paid?

Your tuition fees and non-refundable charges will be paid directly to the institution where you are studying.

Is there a limit to how long the scholarship benefits last?

Yes, the scholarship benefits are provided throughout the entire duration of your course, provided you meet the conditions.

What is the method for receiving the scholarship amount?

The scholarship amount will be credited directly to your bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

What happens if multiple students have the same marks for the last available seat?

In such a situation, the student whose parents or guardian have a lower annual income will be given preference.

Will I lose my scholarship if I don't get promoted to the next semester?

Yes, if you fail to get promoted to the next semester, the scholarship will be terminated.

Are there any reserved seats for girls under this scheme?

Yes, 30% of the total scholarship slots are reserved for girl students.

Can I submit my application for the scholarship offline?

No, applications can only be submitted online through the official portal at https://scholarships.gov.in/.

Is there any charge to apply for this scholarship?

No, the entire application process for this scholarship is completely free of charge.

Do I have to complete my scholarship application in a single session?

You do not need to finish the application in one go. You can save your progress as a draft and complete it later before the submission deadline.

How can I check if my scholarship application has been processed?

You can track the status of your application anytime by logging into your Applicant Dashboard on the portal and clicking on the 'Track Status' option.

What are the rules for the size and format of documents I need to upload?

Documents must be in .pdf or .jpeg format. Each document should not exceed 200 kb in size.

When is a Bonafide Certificate from my institute required?

A Bonafide Certificate from your institute is necessary if your institute is located in a different state or union territory than your own domicile state or union territory.

How can I identify mandatory fields in the application form?

Mandatory fields are clearly marked with a red asterisk (*) symbol at the end.