Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities

The registration for the Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities is open. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is 31st October 2025. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India provides this scholarship to support higher education among Students with Disabilities (SwDs).

The scheme provides full financial assistance for pursuing diploma, graduate and postgraduate in any discipline at premier institutions such as IITs, IIMs, and NITs, along with other institutions notified as Institutes of Excellence by the concerned Department or Ministry. Every year, 300 scholarships are awarded. To ensure inclusivity, 50% of these scholarships are reserved for female candidates.

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities – Important Dates

Particulars	Details
Scheme Open from	25th June, 2025
Student Application Open till	31st October, 2025
Defective Application Verification Open till	15th November, 2025
Institute Verification Open till	15th November, 2025
DNO/SNO/MNO Verification Open till	30th November, 2025

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities – Eligibility criteria

Only students who fulfill these criteria can access the benefits of the Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities:

Applicants must be an Indian national
Applicants must have a benchmark disability of 40% or more (as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016) with a valid disability certificate
A UDID card or enrollment number is required
The scheme is only for graduate and postgraduate degree/diploma courses in Institutes of Excellence notified by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Annual family income should not exceed ₹8,00,000
A student can receive this scholarship only once (not admissible for repeat or second-time award)
Scholarship is not available for distance, part-time, or weekend courses
Maximum two children with disabilities from the same parents can avail benefits (both allowed if they are twins)
Applicants must not be availing any other scholarship/stipend at the same time

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities – Scholarship Amount

The scheme provides comprehensive financial assistance to cover academic fees, allowances, and support for aids and assistive devices. The details of the scholarship amount are as follows:

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities: Amount Bifurcation

Component	Amount
Reimbursement of admission and tuition fees	Up to ₹1.90 lakh per annum
Miscellaneous allowances (library, sports, medical, and other compulsory fees)	Up to ₹10,000 per annum
Computer/laptop with accessories	₹45,000 (one-time grant, in the first year)
Aids and assistive devices	₹30,000 (one-time grant, in the first year)
Maintenance allowance	₹3,000 per month (hostellers) ₹1,500 per month (day scholars)
Special allowances (reader, escort, helper, etc., depending on type of disability)	₹2,000 per month
Book allowance	₹5,000 per annum

Note:- The aids and assistive devices for the following categories may include:

For the Blind/Low Vision:

Braille 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

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities 2025 – Specified Disabilities

Only students with the following benchmark disabilities (40% or more, as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016) are eligible under this scheme:

Blindness
Low vision
Leprosy cured persons
Hearing impairment (deaf and hard of hearing)
Locomotor disability
Dwarfism
Intellectual disability
Mental illness
Autism spectrum disorder
Cerebral palsy
Muscular dystrophy
Chronic neurological conditions (such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease)
Specific learning disabilities
Speech and language disability
Thalassemia
Hemophilia
Sickle cell disease
Acid attack victims
Multiple disabilities

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities – Requirement of Aadhaar and Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID)

Applying for this scholarship requires certain identity verifications to ensure authenticity and smooth disbursal of benefits. Aadhaar and the Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) play a central role in this process.

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) has designated Aadhaar as the valid identity document under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016. As part of the application process, candidates may be required to complete Aadhaar-based biometric authentication.
To access the benefits of the scholarship, applicants must either possess a Unique Disability Identity Card (UDID) or have completed the UDID enrollment process.

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities – Selection Process

The scholarship follows a structured application and selection process to ensure transparency and equal access:

Applications for this scholarship are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal. Candidates must apply before the deadline and upload required documents.
The educational institution must also be registered on the portal and verify the student’s details. A state-appointed nodal officer reviews applications and forwards them for approval. The final list is digitally signed in the Public Finance Management System (PFMS) to enable fund transfer.
If a student is from one state but studying in another, their application must be recommended by the education/welfare department of their home state.
Scholarship slots are distributed among states based on the number of applications received and the percentage of the population with disabilities. Selection is done through NSP, mainly on the basis of percentage of disability mentioned in the certificate. For specific learning disabilities, 40% and above is considered. In case of a tie, preference goes to the older candidate.

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities – Terms & Conditions

To maintain fairness and accountability, the scheme has specific conditions regarding conduct, course changes, and discontinuation. These rules ensure that only genuine and deserving students continue to receive the benefits.

Scholarship obtained with false information will be cancelled, and the student may have to refund the amount. Such students will be blacklisted permanently.
If a student changes their course or subject, the scholarship can be withdrawn.
If a student discontinues studies, a refund of scholarship may be required.
Maintenance allowance is paid from April or the month of admission (whichever is later) until the end of exams for that academic year.
Renewal cases start from the month after the previous year’s scholarship ended.
Scholarships are not provided during internships or training if the student is already receiving any payment for it.
Good conduct and regular attendance are mandatory. Misconduct, strikes, or irregular attendance may lead to cancellation or withholding of funds.

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities – Duration and Renewal

The scholarship continues until the completion of the course, provided the student maintains good conduct and regular attendance. Renewal is granted each year if the student is promoted to the next class.

If a student fails once, the scholarship may still be renewed. For repeated failures, renewal is not allowed until the student passes.
If a student misses exams due to illness or unforeseen reasons, renewal is possible with valid proof such as a medical certificate.
If promoted by university rules despite not passing, the scholarship continues in the higher class.

Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities – Important Documents

Photo of the applicant
Certificate of previous academic marksheet
Fee receipt for the current course year
Certificate for age verification
The income certificate of the family
Bank account details
Disability Certificate

How to Apply for Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities?

The scholarship scheme will be administered through the National Scholarship Portal, and the scholarship funds will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries using the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Steps for filling out the Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities application form are as follows:

Step 1: Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

Step 2: First-time applicants must register on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) through the new registration option. After completing the form and submitting it, a unique student application ID and password will be generated and sent to the registered mobile number.

Step 3: Applicants must log in to NSP using the generated ID and password.

Step 4: Open the application form to begin the process by going to the “Apply for Scholarship” section.

Step 5: Applicants should enter all required details, including academic information, personal information, contact details, and scheme-specific data.

Step 6: Applicants must upload the necessary supporting documents in the prescribed format.

Step 7: Once the form and documents are reviewed, applicants must click “Submit” to complete the application process.

Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities – FAQs

Who is eligible for this scholarship?

Applicants must be Indian nationals with a benchmark disability of 40% or more, possess a valid disability certificate, UDID card or enrollment number, and have an annual family income not exceeding ₹8,00,000. The scholarship is for graduate and postgraduate courses in Institutes of Excellence only.

Can a student apply for this scholarship more than once?

No, a student can receive this scholarship only once. Repeat applications or awards are not allowed.

Are distance or part-time courses eligible under this scheme?

No, students who are enrolled in distance, part-time, and weekend courses are not eligible to apply for the Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities.

How much financial support does this scholarship provide?

The scholarship covers tuition fees up to ₹1.90 lakh per year, miscellaneous allowances up to ₹10,000 per year, maintenance allowance (₹3,000 per month for hostellers, ₹1,500 for day scholars), book allowance of ₹5,000 per year, computer/laptop grant of ₹45,000 (one-time), aids and assistive devices of ₹30,000 (one-time), and special allowances up to ₹2,000 per month.

Is Aadhaar or UDID mandatory for applying?

Yes, applicants must have an Aadhaar card for identity verification and either a UDID card or proof of UDID enrollment to access the scholarship.

How are applications selected?

Selection is mainly based on the percentage of disability. For specific learning disabilities, 40% or above is considered. In case of a tie, preference is given to older applicants. Applications are submitted online through NSP and verified by the institution and state authorities.

What documents are required to apply?

Applicants must submit a photo, previous academic marksheet, current year fee receipt, age certificate, family income certificate, bank account details, and disability certificate.