The Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities came into effect on 1st April 2015. The jurisdiction of the scheme was as such, that it will provide financial support to selected candidates so that they can continue their study in any specific subject they want. Also, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability can change the provisions of the scheme or take it under observation at any time if they wish to.
What are Scholarships for Top Class Education for students with disabilities?
The primary motto of the scheme is to promote quality education among disabled students by providing complete financial support. This scheme will help them to pursue higher education in any discipline from all the institutions notified by the department. According to the Census 2001, the number of students with disabilities pursuing higher education is much lower compared to the general population. This scholarship will encourage students with visual, hearing, locomotor, speech, and mental disabilities to go ahead with higher education and grow more.
Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Scholarship Name | Scholarships for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities 2023 |
| Offered By | Central government of India |
| Ministry | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities |
| Objective of Scheme | To promote literacy in disabled students |
| Beneficiary | Person with disabilities |
| Official Website | https://scholarships.gov.in/ |
Who is eligible to receive the scholarship?
Apart from being an Indian Citizen, there are a few more eligibility conditions for the students who want to avail this scholarship.
Disability Criteria: Persons applying for this scholarship must have all the necessary documents issued by verified medical authorities. The condition of the disability should be 40% or more than that.
The course of Study: The students pursuing distance education or any part-time courses won’t be able to come under the scheme. Scholarships under the scheme will be provided to the students studying under a full-time course to obtain a postgraduate degree or diploma from the institutions mentioned in the notification.
Income: The income of the candidate or his/her parents must be below 600000/- per annum inclusive of all sources. A legitimate income certificate needs to be attached along with the application. Students receiving any other scholarship under any scheme of Govt of India will not be eligible to apply.
Other Details: only two children of the same parents will be eligible for the award unless the second or third children are twins. Any individual can be awarded only once, for the second or subsequent time they will not be considered.
Who has been notified as to the minor communities under this Scholarship?
Every year 160 scholarships are to be sanctioned and distributed among the states and UTs. 50% of the seats will be reserved for women. The number of slots will be provided to the states based on the percentage of the population as per Census 2011 data. However, if the slots remain unutilized or vacant any eligible candidate can be selected to utilize them.
Scholarship Amount for 2023
| Components | Allowance per awardee |
| Tuition fees & non-refundable charges payable to the institution | Upto Rs.2 lakh/ Annum at actual. |
| Maintenance Allowance | Rs.3000/Month for hostellers Rs.1500/Month for day-scholars |
| Special allowance like reader allowance, escort allowance, etc. | Rs.2000/Month |
| Books & Stationary | Rs.5000/Annum |
| Expenses for Computer & Accessories Purchase | Rs.30000/- for each awardee as a one-time payment for the entire course |
| Expense for aids and assistive device purchase for selected candidates | Rs.30000/- for each awardee as a one-time payment for the entire course |
The assistive devices & aids which are included in the scheme are braille typewriter, laptop with screen reading software, talk software for mobile phone, and Daisy Recorder and player for blind or low visioned candidates. For hearing-impaired candidates, it includes a binaural digital programmable hearing aid, cell phone with an SMS SIM card, etc.
What selection process would be followed under this Scholarship plan?
the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability will invite applicants through an advertisement on the leading newspaper and their website or other media outfits.
The students applying for the first time
Must submit their applications through the website within the last prescribed date. All the documents need to be duly filled in and uploaded successfully. The concerned institute will verify the details and forward the application to the State Education Department. If a candidate is a permanent resident of one state but studying in another state the resident state will be considered.
The students who want to renew the award will be tenable for the tenure of the course in which he/she has taken admission. It will be renewed every year provided the candidate secures promotion to the next higher class. If the candidate becomes unable to appear in the examination due to any unforeseeable reason the award will be renewed for the next academic year on submitting satisfying proof.
How to apply for the Scholarship Program?
Every year the Government of India posts an advertisement to invite the aspirants to apply for the scholarship through their web portal. Candidates must apply through www.scholarship.gov.in to get started with the process. Then upload all the documents on the portal along with the disability certificate. Then the Bank account details need to be uploaded. After successful verification by the institute, the application will be under the Department for final selection.
Information related to the Bank Account details that would be attached in the Scholarship form
Apart from the non-refundable fees payable to the institution the awarded amount will be disbursed through a designated bank, directly to the bank account of the candidate who has been selected. Therefore it is important to make sure that the bank details are correct before uploading them. However, in case of wrong or mismatched details, the whole scholarship will not be canceled but the amount will not be credited. The required details of a bank account are – Bank Name, Branch Name, Branch IFSC code, Account Number, Account holder’s name having Student’s name as the account holder.
Terms and Conditions
- Female applicants will be given priority for 50% of all available scholarships.
- Typically, the scholarship award will last for two, two, four, five, or however many years are approved for the course in which the applicant has been admitted.
- The award may be renewed for the following academic year if a scholar is unable to take the exam due to illness or another unforeseen circumstance upon presentation of the necessary documentation to the satisfaction of the Head of Institution, including a medical certificate and/or other required proof.
- If they stop studying during the academic year for which the scholarship is awarded, the scholars may be required to repay the scholarship at the discretion of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India.
What documents are required to apply for the Scholarship Form?
- Disability Certificate
- Age proof
- Photograph
- Parent’s income certificate
- Details of Institution
- Last academic qualification
- Bank account details with name of the students
- Aadhar card
- Resident proof
Final words
This is an initiative by Government of India to promote education among everyone including the disabled candidates. It is the responsibility of citizens to keep it a fair process and help the department to gain success in its desired objective.