Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities (Welfare-Based Scheme)
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
Application deadline
31 Oct 2026
Calculating…
Overview
The Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities is a central government scheme run by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It helps students with benchmark disabilities (40% or more) study Graduate or Post-Graduate Degree/Diploma courses at top institutes notified by the Department — such as IITs, IIMs, NITs, AIIMS, National Law Universities and other premier institutions.
To apply you must be an Indian national with a valid disability certificate/UDID, and your family income must not be more than Rs. 8 lakh per year. There are 300 slots each year (including renewals), with 50% reserved for female students.
Selected students get their tuition and admission fees reimbursed up to Rs. 1.90 lakh per year, plus a maintenance allowance (Rs. 3,000/month for hostellers, Rs. 1,500/month for day-scholars), a book allowance of Rs. 5,000/year, and one-time grants of Rs. 45,000 for a computer/laptop and Rs. 30,000 for disability aids and assistive devices.
You apply online through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) with your disability, income and academic documents. The award is given only once in a lifetime and is renewed each year if you pass and move to the next class.
At a glance
| Who can apply | UG, PG |
|---|---|
| Streams | — |
| Category | PwD |
| Age | — |
| Income limit | up to ₹8,00,000 / year |
| Gender | — |
| States | — |
| Benefit / amount | Tuition/admission fees reimbursed up to ₹1.90 lakh per year; maintenance allowance ₹3,000/month (hostellers) or ₹1,500/month (day-scholars); book allowance ₹5,000/year; special allowance ₹2,000/month; one-time grants of ₹45,000 (computer/laptop) and ₹30,000 (disability aids) in the first year. |
| Duration | Full duration of the course, renewed yearly on promotion to the next class (award given only once in a lifetime). |
| Renewable | Yes |
| Last date | 31 Oct 2026 |
| Opened | — |
Documents you'll need
- Photograph
- Proof of age
- Disability certificate / UDID card (40% or more)
- Parental income certificate
- Tuition fee receipt
- Last academic qualification certificate
- Aadhaar (for biometric authentication and DBT)
How you're selected
Merit-based on percentage of disability shown in the disability certificate; ties broken by age (older candidate preferred). Slots (300/year including renewals, 50% for female candidates) are distributed state-wise; final selection through the National Scholarship Portal.
FAQs
Who can apply? Indian students with a benchmark disability (40% or more, shown by a valid disability certificate or UDID) who are pursuing a Graduate or Post-Graduate Degree/Diploma at an institute notified by the DEPwD. Family income must be within Rs. 8 lakh per year.
How much money do I get? Tuition and admission fees are reimbursed up to Rs. 1.90 lakh per year. You also get a maintenance allowance (Rs. 3,000/month for hostellers, Rs. 1,500/month for day-scholars), a book allowance of Rs. 5,000/year, a special allowance of Rs. 2,000/month (reader/escort/helper), plus one-time grants of Rs. 45,000 for a laptop/computer and Rs. 30,000 for disability aids in the first year.
What is the last date? For the 2026-27 cycle the National Scholarship Portal shows applications open until 31 October 2026. Always confirm on the official portal before applying, as dates can change.
How do I apply? Apply online at the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in). Upload your photograph, proof of age, disability certificate/UDID, parental income certificate, tuition fee receipt and last academic qualification certificate. Your institute and the State nodal officer then verify your application.
Can I renew it? Yes. The award is renewed each year for the length of your course, as long as you keep good conduct, attendance and get promoted to the next class. Note the scholarship can be awarded to a person only once in a lifetime.
Are there limited seats? Yes. There are only 300 slots a year (including renewals), 50% reserved for female candidates, so meeting the eligibility rules alone does not guarantee the scholarship. Selection is based mainly on percentage of disability.