AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students

AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students is a Central Government scholarship programme operated by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to support specially abled students pursuing technical education in AICTE-approved institutions. Under this scheme, eligible students with a minimum 40% disability can receive ₹50,000 yearly financial assistance through DBT to continue Degree and Diploma technical courses without major financial difficulties.

Introduction of AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students: A Brief Insight

The AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students is an important Central Government scholarship programme operated by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. The scheme started from the academic year 2014-15 to encourage specially abled students to pursue technical education in AICTE-approved institutions and build better career opportunities through professional learning.

Under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students, eligible students with a minimum 40% disability can receive ₹50,000 yearly lump sum financial assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The scholarship helps students manage educational expenses related to college fees, books, stationery, software, computer, internet, equipment, and other study-related requirements. Unlike several other scholarship programmes, the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students currently provides benefits to all eligible students fulfilling the prescribed conditions instead of operating through fixed seat competition.

The scheme supports students pursuing AICTE-approved Degree and Diploma technical courses through the regular mode. First-year students as well as lateral entry students admitted in the second year can also apply under the scholarship scheme. AICTE conducts verification through institutions and the State/UT Department of Technical Education before releasing scholarship assistance directly into the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

Applicants must carefully complete the online application process through the National Scholarship Portal and upload a valid Disability Certificate issued by the Competent Authority because incorrect disability proof or non-AICTE-approved institution details may lead to rejection during verification.

Students looking for other AICTE scholarship opportunities may also explore the AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students, which supports female students pursuing technical education. Similarly, students facing severe family hardship conditions can also check the AICTE Swanath Scholarship Scheme operated by AICTE.

Apart from this scholarship, students can also explore various education, employment, internship, women empowerment, pension, and welfare programmes available under the Government of India through our All Central Government Schemes List.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

Eligible students selected under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students receive financial support to continue technical education in AICTE-approved institutions.

• ₹50,000 yearly lump sum scholarship assistance
• Financial support available for Degree and Diploma technical courses
• Scholarship provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
• All eligible specially abled students can receive scholarship benefits without fixed seat competition
• Support available for the purchase of a computer, software, books, stationery, and study materials
• Lateral entry students can also receive scholarship benefits
• Degree students can receive a scholarship for a maximum of 4 years
• Diploma students can receive a scholarship for a maximum of 3 years
• Scholarship amount transferred directly into Aadhaar-seeded bank account
• No separate documentary proof is required for educational expenses covered under the scholarship

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

Applicants must fulfil all eligibility conditions prescribed under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students before submitting the online application.

• Applicant must be a specially abled student with minimum 40% disability
• The student must possess a valid Disability Certificate issued by the Competent Authority
• Applicant should take admission in an AICTE-approved Degree or Diploma technical course
• Students admitted in the first year of the Degree or Diploma course can apply
• Students admitted through lateral entry in the second year are also eligible
• Annual family income from all sources should not exceed ₹8 lakh
• The gap between the qualifying examination and admission should not exceed 2 years
• Only students studying in AICTE-approved institutions are eligible
• Applicants should study through the regular mode only
• Students already receiving any Central Government, State Government, or AICTE scholarship are not eligible
• PMSSS beneficiaries cannot apply under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students
• Students pursuing non-technical, postgraduate, or dual degree courses are not eligible

Documents Required to be Attached

Applicants must upload valid documents while submitting the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme application on the National Scholarship Portal.

For Fresh Degree Applicants

• 10th certificate and marksheet
• 12th certificate and marksheet
• Aadhaar Card
• Disability Certificate issued by the Competent Authority
• Current year income certificate
• Study/Bonafide Certificate
• Admission proof
• Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook
• Category certificate, if applicable

For Fresh Diploma Applicants

• 10th certificate and marksheet
• Aadhaar Card
• Disability Certificate issued by the Competent Authority
• Current year income certificate
• Study/Bonafide Certificate
• Admission proof
• Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook
• Category certificate, if applicable

For Diploma Lateral Entry Applicants

• ITI certificate and marksheet
• Lateral entry admission proof
• Disability Certificate
• Income certificate
• Aadhaar Card
• Bank account details

For Degree Lateral Entry Applicants

• Diploma certificate and marksheet
• Lateral entry admission proof
• Disability Certificate
• Income certificate
• Aadhaar Card
• Bank account details

For Renewal Application

• Previous academic year marksheet
• Promotion Certificate
• Bonafide Certificate from the institution
• Updated bank account details, if required

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

Eligible students can apply for the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students through the National Scholarship Portal. Applicants should carefully select the correct Degree or Diploma variant while filling out the NSP application form.

Step 1: Visit the official National Scholarship Portal at https://scholarships.gov.in/.

Step 2: Complete One Time Registration (OTR) using Aadhaar number and mobile OTP.

Step 3: Log in using the generated Student ID and password.

Step 4: Select the appropriate AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students category according to your course type.

Step 5: Fill in personal details, disability details, academic information, institution details, income details, and bank account information carefully.

Step 6: Upload all required documents, including Disability Certificate, income certificate, Aadhaar Card, academic marksheets, bonafide certificate, and Aadhaar-seeded bank passbook.

Step 7: Verify all entered details carefully and click on Final Submit. Students should keep the Application ID safe for future tracking and the renewal process.

Step 8: The host institution verifies the online application at Level 1 verification on NSP.

Step 9: The Department of Technical Education (DTE) of the concerned State/UT conducts Level 2 verification.

Step 10: AICTE processes verified applications and releases the scholarship amount directly into the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account through DBT.

Students should ensure that the Disability Certificate clearly mentions minimum 40% disability and the institution possesses valid AICTE approval because incorrect disability proof or non-approved institutions may lead to direct rejection of the application.

Why Your AICTE Saksham Scholarship Application May Get Rejected

AICTE and NSP verify every application carefully before releasing the scholarship. Students should be aware of the following rejection reasons before submitting the application :

Direct Application Rejection Reasons

• Student admitted in a non-technical course or a course not approved by AICTE in the current academic year
• College/University not approved by AICTE in the current academic year
• Incomplete or wrong information in the application form
• Student admitted to dual degree courses
• The student is already receiving a scholarship from another source
• Student admitted to postgraduate courses
• Disability Certificate not enclosed OR not issued by Competent Authority – this is unique to Saksham and the most common rejection reason

Income Certificate Rejection Reasons

• Current year income certificate not submitted – old year certificate rejected
• Certificate not in the name of the applicant or any family member
• Certificate issued by an authority other than the Tehsildar/Magistrate/Revenue Officer/Block Development Officer
• Certificate submitted without a signature or an official stamp of the competent authority

Promotion Certificate Rejection Reasons

• An incomplete or blank promotion certificate was submitted
• Submitted without a college stamp or the signature of the Principal/Director

HSC/SSC Certificate Rejection Reasons

• The certificate copy is blurred or not accessible
• Certificate not in the name of the applicant
• Irrelevant document attached in place of HSC/SSC certificate

Important: The Disability Certificate rejection is unique to the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme. Applicants must ensure the certificate clearly states minimum 40% disability and is issued by a Government-recognised Competent Authority.

Important Links Available

• Apply Online for AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme through NSP
• AICTE Official Website
• AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme Diploma Guidelines
• AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme Degree Guidelines
• AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme Official FAQ

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• AICTE Helpline Number: 011-29581118
• AICTE Saksham Scholarship Email ID: saksham@aicte-india.org
• NSP Helpdesk Email ID: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in
• AICTE Address: Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi – 110070

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Who can apply under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. Specially abled students having minimum 40% disability and studying in AICTE-approved Degree or Diploma technical courses can apply under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students.

Q. How much financial assistance is provided under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. Eligible students receive ₹50,000 per year as a lump sum scholarship assistance through DBT.

Q. Is there any fixed scholarship seat limit under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. No, all eligible specially abled students fulfilling the prescribed conditions can receive scholarship benefits under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students.

Q. Is Disability Certificate mandatory for the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. Yes, applicants must upload a valid Disability Certificate issued by the Competent Authority showing minimum 40% disability.

Q. Can Diploma students apply under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. Yes, students pursuing AICTE-approved Diploma technical courses are eligible under the scheme.

Q. Can lateral entry students apply under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. Yes, eligible students taking admission through lateral entry in the second year can also apply.

Q. Is there any income limit under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. Yes, annual family income from all sources should not exceed ₹8 lakh.

Q. Can students receiving another scholarship apply under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. No, students already receiving any Central Government, State Government, or AICTE scholarship are not eligible.

Q. What type of bank account is required for the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. Students must use an Aadhaar-seeded General Savings Account in their own name. FRILL account, joint account, and minor account are not accepted.

Q. What is the official website of the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students?

Ans. The official AICTE website is https://www.aicte.gov.in/.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.