About:

The "Scholarship For Top-Class Education For Students With Disabilities" is a significant initiative by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Here's a breakdown of the eligible courses, eligibility criteria, and scholarship amounts:

Eligible Courses:

This scholarship is for students pursuing full-time Graduate and Post Graduate Degree or Diploma courses in Institutes of Excellence in Education as notified by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. This includes premier institutions across India such as IITs, IIMs, NITs, and other notified centers of excellence.

It's essential to note that scholarships under this scheme do not apply to distance learning, part-time, or weekend courses.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for this scholarship, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Citizenship: Must be an Indian citizen.
• Disability: Must have a benchmark disability of 40% or more, as defined in the "Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016." A valid disability certificate issued by the competent authority is required. A Unique Disability Identity (UDID) or UDID enrolment number, along with the Disability Certificate, is also mandatory.
• Admission: Must have secured admission in a full-time Graduate/Postgraduate Degree or Diploma course in one of the 'notified institutions'.

• Family Income: The total annual income of the candidate and/or his/her parents/guardians from all sources should not exceed ?6,00,000/- (Rupees Six Lakh only) per annum. A copy of the latest tax assessment and the latest monthly salary slip from the employer is required.

• Number of Siblings: Not more than two disabled children of the same parents/guardians will be eligible to receive benefits under this scheme. However, if the second child is a twin, both may be admissible for the scholarship.

• Other Scholarships: A scholarship holder under this scheme cannot concurrently hold any other scholarship/stipend. If a student accepts another scholarship/stipend, the "Top-Class Education" scholarship will be terminated.

• Academic Performance: The scholarship will be terminated if the student fails to get promoted to the next semester/year.

• One-time award: The awardee can only be considered for the award once for the entire course duration.

Scholarship Amount (Financial Assistance):

The scholarship aims to provide full financial support and typically includes the following components:

• Reimbursement of tuition fees and non-refundable charges: Up to ?2,00,000/- per annum (subject to the actual amount paid/payable to the institution).

• Maintenance Allowance:

  • ?3,000/- per month for hostellers.
  • ?1,500/- per month for day scholars.

• Special Allowances: ?2,000/- per month (related to types of disabilities like reader allowance, escort allowance, helper allowance, etc.).

• Books & Stationery: ?5,000/- per annum.

• Reimbursement of expenses for the purchase of a computer/laptop with accessories (UPS and printer): Up to ?45,000/- as a one-time grant in the first year of the course. (Students need to submit bills/receipts as proof of purchase).

• Reimbursement of expenses for the purchase of Aids and Assistive Devices (including necessary software related to the particular disability): Up to ?30,000/- as a one-time grant in the first year of the course. (Reimbursement is based on bills/vouchers submitted).