Pragati Scholarship Scheme 2026-2027

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Pragati Scholarship Scheme is a central government scholarship programme implemented by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to support girl students pursuing technical education in India. The scheme has been designed to encourage more female students to enroll in technical degree and diploma courses by providing financial assistance for their educational expenses. Through this initiative, the Government aims to promote women's participation in technical and professional education while reducing the financial burden on families.

Under the AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme, eligible girl students studying in AICTE-approved institutions can receive a scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per year. The financial assistance can be used for various academic expenses, including tuition fees, books, stationery, software, equipment, and the purchase of computers or other study-related resources. The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparent and timely disbursement of funds.

Every year, AICTE awards a total of 10,000 scholarships under the scheme. Out of these, 5,000 scholarships are reserved for students pursuing technical degree courses and another 5,000 scholarships are reserved for students enrolled in technical diploma courses. In addition to the allocated seats, all eligible applicants from selected North-Eastern States and Union Territories are considered for scholarship benefits, helping improve access to technical education in underserved regions.

The scholarship is available to a maximum of two girl children from a family whose annual income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 8 lakh. Students admitted to the first year of a technical degree or diploma programme, as well as those admitted through lateral entry in the second year, can apply for the scheme if they are studying in an AICTE-approved institution. The selection process is conducted based on academic merit and follows state-wise scholarship allocation criteria prescribed by AICTE.

One of the key objectives of the Pragati Scholarship Scheme is to empower women through technical education and create greater opportunities for girls to build successful careers in engineering, technology, architecture, pharmacy, management, and other AICTE-approved disciplines. By reducing financial barriers and encouraging higher education, the scheme helps deserving female students continue their studies and achieve their professional goals without worrying about educational expenses.

Girl students who meet the eligibility conditions can submit their applications online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) during the application period announced by AICTE. Selected students can continue receiving scholarship benefits every year by successfully renewing their applications and maintaining academic progression in their respective courses.

Scheme Benefits

• Selected girl students receive a scholarship of Rs. 50,000 per year under the Pragati Scholarship Scheme.
• The scholarship amount is provided as a lump-sum grant to support higher technical education.
• Technical Degree students can receive scholarship benefits for a maximum of 4 years, while lateral entry degree students can receive benefits for up to 3 years.
• Technical Diploma students can receive scholarship benefits for a maximum of 3 years, while lateral entry diploma students can receive benefits for up to 2 years.
• The financial assistance can be used for educational expenses such as tuition fees, books, stationery, software, laboratory equipment, study materials, and computer purchases.
• The scholarship amount is transferred directly into the beneficiary's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
• A total of 10,000 scholarships are awarded every year, including 5,000 scholarships for technical degree students and 5,000 scholarships for technical diploma students.
• All eligible girl students from selected North-Eastern States and Union Territories are considered for scholarship benefits in addition to the regular scholarship allocation.
• The scheme helps reduce the financial burden on families and encourages girls to pursue technical and professional education in AICTE-approved institutions.

Eligibility Requirements

• Only girl students are eligible to apply.
• A maximum of two girl children from one family can receive scholarship benefits.
• Annual family income from all sources should not exceed Rs. 8 lakh.
• The applicant must be studying in an AICTE-approved institution.
• Degree applicants must be admitted to the first year of a technical degree course or the second year through lateral entry.
• Diploma applicants must be admitted to the first year of a technical diploma course or the second year through lateral entry.
• The gap between passing the qualifying examination and taking admission should not exceed two years.
• The student should not be receiving any other scholarship, stipend, salary, financial assistance, or educational grant from another source during the course period.

Required Documents

• Aadhaar Card.
• Recent Passport Size Photograph.
• Income Certificate issued by the competent authority.
• Admission Letter or Fee Receipt.
• 10th Marksheet and Certificate.
• 12th Marksheet and Certificate (for Degree applicants).
• Diploma Marksheet and Certificate (for Degree Lateral Entry applicants).
• ITI Certificate and Marksheet (for Diploma Lateral Entry applicants).
• Caste Certificate, if applicable.
• Bonafide/Study Certificate (Appendix-I).
• Annual Income Certificate of Family (Appendix-II)
• Parent Declaration Form (Appendix-III).
• Promotion Certificate for Renewal Applications (Appendix-IV).
• Bank Account Details linked with Aadhaar.

Steps to Apply

• Eligible girl students can apply for the Pragati Scholarship Scheme through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
• Before filling the scholarship application form, applicants should keep all required documents, Aadhaar details, bank account information, and educational certificates ready.
• Visit the National Scholarship Portal and click on "New Registration" to create a student account.
• Carefully read the registration guidelines and accept the declaration before proceeding further.
• Fill in the registration form with the required details such as :-
  • State of Domicile.
  • Name of the Student.
  • Date of Birth.
  • Gender.
  • Mobile Number.
  • Email ID.
  • Aadhaar Number.
  • Bank Account Number.
  • Bank IFSC Code.
• After successful registration, a unique Application ID will be generated and sent to the registered mobile number.
• Log in to the National Scholarship Portal using the Application ID and password.
• Select "AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme for Girl Students" from the list of available scholarships.
• Complete the scholarship application form by entering personal details, academic information, institution details, family income details, and bank account information.
• Upload all required documents in the prescribed format and size as specified on the portal.
• Carefully verify all details entered in the application form before final submission.
• Submit the application form and download or print the acknowledgement receipt for future reference.
• The application will first be verified by the educational institution where the student is studying.
• After institution-level verification, the application will be scrutinized by the Department of Technical Education (DTE) of the respective State or Union Territory.
• AICTE will prepare the merit list based on the scheme guidelines and eligible students will be selected for scholarship benefits.
• Selected candidates can check their application status and scholarship details through the National Scholarship Portal.
• Students receiving the scholarship must submit a renewal application through NSP every academic year to continue receiving benefits.

Pragati Scholarship Last Date 2026

The online application process for the AICTE Pragati Scholarship Scheme 2026 commenced on 01 June 2026. Eligible girl students pursuing technical degree or diploma courses in AICTE-approved institutions can submit their scholarship applications through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) until 31 October 2026. Students must ensure that all required details and documents are submitted before the closing date to avoid rejection of the application.

After the application submission deadline, applicants will be given time until 15 November 2026 to rectify and verify any defective applications. Educational institutions must also complete the verification of submitted applications by the same date. Thereafter, the applications will be scrutinized by the District Nodal Officer (DNO), State Nodal Officer (SNO), and Ministry Nodal Officer (MNO), with the final verification process scheduled to be completed by 30 November 2026.

Pragati Scholarship Scheme 2026 Schedule

Selection Procedure

Selection of beneficiaries under the Pragati Scholarship Scheme is carried out purely based on merit in the qualifying examination. AICTE prepares separate state-wise merit lists for Technical Degree and Technical Diploma courses according to the number of scholarship seats allocated to each State and Union Territory. The detailed selection criteria for Degree and Diploma students are as follows :- 

For Technical Degree Courses

• Selection is based on merit in the qualifying examination (10+2 or equivalent).
• A state-wise merit list is prepared according to the scholarship seats allocated to each State and Union Territory.
• If two candidates obtain the same marks, preference is given to the student with higher marks in Class 10.
• If the tie still continues, the older candidate is ranked higher.

For Technical Diploma Courses

• Selection is based on merit in the qualifying examination used for admission to the diploma programme.
• For diploma scholarships, Class 10 marks are considered for merit preparation.
• A separate state-wise merit list is prepared.
• If two candidates obtain the same marks, the older candidate receives higher priority.
• If the tie remains unresolved, the candidate with lower annual family income is ranked higher.

Features of the Scheme

• Pragati Scholarship Scheme is an AICTE scholarship for girl students pursuing technical degree and diploma courses.
• A total of 10,000 scholarships are awarded every year, including 5,000 scholarships each for Degree and Diploma students.
• Selected students receive Rs. 50,000 per year as financial assistance.
• The scholarship amount can be used for educational expenses such as fees, books, stationery, software, equipment, and computer purchases.
• The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student's bank account through DBT.
• No separate assistance is provided for hostel or medical expenses.
• Selection is made purely based on merit.
• Reservation benefits are provided as per Government of India norms.
• Students must renew their scholarship every year through the National Scholarship Portal.
• Students who fail, discontinue, or drop out of the course will lose scholarship benefits.
• The scholarship cannot be availed along with any other scholarship or financial assistance scheme.
• The provisional merit list of selected students is published on the AICTE website.
• CGPA is converted into percentage using the formula: CGPA × 9.5.

State-Wise Distribution of Pragati Scholarship Seats

AICTE allocates Pragati Scholarship seats among different States and Union Territories based on the proportion of approved technical seats available in each State. Every year, 5,000 scholarships are reserved for Degree students and 5,000 scholarships are reserved for Diploma students. The state-wise distribution of scholarship seats is given below.

States and Union Territories Where All Eligible Applicants Receive Scholarship

Apart from the regular state-wise allocation, AICTE provides scholarship benefits to all eligible applicants from certain North-Eastern States and Union Territories. Eligible girl students from the following regions are considered for scholarship benefits without being restricted by the fixed state-wise seat allocation.

Important Forms

• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Bonafide/ Study Certificate. (Appendix-I)
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Annual Family Income Certificate. (Appendix-II)
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Parent Declaration. (Appendix-III)
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Promotion Certificate in Case of Renewal. (Appendix-IV)

Relevant Links

• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Online Application Form.
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Registration.
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Login.
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Application Status.
• National Scholarship Portal.
• National Scholarship Portal App.
• All India Council for Technical Education.
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Guidelines for Degree Course.
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Guidelines for Diploma Course.
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Frequently Asked Questions.

Contact Information

• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Helpline Number:- 011-29581118.
• Pragati Scholarship Scheme Helpdesk Email:- [email protected].
• AICTE Help Desk :- 011-26131497.
• AICTE Helpdesk Email :- [email protected].
• National Scholarship Portal Help Desk Number:- 0120-6619540.
• National Scholarship Portal Helpdesk Email:- [email protected].
• Student Development Cell (StDC),
  All India Council for Technical Education
  Vasant Kunj, Nelson Mandela Marg,
  New Delhi- 110070