Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Benchmark Disabilities is a Central Sector scholarship programme operated by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The scholarship supports students with benchmark disabilities pursuing studies after Class X, including higher secondary education, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, technical, and professional courses.

Students with disabilities often face financial and accessibility-related challenges while pursuing higher education. Educational expenses such as tuition fees, study materials, transportation, hostel charges, assistive support, and examination fees create additional burdens for disabled students and their families. To improve access to higher education and encourage continuation of studies beyond secondary school, the Government of India introduced the Post-Matric Scholarship scheme for students with benchmark disabilities.

The Post Matric Scholarship for disabled students provides financial support to eligible students, enabling them to continue their academic and professional education without financial barriers. Assistance is provided in the form of a maintenance allowance, a disability allowance, reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees, and an annual book allowance. Scholarship benefits are transferred directly to the bank account of the beneficiary through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The scholarship is available for eligible Indian students with benchmark disabilities of 40% or more. Students pursuing recognised post-matriculation or post-secondary courses from approved institutions are eligible to apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2026 application forms are likely to be available from June. Applicants are also required to obtain a Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, which acts as a common disability identification document for accessing government welfare schemes and scholarship benefits.

Under the Post-Matric Disability Scholarship Scheme, 50% of the total scholarship slots are reserved for girl students to promote inclusive and equal educational opportunities. Every year, 17,000 scholarships are sanctioned under the scheme across the country. The initiative plays a major role in improving higher education participation among persons with disabilities and promoting educational empowerment and social inclusion. Along with this scholarship, the department also provides the Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.

Scheme Benefits

• Financial assistance is provided to students pursuing higher secondary, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional courses.
• Students receive a maintenance allowance for educational and living expenses.
• Disability allowance is provided according to the type of disability.
• Compulsory non-refundable educational fees are reimbursed under the scheme.
• Students receive an annual book allowance for study-related expenses.
• Scholarship amount is credited directly into the beneficiary's bank account through DBT mode.
• The scheme encourages students with disabilities to pursue higher education and professional studies.

Scholarship Amount and Rates

Under the Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Benchmark Disabilities, eligible students receive a maintenance allowance, disability allowance, reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees, and annual book allowance. The maintenance allowance differs according to the course group and whether the student is a hosteller or a day scholar.

The maximum fee reimbursement allowed under the scheme is Rs. 1.50 lakh per annum for compulsory non-refundable fees. Along with this, students also receive an annual book allowance and disability-related assistance as per scheme guidelines.

Maintenance Allowance Rates

Disability Allowance Rates

Note: The book allowance provided under the scholarship is Rs 1500/- per annum.

Course Groups Under the Scholarship Scheme

The Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Benchmark Disabilities divides eligible courses into four different groups for determining maintenance allowance rates. The details of course groups covered under the scheme are provided below:

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
• Applicant must have a benchmark disability of 40% or more certified by a competent authority under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
• Students pursuing Class XI, XII, diploma, certificate, undergraduate, postgraduate, technical, professional, correspondence, or distance education courses from recognised institutions are eligible.
• Annual income of parents or guardians from all sources should not exceed Rs. 2.5 lakh.
• Applicants are required to possess a valid UDID Card or complete UDID registration.
• Only two children with disabilities from the same parents are eligible under the scheme, except in the case of twins.
• Students pursuing recognised professional or technical courses after undergraduate studies may also apply if otherwise eligible.
• Students studying through recognised correspondence or distance education courses are also eligible under the scheme.
• Employed students whose combined income, along with parents or guardians, remains within the prescribed income limit may also apply for reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Students having a benchmark disability below 40% are not eligible under the scheme.
• Applicants whose annual parental or guardian income exceeds Rs. 2.5 lakh are not eligible.
• Students receiving another scholarship or stipend simultaneously cannot avail benefits under this scheme.
• Scholarship for a particular class or course is available only once. Students repeating the same class are not eligible for a scholarship again for that class.
• Students pursuing two different courses simultaneously can avail a scholarship for only one course.
• Candidates studying the same stage of education in a different subject, such as B.Com after B.A., are not eligible under the scheme.
• Scholarships are not awarded for courses such as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Courses, Private Pilot License Courses, Training Ship courses, and Pre-Examination Training Centre courses.
• Students receiving a stipend or allowance during an internship or practical training period are not eligible for scholarship payment for that duration.

Scholarship Distribution and Merit Criteria

Selection of beneficiaries under the Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Benchmark Disabilities is carried out based on merit, availability of scholarship slots, and reservation guidelines prescribed under the scheme.

• A total of 17,000 scholarships are sanctioned every year under the scheme across India.
• 50% of the total scholarship slots are reserved for female students.
• If sufficient eligible girl applicants are not available, the remaining slots may be allotted to male students.
• Selection is made according to the number of scholarship slots allocated to each State and Union Territory.
• Preference is given to students securing higher marks in the qualifying examination.
• In case two students secure equal marks, preference is given to the applicant with a higher percentage of disability.
• If the tie continues, the older applicant is given preference.

Required Documents

• Aadhaar Card
• UDID Card or Disability Certificate
• Income Certificate
• Passport Size Photograph
• Previous Academic Marksheet
• Tuition Fee Receipt
• Admission Proof
• Bank Account Details
• Mobile Number
• Residence Proof

Steps to Apply

Eligible students can apply for the Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Benchmark Disabilities through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Applicants must complete One-Time Registration (OTR) before submitting the scholarship application form online.

Step 1: Visit the NSP Portal

Students need to visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) website to begin the scholarship application process.

Step 2: Complete One-Time Registration (OTR)

Applicants must complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process on the NSP portal using their Aadhaar-linked details. After successful registration, the system generates an OTR number.

Step 3: Login Using OTR Credentials

After obtaining the OTR number, students need to log in to the National Scholarship Portal using their registered credentials.

Step 4: Select the Scholarship Scheme

Applicants should select the "Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Benchmark Disabilities" scheme from the available scholarship list.

Step 5: Fill the Online Application Form

Students must carefully enter personal details, academic information, disability details, bank account information, and other required information in the application form.

Step 6: Upload Required Documents

Applicants need to upload all necessary documents, such as UDID Card, disability certificate, income certificate, photograph, marksheet, fee receipt, and bank details in PDF format.

Step 7: Verify and Submit the Application

Students should review all details carefully before the final submission. After verification, the application form should be submitted online within the prescribed application schedule.

Step 8: Institute and State Verification

After submission, the educational institution and State Nodal Officer verify the application and uploaded documents online through the NSP system.

Step 9: Check Application Status

Applicants can track and check the scholarship application status online through the National Scholarship Portal dashboard.

Steps to Apply for UDID Card

Students applying for the Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Benchmark Disabilities are required to obtain a Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card. The UDID card acts as a common disability identity document for availing government scholarships, welfare schemes, and disability-related benefits.

Step 1: Visit the UDID Portal: Applicants need to visit the official UDID portal to begin the online registration process.

Step 2: Apply for UDID Card: Students should click on the "Apply for UDID Card" option and complete the online registration form using personal and disability-related details.

Step 3: Upload Required Documents: Applicants need to upload important documents such as Aadhaar Card, photograph, address proof, and disability certificate.

Step 4: Submit the Application: After verifying all entered details, students should submit the UDID application form online.

Step 5: Verification by Medical Authority: The concerned medical authority verifies the disability details and supporting documents submitted by the applicant.

Step 6: Download and Receive UDID Card: After successful verification, applicants can download the digital UDID Card online. The physical UDID card is also dispatched to the applicant's registered address.

Step 7: Track Application Status: Students can track and check the UDID application status online through the official UDID portal.

Scholarship Renewal Rules

The Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Benchmark Disabilities can be renewed every academic year, subject to satisfactory academic performance, regular attendance, and fulfilment of scheme conditions. Students must continue their studies in the approved course to receive renewal benefits.

• Scholarship renewal is allowed from year to year during the continuous duration of the course.
• Students must secure promotion to the next higher class for renewal of scholarship benefits.
• Students pursuing Group I courses may receive renewal even after failing the examination for the first time.
• In case of second or subsequent failure, students will have to bear their own educational expenses until promotion to the next class.
• If a student is unable to appear in the examination due to illness or unforeseen circumstances, scholarship renewal may be allowed after submission of valid supporting documents.
• Students promoted to the next class under institutional rules may continue receiving scholarship benefits if otherwise eligible.
• Scholarship may be cancelled in case of misconduct, irregular attendance, false information, or discontinuation of studies.

Relevant Links

• Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Online Application
• NSP One-Time Registration (OTR)
• National Scholarship Portal Login
• Post-Matric Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities Application Status
• Online Application Link for UDID
• Track UDID Application Status
• Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Notification
• National Scholarship Portal
• Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

Contact Information

• National Scholarship Helpline Number: 0120-6619540
• NSP Email Helpdesk: [email protected]