Saksham Scholarship Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Saksham Scholarship Scheme is a central scholarship programme implemented by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to support differently abled students pursuing technical education in India. Popularly known as the AICTE Saksham Scholarship, the scheme provides financial assistance to students with disabilities who are enrolled in AICTE-approved Degree and Diploma courses.

The main objective of the scheme is to promote inclusive education and ensure that financial constraints do not prevent specially-abled students from pursuing professional and technical studies. Through this Disability Scholarship Scheme, eligible students can receive a scholarship of ₹50,000 per year to meet educational expenses such as tuition fees, books, stationery, computers, software, and other academic requirements.

The scholarship is available for students with a disability of 40% or more who are studying in AICTE-approved institutions across the country. Students admitted in the first year of Degree or Diploma courses, as well as those admitted directly to the second year through lateral entry, can apply for the scheme subject to prescribed eligibility conditions. The annual family income of the applicant should not exceed ₹8 lakh from all sources.

One of the key features of the Saksham Scholarship for Disabled Students is that all eligible applicants can receive the benefit, as the scheme does not prescribe a fixed number of scholarships. Selected students receive the scholarship amount directly in their bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and timely payment.

Under the AICTE Scholarship for Degree Students, eligible first-year Degree students can receive scholarship assistance for up to four years, while lateral-entry Degree students can receive benefits for up to three years. Similarly, under the AICTE Scholarship for Diploma Students, first-year Diploma students can receive scholarship support for a maximum of three years, whereas lateral-entry Diploma students can receive assistance for up to two years.

Students can submit their applications online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), which serves as the official platform for registration, application submission, verification, renewal, and scholarship tracking. For the academic session 2026-27, the Saksham Scholarship Apply Online process started on 01 June 2026, and eligible students can submit their applications until 31 October 2026 through the NSP Scholarship Portal.

The Saksham Scholarship Scheme 2026 is an important initiative for promoting equal opportunities in higher education and empowering students with disabilities to pursue quality technical education. By providing financial support throughout the duration of the course, the scheme helps beneficiaries continue their studies without financial hardship and improves access to engineering, technology, pharmacy, architecture, management, and other AICTE-approved professional programmes.

Scheme Benefits

• Eligible students receive a scholarship of ₹50,000 per annum.
• The amount can be used for payment of college fees, books, stationery, computer purchase, software, and educational equipment.
• No separate assistance is provided for hostel expenses or medical expenses.
• Degree students admitted in the first year can receive the scholarship for a maximum of 4 years.
• Degree students admitted through lateral entry can receive the scholarship for a maximum of 3 years.
• Diploma students admitted in the first year can receive the scholarship for a maximum of 3 years.
• Diploma students admitted through lateral entry can receive the scholarship for a maximum of 2 years.

Eligibility Requirements

• The applicant should be a specially-abled student.
• The disability percentage should not be less than 40%.
• Family income from all sources should not exceed ₹8 lakh per annum.
• The student should be admitted in the first year of a Degree or Diploma course in an AICTE-approved institution.
• Students admitted through lateral entry in the second year are also eligible.
• The gap between passing the qualifying examination and admission should not exceed two years.
• The institution should be approved by AICTE.
• The student should not receive any other scholarship, stipend, salary, or financial assistance during the course of study.
• Differently-Abled Students Pursuing AICTE Approved Degree and Diploma Courses.

Required Documents

• Aadhaar Card.
• Passport Size Photograph.
• Disability Certificate.
• Income Certificate issued by the competent State/UT Authority.
• 10th Marksheet and Certificate.
• 12th Marksheet and Certificate (for Degree students).
• Diploma Marksheet and Certificate (for Degree lateral-entry students).
• ITI Marksheet and Certificate (for Diploma lateral-entry students).
• Admission Letter.
• Bonafide Certificate from the Institution. (Appendix-I)
• Bank Account Details.
• Caste Certificate, if applicable.
• Promotion Certificate in case of renewal (Appendix-III)

Steps to Apply

Eligible students can complete the Saksham Scholarship Apply Online process through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), which is the official portal for submitting applications under the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme. The complete Saksham Scholarship 2026 application process is explained below:

• Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), which is the official platform for Saksham Scholarship Registration and application submission.
• New applicants should complete the NSP Registration process by providing their Aadhaar number, mobile number, email address, bank account details, and other required information.
• After successful registration, use the generated credentials to access the Saksham Scholarship Login portal.
• Select the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme from the list of available scholarships and proceed to fill out the Saksham Scholarship Online Application Form.
• Enter all required personal, academic, disability, institution, and bank account details carefully in the application form.
• Upload the necessary supporting documents, such as Disability Certificate, Income Certificate, Aadhaar Card, educational certificates, admission proof, and other prescribed documents.
• Verify all information entered in the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Application Form before final submission.
• Submit the Saksham Scholarship Online Form and save a copy of the application number for future reference.
• The student's educational institution will verify the submitted application at the first level through the NSP Scholarship Portal.
• After institutional verification, the concerned Department of Technical Education (DTE) of the State or Union Territory will conduct second-level verification of the application.
• Students can track their Saksham Scholarship Application Status by logging into the National Scholarship Portal using their registered credentials.
• For the academic session 2026-27, eligible applicants can submit the Saksham Scholarship Scheme Online Application Form from 01 June 2026 to 31 October 2026.
• Students who receive the scholarship and wish to continue receiving benefits in subsequent years must complete the Saksham Scholarship Renewal process through NSP by uploading the required promotion or passing certificates.

Scholarship Renewal

Saksham Scholarship Scheme is renewable every year subject to satisfactory academic progress and fulfilment of the prescribed conditions. Students who wish to continue receiving scholarship benefits in subsequent years must submit a renewal application through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).

• Renewal applications must be submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
• Students are required to upload their passing certificate/marksheet for the previous academic year.
• A Promotion Certificate duly certified by the Head of the Institution must also be submitted.
• Students who fail to get promoted to the next class or academic level will lose eligibility for further scholarship benefits.
• Students who discontinue or drop out of the course are not eligible for scholarship renewal.
• The scholarship remains subject to compliance with all scheme conditions during the entire course period.

Application Schedule for 2026-27

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) has announced the application schedule for the AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for the academic session 2026-27. Eligible students should complete the application and verification process within the prescribed timeline.

• Scheme Opening Date: 01 June 2026.
• Last Date for Student Application Submission: 31 October 2026.
• Last Date for Defective Application Verification: 15 November 2026.
• Last Date for Institute Verification: 15 November 2026.
• Last Date for DNO/SNO/MNO Verification: 30 November 2026.
• Students should submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute issues.

Features of the Scheme

• Available exclusively for specially-abled students pursuing technical education.
• Applications are invited through the National Scholarship Portal.
• All eligible candidates receive the scholarship.
• The scholarship is renewed annually, subject to satisfactory academic progress.
• Students failing to get promoted to the next class lose eligibility for renewal.
• Students who discontinue or drop out of the course are not eligible for further scholarship.
• No documentary proof regarding the utilisation of the scholarship amount is required.
• CGPA is converted into a percentage by multiplying CGPA by 9.5.
• Application timelines are announced every year through NSP and AICTE.
• Shortlisted candidates are published on the AICTE portal.
• The scholarship amount is directly credited into the student's bank account through DBT.
• Students seeking renewal must upload the passing certificate/marksheet along with the prescribed certificate from the Head of the Institution through NSP.
• Candidates can raise objections regarding the provisional merit list within one month from the date of publication on the AICTE website.
• Queries related to non-payment due to incorrect bank account details are entertained only up to six months from the publication of the merit list.

Important Forms

• Saksham Scholarship Scheme Bonafide/ Study Certificate. (Appendix-I)
• Saksham Scholarship Scheme Annual Family Income Certificate. (Appendix-II)
• Saksham Scholarship Scheme Promotion Certificate. (Appendix-III)

Relevant Links

• Saksham Scholarship Scheme Online Application Form.
• Saksham Scholarship Scheme Registration.
• Saksham Scholarship Scheme Login.
• Saksham Scholarship Scheme Application Status.
• National Scholarship Portal.
• National Scholarship Portal App.
• All India Council for Technical Education.
• Saksham Scholarship Scheme Guidelines for Degree Course.
• Saksham Scholarship Scheme Guidelines for Diploma Course.
• Saksham Scholarship Scheme FAQs.

Contact Information

• AICTE Helpline Number :- 011-26131576.
• National Scholarship Portal Helpline 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.