AICTE Saksham Scholarship for Differently Abled Students
Typically opens September–December. Verify on the AICTE portal each year.
- Amount
- ₹50,000 per year (₹30,000 tuition + ₹20,000 incidentals)
- Who can apply
- Students with disability (40% or more) admitted to AICTE-approved technical institutions.
- Income limit
- Family income below ₹8 lakh per year
- Study level
- College / UG, Diploma
- Apply through
- AICTE portal
- Notes
- Same structure as Pragati but for differently abled students.
About this scholarship
The AICTE Saksham Scholarship is a targeted central initiative meant to encourage differently abled students to pursue technical education. Managed by the All India Council for Technical Education, it supports students with at least 40% disability who are admitted to technical degree or diploma courses in AICTE-approved institutions. The core objective is to integrate specially-abled students into the mainstream workforce by removing the financial barriers to high-quality technical education. Unlike many other merit schemes, Saksham has no cap on the number of scholarships; every eligible candidate who applies and meets the criteria is awarded the funding. It provides a generous annual allowance that covers tuition fees as well as costs for books, software, specialized equipment, and custom vehicles. To continue receiving the funds for the duration of the course, students must maintain their academic standing and renew the scholarship every year on the portal.
Documents you need
- Disability certificate (minimum 40%) issued by a competent medical authority
- Family income certificate
- Admission proof in an AICTE-approved institution
- Previous exam marksheet
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook
How to apply
- Take admission in the first year or lateral entry second year of a diploma or degree program at an AICTE-approved college.
- Apply online as a fresh applicant on the National Scholarship Portal.
- Submit a valid, government-issued disability certificate along with your income and academic records.
Why applications get rejected
- Uploading an expired or non-standard disability certificate instead of the official UDID or government-issued medical certificate.
- Applying for a postgraduate program, as Saksham is only valid for diploma and undergraduate degree students.
- Missing the institute verification deadline on the NSP, which halts the application from reaching the state nodal officer.
Common questions
Is there an income limit for the Saksham Scholarship?
Yes, the total family income from all sources must be less than ₹8 lakh per annum.
Do I need to pay for my specialized equipment upfront?
You typically purchase the required educational or mobility equipment and the scholarship grant is designed to help cover those expenses through the annual allowance.
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