Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

Post Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities program aims to support students with disabilities in their educational journey from class XI onwards. To ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students, including those from Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and those with disabilities, the Government of India has introduced various programmes and scholarships such as this. 

The number of post-matric scholarships in India sanctioned every year under this programme is 17,000. The Post Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2023 is available for students in classes XI, and XII, Post-matriculation Diplomas/Certificates, Bachelor’s Degrees or Diploma in India, and even Master’s Degrees/Diploma from universities recognized by UGC/AICTE. The goal is to ensure that education is accessible to all, promoting a more educated and inclusive society.

This assistance is crucial in preventing students, especially during the transition from secondary to higher secondary education, from dropping out. Additionally, this programme strives to increase the enrolment of students with disabilities in Classes XI and XII, as well as in Diploma, Graduate, and Post-Graduate programs. The overarching goal of this scholarship is to create an inclusive educational environment where everyone, regardless of disabilities, has access to educational opportunities.
On this page, we will be exploring the various aspects encompassing this scholarship programme starting from the application process, eligibility, selection process, and more. 

Aspiring candidates must ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements before applying for the scholarship, which include,

• The applicant must be a citizen of India.
• Individuals with a disability of at least 40% are eligible, provided they possess a valid disability certificate issued by a recognized medical authority.
• Within a family, a maximum of two disabled children are entitled to receive benefits from these schemes.
• In cases where the second child is a twin, both twins are eligible for the scholarship.

Duration of Scholarship:

• Scholarships are granted for a single year of study in any grade level.
• Students who need to repeat a grade will not be eligible for a scholarship in the second or subsequent years.
• Scholarship holders under these programs are not allowed to concurrently hold any other scholarships or stipends.
• Candidates must have passed the Matriculation, Higher Secondary, or any higher examination from a recognized University or Board of Secondary Education to be eligible.
• Candidates studying at the same educational level but in different subjects (e.g., pursuing a B.Com. after completing a B.A. in another subject) are ineligible. However, students pursuing L.L.B, B.Ed, or B.El.Ed after completing their B.A., B.Sc., or B.E. are eligible for the Post-Matric Scholarship.
• If a student is offered another scholarship or stipend, they have the option to choose the one that offers greater benefits.
• The student must inform the awarding authority through the Head of the Institution about their decision.
• Students studying two different courses simultaneously can avail of the scholarship for only one course, provided that the educational authorities' rules and regulations permit it.
• Students in Class XI of Higher Secondary School or Class XII of Multipurpose High School courses are generally ineligible, as these are considered continuous school courses. However, if the Xth class examination of such courses is equivalent to Matriculation and students join other courses after passing the Xth class, they will be considered Post-Matric students and are eligible for the scholarship.
• Students who, after passing or failing undergraduate examinations in Arts, Science, or Commerce, join recognized professional or technical certificate, diploma, or degree courses will be eligible for scholarships if they meet other eligibility criteria. Subsequent failures are generally not condoned, except for courses in Group I.
• Students pursuing their studies through correspondence, distant learning, or continuing education courses are also eligible for these scholarships.
• Employed students whose income, when combined with the income of their parents or guardians, does not exceed the maximum prescribed income ceiling are eligible for post-matric scholarships. The scholarship covers reimbursement of all compulsory non-refundable fees.

It should be noted that these scholarships are available for all candidates pursuing post-matriculation or post-secondary courses in recognized institutions. However, these scholarships are not awarded for specific training courses, such as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Courses and Private Pilot License Courses. Additionally, courses at Training Ship Dufferin (now Rajendra), courses at the Military College in Dehradun, and courses at Pre-examination Training Centers at both the all-India and State levels are not covered in this scholarship program.

The Post-matric scholarship offers various allowances for the entire duration of the course, which include:

• Maintenance Allowance
• Disability Allowance
• Reimbursement of Compulsory Non-Refundable Fees
• Book Allowance

Allowances are offered in accordance with courses which have been categorized into groups. The list of courses grouped from I to IV serves as an illustration and is not exhaustive. State Governments/Union Territory Administrations have the authority to determine the appropriate grouping of courses at their level. 

Group I

Group I includes Bachelor's and Post-Graduate Degree courses in fields such as Medicine, Engineering/Technology, Planning/Architecture, Fashion Technology, Management, Business/Finance Administration, Computer Science/Applications, Agriculture, Veterinary and Allied Sciences. Also covers all Post-Graduate Degree/Diploma courses recognized by UGC/AICTE in any discipline.

Group II

Group II encompasses professional courses leading to Degree/Diploma/Certificate in areas like Pharmacy (B. Pharma), LLB, BFS, and other paramedical branches like Rehabilitation and Diagnostics, as well as Mass Communication, Hotel Management & Catering, Travel/Tourism/Hospitality, Interior Decoration, Nutrition & Dietetics, Commercial Art, and Financial Services (e.g., Banking, Insurance, Taxation, etc.).

Group III

Group III includes all other courses leading to a Graduate degree not covered under Group I & II, such as BA/B.Sc/B.Com, etc.

Group IV

Group IV covers all post-matriculation level non-degree courses for which the entrance qualification is High School (Class X), including Senior Secondary Certificate (Classes XI and XII) in both general and vocational streams, ITI courses, and 3-year diploma courses in Polytechnics, among others.

The table below shows the amount for maintenance allowance rates in groups:

Designated Amount for Disability Allowance

The disability allowance rates for various types of disabilities are as follows

Reimbursement of Compulsory Non-Refundable Fees

Students falling under the scholarship programme are eligible for reimbursement of various fees, including enrolment/registration fees, tuition fees, games fees, union fees, library fees, magazine fees, and Medical Examination fees. These fees are mandatory and must be paid by the scholar to the educational institution or university/board.

• The maximum limit for reimbursement of 'Compulsory Non-refundable Fees' under the Post-matric Scholarship program is set at INR 1.50 lakh per annum. It's important to note that refundable deposits such as caution money and security deposits are not included in this reimbursement.
• Notably, recognized institutions can fully reimburse the compulsory non-refundable fees for both free and paid seats in recognized courses. This reimbursement follows the fee structure approved by the relevant State or Central Government authority, with a maximum limit of INR 1.50 lakh per annum.
• In addition to fee reimbursement, students are entitled to a Book Allowance of INR 1500 per annum under the scholarship program.

There are certain reservations maintained under Post-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities. The following are the specified conditions for scholarship reservations:

• 50 percent of the scholarship allocation is reserved for female students with disabilities. If these slots are not fully utilized, the remaining quota will be made available to male candidates.
• In cases where the allotted scholarships for a specific State or Union Territory are not fully utilized, any unutilized slots will be redistributed to other States or Union territories.

The scholarship, once awarded, will remain valid from the point of its initiation until the successful completion of the respective educational course, subject to the scholar maintaining good conduct and regular attendance. 

Furthermore, it will be automatically renewed on an annual basis as long as the student achieves promotion to the next higher class within the overall duration of the continuous course. This applies whether the examinations are conducted by a university or an educational institution. However, there are certain regulations that fall under the renewal of this scholarship, which include,

• In the case of students with benchmark disabilities pursuing Group I courses, if they fail in their examinations for the first time while receiving the post-matric scholarship, the scholarship may be renewed. However, for any subsequent failures in any class, the scholar will be responsible for covering their own expenses until they achieve promotion to the next higher class.
• If a scholar is unable to appear in the annual examination due to illness or any unforeseen circumstances, the scholarship may be renewed for the following academic year upon submission of a medical certificate or other necessary evidence. The scholar must ensure the Head of the Institution that they would have passed the examination had they been able to appear for it.
• In situations where the University or institution's regulations promote a student to a higher class even if they have not officially passed the lower class, and the student is subsequently required to retake the examination for the lower class at a later time, they will still be entitled to the scholarship for the higher class to which they have been promoted, provided they meet all other eligibility criteria for the scholarship.

To apply for the Post Matric Scholarship, candidates must ensure to follow the steps in the exact format as mentioned below:

-Applications must be applied via the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.

• Applications must be submitted online within the specified deadline.
• Applicants should upload all necessary documents in the prescribed format, including:
• Photograph
• Birth Certificate
• Disability certificate
• Parent's income certificate
• Tuition fees receipt
• Last academic qualification certificate

-If the scholarship amount, including tuition fees, exceeds INR 50,000 per annum, all documents must be uploaded online in .pdf format.
-Ensure that documents are in .pdf format to prevent potential rejection of the application.

-If the total scholarship amount is less than INR 50,000, it's acceptable to keep supporting documents in the safe custody of the Head of School/Institution. This accommodates connectivity challenges in remote areas.

Final selection will be conducted through the National Scholarship Portal, with consideration given to online verification by the relevant Department of the State Government. This process takes into account various factors, including the available slots allocated to each state.

If a candidate is a permanent resident of one State but is pursuing their studies in another State, their application will be evaluated based on the slot allocation of their home State. Additionally, their application requires the endorsement of the Education/Welfare Department of their permanent residence State. The merit criteria for selection include the following:

• Number of slots available for the State.
• Reservation of 50% of slots for female candidates.
• Marks obtained in the qualifying examination.

In the event of a tie in the percentage of marks, the candidate with a higher percentage of disability will be given preference. If a tie still exists, the candidate's age will be considered, with preference given to the older candidate.

Here's a list of the documents needed for the scholarship scheme:

• Applicant's photograph
• Birth certificate 
• Disability certificate
• Certificate of family income
• Receipt of fees payment
• Transcript or mark sheet of the most recent final examination
• Bank account information

Candidates must keep a track of the important dates to apply. The important dates for the application and defective application verification are in the table below.

The continuation of the scholarship depends upon the scholar's overall academic progress and conduct. Candidates would potentially risk losing the scholarship benefits in case of the following instances,

• In case of any instance of unsatisfactory progress or misconduct reported by the Head of the Institution report, such as participation in strikes, irregular attendance without authorization, or other breaches of discipline by the scholar, the scholarship-granting authority reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or withhold further payments as deemed appropriate.
• If a scholar is found to have obtained the scholarship through fraudulent means or false statements, the scholarship will be immediately revoked, and the disbursed amount may be recovered at the discretion of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability, Government of India. Furthermore, the student involved will be permanently barred from receiving any scholarships under any scheme.
• A scholarship previously awarded may be canceled if the scholar changes their course of study from the one for which the scholarship was originally granted.
• Scholars may be required to refund the scholarship amount, as determined by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, if they discontinue their studies during the academic year for which the scholarship was granted.
• Maintenance allowances will be payable from either April 1st or the month of admission, whichever is later, until the completion of examinations at the end of the academic year, including holidays. If a scholar secures admission after the 20th day of a month, the allowance will commence from the following month. For post-matric scholarships, maintenance allowances are disbursed for twelve months in an academic year.
• In the case of scholarship renewals from previous years, maintenance allowances will be paid from the month following the last month for which the scholarship was disbursed in the previous year, provided the course of study remains continuous.

Scholarships will not be paid during the internship/houseman ship period of the M.B.B.S. course or during practical training in other courses if the student receives remuneration during the internship or an allowance/stipend during the practical training.

For candidates having any inquiries or questions about the Post Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities, they can reach out to the following contact information:

Office Address: 
National Scholarship Division Ministry of Human Resource Development 
Department of Higher Education 
West Block 1, 2nd Floor, Wing 6, Room No. 6 R. K. 
Puram, Sector 1 New Delhi 110066

Helpline Number:  0120-6619540 

Email Address: helpdesk@nsp.gov.in

Overall, the Post Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2024 plays a vital role in empowering students with disabilities and promoting inclusive education in India. The program's overarching goal is to create an inclusive educational environment that promotes accessibility to education for all, regardless of disabilities, thereby contributing to a more educated and inclusive society. The scholarship offers a range of benefits, including maintenance allowances, disability allowances, and reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees. These allowances are categorized into groups based on the course being pursued.

We hope the above article proved to be helpful for candidates looking to know more about the Post Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2024 programme. For any further queries, drop your question in QnA Section or call us at 1800-572-9877.