AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Students (Saksham)

What is it?

Saksham is the companion scheme to Pragati. It is meant for students with disabilities who want to study a technical course, so that the extra costs of studying do not push them out of engineering or polytechnic education.

The published conditions are a disability of "not less than 40%", a family income of not more than Rs 8 lakh a year in the current financial year, and admission to the first year of a course at an AICTE-approved institution, or to the second year through lateral entry. A valid income certificate from the State or UT Government is required.

The scholarship is Rs 50,000 a year. The guidelines say this covers college fees along with a computer, books, stationery, equipment and software. There is no additional money for hostel or medical expenses. It is paid once a year straight into your bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer.

For diploma-level study, the guidelines state that all eligible specially-abled students who are admitted to the first year of a diploma course, or to the second year through lateral entry, at an AICTE-approved institution will get the scholarship, so there is no fixed cap on numbers at that level. The scholarship lasts a maximum of three years for students who joined in the first year, and two years for lateral-entry students.

Applications are made online on the National Scholarship Portal after AICTE issues its notice. Your institution checks the application, then the State or UT Department of Technical Education looks at it again. Only applications that pass both checks are considered. To renew for the next year you must submit your passing certificate or mark sheet along with a letter from the Head of your Institution.

Potential benefit

Up to ₹50,000 per year

Rs 50,000 annually, covering college fees plus a computer, books, stationery, equipment and software. No additional money is given for hostel or medical expenses. Payment is made annually by Direct Benefit Transfer. Duration is a maximum of three years for first-year entrants and two years for lateral-entry students at diploma level.

Who can apply?

Other conditions stated by the government

• Disability must be "not less than 40%".
• Family income must be "not more than Rs. 8 lakh per annum during the current financial year".
• You must be admitted to the first year, or the second year through lateral entry, of a course at an AICTE-approved institution.
• At diploma level, all eligible specially-abled students meeting these conditions get the scholarship - the guidelines do not state a numerical cap.
• Renewal requires the passing certificate or mark sheet plus a letter from the Head of the Institution.
• Only applications verified online by the institution and by the State or UT Department of Technical Education are considered for the award.

Eligibility information is provided for informational purposes only. Final eligibility and approval are determined by the relevant government authority.

Documents you will need

• Valid income certificate from the State or UT Government
• Disability certificate showing not less than 40 percent disability
• Admission proof for the AICTE-approved institution
• Passing certificate or mark sheet plus a letter from the Head of the Institution (for renewal)

How to apply

After AICTE issues its notice, apply online through the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in. Your institution verifies the application, then the State or UT Department of Technical Education carries out a secondary review. Only verified online applications are considered for the award, and the money is paid annually by Direct Benefit Transfer.

Where to apply: online

Deadline

31 October 2026