AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially-Abled Students 2026-27 (Degree and Diploma)
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Education
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About This Scholarship
The AICTE Saksham Scholarship Scheme supports specially-abled students admitted to AICTE-approved technical degree and diploma courses. It is run by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), a statutory body under the Ministry of Education, and NSP classifies it as a welfare-based scheme. Each awardee receives Rs 50,000 for every year of study as a lump sum towards college fee, computer, stationery, books, equipment and software. The guidelines (July 2021) set no cap on awards: every eligible student admitted to the first year of a degree or diploma course, or to the second year through lateral entry, receives the scholarship. Applications are made on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Education |
| Level | First year of a degree or diploma course, or second year through lateral entry |
| Amount | Rs 50,000 a year |
| Disability | 40 percent or more |
| Income limit | Rs 8 lakh a year from all sources |
| Applications 2026-27 | Open from 1 June 2026; last date 31 October 2026 (fresh and renewal) |
| Verification 2026-27 | Institute by 15 November 2026; State Nodal Officer by 30 November 2026 |
| Portal | National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) |
AICTE's notification of 19 June 2026 invites fresh applications for the 2026-27 batch and renewal applications for the 2023-24 degree batch and the 2024-25 and 2025-26 degree and diploma batches.
Sources: AICTE notification for 2026-27, Saksham guidelines (Degree), Saksham guidelines (Diploma), Saksham FAQ and Schemes on NSP. Checked on 5 October 2026.
Provider
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Ministry of Education
Type
Need-based
Level
Undergraduate
Duration
Renewed yearly: up to 4 years for a degree, 3 for a diploma (one year less for lateral entry)
Renewed yearly: up to 4 years for a degree, 3 for a diploma (one year less for lateral entry)
Duration
Lump sum towards college fee, computer, stationery, books, equipment and software; no separate hostel or medical grant
Coverage
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Disability | Specially-abled student with disability of not less than 40 percent |
| Admission | First year of a degree or diploma course, or second year through lateral entry, in an AICTE-approved institution |
| Family income | Not more than Rs 8 lakh a year from all sources in the current financial year, shown by an income certificate issued by the State or UT Government |
| Gap | Not more than two years between passing the qualifying examination and admission |
| Bank account | Aadhaar and an Aadhaar-seeded General Savings account in the student's own name; FRILL, minor and joint accounts are not accepted |
- Students already in the second or third year (other than lateral-entry second year) are not eligible for a fresh award (scheme FAQ).
- There is no reservation or merit cut-off: all eligible students receive the scholarship (scheme FAQ).
- Under AICTE's corrigendum of 18 August 2026, Saksham is a welfare-based scheme and can be held with another welfare-based scholarship or one merit-based scholarship.
- Salary, stipend or other emoluments from another source lead to discontinuation of the scholarship and refund of the amount paid.
Sources: Saksham guidelines (Degree) and AICTE corrigendum of 18 August 2026.
Income Limit
₹8,00,000 p.a.
Eligible Categories
Scholarship Benefits
Financial Support
INR 50,000
Disbursement: Annual, by DBT to the student's Aadhaar-seeded General Savings bank account
What's Covered
| Course and entry point | Amount | Maximum years |
|---|---|---|
| Degree, admitted in first year | Rs 50,000 a year | 4 |
| Degree, lateral entry into second year | Rs 50,000 a year | 3 |
| Diploma, admitted in first year | Rs 50,000 a year | 3 |
| Diploma, lateral entry into second year | Rs 50,000 a year | 2 |
The amount is a lump sum for college fee, computer, stationery, books, equipment and software. No proof of spending is required, and no extra grant is paid for hostel or medical charges. AICTE pays it once a year by Direct Benefit Transfer to the student's bank account. The award is renewed each year on a promotion certificate certified by the Head of the Institution, and is forfeited if the student fails or drops out.
How to Apply
Application Guide
- Open the National Scholarship Portal (https://scholarships.gov.in) and complete Apply For One Time Registration (OTR) if not already registered.
- NSP requires disabled students to log in to the UDID portal and consent to share their UDID details before the application can be submitted.
- Under Apply For Scholarship, select AICTE - Saksham Scholarship Scheme For Specially Abled Student (Technical Degree) or (Technical Diploma), listed as a Welfare Based Scheme.
- Enter the details, attach the income certificate and disability proof, and enter the Aadhaar-seeded savings bank account in the student's own name.
- Submit by 31 October 2026. Renewal applicants also submit the promotion certificate certified by the Head of the Institution.
- The institute verifies the application by 15 November 2026 and the State Nodal Officer by 30 November 2026. Only verified applications are considered.
Selection Process
There is no merit list. All eligible specially-abled students admitted to the first year of a degree or diploma course, or to the second year through lateral entry, in an AICTE-approved institution receive the scholarship, and no reservation percentages apply. Eligibility is checked in two steps: the institute verifies each application first, then the State or UT Department of Technical Education acts as second level of scrutiny. Incomplete applications are rejected, and only verified online applications are considered. Provisional lists of selected students are uploaded on the AICTE website, and queries on the list are accepted for one month after publication.
Documents Required
Important Dates
Announcement Date
Friday, 19 June 2026
Date passed
Application Start
Monday, 01 June 2026
Date passed
Application End
Saturday, 31 October 2026
Application Deadline
Saturday, 31 October 2026