AICTE Saksham Scholarship for Differently Abled Students

About this scholarship

The AICTE Saksham Scholarship is a specialized central sector scheme built with a single, powerful purpose: to ensure that specially-abled students can pursue technical education without financial barriers holding them back. Engineering and technical diplomas are demanding, both intellectually and financially. For students with disabilities, these challenges are often compounded by the need for specialized mobility equipment, adapted software, or accessible housing. The Saksham scheme acknowledges these hurdles and provides robust financial backing to level the playing field, ensuring that physical disabilities do not prevent brilliant minds from entering the technical workforce. The financial structure of Saksham mirrors the Pragati scheme, offering a substantial ₹50,000 per year for every year of the study program. This is designed to be a consolidated grant. You can use it to cover your core college tuition, or you can divert it toward purchasing necessary specialized equipment, software, a laptop, or even paying for a customized vehicle to help you commute to college. The AICTE deliberately keeps the usage of funds flexible because they understand that the financial needs of specially-abled students vary wildly from person to person. To qualify, you must be a specially-abled student with a certified disability level of not less than 40%. You must be admitted to the first year or lateral entry second year of a technical degree or diploma at an AICTE-approved institution. If your college isn't AICTE approved—for example, if you are doing a generic B.Sc. at a state university—you cannot apply. There is also an economic filter: your total family income must be less than ₹8 lakh per annum. The beauty of the Saksham scheme is that, unlike many other scholarships, there is no hard cap on the total number of beneficiaries. Every single eligible applicant who submits a verified, correct application is awarded the scholarship. Because acceptance is virtually guaranteed for eligible candidates, the primary reason students miss out is due to catastrophic documentation errors. The disability certificate is the absolute core of the application. Do not submit a handwritten prescription or a casual letter from a local doctor. You need an official certificate issued by a state or central government Medical Board, or ideally, a UDID (Unique Disability ID) card. If the certifier's authority is unclear, or if the percentage is listed as 39%, the portal will aggressively reject the application. Additionally, you have to apply through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and navigate the institutional verification gauntlet. After uploading your pristine documents, you have to physically ensure your college's nodal officer logs into their dashboard and approves your application. Because there's no merit list to fight for, your biggest enemy is simply administrative delay. Get your medical paperwork standardized, secure your AICTE admission, and push your college to verify your form early.

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

1. Confirm that you are admitted into the first year or lateral entry second year of a degree or diploma program at an AICTE-approved technical institution.
2. Secure an official Disability Certificate issued by a competent Medical Board or possess a valid UDID card indicating at least 40% disability.
3. Log onto the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), register your profile, and select the AICTE Saksham scheme.
4. Upload your disability proof, family income certificate, and academic marks, ensuring your college validates the application online before the cutoff.

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

When does AICTE Saksham Scholarship for Differently Abled Students open for 2026?

Typically opens September–December. Verify on the AICTE portal each year.

What is the last date to apply for AICTE Saksham Scholarship for Differently Abled Students?

The closing date is announced for each cycle rather than fixed in advance, so it is not the same every year. Typically opens September–December. Verify on the AICTE portal each year.

How do I apply for AICTE Saksham Scholarship for Differently Abled Students?

Applications are submitted through AICTE portal. Confirm that you are admitted into the first year or lateral entry second year of a degree or diploma program at an AICTE-approved technical institution.

Is there a limit on how many students can receive the Saksham scholarship?

Unlike most scholarships, there is no fixed quota or maximum limit. All eligible specially-abled students who apply correctly with verified documents will receive the grant.

Can I use the funds to buy a specialized wheelchair?

Yes, the ₹50,000 annual grant is a consolidated amount specifically intended to cover tuition, books, laptops, or any specialized equipment you need for your education and mobility.

What is the minimum disability percentage required?

You must have a certified disability of not less than 40%, proven via a competent Medical Board certificate or a UDID card.

Can I apply if I am in my third year of engineering?

No, fresh applications are only accepted for students entering the first year of their course, or the second year if admitted through lateral entry.

New to the National Scholarship Portal? Read our step-by-step guide to applying on NSP.