Scholarships Programs In India

Scholarships programs provided for higher studies for Indian students.

1. Objective
To provide financial assistance to meritorious students from poor families to meet a part of their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies.

2. Scope
The scholarships are awarded by Ministry of Education, Government of India on the basis of results of Higher Secondary / Class XII Board Examination. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships per annum are provided for pursuing graduate / postgraduate degree in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical, Engineering etc.

3. Allocation of Scholarship
The total number of scholarships are divided amongst the State Education Boards based on the State’s population in the age group of 18-25 years, after segregating share of CBSE and ICSE on the basis of number of students passing out from various Boards in the country. 50% of the scholarships are earmarked for girls. Out of the total scholarship slots earmarked for UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, 3% slots shall be earmarked for the students from the UT of Ladakh. The number of scholarships allotted to a State Education Board is distributed amongst pass outs of the Humanities, Science and Commerce streams in the ratio of 3:3:1. In case of shortfall in the number of applications, the scholarship slots shall be interoperable among categories (Gen, OBC, SC & ST), gender (Female, Male) and State Quota to maximize use of slots for fresh scholarships with effect from academic year 2022-23, subject to the condition that guidelines of Ministry of Finance and NITI Aayog regarding SC/ST fund allocation of the schemes are adhered to.

4. Eligibility for Scholarship

• Students who are above 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from the respective Board of Examination in Class XII of 10+2 pattern or equivalent;
• Pursuing regular degree courses and not correspondence or distance mode or pursuing Diploma courses;
• Pursuing courses at colleges/institutions recognized by All India Council for Technical Education and respective Regulatory Bodies concerned;
• Not availing benefit of any other scholarship schemes including State run scholarship schemes/ fee waiver & reimbursement scheme;
• Students with gross parental/family income upto Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum are eligible for scholarship under the scheme. Income certificate will be required only for the fresh applicants;
• Student changing his/ her college/institute of study will be allowed to continue/renew the scholarship provided the course of study and the institution is having valid AISHE Code; The AISHE code can be checked in the portal https://aishe.gov.in/aishe/aisheCode
• Students who missed to apply for renewal of application online on NSP will be allowed to apply for renewal of scholarship for subsequent year on NSP, if he/she fulfils eligibility condition for renewal;
• For renewal of scholarship in each year of study, besides getting at least 50% marks in the Annual Examination, maintenance of adequate attendance of at least 75%, will also be the criteria. Complaints against the student regarding any in disciplined or criminal behaviour including any complaints of having indulged in ragging, will lead to forfeiture of scholarship;
• Beneficiaries/ Applicants under the scheme must apply online in the National Scholarships Portal (www.scholarships.gov.in) for the fresh/ renewal scholarships. Fresh/Renewal applications sent directly to the Ministry of Education shall not be accepted.

5. Reservation
Students belonging to reserved categories/weaker sections /minorities etc. are eligible to get benefit of reservation on the basis of merit, subject to Central Reservation Policy [i.e. 15% seats are earmarked for SCs, 7.5% for STs and 27 % for OBCs and 5% horizontal reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in all the categories]. The Central Reservation Policy will be applicable in filling the slots against each year's target. If slots under a specific group is not filled after considering all the States/UTs, the vacant slots will be allocated to other categories so that maximum number of eligible students can get the benefit, subject to overall ceiling of slots.

6. Procedure for Application

• The applications are received online only. Verification of credentials of the students like caste, educational qualifications etc. are done through DIGILOCKER facility of the MeITY, Govt. of India.
• National Scholarships Portal (NSP) (www.scholarships.gov.in) will provide the timelines for opening & closing of the portal.
• The Guidelines for application, verification, selection and disbursement of scholarships will be as per the NSP.
• Selection list would be generated/displayed on NSP.
• Online applications will be verified at two levels i.e. by the Institute, where the student is studying and thereafter by the concerned State Higher Education Department or any other Agency/ Official nominated by the State as State Nodal Agency (both for fresh and renewal applicants).
• Latest guideline on Timelines will be made available on NSP.
• Students will not be permanently debarred for scholarships due to delay to renew or verification. However, students will have to submit renewal applications within a cut-off date. Renewal for that year will not be allowed if an applicant misses this deadline.

7. Rate and Duration of Scholarship (from financial year 2022-23)
The rate of scholarship is Rs.12,000/-per annum at Graduation level for first three years of College and University courses and Rs.20,000/-per annum at Post- Graduation level. Students pursuing professional courses, in case, where the duration of course is five (5) years/Integrated course will get Rs. 20,000/-per annum in the 4th and 5th year. However, students pursuing technical courses such as B.Tech, B.Engg. will get scholarship up to graduation level only i.e. Rs. 12,000 p.a. for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year and Rs. 20,000 in the 4th year.
Note: The rate of scholarship is Rs.10,000/-per annum for first three years of fresh/ renewal scholarships with respect to academic year 2021-22, even if the actual release happens in FY 2022-23.

8. Payment of Scholarship
Students are required to have the bank accounts opened, especially, in their name for availing the benefits under the scheme. The scholarship will be disbursed directly into the savings bank accounts of the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
mode. The student can track their payment status from the template “Know Your Payment”    in    the    Public    Financial    Management    System    (PFMS)    portal [ https://pfms.nic.in/Users/LoginDetails/Login.aspx] either by indicating Aadhaar number or bank  account number or NSP Application ID.

9. For Colleges/Universities
College and Universities will apprise the students about the “PM-USP CSSS” during admission. Aadhaar based authentication of Institute Nodal Officer (INO)/ State Nodal Officer (SNO) is mandatory for every Institution/State before verification of the applications. INO/SNO should be a regular employee.

10. For State Government/State Boards
Adequate publicity of the scheme may be initiated through the Schools/ Colleges/ Institutions to create awareness and to facilitate/ assist the applicants in rural area to apply for scholarship online on NSP.

11. Grievance Redressal
In case of any grievances/complaint regarding the above scheme, the same may be registered to the following link:
http://pgportal.gov.in/grievancenew.aspx
other than to the Nodal Officer whose email is available on NSP portal (Services Tab).

Scholarships for J & K and Ladakh

1. Objective:
To provide academic fee (tuition and other admissible fee) and maintenance allowance (to bear expenses on account of hostel & mess fee, cost of books and other incidental charges) to students belonging to Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh who, after passing Class XII or equivalent examination, secure admission in Government Colleges/ Institutions and other select Institutions outside the UTs of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh through AICTE’s counseling process. The scheme also envisages to build capacities of the youth of J&K and Ladakh to enable them to compete with their peers in the national main stream.

2. Scope:
The scheme is implemented by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). Under the scheme, 5000 fresh scholarships are awarded every year. Out of these, 2070 scholarships are for General Degree Courses, 2830 for Professional/ Engineering courses and 100 for Medical Courses. The number of scholarships for engineering and medical courses are kept flexible, subject to the ceiling of 5000 fresh scholarships per year and further subject to the savings accruing from any shortfall in the number of students opting for general degree courses.

3. Rate Of Scholarships, Academic Fee & Maintenance Allowance:

*Lateral entry in professional slots of previous year included

Flexibility for deciding fees to be reimbursed for certain courses rests with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, within the overall ceiling.

4. Disbursement Of Scholarship:

• Scholarship towards academic fee will be paid directly to the Institution as per claim or as per rate fixed by respective State Fee Regulatory Authority or as fixed by any Regulatory Authority appointed by the Government, whichever is less and within the overall ceiling fixed for the course. All the Institutions may note that upper ceiling of Academic Fee inclusive of all admissible components taken together is upto Rs. 1,25,000/- for Professional  Engineering Courses; upto Rs. 30,000/- for General Courses and upto Rs. 3,00,000/- for Medical Courses. Even if the total fee of Institute is more than the ceiling, neither AICTE shall reimburse extra amount nor institute can charge the same from the students.
• The fixed maintenance allowance is upto Rs. 1.00 lakh per annum for all courses will be paid to the bank account of the student through DBT using PFMS gateway. Maintenance Allowance during first year will be released in 9(nine) installments, first installment of which will be of Rs.20,000/- and subsequent 8 monthly installments will be of Rs.10,000/- each.
• From 2nd year onwards fixed maintenance allowance of upto Rs. 1.00 lakh per annum will be paid in 10 monthly installments of Rs.10,000/-.
• Maintenance allowance will be released on the production of continuity certificate from the Institute, hotel charges bill, etc

5. Eligibility:

• Candidates should be domicile of Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
• Students must have passed 12th examination from JKBOSE or CBSE affiliated schools located in UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
• Having family income of Rs. 8.00 lakh or less per annum.
• Candidates who want to take admission under Lateral Entry Scheme have to pass Diploma in Engineering from the Polytechnic Institutes recognized by Directorate of Technical Education(DTE), UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
• Candidates are compulsorily required to apply on-line on the AICTE web-portal.
• Admission under Lateral Entry Scheme will be subject to allocation of seats / vacant seats of the preceding year in Engineering Courses only.
• Merit list will be prepared for Higher Secondary passed and Lateral Entry students and the same will be displayed on AICTE portal for conducting of on-line counseling for final allotment of seats in colleges to eligible candidates subject to choice filling/ availability of scholarships.

6. Exclusions:

Categories of Candidates NOT eligible under the PMSSS:

• Candidates pursing courses through Open Universities.
• Student availing benefit of any other scholarship scheme.
• Candidates gaining admission through ‘Management Quota’.
• Candidates pursuing Diploma course.
• Candidates pursuing Post Graduate level studies, in any discipline.
• Candidates having family income over Rs. 8.00 lakh per annum.
• Not applied through online registration in the AICTE Portal.
• Taking admission in the Colleges other than the prescribed colleges given in AICTE Portal.
• Admission through Agents/NGOs.

7. Reservation Policy As Applicable In The Uts Of J&K And Ladakh

The reservation norms as prescribed for the UTs of J&K and Ladakh (subject to intimation from UTs of J&K and Ladakh) in respect of SC, ST and Socially and Economically Backward Classes (SEBC) are followed for providing scholarship under the Scheme. The break-up is given below:

(a) SC–8%

(b) ST–10%

(c) Socially and Economically backward classes (other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) – 22%:

• Weak & under privileged classes/social caste (OCS) 4%
• Resident of backward area (RBA) 10%
• Resident of areas adjoining actual line of control (ALC)/ International Border(B) 4%
• Pahari Speaking People 4%
• Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) 10%*

*10% EWS quota has been included in Open / General Category as the maximum family income ceiling under the Scheme is Rs.8,00,000/- or less.

(d) 4% Horizontal reservation is provided for persons with disability above 40% as per

Central Government Norms.

8. Institutes/Colleges Participating:

• Admission will be offered to the candidates from a selected pool of well performing institutions / colleges / universities, which are recognized by AICTE or approved by UGC under Section 12(B) or respective Regulatory Bodies of Government of India only, which are fulfilling following criteria
• All NAAC Accredited (for General Stream Programme)/ Delhi University Colleges/ All Central Universities, All NBA accredited/ NIRF(up to the rank of 300)/ Government Institutions/ Colleges having hostel facilities and any other good institution identified in advance and listed with the prior approval of AICTE.
• Hostel facility criteria is to be relaxed for General Stream courses or any other quality institution located in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune and Hyderabad etc.
• AICTE shall take final decision as to the participating institutes.

9. Admission In IITS / Nits and Other Institutions of National Importance:

• Aspirants desiring to take admission through JEE Mains/JEE Advance in IITs, NITs, IISc, IISER and Centrally Funded Institutions with National Importance may be considered, if student participates in online counselling by filling their JEE Mains/ JEE Advance roll numbers with respective admit card and result they would be eligible.
• All Medical aspirants seeking admission in BDS/MBBS streams are required to appear in NEET examinations and get qualified for admission. However, they should initially register on AICTE portal by submitting their complete details including NEET roll number and get their documents verified by Facilitation Centre as per the procedure. After securing their admission to college through NEET counselling, they are required to upload their allotment letter along with NEET score card and joining report to become eligible.
• Aspirants seeking admission in Architecture programme are required to qualify NATA and their admission to Architecture course through AICTE portal would be eligible after uploading their NATA result and admit card.
• Aspirants seeking admission in Integrated Law Course (B.A.LLB) are required to qualify CLAT and their admission to law course through AICTE portal would be eligible after uploading their CLAT result and admit card. Admission in the law course in National Law Schools will be considered.

10. Duration Of Scholarships:

The scholarships granted under the scheme are renewed in subsequent classes subject to good conduct and maintenance of attendance as prescribed by the respective institution. Students failing to get promoted to the next class / level would get the scholarship in the following year subject to the condition that if the student fails again for the second time, then he / she would forfeit the scholarship and the scholarship would not be renewed for the subsequent years. If a scholar unable to appear in the annual examination owing to illness and / or on account of any unforeseen incident, the scholarship may be renewed for the next academic year on submission of medical certificate and other proof to satisfy the Head of the Institution who will also certify the same. Scholarship will not be paid twice for the same year of study.

11. Online Admission Process:

Admission under 10+2 Scheme and through Lateral Entry

Candidates who have passed 10+2 examination from JKBOSE or CBSE affiliated schools/ passed Diploma in Engineering from Polytechnics approved by Directorate of Technical Education, UTs of J&K and Ladakh in the academic year 2019-20 & 2020-21 and onwards can only submit their application on AICTE Portal for registration of the scheme. Candidates are advised to fill exact particulars as furnished at the time of registration for class10+2 examination. Candidates whose credentials do not match with the particulars available in AICTE portal will not be able to register online. On successful registration, eligible candidates will be issued user name and password to fill online form on AICTE Portal. The UTs of J&K and Ladakh through various Facilitation Centres, assist the students in submission of online application and verification of the following original documents to ascertain their eligibility under the Scheme:

• Certificate of domicile of the State of Jammu & Kashmir
• Certificate of Class 12th and 10th Examination (for candidates who have passed class 12th examination)
• Polytechnic Diploma Certificate (for Diploma candidates)
• Income Certificate
• Students applying under reserved quota must produce Caste Certificate (SC/ST/SEBC) issued by State Government authority.
• Persons with Disabilities (PwD) must submit Disability Certificate

12. Document Verification And Choice Filling:

The applicant is required to get his / her uploaded documents verified with the originals at the nearest Facilitation Centre set-up by UTs of J&K and Ladakh and get it verified and uploaded with stamp on portal of Facilitation Centres. After document verification from the facilitation center the candidate should collect the copy of document verification report without fail. The choice filling window would be activated for only those candidates having successfully registered and got their documents verified at any one of the Facilitation Centres. The choice filling window will be blocked on the last date, after that no change would be allowed in order of preference. The merit list will be displayed subject to the declaration of result.

Provisional Merit list is generated based on Class XII / Diploma results. The students, whose names appear in the provisional merit list, are compulsorily required to attend the counseling:

• Allotment of the seat will be done through online counselling process subject to merit/ availability of scholarships.
• List of Institutions / Universities where admissions offered would be prepared and will be displayed in candidate’s login for choice filling. Eligible candidates under the Scheme are directed to choose the courses from these Institutions/ Universities only.

Note: No Scholarship will be paid to the candidates who take admission in institutions other than the list of Institutions/ Universities available on the portal of AICTE except MBBS/ BDS/ allied medicinal courses/ Central/ State Govt. for which supernumerary quota is not available.

13. Disbursement Procedure:

(I) Steps To Be Taken By Student For DBT:

• After joining the institution, the student has to immediately upload his/her college joining report (in the prescribed format available on website under SSS J&K 2021-2022 tab) before the last date of joining is over. The student is required to login to AICTE portal using their credentials which has already been created by them at the time of application submission process under SSS J&K.
• The joining report will be verified by the Institution post which candidate has to fill andupload the following documents to start the disbursement procedure. Fill all the necessary information in Basic Details Tab, Institute Details Tab & Bank Details Tab.

(II) Stepsto Be Taken By Institute:

For processing of scholarship, the institute needs to perform the below mentioned task for receiving academic fee into their account. The annual academic fee would be credited in the institute account directly which is in the name of the institution and their details are to be submitted to AICTE. The fee would be released based on SFRC (State Fee Regulatory Committee/Authority) applicable to that particular batch/course with the maximum limit as per scheme guidelines.

• College will upload documents for claiming Academic Fee. If the institute is admitting SSS J&K candidates for the first time they should apply for the issuance of User ID & Password by clicking at: https://www.aicte-india.org/bureaus/jk/2020-2021.
• If the institute has already admitted candidates under SSS J&K, then it may use the old User ID & Password and submit SFRC and other documents as per norms.
• Login on to AICTE’s J&K and Ladakh Portal using authorized "User Id" & "Password', sent on the official email address.
• Fill in the necessary information & upload documents namely in 3 tabs: Institute Details, Bank Details and Fee Details.
• The following documents are to be uploaded in Institute login:
1. College Fee Structure/ Academic fee (in the prescribed format available on AICTE portal: https://www.aicte-india.org/bureaus/jk/2020-2021)
2. Fee as per SFRC (State Fee Regulatory Committee/Authority)/State Govt. issued fee fixation document.
3. Mandate Form-Institution accounts details(format available on website under PMSSS 2020-21 tab)
4. Passbook Copy/Cancelled cheque clearly indicating bank name, Account holders Name, Account Number, IFSC code, MICR Code, Bank Address.
5. The Institution bank account should not be in the name Trust/Society.
6. Finally click on Submit Button

Scholarships will be disbursed through PFMS Mechanism only after joining the institute and uploading the joining report along with other required documents including AADHAR Number on AICTE, SSSJ&K portal through their login.

(III) Implementation And Monitoring

An Inter-Ministerial Committee(IMC) on Special Scholarship Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh would oversee the implementation of the Scheme.

14. Steps To Be Taken During Registration:

Candidates would be required to upload the following documents:

• Passport Size photograph (200x230 pixels - preferred)
• Scanned Signature(140x60 pixels–preferred)
• Domicile certificate issued by UTs of J&K and Ladakh
• SSC Marksheet
• Family income certificate (Issued by Tehsildar or equivalent)
• Bank         Details   of   student:  Students  individual   account  (joint account/ no frill account/in operative account, parents account, joint account is not valid)
• AADHAR Number
• Category certificate (issued by the Competent Authority of the State Government)
• Persons with Disabilities (PwD) must upload Disability Certificate (40% and above)
• Candidates who are already availing the benefits of SSS J&K are not eligible to apply.
• Student is required to give preference of the course which he/she intends to pursue i.e. General or Professional or Medical stream.
• General Stream includes admission to B.A./B.Com./B.Sc./B.Sc.(Hon.)/BBA/BCA etc.
• Professional courses include B.E./ B.Tech./ B.Pharmacy/ B.Architecture/ Hotel Management & Catering Technology/ B.Sc.(Nursing).
• Medical Streams include MBBS/ B.D.S./ BAMS and Allied Medicinal Courses.
• Bank details seeded with AADHAR to be submitted at the time of registration to be verified by the Facilitation Center.
1. Upload scanned copy of AADHAR Card of the Student (if any)
2. Upload scanned copy of the first two pages of Bank Passbook/Cancelled cheque clearly indicating following:
1. Name of Accounts Holder
2. Name and Address of the Bank
3. Saving Bank Account No.
4. IFSC Code and MICR Code

Note: Saving Bank Account should be seeded with AADHAR Number and in the name of the bona-fide student only. Candidates may note that Bank Accounts should not be a “No-frill Account”/ Minor Account, Parents’ Account/ Non-Operative account, joint account etc.