Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities

Introduction

Higher education can offer many opportunities, but the cost of tuition, books, accommodation, technology, and other learning materials may pose challenges for students with disabilities.

The Government of India has introduced several scholarship programmes to assist students with disabilities throughout their education. One such programme is the Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities.

This scholarship provides financial support to eligible individuals pursuing graduate or postgraduate degrees or diploma courses at institutes officially notified by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).

For families planning for higher education, understanding the eligibility criteria, benefits, application process, and required documents can help make the process smoother.

What Is the Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities?

The Scholarship for Top Class Education is part of the Government of India’s Scholarships for Students with Disabilities scheme.

It supports students with benchmark disabilities enrolled in graduate or postgraduate programmes or diploma courses at institutes recognised under this scheme.

Unlike scholarships meant for school-level education, this scholarship focuses on higher education. The notified institute list is determined by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

The main objective is to remove financial barriers and enable eligible students to access higher education, helping them acquire academic and professional skills.

Who Can Apply for the Top Class Education Scholarship?

Eligibility is determined based on several conditions. Under the scheme guidelines, applicants must generally satisfy the following requirements:

1. Indian Citizenship

The scholarship is available to Indian citizens. Applicants must meet the citizenship criteria set by the scholarship scheme.

They should provide appropriate proof of citizenship or other supporting documents while applying.

2. Benchmark Disability

The applicant should have a benchmark disability, which is defined as a disability of 40% or more under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and must have a valid disability certificate issued by the relevant authority.

The disability certificate should be issued by the appropriate medical authority as required under the rules.

Students must keep their disability certificate and related documents ready when applying for the scholarship.

3. Eligible Course

The applicant must be enrolled in an eligible graduate or postgraduate degree or diploma course at an institute notified under the scheme. The chosen course and institution must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the scholarship guidelines. Students can check the list of institutes registered with NSP before applying to confirm their institution details. 

4. Family Income

The parental income limit for the Top Class component is ₹8 lakh per year, according to the scheme guidelines.

Families should check the latest National Social Assistance Programme (NSP) and scheme instructions before applying, as eligibility conditions may change.

An income certificate or other required evidence may need to be submitted along with the application.

Families must ensure that the income information provided in the application matches the supporting documents.

5. Course Mode

The scholarship is not available for distance learning, part-time, or weekend courses. Students are usually expected to be enrolled in full-time courses at notified institutes.

Before applying, students should check that their course mode complies with the current scholarship requirements.

They must also meet other conditions, such as having a certain number of children in the family receiving benefits or other scholarships.

What Benefits Does the Scholarship Provide?

The scholarship helps cover various expenses related to education. Under the published DEPwD scheme guidelines, the Top Class component includes the following benefits:

• Tuition and non-refundable fees: Up to ₹2 lakh per year, based on the actual amount.
• Maintenance allowance: ₹3,000 per month for hostel residents and ₹1,500 per month for day scholars.
• Special allowance: ₹2,000 per month for disability-related needs such as having a reader, escort, or helper.
• Books and stationery: ₹5,000 per year.
• Computer or laptop: Up to ₹45,000 as a one-time grant in the first year, based on the required documents.
• Aids and assistive devices: Up to ₹30,000 as a one-time grant in the first year, subject to applicable conditions and supporting bills or vouchers.

These benefits can help reduce some of the financial pressure associated with higher education.

However, students should always check the current year’s scheme guidelines before making financial plans because scholarship amounts, conditions, and approved expenses can be revised.

How to Apply for the Scholarship?

Applications for the Top Class Education Scholarship for Students with Disabilities are submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). For the 2026–27 academic year, the scholarship is listed on NSP, and students can complete the application online.

Before starting the application, keep clear copies of the required documents ready and check the current eligibility requirements.

Step 1: Keep Your Documents Ready

Applicants may need the following documents:

• Disability certificate
• UDID or UDID enrolment details, as applicable
• Income certificate
• Proof of age
• Academic qualification or marksheet
• Admission or fee-related documents
• Bank account details
• Photograph
• Any other documents requested on the NSP

You can also read Nayi Disha’s guide on how to apply for a disability certificate in India for information about the disability certificate process.

The exact list of documents may vary depending on the scholarship scheme and the current NSP instructions. Check the portal before submitting your application.

Step 2: Complete One Time Registration

Students applying through NSP need a One Time Registration (OTR). OTR is a unique number that remains applicable throughout the student’s academic career on the National Scholarship Portal. It can be generated using Aadhaar or an Aadhaar Enrolment ID, as applicable.

Go to the National Scholarship Portal and select the option to complete OTR.

Follow the instructions provided on the portal and complete the required authentication process. Keep your registered mobile number available because OTP or other authentication may be required.

Step 3: Complete the UDID Consent Process

For the current 2026–27 application process, NSP states that students with disabilities must first log in to the UDID portal and provide consent to share their UDID details before submitting their scholarship application on NSP. Without this consent, the application cannot be submitted.

Students should therefore make sure their UDID details are available and complete the required consent process before proceeding with the scholarship application.

Step 4: Log in to NSP and Apply

Once your OTR is ready, go to the NSP Student section and select Apply for Scholarship.

Log in using your OTR ID and password. The current NSP student portal uses OTR for fresh and renewal scholarship applications from AY 2024–25 onwards.

Select the Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities from the available schemes, provided you meet its eligibility requirements.

Step 5: Complete the Application Form

Enter your personal, academic, disability, income, institution, and bank account details as requested.

Make sure the information matches your supporting documents. Check names, dates, account details, and other important information carefully before moving to the next step.

If the portal allows you to save the application as a draft, you can save it and complete it later. Do not submit the final application until you have checked all the details.

Step 6: Upload the Required Documents

Upload clear and valid copies of the documents requested on the portal.

Make sure each document is readable and meets the file format and size requirements shown by NSP. Keep the original documents safely because they may be required for verification.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Review the complete application before selecting Final Submit.

Once submitted, save or download a copy of the application and note the relevant application or reference details. Avoid making changes after final submission unless the portal provides an option to do so.

Step 8: Application Verification

After submission, the application goes through the prescribed verification process. The student’s institution and designated government authorities verify applications before eligible scholarships are processed.

Students should regularly check their application status on the NSP Student Portal and respond promptly if the application is marked defective or requires any action. NSP also provides information on scheme-wise application status and verification.

What Is the Application Deadline for 2026–27?

For the 2026–27 academic year, the National Scholarship Portal currently lists the Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities as open from June 1, 2026, with the student application deadline on October 31, 2026.

The portal currently shows November 15, 2026, for defective application verification and institute verification, followed by November 30, 2026, for DNO/SNO/MNO verification.

Students and families are advised to check the NSP regularly as application schedules and verification dates can change.

Is a UDID Card Required for the Scholarship?

UDID refers to the Unique Disability ID system. According to DEPwD scholarship guidelines, a UDID or UDID enrolment is mandatory to receive benefits under the scholarship scheme.

Families should therefore prepare their disability certificate and UDID-related details before starting the application.

If a student does not yet have a UDID card, families should refer to the current instructions on the official UDID system and the scholarship portal to understand what can be submitted during the application process.

Can Students Receive Another Scholarship at the Same Time?

Students should be cautious about receiving multiple scholarships. The DEPwD scheme guidelines state that a scholarship recipient under this scheme cannot receive another scholarship or stipend at the same time.

Before accepting another scholarship, students should check its terms and the Top Class scholarship conditions. If there is any uncertainty, it is better to confirm with the concerned scholarship authority or institute rather than assuming that both benefits can be combined.

How Is Selection Done?

Meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically guarantee a scholarship.

The scheme has a fixed number of slots, and these include both fresh and renewal cases. The published guidelines state that fresh applications are considered against the slots remaining after renewal applications have been processed.

The selection process considers factors such as the percentage of disability stated in the disability certificate. For students with Specific Learning Disability, the guidelines specify that eligible cases are treated as 40% for the purpose of the merit criteria.

This means families should apply carefully and submit complete and accurate information within the prescribed timeline.

What Should Students Do After Applying for the Scholarship?

Submitting the application is just one part of the process.

Students should:

• Keep a copy of the submitted application.
• Check the application status on the NSP.
• Respond promptly if the application is marked defective.
• Stay in touch with the institute’s scholarship or student support office.
• Ensure the institute completes verification within the prescribed timeline.
• Keep copies of important documents and receipts.

Taking these steps can help families track the application and resolve any issues early.

Other Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

The Top Class Education Scholarship is one part of the broader Scholarships for Students with Disabilities scheme.

Other components include:

• Pre-Matric Scholarship for Classes IX and X
• Post-Matric Scholarship
• National Fellowship
• National Overseas Scholarship
• Free Coaching

These schemes support students at different stages of their education and career preparation.

Students should choose the scholarship that matches their current course and educational level rather than applying based only on the name of the scheme.

How Families Can Support Students During Higher Education

Financial support is important, but students with disabilities may also need other support to participate fully in higher education.

Families can encourage students to discuss accessibility needs with their institution. This may include accessible learning materials, assistive technology, communication support, examination accommodations, accessible accommodations, or other reasonable accommodations depending on the student’s needs.

Students can also benefit from connecting with other families and peers who understand their experiences. Support groups can provide a space to share concerns, learn from others, and find practical guidance while navigating education and disability-related services.

Families do not have to navigate every step alone. Reliable information and the right support can make the transition to higher education more manageable.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or WhatsApp us. Our counsellors speak different languages, including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.  

Conclusion

The Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities can provide valuable financial support to eligible students pursuing higher education in notified institutes. Understanding the eligibility criteria, benefits, documents, application process, and deadlines can help families prepare with greater confidence.

Scholarship rules and application timelines can change, so families should always verify the latest information on the National Scholarship Portal and official government sources before applying.

Nayi Disha provides easy-to-understand information and support for families navigating disability, education, rights, and available government schemes. Connecting with reliable resources and other families can help students move forward with greater confidence and access the support they need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any scholarship for disabled students?

Yes. The Government of India offers several scholarships for students with disabilities through the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). These include Pre-Matric Scholarship, Post-Matric Scholarship, Top Class Education Scholarship, National Fellowship, National Overseas Scholarship, and Free Coaching. Eligibility depends on the student’s education level, disability, income, course, and other scheme-specific conditions.

What is a Top Class Education Scholarship for Students with Disabilities?

The Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities is a government scholarship for eligible students with benchmark disabilities pursuing graduate, postgraduate, or diploma courses in notified institutes. It provides financial support towards eligible education-related expenses such as tuition fees, maintenance, books and stationery, and certain assistive or disability-related needs.

What is Pradhan Mantri Yojana for disabled people?

There is no single government scheme officially called the “Pradhan Mantri Yojana for disabled people.” The Government of India has several schemes and programmes for persons with disabilities covering areas such as education, assistive devices, skill development, financial assistance, and accessibility. Families should check the official DEPwD portal to identify schemes relevant to their specific needs.

What government schemes are available for disabled people in India?

The Government of India provides various schemes for persons with disabilities. These include scholarships for students with disabilities, the UDID scheme, ADIP support for assistive devices, skill development programmes, financial assistance, and other welfare and accessibility initiatives. Eligibility and benefits vary by scheme, so families should check the latest official guidelines before applying.

Can I apply for an NSP disability scholarship online?

Yes. Eligible students can apply for disability scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). For the 2026–27 academic year, NSP lists the Top Class Education Scholarship for Students with Disabilities as open from June 1 to October 31, 2026. Students must complete the required One-Time Registration (OTR), and the current NSP instructions state that disabled students must first provide consent through the UDID portal before submitting their NSP application.