Introduction
The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India has released the official notification for the DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27 through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to students with benchmark disabilities (40% or more disability) pursuing education at different levels. Three scholarship schemes have been announced under this programme, namely Pre-Matric Scholarship (Class IX & X), Post-Matric Scholarship (Class XI to Post-Graduation), and Top Class Education Scholarship for students pursuing Undergraduate, Postgraduate Degree, and Diploma courses in notified institutions. Eligible applicants must possess a valid Disability Certificate or UDID Card and satisfy the prescribed annual family income criteria. Candidates are also required to complete One Time Registration (OTR) and Aadhaar authentication before submitting their scholarship application through the NSP Portal. Interested students are advised to carefully read the eligibility conditions, application schedule, and official guidelines before applying online.
Important Dates
| Scholarship | Application Start | Last Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship | 01 June 2026 | 31 August 2026 |
| Post-Matric Scholarship | 01 June 2026 | 31 October 2026 |
| Top Class Education Scholarship | 01 June 2026 | 31 October 2026 |
Scholarship Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Name | DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27 |
| Department | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment |
| Academic Session | 2026-27 |
| Scholarship Mode | Online |
| Portal | National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Beneficiaries | Students with Benchmark Disabilities |
| Disability Required | 40% or More |
| Application Mode | Online |
Eligibility Criteria
-
Candidates must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:
- Must be an Indian Citizen.
- Must have 40% or more Benchmark Disability.
- Should possess a valid Disability Certificate or UDID Card.
- Must be studying in the eligible class/course under the respective scholarship scheme.
- Applicant must satisfy the prescribed annual family income limit.
- Aadhaar-linked bank account is required for scholarship disbursement.
Annual Family Income Limit
| Scholarship | Maximum Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship | ₹2,50,000 |
| Post-Matric Scholarship | ₹2,50,000 |
| Top Class Education Scholarship | ₹8,00,000 |
Note : Income Certificate must be issued by the competent Revenue Authority/Circle Officer as prescribed.
Benefits / Scholarship Amount
| Component | Eligible Classes / Courses | Financial Assistance (per annum) | Slots (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre‑Matric | Class IX & X (government or recognized schools) | Maintenance: Rs.800/month (hostellers) / Rs.500/month (day‑scholars) Disability allowance: Rs.4,000 (visual/intellectual) or Rs.2,000 (other) Book allowance: Rs.1,000 |
25,000 (incl. renewals) |
| Post‑Matric | Class XI‑XII, Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s (recognized institutions) | Admission & tuition fee reimbursement up to Rs.1.40 lakh Miscellaneous fee up to Rs.10,000 Maintenance: Rs.1,200/month (hostellers) / Rs.650/month (day‑scholars) Disability allowance: Rs.4,000 (visual/intellectual) or Rs.2,000 (other) Book allowance: Rs.1,500 |
17,000 (incl. renewals) |
| Top Class Education | Graduate & Post‑Graduate programmes in Institutes of Excellence (Annexure‑I) | Admission & tuition fee reimbursement up to Rs.1.90 lakh Miscellaneous allowance up to Rs.10,000 One‑time computer/laptop grant: Rs.45,000 One‑time assistive‑device grant: Rs.30,000 Maintenance: Rs.3,000/month (hostellers) / Rs.1,500/month (day‑scholars) Special disability allowance: Rs.2,000/month Book allowance: Rs.5,000 |
300 (incl. renewals) |
| National Overseas Scholarship | Master’s & Ph.D. programmes abroad (eligible universities only) | Tuition fee (actual) Maintenance allowance: US$15,400 p.a. (US & other countries) / GBP 9,900 p.a. (UK) Contingency, travel, equipment, visa, insurance, etc. as per detailed schedule |
20 + ongoing cases |
| National Fellowship (NFPwD) | M.Phil. / Ph.D. in Indian universities (UGC‑recognized) | Fellowship stipend: Rs.37,000/month (JRF) → Rs.42,000/month (SRF) Contingency (Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce): Rs.10,000 p.a. (first 2 years) → Rs.20,500 p.a. (subsequent) Contingency (Science, Engineering, Technology): Rs.12,000 p.a. → Rs.25,000 p.a. Escort/Reader assistance: Rs.2,000/month House‑rent allowance as per Govt. norms |
200 (annual) |
| Free Coaching | Coaching for competitive exams (UPSC, SSC, RRB, IBPS, etc.) and professional entrance exams (JEE, NEET, CAT, CLAT, CUET, etc.) | Stipend: Rs.4,000/month Disability allowance: Rs.2,000/month Book allowance: Rs.5,000 (one‑time per course) Course fee up to Rs.75,000 (varies by exam) and duration 6‑12 months |
1,000 (annual) |
Documents Required
-
Aadhaar Card (Mandatory)
-
One Time Registration (OTR) Number (Mandatory)
-
Disability Certificate (40% or Above) / UDID Card (Mandatory)
-
Recent Passport Size Photograph
-
Previous Class Marksheet
-
Income Certificate (Issued by Circle Officer/Competent Authority)
-
Aadhaar Linked Bank Passbook
-
Educational Institution Certificate
-
Active Mobile Number
-
Valid Email ID
-
Caste Certificate (If Applicable)
How to Apply Online
Eligible candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).http://https://scholarships.gov.in/.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR).
- Login using the generated OTR ID.
- Select DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27.
- Fill in personal, academic and bank details.
- Upload all required documents.
- Verify the application carefully.
- Submit the application form.
- Download the acknowledgement for future reference.
Aadhaar & OTR Registration
Applicants must complete One Time Registration (OTR) before applying for the scholarship.
Important Points:
- OTR is mandatory for all fresh applicants.
- Existing NSP applicants should also generate their OTR Number.
- Aadhaar authentication is compulsory.
- Scholarship amount will be credited only to the Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Selection Process
| Stage | Process |
|---|---|
| Stage-I | Online Registration (OTR) |
| Stage-II | Online Application Submission |
| Stage-III | Institute Verification |
| Stage-IV | State/Department Verification |
| Stage-V | Scholarship Approval |
| Stage-VI | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) |
Important Instructions
-
- Only eligible students with 40% or more benchmark disability can apply.
- Aadhaar authentication is compulsory.
- OTR registration is mandatory before filling the application.
- Ensure that the bank account is linked with Aadhaar.
- Income certificate must be issued by the competent authority.
- Applications containing incorrect information may be rejected.
- Students should submit the application before the last date.
- Keep the registered mobile number active for OTP and scholarship updates.
- Scholarship will be released only after successful verification.
- Read the official notification carefully before submitting the application.
Important Web-Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Visit |
| Download Notification | Download |
| Scholarship Guidelines | Download |
| Official Website | Visit |
| Photo, Signature, Document & PDF Resizer (Free) | Visit |
Scholarship Benefits
The DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27 aims to provide financial assistance to eligible students with benchmark disabilities for pursuing education without financial burden.
Eligible students will receive benefits such as:
- Financial assistance for education.
- Maintenance Allowance.
- Tuition Fee Support.
- Book Grant and Study Material Assistance.
- Support for Professional & Technical Courses.
- Scholarship amount directly transferred to the Aadhaar-seeded bank account through DBT.
Helpdesk / Contact
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone Number: |
0120-6619540 |
Email Address: |
helpdesk@nsp.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27?
A. The last date to submit the DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27 online application will be notified on the official portal. Candidates are advised to complete the registration before the closing date.
Q2. How can I apply online for DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27?
A. Eligible candidates can apply online through the official DEPwD Scholarship Portal by registering, filling out the application form, uploading the required documents, and submitting the application before the last date.
Q3. Who is eligible for the DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27?
A. Students having a valid PwD (Persons with Disabilities) Certificate and pursuing Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Professional, or Top Class Education courses are eligible as per the official guidelines.
Q4. What is the scholarship amount under DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27?
A. The DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27 amount depends on the scholarship scheme and may include maintenance allowance, tuition fees, book allowance, and other educational benefits as per government rules.
Q5. Which scholarship schemes are available under DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27?
A. The Department offers the following scholarship schemes: Pre-Matric Scholarship, Post-Matric Scholarship, Top Class Education Scholarship, and other eligible PwD education schemes as notified.
Q6. What documents are required for DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27 Apply Online?
A. Applicants generally need Aadhaar Card, PwD/UDID Certificate, Income Certificate, Previous Marksheet, Bank Passbook, Passport-size Photograph, Educational Institution Certificate, and Caste Certificate (if applicable).
Q7. Can Assam students apply for the DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27?
A. Yes. Eligible students from Assam and all other States/UTs can apply for the DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27, subject to fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria.
Q8. Is the DE PwD Scholarship available for degree students?
A. Yes. Eligible Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Technical, Professional, and Top Class Education students can apply under the respective scholarship scheme.
Q9. How can I check the DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27 application status?
A. Candidates can check their application status by logging into the official DEPwD Scholarship Portal using their registered credentials.
Q10. Where can I get the latest updates on DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27?
A. Candidates should regularly visit the official DEPwD Scholarship Portal and VacancyWallah.in for the latest updates regarding the DE PwD Scholarship 2026-27, including the last date, scholarship amount, eligibility, application status, merit list, and official notifications.
