Lok Sabha Question No. 1573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-26
Subject: Higher Education for Disabled Persons
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: PRALHAD VENKATESH JOSHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1573 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2016

## HIGHER EDUCATION FOR DISABLED PERSONS

## 1573. SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry is aware that according to Census 2011, there were 2.68 crore persons with disabilities in India who constituted 2.22 per cent of the total population, however, only 0.56 per cent of students with disabilities are pursuing higher education in the country;
- (b) whether schemes / scholarships have been introduced by the Government to integrate persons with disabilities into the higher education system; and
- (c) if the details and achievements thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI KRISHANPAL GUJJAR)

- (a) As per Census 2011, there were 2.68 crore Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) in India which constitute 2.21 per cent of the total population, Out of 2.68 crore Divyangjans , the number of Divyangjan having qualification of graduation and above is 12.50 lakh:
- (b) and (c) For the sake of empowerment of persons with disabilities  through higher education, this Department is implementing the following five schemes for Students with Disabilities (SwDs) for higher education
- i) Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for class XI to post graduation (launched in 2014-15);
- (ii) Scholarship for Class Education for post graduation courses in the institutes of excellence as notified in the scheme (launched in 2015-16); Top
- courses in India (launched in 2012-13;
- (iv) National Overseas Scholarship for Students with Disabilities for pursuing Masters' Degree and PhD. courses in abroad (launched in 2014-15); and
- (v) Scholarship under Trust Fund for pursuing professional or technical courses from recognized institutes (launched in 2011-12).

statement indicating details and   achievements under  these schemes is   enclosed at Annexure.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY AND (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUFSTION NO.1573   FOR ANSWER ON 26TH  JULY 2016  RAISED BY SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI REGARDING "HIGHER EDUCATION FOR DISABLED PERSONS"

The details and achievements $0 far under these schemes for Students' with Disabilities (SwDs) for higher education are under:

[As on 21.07.2016]

| SI No,   | Name of the scheme                                                                                                        | No. of SwDs benefited / selected under the scheme   | Amount released (in Rs.lakh)   |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| (i)      | Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for class XI to post graduation                                                            | 5228                                                | 520.36                         |
| (ii)     | Scholarship for Class Education for post graduation courses in the institutes of excellence as notified in the scheme Top | 42                                                  |                                |
| (iii)    | National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities (NFPwD) for pursuing MPhil Ph D, in India                               | 854                                                 | 4969.11                        |
| (iv)     | National Overseas Scholarship for Students with Disabilities for pursuing Masters' Degree and Ph D in abroad              |                                                     | 0.00*                          |
|          | Scholarship under Trust Fund for pursuing professional or technical courses from recognized institutes_                   | 7657                                                | 5233,00                        |