AICTE – Saksham Scholarship Scheme For Specially-Abled Student (Diploma)
State: Central
Ministry: Ministry of Education
Department: Department Of Higher Education
Category: Education & Learning, Social welfare & Empowerment
Beneficiary Type: Individual

Saksham is a Scholarship Scheme by the Ministry of Education, implemented by AICTE, aimed at providing encouragement and support to specially-abled children to pursue technical education. This is an attempt to give every young specially-abled student the opportunity to study further.

Benefits:
1. ₹50,000/- per annum for every year of study i.e. maximum 3 years for the first year admitted students and maximum 2 years for the second year admitted students through lateral entry as lump sum amount towards payment of college fee, purchase of computer, stationeries, books, equipment, software, etc.
1. After selection, the awardee will be paid a scholarship through DBT mode on annual basis.
1. The scholarship will be renewed for the next year of study on receipt of renewal through National Scholarship Portal by submitting a passing certificate/ mark sheet along with a letter from the Head of the Institution on the online portal

Eligibility:
1. The candidate should be admitted to the first year of the diploma-level course or the second year of the diploma-level course through lateral entry in any of the AICTE-approved institutions of the respective year.
1. Specially-abled students have a disability of not less than 40%.
1. Family income from all sources should not be more than ₹ 8,00,000/- per annum during the current financial year. A valid income certificate issued by the state/UT government needs to be enclosed.

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Application Process:
[Online]
New Registration:Step 1: Visit the New Registration page of the National Scholarships Portal.
Step 2: Guidelines for Registration will appear. Scroll to the bottom. Read the undertaking carefully and Accept the Terms. Click “Next”.
Step 3: In the next window, enter your mobile number and OTP. Then click “Verify”.
Step 4: After successful verification, continue with e-KYC process (as applicable).
Step 5: Once completed, your reference number will be generated and the same will be sent to your registered phone number.
Process for OTR ID Number Generation:Step 1: Download and install AadhaarFaceRD services in the android device.
Step 2: Download and install the NSP OTR App from the Google Play Store.
Step 3: After opening the mobile app Select the option “eKYC with FaceAuth” highlighted in red.
Step 4: Enter the allotted reference number and click on “Send OTP” to receive OTP on your mobile no. 
Step 5: Enter the received OTP and captcha in the screen and click Next.
Step 6: Click on “Proceed for Face Authentication” button highlighted in red.
Step 7: UIDAI AadhaarFaceRD services will be invoked for face authentication. Ensure AadhaarFaceRD services are preinstalled on your device.
Step 8: On Successful completion of face-authentication OTR no. will be generated and will also be sent on your registered mobile no.
Fresh Application:Step 1: Visit the applicant Login page of the National Scholarships Portal Enter your One Time Registration (OTR) number and password.
Step 2: Type the Captcha and click “Login”.
Step 3: On the next screen, provide the OTP received on your registered mobile number. You will be directed to the Password Reset screen. Create a new password and confirm.
Step 4: Click “Submit”. You will be directed to the “Applicant’s Dashboard”.
Step 5: On the left pane, click “Application Form”. The fields marked as * are compulsory. Fill in the details and upload the documents.
Step 6: You can either click on “Save as Draft” to complete the application later. Else, click “Final Submit” to submit the application.
Track Payment Status:The student can track their payment status from the template “Know Your Payment” in the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) Portal either by indicating their Aadhaar Number, Bank Account number or NSP Application ID.
NOTE 1: The National Scholarships Portal will provide the timelines for opening & closing of the portal.
NOTE 2: 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).
NOTE 3: Students will not be permanently debarred for scholarships due to delay in renewal 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.

Documents Required:
Aadhaar
Copy of SSC/10th certificate & mark sheet,
Copy of HSC/12th certificate (In case of Degree level) & mark sheet.
Copy of ITI certificate (In case of Lateral Entry for Diploma level) & mark sheet.
Copy of Diploma certificate (In case of Lateral Entry for Degree level) & mark sheet.
Category Certificate, if applicable.
Study/ Bonafide Certificate (Appendix-I).
Annual Family Income Certificate (Appendix-II).
Promotion Certificate in case of renewal (Appendix-III).