Question : Scholarship Schemes for Differently Abled Students

(a) the number of differently abled students who have benefited under various scholarship schemes in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, scheme and State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government has received complaints regarding denial of benefits of the said schemes to the eligible students in the country during the said period;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons thereof, Scheme and State/UT-wise;
(d) whether cases of taking advantages of the said schemes by non-eligible students have come to the notice of the Government during the said period, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, scheme and State/UT-wise; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to bring each eligible student under the coverage of the said schemes?

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

(a) The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is presently implementing an umbrella scheme ‘Scholarships for Students with Disabilities’. The main objective of the umbrella scholarship scheme is to empower students with disabilities to study further in order to earn their livelihood and to find a dignified place in the society, as they face several barriers – physical, financial and psychological in pursuing studies and living with dignity.

The umbrella scholarship scheme comprises six components: (i) Pre-matric (for class IX & X), (ii) Post-matric (for Class XI to Post-graduate degree/diploma), (iii) Top Class Education (for Graduate degree/Post-graduate degree/diploma in notified institutes of excellence in education), (iv) National Fellowship for PwDs (for M.Phil/Ph.D in Indian Universities), (v) National Overseas Scholarship (for Master’s degree/Doctorate in universities abroad) and (v) Free Coaching (for students appearing in competitive examinations for Government jobs and admission to technical and professional courses).
The number of students having availed the benefits of scholarship schemes being implemented by this Department during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise and Scheme-wise is given at Annexure.

(b) & (c): No complaint has been received regarding denial of benefits of scholarships scheme to the eligible students.

(d) No case of non-eligible students having taken advantage of the said schemes has come to the notice of this Department during the said period.

(e) In order to bring eligible students with disabilities under umbrella scholarship scheme being implemented by this Department, a number of initiatives have been taken to encourage State Governments to popularize the scholarship scheme and motivate students with disabilities to apply for scholarships. Applications of eligible students are invited through advertisements in national newspapers (dailies). Pre-matric, Post-matric and Top Class Education scholarships are being implemented through National Scholarship Portal developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities is being implemented through UGC Portal. National Overseas Scholarship and Free Coaching are being implemented offline.

The State Governments have been advised to create awareness amongst disabled students about scholarship schemes being implemented by this Department during meetings held from time to time.
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