Question : Scholarship Schemes for Differently Abled Students

(a) the details of the scholarship schemes being implemented by the Government meant for students with disabilities in the country;
(b) the number of students who have availed the benefits of the said schemes across the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT and Scheme-wise:
(c) whether the Government has received complaints regarding denial of benefits of the said schemes to the eligible students in the country and if so, the details thereof; State/UT and Scheme-wise:
(d) the cases of taking advantages of the said schemes by non-eligible students that have come to the notice of the Government during the said period, State/UT and Scheme-wise; and
(e) the action taken by the Government in this regard along with the steps taken/being taken by the Government to bring each eligible student under the coverage of the said schemes?

MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(DR. THAAWAR CHAND GEHLOT)


(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.












Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (e) of the LokSabha Starred Question No. 397raised by ShriOmprakashBhupalsinhAlias PawanRajenimbalkar: Shri Rahul Ramesh Shewale, regarding Scholarship Schemes for Differently Abled Students for answer on 23.03.2021.

a. The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is implementing the Central Sector Scheme of ‘Scholarships to Students with Disabilities (SwDs)’ with the following six components:
i. Pre-Matric Scholarship (For Classes IX & X).
ii. Post-Matric Scholarship (For Classes XI to Post-graduate Degree/Diploma).
iii. Top Class Education Scholarship (For Graduate and Post-graduate Degree/Diploma in notified Institutes of excellence in education).
iv. National Overseas Scholarship (For Master’s Degree/Ph.D. in foreign universities).
v. National Fellowship (For M.Phil. and Ph.D. in Indian universities).
vi. Free Coaching (For recruitment examinations for Group A& B posts and entrance examinations for admission to technical and professional courses).
b. The number of students who have availed benefits of the said schemes, across the country, during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT and Scheme-wise is given in Annexure.
c. No complaint has been received in this Department regarding denial of benefits of scholarship schemes to the eligible students in the country.
d. Cases of non-eligible students taking advantages of the said schemes have not come to the notice of the Department, during the last three years and the current year.
e. In order to bring eligible students under the coverage of the Scholarship Schemes, the following initiatives have been undertaken :-
• Applications from eligible students are invited across the country through national and regional newspapers.
• The Scheme has been uploaded on the web-site of the Department.
• State Governments have been sensitized about Scholarship schemes of the Department for students with disabilities.
• State Governments have been requested to popularize the scheme through various ways.
• Under the revised scheme implemented with effect from 01.4.2018, the number of slots in Pre-Matric scholarship has increased from 20,000 to 25,000 and in case of Top Class Education scholarship from 160 to 300.
• Graduate degree courses in notified institutions also included for Top Class Education scholarship.
• Parental income ceiling increased from Rs.2.00 lakh to Rs.2.50 lakh for Pre-matric Scholarship.
• National Overseas Scholarship applications are received throughout the year.
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