(a) whether the Government has implemented any national scholarship scheme
based on income and eligibility;
(b) if so, the details thereof alongwith the criteria prescribed for
the said scheme;
(c) the details of funds allocated under the said scheme as on date,
year-wise/State-wise; and
(d) the number of students, specially from the rural areas, benefited
from the said scheme, year-wise/State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI D. NAPOLEON)
(a) & (b) The Ministry is presently implementing the ‘National Scholarship
Scheme for Persons with Disabilities’ from the ‘National Fund for People with
Disabilities’. The salient features of the scheme are:-
(i) Financial assistance is given to students with at least 40% disabilities
as per the provisions of the Persons with disabilities Act 1995, for pursuing post-
Matric/Post-Secondary technical and professional courses including Ph.D & M.Phil
from recognized institutions. However, for students with Cerebral Palsy, Mental
Retardation, Multiple Disabilities, and Profound or Severe Hearing Impairment, the
minimum education qualification is class-VIII pass and scholarships are awarded to
them for pursuing general, technical, vocational or professional courses.
(ii) Monthly family income (including income of the parent/guardian) of the
beneficiary should not be more than Rs. 15,000/-.
(iii) Scholarship of (a) 1000/- p.m. for hostellers and Rs. 700/- p.m. for day
scholars studying in professional courses at graduation and above level, and
(b) Rs. 700/- p.m. for hostellers and Rs. 400/- for day scholars pursuing Diploma/
certificate level professional courses and students with Cerebral Palsy, Mental
Retardation, Multiple Disabilities and Profound or Severe Hearing Impairment, for
pursuing general/technical/vocational courses after Class-VIII. Course fee is also
reimbursed up to a ceiling of Rs. 10,000/- per year.
(iv) Up to five hundred Scholarships are given annually to different categories
of disabled students as per National Scholarship Scheme. Fifty percent of the
scholarships are earmarked for female students.
(c) No State-wise allocation of funds is made under the scheme. The scheme is
implemented through National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC).
Year-wise amount disbursed is given at Annexure-I.
(d) Details are not maintained separately in respect of students of rural/
urban areas.