₹50,000 a Year for Girl Students: AICTE Pragati Scholarship Ends October 31
Girl students in technical courses can get ₹50,000 a year from the AICTE Pragati Scholarship, and the application window closes on October 31, 2026. Both fresh and renewal applications are open on the National Scholarship Portal.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) runs this scheme only for girls. Under the AICTE Pragati Scholarship 2026-27, 10,000 scholarships are given every year: 5,000 for degree students and 5,000 for diploma students. Your family’s yearly income must be ₹8 lakh or less. The full amount comes once a year, directly into your bank account.
Who can apply: five quick checks
Tick every line before you fill the form.
- You are in the first year. Girls in the first year of a technical degree or diploma course at an AICTE-approved college can apply. If you joined the second year through lateral entry, you can also apply. Regular second, third, or fourth-year students cannot apply as fresh candidates.
- Your family income is ₹8 lakh a year or less. The total income from all sources counts. You need an income certificate issued by a state government officer, such as a Tehsildar.
- Only two girls per family. If two girls from your family already hold this scholarship, a third cannot apply.
- Your study gap is two years or less. The gap between passing your last board exam and joining the course must not be more than two years.
- Selection is based on marks alone. For degree courses, your Class 12 marks decide your rank. For diploma courses, your Class 10 marks decide it. AICTE prepares a separate merit list for each state and union territory.
One more rule matters. AICTE says a Pragati scholar should not hold any other scholarship, stipend, or financial help while the course runs. If you already get one, speak to your college before applying. To compare your options, read our guide to government scholarships for Indian college students.
What the ₹50,000 covers
The money arrives once a year as a lump sum through Direct Benefit Transfer, in the student’s own Aadhaar-linked bank account. You can spend it on your college fee, a computer, books and stationery, equipment, or software.
There is no extra money for hostel charges or medical costs. On the plus side, you do not have to submit bills to prove how you spent it.
“For many families, ₹50,000 a year is the difference between a daughter finishing her engineering degree and leaving after the first semester.”
How to apply on the National Scholarship Portal
The whole process is online, and the order matters. Here are the steps:
- Register with OTR. Go to the official National Scholarship Portal and complete One Time Registration. You need your Aadhaar number and the mobile number linked to it, followed by an OTP and a face check on the NSP OTR app.
- Choose the scheme. Log in with your OTR details and select “AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girl Students”. Pick Technical Degree or Technical Diploma as per your course.
- Fill your details. Enter your personal, academic, income, and bank details carefully. The bank account must be in your own name and linked with Aadhaar.
- Upload documents. Keep clear scans ready. Four of them must be in AICTE’s own format, signed and stamped by the head of your institution (details below).
- Submit and save. Check every detail once, submit the form, and save the confirmation page.
Your institute verifies the form first. Then the Department of Technical Education in your state or union territory checks it. If you notice a mistake after submitting, inform your institute immediately so it can be fixed before the defective-form deadline.
Documents you must keep ready
- Class 10 certificate and marksheet
- Class 12 certificate and marksheet
- Bonafide or study certificate from your college (Appendix I format)
- Family income certificate (Appendix II format), signed by a Tehsildar, District Magistrate, or Deputy Commissioner
- Parent’s declaration (Appendix III format)
- Promotion certificate (Appendix IV format)
Also keep your Aadhaar card, the first page of your bank passbook, and a caste certificate if it applies to you. A form without the head of the institution’s signature and stamp on the four certificates can be rejected, so get them signed early.
Dates you cannot miss
| Event | Last date |
|---|---|
| Student application (fresh and renewal) | October 31, 2026 |
| Defective form correction check | November 15, 2026 |
| Institute verification | November 15, 2026 |
| District, state, and ministry check | November 30, 2026 |
AICTE’s official notification says no request for a date extension will be entertained. Read AICTE’s official scheme page for the full guidelines.
The same October 31 deadline also applies to AICTE’s Saksham scheme for specially-abled students and the Swanath scheme for orphans. Other major schemes, like the LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship, closed their 2026 windows in September. That makes Pragati one of the few large scholarships still open, so apply early instead of waiting for the last day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a second-year student apply for the Pragati Scholarship?
Only if she joined the second year through lateral entry. Regular second, third, or fourth-year students cannot apply as fresh candidates for the 2026-27 session.
Does the Pragati Scholarship cover hostel fees?
No. The ₹50,000 a year can be spent on college fees, a computer, books and stationery, equipment, and software. There is no separate money for hostel or medical costs, and you do not need to submit bills.
What happens if my form has a mistake?
Tell your institute at once. Forms flagged as defective can be corrected and checked until November 15, 2026, but only if your institute re-verifies them in time.
Can I apply if my family already gets another scholarship?
No. AICTE's rules say a Pragati scholar should not receive any other scholarship, stipend, or financial assistance during the course. If money from another source is found later, the scholarship stops.
