15 days left: ₹50,000 a year for specially-abled students, AICTE Saksham closes Oct 31

Only 15 days remain for specially-abled students to claim ₹50,000 a year for their technical education. The AICTE Saksham Scholarship for 2026-27 closes on October 31, and the best part is this: there is no merit list. Every eligible student who applies gets the money.

The All India Council for Technical Education runs this scheme under the Ministry of Education. It is listed on the National Scholarship Portal as a welfare-based scheme for students with disabilities in technical degree and diploma courses, and the full guidelines are on the official AICTE website.

This makes Saksham one of the most dependable scholarships for college students this year. October 31 is also the closing date for most other NSP scholarships this year, so the next two weeks matter a lot.

₹50,000 a year, paid straight to your bank account

Each selected student gets ₹50,000 a year as a lump sum. The money lands in the student’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer, so there is no middleman.

You can use it for college fees, a computer, books and stationery, equipment, or software. You do not need to submit bills or receipts. Two things are not covered: hostel charges and medical costs.

The award is renewed every year. A degree student admitted in the first year can receive it for up to four years. Diploma students get it for up to three years. Students who entered through lateral entry get one year less. The scholarship stops if you fail or drop out.

Every eligible student who applies gets the scholarship. There is no merit list, and there is no seat limit.

Who can apply: check this list first

You must meet every condition below. Miss one, and the form gets rejected.

• You are admitted to the first year of a degree or diploma course in an AICTE-approved institution. Students who joined the second year through lateral entry can also apply.
• You have a disability of 40% or more, with a valid disability certificate. If you have a UDID card, you must log in to the UDID portal and consent to share your UDID details on the NSP portal before submitting.
• Your family’s total income from all sources is ₹8 lakh a year or less. You will need an income certificate issued by your state or UT government.
• There is no gap of more than two years between your qualifying examination and your admission.
• You hold an Aadhaar-seeded general savings bank account in your own name. Joint accounts, minor accounts, and FRILL accounts are not accepted.

Only passing marks are needed in the qualifying exam. There is no minimum percentage, and all castes and categories can apply.

Students already in the second, third, or fourth year (other than lateral entry) cannot apply as fresh candidates. But if you received Saksham in an earlier year, you can apply for renewal for 2026-27. Renewal is open for the 2023-24 degree batch and the 2024-25 and 2025-26 degree and diploma batches.

It pairs well with the Pragati scholarship

Saksham is the sister scheme of the AICTE Pragati Scholarship for girls, which pays the same ₹50,000 a year and also closes on October 31. Girl students with disabilities can apply for both.

In August 2026, AICTE clarified that Saksham can be held with another welfare-based scholarship or with one merit-based scholarship. One warning: if you earn a salary, stipend, or any other income from another source, the scholarship stops and you may have to return the money.

How to apply: five steps on the NSP portal

Applications are online only, through the official National Scholarship Portal.

• Complete the One Time Registration (OTR) on the portal if you have not registered already.
• Students with disabilities must log in to the UDID portal and consent to share their UDID details before the application can be submitted.
• Under “Apply for Scholarship”, pick “AICTE - Saksham Scholarship Scheme for Specially Abled Student (Technical Degree)” or “(Technical Diploma)”. It is listed as a welfare-based scheme.
• Fill in the details and upload your income certificate, disability proof, and your Aadhaar-seeded bank account details. Renewal students should also keep the promotion certificate signed by their head of institution ready.
• Submit before October 31, 2026.

After you apply: two checks you must chase

Applying is only half the job. Your institute must verify the form by November 15, 2026, and the state nodal officer must finish the final check by November 30. Only verified applications are considered.

If the portal flags your form as defective, it can be corrected and re-verified until November 15. So talk to your institute’s nodal officer the moment you submit. Do not wait for the last day.

Keep checking your application status on scholarships.gov.in through November. A missed verification is the most common reason students lose the money even after applying on time.