NSP Disability Scholarship: If you have a benchmark disability and you’re studying at a top institute like an IIT, NIT, IIM, AIIMS or NLU, there’s a central government scholarship that can cover your tuition, a laptop, assistive devices and monthly living costs. It’s called the Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities, and applications for 2026-27 are open on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) until 31 October 2026.
Here’s everything you need to know: who can apply, how much you get, which documents to keep ready, and how the selection works.
NSP Top Class Education Scholarship 2026-27: Overview
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities |
|---|---|
| Conducting Department | Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Applicable For | Graduate and Post-Graduate Degree/Diploma courses in notified Institutes of Excellence |
| Who Can Apply | Students with benchmark disability (40% or more) |
| Parental Income Limit | Up to Rs. 8 lakh per annum |
| Total Slots | 300 per year (including renewal cases) |
| Reservation for Girls | 50% of slots |
| Application Mode | Online through National Scholarship Portal |
| Last Date (2026-27) | 31 October 2026 |
| Payment Mode | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to Aadhaar-linked bank account |
Who Is Eligible for NSP Disability Scholarship?
To apply, you need to meet all of these conditions:
- You must be an Indian national.
- You must have a benchmark disability of 40% or more, backed by a valid disability certificate from a competent authority or a UDID card/enrolment number.
- Your parents’ or guardian’s annual income from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh.
- You must be studying a graduate or postgraduate degree/diploma at an institute notified by DEPwD. The list covers IITs, NITs, IIITs, IIMs, National Law Universities, AIIMS, IISERs, NIFT, NID, IISc, ISI, TISS, hotel management institutes and many more (375 institutes in all).
- Your course must be regular and full-time. Distance-learning, part-time and weekend courses are not covered.
- You need Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and an Aadhaar-linked bank account.
- Not more than two children with disabilities from the same parents can get this benefit. If the second child is a twin, the twin is also eligible.
- You can’t be receiving any other scholarship or stipend at the same time.
- This scholarship can be awarded to a person only once. If you repeat a class, you won’t get the scholarship for that class again.
Scholarship Benefits
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Admission and tuition fee reimbursement | Up to Rs. 1.90 lakh per year (as per actuals) |
| Compulsory fees (library, sports, medical exam, etc.) | Up to Rs. 10,000 per year (as per actuals) |
| Laptop/computer with accessories | Rs. 45,000 one-time grant in the first year (bill required) |
| Aids and assistive devices for your disability | Rs. 30,000 one-time grant in the first year (bills required) |
| Maintenance allowance | Rs. 3,000 per month for hostellers, Rs. 1,500 per month for day scholars |
| Special allowance (reader, escort, helper, etc.) | Rs. 2,000 per month |
| Book allowance | Rs.5,000 per year |
Good to know: The assistive device grant isn’t available if you’ve already claimed help under the ADIP scheme in the last three years. Also, the scholarship continues year after year until your course ends, as long as you keep getting promoted and maintain good conduct and attendance.
How Are Students Selected?
Meeting the eligibility criteria doesn’t automatically get you the scholarship, because there are only 300 slots and renewal cases are processed first. Fresh applicants are considered only against the leftover slots. Here’s how the selection works:
- Merit: The disability percentage on your certificate is the selection criterion. For Specific Learning Disability, it is counted as 40%.
- Tie-breaker: If two candidates have the same percentage, the older candidate gets preference.
- Girls’ quota: 50% of slots are reserved for female candidates. If enough eligible girls aren’t available, the remaining slots go to male candidates.
- State-wise slots: Slots are distributed across states based on the number of eligible applications and the state’s share of persons with disabilities.
Documents Required
- Passport-size photograph
- Proof of age
- Disability certificate or UDID card (40% or above)
- Parent/guardian income certificate (self-employed parents need one issued by the authorised Revenue Officer)
- Tuition fee receipt
- Last academic qualification certificate/marksheet
- Aadhaar card
- Aadhaar-linked bank account details
How to Apply Online: Step by Step
- Go to the National Scholarship Portal at scholarships.gov.in.
- Click on New Registration and register with your basic details if you haven’t already. If you’re a returning student, use Login and select renewal.
- Log in and open the application form for Scholarship for Top Class Education for Students with Disabilities under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
- Fill in your personal, disability, academic, institute and bank details carefully.
- Upload scanned copies of all the documents listed above.
- Check everything once, submit the form and download or save your application ID and acknowledgement.
- Your institute will then verify your application on the portal, followed by the State Nodal Officer. If you live in one state and study in another, your application is recommended by the Education/Welfare Department of your home state.
- Keep an eye on your NSP login for the status. Selected students receive the amount directly in their bank account.
Tip: Don’t wait for the last week. Your institute has to verify the application too, and delays on their side can cost you the slot.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| NSP 2026-27 portal opened | 1 June 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 31 October 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date for the NSP Top Class Education Scholarship for Students with Disabilities 2026-27?
The last date to apply on the National Scholarship Portal is 31 October 2026.
What is the minimum disability percentage required?
You need a benchmark disability of 40% or more, with a valid disability certificate or UDID card.
What is the family income limit?
The annual income of your parents or guardian from all sources must not exceed ₹8 lakh.
Can I apply if I study at any college?
No. This scholarship is only for students studying at institutes notified by DEPwD as Institutes of Excellence, such as IITs, NITs, IIMs, NLUs and AIIMS. Check the official list before applying.
Is it available for distance or part-time courses?
No. Only regular, full-time graduate and postgraduate degree/diploma courses are covered.
Can I get this scholarship more than once?
No. A person can be awarded this scholarship only once. It continues for the rest of your course if you keep getting promoted, but you can’t get it again for another course.
Can I take another scholarship along with this one?
No. You can’t receive any other scholarship or stipend while holding this one.
Do girls get any preference?
Yes. 50% of the slots are reserved for female candidates.
How is the money paid?
Through Direct Benefit Transfer into your Aadhaar-linked bank account.
Important Links
| Link | URL |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (NSP) | scholarships.gov.in |
| Official Website (DEPwD) | depwd.gov.in |
| More Scholarships | ScholarshipsX |
| Fellowships | Fellowships at ScholarshipsX |
Looking for more options? Browse the latest central and state schemes on ScholarshipsX, and if you’re planning research after your degree, check out our fellowships section.
Disclaimer: ScholarshipsX is not affiliated with the Government of India or NSP. Details are based on the official DEPwD scheme guidelines and NSP information available at the time of writing. Please verify the latest amounts and dates on the official portal before applying.
Menka Singh is an education researcher and scholarship consultant with over 5 years of experience helping Indian students navigate central, state and private scholarship programmes. Having personally applied for and received scholarships during her own education, she brings firsthand understanding to every guide she writes. She specialises in Bihar, UP, Maharashtra and all India scholarship schemes and has helped thousands of students find verified funding opportunities. Read More: Click Here
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