Photo: Athulvis, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
The Central Government’s AICTE-Swanath Scholarship is for students whose families have faced a major tragedy. It is a scheme of the Student Development Cell (StDC) of the AICTE, under the Ministry of Education. It pays ₹50,000 a year — for the full duration of the course. Every year, 2,000 scholarships are given — 1,000 for degree courses and 1,000 for diploma courses. It is for orphan students, children who lost parents to COVID-19, martyrs’ children and children of families hit by serious illness or accidents. The 2026-27 application window closed on 31 October 2026 — check the next cycle dates on the NSP portal.
How much money is given
Selected students get ₹50,000 a year — for the full duration of the course, up to 3 years for a diploma and up to 4 years for a degree. Every year, 2,000 scholarships are given — 1,000 for degree courses and 1,000 for diploma courses. The amount comes directly into the bank account (DBT). A 4-year degree can bring up to ₹2 lakh in total, and a 3-year diploma up to ₹1.5 lakh. Note: this is a lump-sum yearly amount — no separate tuition fee or book allowance is given. A student already receiving any Central, State or AICTE scholarship is not eligible.
Who can apply
For the Swanath Scholarship, the student must fall in one of four categories. First: an orphan student — both parents have passed away. Second: a student whose either or both parents died due to COVID-19. Third: wards of Armed Forces and Central Paramilitary Forces personnel martyred in action. Fourth: a student whose parent suffers from a life-threatening disease or became more than 80% disabled in an accident. In addition, the family’s annual income must not exceed ₹8 lakh — a valid income certificate from the State or UT government must be attached. The student must be studying in a regular degree or diploma course (1st to 4th year) at an AICTE-approved institution. Aadhaar is mandatory.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the NSP, scholarships.gov.in. First, complete the one-time registration (OTR) on NSP and keep your Aadhaar, bank account and mobile number ready. Then fill the application for the Swanath scheme and upload the death certificate (for orphan or COVID categories), the martyr certificate, the income certificate and the institution’s bonafide certificate. The 2026-27 application opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 31 October 2026 — institute verification runs till 15 November and state nodal verification till 30 November 2026. Check the next cycle dates on the NSP portal. Never pay anyone for applying; selection is on eligibility and documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the Swanath Scholarship? A: ₹50,000 a year — for the full course duration, up to 3 years for a diploma and 4 years for a degree.
Q2: How many scholarships are given every year? A: 2,000 scholarships — 1,000 for degree and 1,000 for diploma courses.
Q3: Who can apply? A: Orphan students, children who lost parents to COVID-19, martyrs’ children and children of families hit by serious illness or accidents.
Q4: Where do I apply? A: Online on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) scholarships.gov.in; the 2026-27 cycle closed on 31 October 2026.
Useful links
- National Scholarship Portal (NSP): https://scholarships.gov.in/
- AICTE Scholarship Page: https://www.aicte-india.org/bureaus/sc/Scholarship
- Swanath Scholarship on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/aicte-ssss
- Also see the Saksham Scholarship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-saksham-scholarship-diploma-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
