It is now easier for students with disabilities to fulfil their dream of higher education. The Central Government’s Top Class Education scheme gives major financial support to students with disabilities for graduate and postgraduate degree or diploma courses in the country’s reputed institutes. The scheme is run by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Along with tuition fees, students also get support for living, books, laptops and assistive devices. 300 students benefit every year, and half the scholarships are reserved for girls.
How much money is given
Students get up to ₹1.90 lakh a year for tuition and admission fees under this scheme. In addition, maintenance allowance, special allowance, books, laptops and assistive devices are also covered.
- Tuition and admission fees: up to ₹1.90 lakh per year
- Maintenance allowance: ₹3,000 per month for hostellers, ₹1,500 for day scholars
- Other compulsory fees: ₹10,000 per year
- Special allowance (reader, escort or helper): ₹2,000 per month
- Books and stationery: ₹5,000 per year
- Laptop or computer: ₹45,000 one-time
- Aids and assistive devices: ₹30,000 one-time
The scholarship amount is sent directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through DBT. The amount is given for the full duration of the course, provided the student passes every year.
Who can apply
The eligibility conditions are as follows.
- Benchmark disability of 40 percent or more, with a valid certificate
- Family income of not more than ₹8 lakh a year
- Full-time graduate or postgraduate degree or diploma course in notified Institutes of Excellence
- The scholarship is not given for distance, part-time or weekend courses
- The scholarship is not given again for the same class
- 300 slots every year, half reserved for girls
This scheme is different from the Top Class Education scheme for SC students. That scheme is for Scheduled Caste students under a different ministry, while this scheme is for students with disabilities.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the National Scholarship Portal. The student has to register on the portal, fill the application and upload the required documents. For the 2026-27 cycle, student applications opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 31 October 2026. Institute-level verification runs till 15 November 2026, and district, state and ministry-level verification till 30 November 2026. New applications for 2026-27 are therefore no longer accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much scholarship do students with disabilities get? A: Up to ₹1.90 lakh a year for tuition and admission fees, ₹3,000 a month maintenance for hostellers, ₹5,000 a year for books and ₹45,000 one-time for a laptop. Q2: How many students benefit every year? A: 300 students benefit every year, with half the scholarships reserved for girls. Q3: What was the last date for 2026-27? A: Student applications closed on 31 October 2026. Institute verification runs till 15 November and district, state and ministry verification till 30 November 2026. Q4: How is this scheme different from the Top Class Education scheme for SC students? A: The SC scheme is different and is for Scheduled Caste students, while this scheme is for students with disabilities.
Useful links
- Scheme details on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/tce-swd
- National Scholarship Portal: https://scholarships.gov.in
- Also see — UGC Post-Graduate Scholarship for University Rank Holders: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-post-graduate-scholarship-university-rank-holders-haryana/
- Complete list of all 726 Central Government schemes: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
