Children of handloom weavers can now build their future in textile education. The Central Government’s National Handloom Development Programme Scholarship, known as the NHDP Scholarship, gives children of weavers up to ₹2 lakh a year for diploma, graduation and post-graduation courses. The scheme is run by the Ministry of Textiles since October 2021 and its aim is to give higher education in textiles to children of weaver families. Children of weaver families from Haryana can also apply.
How much money is given
The maximum scholarship amount is ₹2 lakh per year. This amount is given for tuition fees and other academic expenses. The programme guidelines describe the financial support as up to ₹5,000 a month or ₹2 lakh a year.
- Maximum scholarship: ₹2 lakh per year
- Monthly form in the guidelines: up to ₹5,000 per month
- Courses: diploma, graduation or post-graduation, of 3 or 4 years
- Institutions: Central or State Government recognised or funded textile institutions
- Per weaver: up to 2 children can get the scholarship
- Payment: directly to the bank account of the weaver or the child
According to the reply given in the Rajya Sabha on 6 February 2026, all eligible students who applied between October 2021 and October 2025 were given the scholarship.
Who can apply
The eligibility conditions are as follows.
- Children of handloom weavers or weaver workers
- Admission in a Central or State Government recognised or funded textile institution
- Studying a diploma, graduation or post-graduation course
- A maximum of 2 children of one weaver can benefit
- Applications are made through the concerned Weavers’ Service Centre
- Renewal needs the previous year’s mark sheet and proof of admission
How to apply
Applications are made through the nearest Weavers’ Service Centre, known as WSC. The weaver has to submit the child’s application, identity card, bank account details, admission letter from the institution and tuition fee receipt to the concerned Weavers’ Service Centre. The Weavers’ Service Centre verifies the documents and forwards the proposal to the office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) for sanction. A fresh application has to be made for every academic year. There is no single central last date for this scheme, so contact the nearest Weavers’ Service Centre to know the process for the current academic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under the NHDP Scholarship? A: Up to ₹2 lakh per year. The guidelines describe the financial support as up to ₹5,000 a month or ₹2 lakh a year. Q2: Who can apply for this scholarship? A: Children of handloom weavers studying a diploma, graduation or post-graduation course at a Central or State Government recognised or funded textile institution. Q3: How many children of one weaver can benefit? A: A maximum of 2 children of one weaver can get this scholarship. Q4: How is the application made? A: The application is made through the nearest Weavers’ Service Centre. A fresh application has to be made for every academic year.
Useful links
- Scheme details on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/nhdpsc
- Ministry of Textiles website: https://www.texmin.nic.in
- Also see — Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana for school students: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-deen-dayal-sparsh-yojana-haryana/
- Also see — Young Artists Scholarship: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-scholarships-young-artists-haryana/
- Complete list of all 726 Central Government schemes: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
