AICTE – PRAGATI SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR GIRL STUDENTS (DIPLOMA)

1.0 Scheme Objective

The AICTE-implemented scheme aims to assist and advance girls pursuing technical education. Education empowers women with the knowledge, skill, and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process, thereby **"Empowering Women through Technical Education."**

2.0 Eligibility for Scholarship

• The girl candidate must be admitted to the **First year of a Diploma level course** OR **Second year (Lateral Entry)** of a Diploma level course in any AICTE approved Institution of the respective year.
• A maximum of **two girls per family** are eligible.
• Family income from all sources should **not be more than Rs. 8 lakh per annum** during the current financial year. A valid income certificate issued by the State/UT Government must be enclosed.
• The candidate should **NOT** be a recipient of any Central Govt./ State Govt. / AICTE Sponsored scholarships.
• Only **female students** are eligible.

3.0 Scholarship Amount and Duration

• **Amount:** **Rs. 50,000/- per annum** for every year of study.
• **Duration:** Maximum **3 years** for first-year admitted students and maximum **2 years** for second-year (lateral entry) admitted students.
• This is a **lump sum amount** intended to cover college fees, purchase of a computer, stationeries, books, equipment, software, etc.
• No other additional grant will be payable for hostel or medical charges.
• No documentary proof is required for utilizing this lump sum amount.

4.0 Number of Scholarships

• A total of **5,000 scholarships** are earmarked per annum for Diploma level courses.
• If there are insufficient online applications, the scholarships may be transferred to the AICTE - PRAGATI SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR GIRL STUDENTS (DEGREE).
• **Special Provision for 13 States/UTs:** All eligible applicants from the following 13 Union Territories and North Eastern States will be given scholarships by AICTE, in addition to the 5,000 earmarked:
  • Andaman and Nicobar Islands (UT), Jammu and Kashmir (UT), Ladakh (UT), Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu (UT), Lakshadweep (UT)
  • Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim & Tripura

Annexure A: State-wise Distribution (5,000 Total)

5.0 Application, Selection, and Renewal

Application Procedure

1. Candidates must apply **online** on the **National Scholarship Portal (NSP)**.
2. The **host institution** verifies the online application.
3. The **Department of Technical Education (DTE)** of the respective State/UT performs the second level of scrutiny.
4. The gap period between passing the qualifying exam and admission to the diploma course should **not be more than two years**.

Selection Criteria

• Selection is based **solely on the merit** of the qualifying examination.
• Merit is determined by the **percentage of marks obtained in the $10^{th}$ / equivalent examination**.
• **Tie-Breaking Procedure:**
  1. Candidate of **elder age** will be ranked higher.
  2. If the tie remains, the candidate with **lower annual family income** will be ranked higher.

Renewal

• The scholarship is renewed on the NSP by submitting a **passing certificate/marksheet** along with a **Promotion Certificate** from the Head of the Institution.
• A student **failing to get promoted** to the next class/level would **forfeit the scholarship**.

6.0 Terms, Conditions, and Disbursement

• **Payment Mode:** Through **DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer)** on an annual basis.
• **Bank Account:** A **General Saving Account** in the student's name is mandatory (Minor/Joint accounts are not accepted).
• **Aadhaar:** **Aadhaar card** and an **Aadhaar seeded bank account** are mandatory.
• **Reservation:** As per Government of India norms. A reserved category student qualifying in the general merit list will be counted under the General Category.
• **CGPA Conversion:** To convert CGPA to a percentage, the multiplying factor is **9.5** (CGPA $\times 9.5$). If both CGPA and total marks are given, **total marks** will be considered.

Reasons for Rejection

Applications may be rejected for the following reasons, among others:

• Admission to a Non-Technical course or a course/institution not approved by AICTE.
• Incomplete or wrong information submitted.
• Availing scholarship from any other source.
• Submitting an annual family income certificate that is:
  • Not of the **current financial year**.
  • Issued by an incompetent authority.
  • Without the signature/stamp of the competent authority.

Required Documents to Upload

• Copy of **SSC/10th certificate & mark sheet**.
• Copy of **ITI certificate** (in case of Lateral Entry for Diploma).
• **Study/Bonafide Certificate** (Appendix-I).
• **Annual Family Income Certificate** (Appendix-II).
• **Parent Declaration** (Appendix-III).
• **Promotion Certificate** (Appendix-IV - for renewal).

7.0 Help and Contact Information

• **For Scholarship Queries:** Email **pragati@aicte-india.org** or call **011-29581118**.
• **For Portal Difficulties (NSP):** Email **helpdesk@nsp.gov.in**.