Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities, DNH & DD

The scheme "Pre-Matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities" by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, aims to support students with disabilities in pursuing education, reducing drop-out rates, and improving participation at the pre-matric level of education. Through this scheme, maintenance allowance, book grant, and disability allowance are provided to eligible students with benchmark disabilities studying in Classes IX and X. The scheme is implemented in the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu by the Social Welfare Department, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Administration, through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The scholarship is available to regular full-time students studying in Government schools or schools recognised by the Government or a Central/State Board of Secondary Education. A total of 25,000 scholarships are sanctioned annually under the scheme. The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Selection is based on merit and other criteria prescribed under the scheme guidelines. > Objectives: - To support students with disabilities in pursuing education and preparing themselves to earn their livelihood and find a dignified place in society despite physical, financial, and psychological barriers. - To support students with disabilities in their studies so that the incidence of drop-out, especially during the transition from elementary education to higher education, is minimised. - To improve the participation of students with disabilities in Classes IX and X and at the pre-matric stage of education.