Important and Full Details of Pre-matric scholarship & Post matric scholarship for Students with disabilities.
Central sector scheme of Pre-matric scholarship & Post matric scholarship for Students with disabilities (As Modified on 10-10-2015) - Effective from 1st April, 2014
1. INTRODUCTION
Article 41 of Part IV ("Directive Principles of State Policy") of the Constitution provides that the State shall make effective provisions for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want. Education plays a pivotal role in socio-economic empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
Article 46 of Part IV ("Directive Principles of State Policy") of the Constitution enjoins upon the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people. Article 38(2) of the same Part also enjoins upon the State to minimize inequalities in income and to endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations.
Further, section 26 of The Persons with Disabilities (EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES, PROTECTION OF RIGHTS AND FULL PARTICIPATION) Act, 1995 provides that the appropriate Governments and the local authorities shall (a) Ensure that every child with a disability has access to free education in an appropriate environment till he attains the age of eighteen years; (b) Endeavor to promote the integration of students with disabilities in the normal schools. Section 27 (f) of PWD Act, provides that the appropriate Governments and the local authorities shall by notification make schemes for providing every child with disability free of cost special books and equipments needed for his education.
According to Census 2011, there were 2.68 Crore persons with disabilities in India who constituted 2.22 per cent of the total population. This includes persons with visual, hearing, speech, loco-motor, mental retardation, and other disabilities. Details of persons with disability in India, by type of disability, as per Census 2011 are as below:
2.OBJECTIVES
Objectives of the schemes are:
(a)To support students with disabilities for their study in classes IX and X onwards so that the incidence of drop-out, especially in the transition from the elementary to the secondary stage is minimized,
(b)To improve participation of students with disabilities in classes IX and X and at the pre-matric stage of education.
(c)To support students with disabilities to study further in order to prepare themselves to earn their livelihood and to find a dignified place for themselves in the society as they face several barriers physical, financial, psychological, mental in pursuing studies and living with dignity. At times such students are deprived of harnessing their latent skills and thereby miss the opportunity.
(d)All Graduate & Post Graduate courses recognised by UGC will be covered under Post-Matric Scholarship
3.SCOPE
Scholarships under this scheme will be available for studying in classes IX, X, XI, XII, post-matriculation diploma/certificates and Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in India and Master’s Degree from any University recognised by UGC, to students with disabilities who are covered under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunity, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 and the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 and/or under any relevant legal statute in force.
Only Indian Nationals will be eligible for scholarships. Scholarship under the Scheme will be awarded by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability, Government of India.
4.IMPLEMENTING AGENCY
The schemes of Pre-matric Scholarship and Post-matric Scholarship for Students with Disabilities are Central Sector Schemes and will be implemented directly by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through the National e-Scholarship Portal (NeSP) and the scholarship amount will be disbursed through PFMS portal directly to the beneficiaries.
5.CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY
5.1 General Conditions for both pre-matric and post-matric scholarship schemes:
(i) The scholarships are open to nationals of India only.
(ii) The students having less than 40% disability (Certified by competent medical authority of the state Governments/UTs.) are not eligible.
(iii) Not more than two disabled children of the same parents will be entitled to receive benefits of the scheme. Provided in case the second child is a twin, the scholarship under this scheme will be admissible to both the twins.
(iv) Scholarship for studying in any class will be available for only one year. If a student has to repeat a class, she / he would not get scholarship for that class for a second (or subsequent) year.
(v) A scholarship holder under this scheme will not hold any other scholarship/stipend. If awarded any other scholarship/stipend, the student can exercise his/her option for either of the two scholarships/stipends, whichever is more beneficial to him/her and should inform the awarding authority through the Head of the Institution about the option made. No scholarship will be paid to the students under this scheme from the date he/she accepts another scholarship/stipend. The student can however, accept free lodging or a grant or ad-hoc monetary help from the State Government or any other source for the purchase of books, equipment or for meeting the expenses on board and lodging in addition to the scholarship amount paid under this scheme.
(vi) Scholarship holders who are receiving coaching in any of the pre-examination training centres with financial assistance from the Central Government/ State Government will not be eligible for stipend under the coaching schemes for the duration of the coaching programme.
5.2 For Pre-matric scholarship -
She/he should be a regular, full time student studying in class IX or X in a Government school or in a school recognized by Govt. or by a Central/State Board of Secondary Education.
5.3 For post-matric scholarship -
(i) These scholarships will be given for the study of all recognized post-matriculation or post-secondary courses pursued in recognized institutions with the following exceptions: "Scholarships are not awarded for training courses like Aircraft Maintenance Engineer's Courses and Private Pilot license Courses. Courses at Training - Ship Dufferin (Now Rajendra), courses of training at the Military College, Dehradun, courses at Pre-examination Training Centres of all India and State levels."
(ii) Only those candidates who have passed the Matriculation or Higher Secondary or any higher examination of a recognized University or Board of Secondary Education will be eligible.
(iii) Courses at the level of post-graduate degree/diploma/ certificate are also covered under this scheme.
(iv) Candidates who after passing one stage of education are studying in the same stage of education in different subject e.g. B.Com. after B.A. in other subject will not be eligible. However, students pursuing L.L.B/B.Ed/B.El.Ed. after passing B.A./B.Sc./B.E. etc. are eligible for Post-Matric Scholarship under this scheme.
(v) Students who are pursuing two different courses of study simultaneously can avail the scholarship for any one course only provided pursuance of such courses are permissible under the rules/regulations of the Educational Authority concerned.
(vi) Students studying in Class XI of the Higher Secondary School courses of the XII Class of the Multipurpose High School will not be eligible for it being a continuous school course. However, in cases where Xth class examination of such courses is treated as equivalent to Matriculation and students who after passing Xth class join other courses, such students will be treated as post- matric students and will be eligible for the award of scholarships.
(vii) Students who after failing or passing the under graduate examinations in Arts/Science/Commerce join any recognized professional or Technical certificate/diploma/degree courses will be awarded scholarships if otherwise eligible. No subsequent failure will be condoned except courses in Group-I.
(viii) Students who pursue their studies through correspondence courses are also eligible. The term correspondence includes distant and continuing education.
(ix) Employed students whose income combined with the income of their parents/guardians does not exceed the maximum prescribed income ceiling are made eligible to post-matric scholarships to the extent of reimbursement of all compulsorily payable non-refundable fees.
Note 1: It is mentioned under para 5.3(i) (conditions of eligibility) above, of this scheme that the scholarship will be given for the study of all recognised post-matriculation or post-secondary courses pursued in recognised institutions, the list of courses grouped (I to IV) is only illustrative and not exhaustive. The State Governments/Union Territory Administrations are, thus, themselves competent to decide the appropriate grouping of courses at their level.
6. ANNUAL PARENTAL/GUARDIAN'S INCOME
Scholarship will be paid to the students whose parents/ guardians' income from all sources does not exceed Rs. 2,00,000/- (Rupees two lakh only) per annum in case of Pre-matric scholarship scheme and Rs.2,50,000/- (Rupees two lakh fifty thousand only) per annum in case of Post-matric scholarship scheme.
NOTE 1: So long as either of the parents is alive, only income of the parents, as the case may be, from all sources has to be taken into account only and of no other member even though they may be earning. In the form of income declaration, income is to be declared on this basis. Only in the case where both the parents have died, the income of the guardian who is supporting the student in his/her studies has to be taken. Such students whose parent's income is affected due to unfortunate death of one of earning parents and resultantly comes within the income ceiling prescribed under the scheme, shall become eligible for scholarship, subject to their fulfilling other conditions of eligibility, from the month in which such sad incidence takes place. Applications for scholarships from such students can be considered even after lapse of last date of receipt of applications, on compassionate grounds.
NOTE 2: Income certificate is required to be taken once only i.e. at the time of admission to courses which are continuing for more than one year.
Note 3: Income Ceiling would be revised once in every two years linking it with Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers for the month of October of the year, preceding the year of revision and will be made effective from April.
7. VALUE OF SCHOLARSHIPS
7.1 Pre-matric Scholarship:
The value of Pre-matric scholarship includes the following for complete duration of the course:
(i) Scholarship and other grant;
(ii) Allowances, and
(i) Rates of Scholarship and Grant:
a) Monthly Reader Allowance for Blind students- 160
b) Monthly Transport Allowance, if such students do not reside in the hostel which is within the premises of the Educational Institution. - 160
c) Monthly Escort Allowance for Severely Disabled (i.e. with 80% or higher disability) Day Scholars/Students With low extremity disability - 160
d) Monthly Helper Allowance admissible to any employee of the hostel willing to extend help to a severely orthopaedically handicapped student residing in the hostel of an Educational Institution who may need the assistance of a helper. - 160
e) Monthly Mentally Students Coaching Retarded Allowance and Mentally to ill - 240
7.2 Post-Matric Scholarship:
The value of Post-matric scholarship includes the following for complete duration of the course:-
(i) Maintenance allowance,
(ii) Additional allowance for students with disabilities, for the complete duration of the course, and
(iii) Reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees,
(iv) Study tour charges,
(v) Typing/printing charges for preparing Reports/projects,
(vi) Book allowance for students pursuing correspondence courses,
(vii) Book bank facility for specified courses, The details are as follows:
(i) Maintenance allowance
(ii) Additional Allowances depending on disabilities of the student
A. Reader Allowance for blind Scholars: Rs.240/- per month for all the groups of courses.
B. Transport Allowance: Rs.160/- per month for disabled students, if such students do not reside in the hostel, which is within the premises of educational institution. The disability as per the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 is defined as blindness, low-vision, leprosycured, hearing impairment, locomotors disability, mental retardation and mental illness.
C. Escort Allowance: Rs.160/- per month for severally handicapped day scholar students with low extremity disability.
D. Special Allowance: Rs.160/- per month is admissible to any employee of the hostel willing to extend help to a severely orthopedically handicapped student residing in hostel of an educational institution, who may need the assistance of a helper.
E. Coaching Allowance: Rs.240/- per month towards extra coaching to mentally retarded and mentally ill students. The provisions in (B) to (D) will also apply to such leprosy-cured students.
(iii) Reimbursement of compulsory non-refundable fees Scholars will be paid enrolment/registration, tuition, games, Union, Library, Magazine, Medical Examination and such other fees compulsorily payable by the scholar to the institution or University/Board. Refundable deposits like caution money, security deposit will, however, be excluded.
Note : Compulsory non-refundable fee charged by recognized institutions against free and paid seats of recognized courses can be fully reimbursed as per the fee structure approved by the competent State/Central Government authority.
(iv) Study Tour Charges
Study tour charges up to a maximum of Rs.1600/- per annum, limited to the actual expenditure incurred by the student on transportation charges etc. will be paid to the scholars studying professional and technical courses, provided that the head of the institution certifies that the study tour is essential for the scholar for completion of his/her course of study.
(v) Typing/printing charges for preparing Project Reports/Thesis
Project Reports/Thesis typing/printing charges up to a maximum of Rs.1600/- will be paid to research scholars on the recommendation of the Head of the Institution.
(vi) Book Allowance for Students pursuing Correspondence /Distance Education Courses
The students pursuing such courses are also eligible for an annual allowance of Rs.1200/- for essential/prescribed books, besides reimbursement of course fees.
(vii) Book Banks
1. Book Banks are to be set up in all Institutes where disabled students are in receipt of Post Matric Scholarship. Normally, one set of text books will be purchased for two disabled students in the same category. However, in case two students of the same type of disability or group of course are not available, one set of books may be allowed for one such student also. Separate set of books shall be purchased for different type of disability of the student.
2. The details of courses covered for setting up of Book Banks, ceiling of admissible expenditure per set of books are given below:
4. For storage of books and contingencies etc., the cost of steel almirah for storing books of each Book Bank including contingencies like transportation etc. the following expenses are admissible:
ii. 5% of the grant may be earmarked for expenses on binding, stiching etc.
Note : The said sets of books also include Braille Books, Talking Books. Cassettes for the visually Handicapped students.
The Book Banks are to be set up in all the recognized colleges/institutions where these courses are being offered as recognized courses.
Purchase of books for these Book Banks will be restricted to the prescribed text books for the entire courses.
The State Governments may constitute Expert Groups consisting of members from selected colleges/educational institutions of different regions to decide the adequate number of text books in a set (not reference books) required for each course.
The life period of one set of books has been fixed at 3 years. Thereafter, the books may be disposed of by the institutions in the same manner as the books in the library subject to the guidelines, if any, of the State Government/UT Administration in this regard.
These books are to be supplied to disabled students in instalments, depending on the course, semester structure etc.
The following rules shall govern the distribution of books to the students:
(i) Each Disabled student will be provided with an identity card for this purpose.
(ii) Each Disabled student will be required to submit requisition for borrowing books from the Book Bank in a form to be provided for this purpose.
(iii) The books would be returned to the Book Bank at the end of each term. The Principal of the college/institution will make every effort to ensure that those students who complete their course or those who drop out in the middle, return the books belonging to the Book Bank
(iv) It is the responsibility of the student concern to maintain the books supplied to them from the Book Bank, in good condition.
(v) Any case of loss or damage to the books would attract penalty. In case of serious damage or loss of books, the student concerned will have to bear the cost of the book.
7.3 Aids and Assistive Devices:
In addition to the amount of scholarship and allowances as provided above, the selected candidates for both the schemes of pre-matric and post-matric scholarship scheme can be sanctioned grants for purchase of aids and assistive devices under the ADIP scheme being run by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability.
7.4 General Conditions:
(i) Normally the term 'Hostel' is applicable to a common residential building and common messes for the students run under the supervision of the educational institution authorities. In case the college authorities are unable to provide accommodation in the college Hostel, an approved place of residence can also be treated as Hostel for the purpose of this scheme. The place will be approved by the Head of the Institution after due inspection and keeping in view the rules and regulations laid down by the University/Institute, if any. In such case, a certificate to the effect that the student is residing in an approved place of residence, as he/she is unable to get accommodation in the school/college hostel should be furnished by the Head of the Institution.
(ii) It is further clarified that such deemed hostels should consist of such accommodation as is hired at least by a group of 5(five) students living together, usually with common mess arrangements.
(iii) Scholars who are entitled to free board and/or lodging will be paid maintenance charge at 1/3rd at hostellers' rate.
8. DURATION AND RENEWAL OF AWARDS
(i) The award once made will be tenable from the stage at which it is given to the completion of course subject to good conduct and regularity in attendance. It will be renewed from year to year provided that within a course which is continuous for a number of years, the scholar secures promotion to the next higher class irrespective of the fact whether such examinations are conducted by a University or the Institution.
(ii) If a Disabled scholar pursuing Group I courses mentioned in para 7.2 (i) above, (in case of post-matric scholarship) fails in the examination for the first time, the award may be renewed. For second and subsequent failure in any class, the student shall bear his/her own expenses until he/she secures promotion to the next higher class.
(iii) If a scholar is unable to appear in the annual examination owing to illness and or on account of any other unforeseeable event, the award may be renewed for the next academic year on submission of medical certificate and/or other required sufficient proof to the satisfaction of the Head of the Institution and his/her certifying that the scholar would have passed had he appeared in the examination.
(iv) If according to the Regulations of a University/Institution, a student is promoted to the next higher class even though he/she may not have actually passed in lower class and is required to take examination of the junior class again after sometime, he/she will be entitled to scholarship for the class to which he/she is promoted if the student is otherwise eligible for scholarship.
9. OTHER CONDITIONS
(i) The scholarship is dependent on the satisfactory progress and conduct of the scholar. If it is reported by the Head of the Institution at any time that a scholar has by reasons of his/her own act of default failed to make satisfactory progress or has been guilty of misconduct such as resorting to or participating in strikes, irregularity in attendance without the permission of the authorities concerned etc., the authority sanctioning the scholarship may either cancel the scholarships or stop or withhold further payment for such period as it may think fit.
(ii) If a student is found to have obtained a scholarship by false statements, his/her scholarship will be cancelled forthwith and the amount of the scholarship paid will be recovered, at the discretion of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability, Government of India. The student concerned will be blacklisted and debarred for scholarship in any scheme forever.
(iii) A scholarship awarded may be cancelled if the scholar changes the subject of the course of study for which the scholarship was originally awarded.
(iv) A scholar is liable to refund the scholarship amount at the discretion of the Deptt. of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Government of India, if during the course of the year, the studies for which the scholarship has been awarded, is discontinued by him/her.
(v) Maintenance allowance is payable from 1st April or from the month of admission, whichever is later, to the month in which the examinations are completed, at the end of the academic year (including maintenance allowance during holidays), provided that if the scholar secures admission after the 20th day of a month, the amount will be paid from the month following the month of admission. In case of pre-matric scholarship maintenance allowance shall be payable only up to ten months in an academic year.
(vi) In case of renewal of scholarships awarded in the previous years, maintenance allowance will be paid from the month following the month up to which scholarship was paid in the previous year, if the course of study is continuous.
(vii) Scholarship will not be paid for the period of internship/houseman ship in the M.B.B.S. course or for a practical training in other courses if the student is in receipt of some remuneration during the internship period or some allowance/stipend during the practical training in other course.
10. NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND RESERVATION FOR GIRLS
a) Number of Pre-matric scholarships to be sanctioned every year is 46,000 (forty six thousand) only.
b) Number of Post-matric scholarships to be sanctioned every year is 16,650 (sixteen thousand six hundred fifty) only.
c) The number of slots of scholarships as mentioned above will be distributed among all the States and Union Territories of India. The no. of slots available to any State/UT is decided on the basis of percentage of population of PwDs of that State/UT in comparison to the total PwD population of India.
Provided that in case the numbers of scholarships so allocated to a State/UT are not fully utilized, due to non-availability of eligible candidates, the unutilised slots shall be allocated amongst the other States/UTs where the number of eligible candidates is much more than the slots allocated to that State/UT.
The No. of scholarships allocated to each of the State/UT is shown in Annexure I.
d) 50% of the total scholarships available each year shall be reserved for girl candidates. However, in case adequate number of girl candidates are not available or not found eligible as per the terms and conditions of the scheme, the unutilized slots can be utilized by selecting suitable male candidates.
11. PUBLICITY OF THE SCHEME & INVITING APPLICATIONS
The scheme will be advertised at the appropriate time and will be suitably publicised through media and website to bring it to the notice of the target group.
12. PROCEDURE OF APPLICATION AND SELECTION
a) The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities will announce the details of the scheme and invite applications by issuing an advertisement in the leading newspapers and through the websites and other media outfits. Applications will be called for through National e-Scholarship Portal (www.scholarships.gov.in).
b) The applicants should submit their application through the on- line system within the last date prescribed for receipt of applications. All requisite documents like photograph, proof of age, disability certificate, income certificate of the parent, etc. duly filled in the prescribed format will be required to be uploaded in the on-line system.
c) The institutions in which the candidate is studying shall also register itself in the same website and verify the details provided by the candidates. The nodal officer nominated by the State shall oversee all the applications and process the same the State Government who shall forward the final list in PFMS portal for disbursal of scholarship amount to the beneficiaries.
d) Final selection will be done by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities based on the recommendations of the concerned Department of the State Government considering, inter alia, the no. of slots available to that particular State. The no. of slots available to any State is decided on the basis of percentage of population of PWDs of that State in comparison to the total PWD population of India.
e) In case a candidate is a permanent resident of one State but studying in another State, his application will be considered under the slot of his home State and his application needs the recommendation of the Education/Welfare Department of the State of which he is a permanent resident.
f) Merit Criteria for Selection: The following factors will be taken into consideration:
(i) Fulfillment of eligibility conditions as given in the scheme.
(ii) Recommendation of the State Education Department.
(iii) No. of slots available to the State.
(iv) Merit of the candidate in terms of percentage of marks obtained in the qualifying examination.
(v) In case of a tie in percentage of marks, the percentage of disability will be considered i.e. the candidate with higher percentage of disability will get preference. In case there is still a tie, the age will be considered i.e. the older candidate will get preference.
13. MODE OF DISBURSAL OF SCHOLARSHIP
The scholarship amount will be directly credited into the account of the beneficiaries through PFMS system by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
14. MONITORING
a) Monitoring of the scheme will be done by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities through the on-line portal.
b) The State Government shall ensure that list of beneficiaries, with necessary particulars, are maintained district-wise, and category- wise.
15. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES:
In order to implement the scheme the following administrative expenses are likely to be involved –
a) Engagement of manpower at the Department for execution of the project. As the magnitude of data to be entered and processed would be enormous and the scheme gets implemented over the years there would be a need to engage qualified skilled personnel right from the beginning to ensure the data base of computerized systems are operational.
b) Publishing advertisements and other publicity materials to generate awareness among the targeted beneficiary group.
In order to meet the above expenditure or any other expenditure incidental to implementation of the scheme, a provision of not exceeding 3% of the total budget shall be kept as administrative expenditure.
16. LITIGATIONS
Any litigation on matters arising out of this scheme will be subject to sole jurisdiction of the courts situated in National Capital Territory of Delhi.
17. CHANGE IN THE PROVISIONS OF THE SCHEME
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Govt. of India may, at its discretion, make necessary changes in the provisions of this scheme, as and when felt necessary, with the approval of Secretary of that Department in consultation with the Financial Adviser concerned.
18. REVIEW OF SCHEME
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities may, at its discretion, undertake review of the scheme as and when required.
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